Forum Tip-Off Classic Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back for another year, the Forum Tip-Off Classic is one again one of the premier events of the Indiana High School Basketball season. Six excellent matchups featuring some of the state's top teams and players will run throughout the day at the historic Southport Fieldhouse. Let's dive on into a full preview of Saturday's event. Stay tuned right here on Prep Hoops Indiana as well as <a href="https://twitter.com/BRamseyKSR">@BRamseyKSR</a> will have full coverage throughout the day from Southport.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Noon - North Daviess vs. Beech Grove</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prospects to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='935727' first='Jaylen' last='Mullen'] (North Daviess H.S. 2023 - Oakland City), [player_tooltip player_id='1530699' first='Jeremiah' last='Alexander'] (Beech Grove H.S. 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='1556397' first='Jeremiah' last='Tate'] (Beech Grove H.S. 2023), Cam Brown (Beech Grove H.S. 2023)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> This Top 5 Class 3A matchup will get the day started with a noon tip-off. Defending Class 1A state champion North Daviess has made the jump all the way to 3A and is currently ranked #2 in the class by Prep Hoops Indiana with a 3-0 record. They will take on defending Class 3A state champion Beech Grove who is 3-1 on the season coming off a victory over NorthWood in last weekend's Sneakers For Santa Shootout. Both teams bring back their backcourts from winning state championships a year ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Beech Grove was very impressive in their win over NorthWood last week who was ranked #1 in Class 3A at the time. It will likely come down to which backcourt is better on Saturday. I think the athleticism, plus 6'6" forward Cam Brown, will be the difference for the Hornets. Beech Grove 60 North Daviess 52</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>1:45 p.m. - Norwell vs. Franklin Central</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prospects to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='935745' first='Luke' last='McBride'] (Norwell H.S. 2023 - Bethel), E.J. Hazelett (Franklin Central H.S. 2026), [player_tooltip player_id='1272457' first='Bryce' last='Hoover'] (Franklin Central H.S. 2023)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Franklin Central has been hit hard with a couple of their most talented guards no longer with the Flashes team this season. However, they still feature one of the most talented freshman in the state in 6'6" versatile wing E.J. Hazelett. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1272457' first='Bryce' last='Hoover'] has been their scoring leader this season averaging 11.3 points per game, but Franklin Central is off to an 0-3 start. As for Norwell, they are currently 3-1 and ranked #7 in Class 3A in the Prep Hoops Indiana polls led by future Bethel Pilot [player_tooltip player_id='935745' first='Luke' last='McBride'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Norwell returns their entire core from a sectional championship team, including a very talented scoring guard in McBride. That should be enough to get the job done in this one as Franklin Central still tries to find their footing. Norwell 59 Franklin Central 41</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>3:30 p.m. - Southport vs. Crown Point</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prospects to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='935723' first='Anthony' last='Dancler'] (Southport H.S. 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='868243' first='Keyon' last='Garrett-Miller'] (Southport H.S. 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='868221' first='Nickens' last='Lemba'] (Southport H.S. 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='868226' first='Jayden' last='Pinkston'] (Southport H.S. 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='868237' first='A.J.' last='Lux'] (Crown Point H.S. 2023 - Bellarmine)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Host Southport is currently 2-1 and ranked #8 in Class 4A by Prep Hoops Indiana. They have an excellent group of seniors and as talented of a starting five as you'll find. Meanwhile, Crown Point is a very potent team offensively who enters averaging over 70 points per game with a 3-1 record. Sharp-shooter, and Bellarmine signee, [player_tooltip player_id='868237' first='A.J.' last='Lux'] is the guy to watch for the Bulldogs. Will the rest of the backcourt, including juniors Elliott Swan and Jack Svetich step up to provide an additional scoring punch against a stout Southport defense? That will be the question on Saturday afternoon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Home floor advantage and depth of talent will likely be enough to edge the Cardinals to victory in this one. Southport 63 Crown Point 57</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>5:15 p.m. - Bloomington North vs. Fishers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prospects to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='868224' first='JaQualon' last='Roberts'] (Bloomington H.S. North 2023 - Vanderbilt), [player_tooltip player_id='1297052' first='Jalen' last='Haralson'] (Fishers H.S. 2025), [player_tooltip player_id='1578471' first='Taden' last='Metzger'] (Fishers H.S. 2024), Keenan Garner (Fishers H.S. 2024), [player_tooltip player_id='1525664' first='Jonanthony' last='Hall'] (Fishers H.S. 2025), [player_tooltip player_id='935744' first='James' last='Stasey'] (Fishers H.S. 2023)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Watching Vanderbilt signee [player_tooltip player_id='868224' first='JaQualon' last='Roberts'] against 5-star sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1297052' first='Jalen' last='Haralson'] will be worth the price of admission on Saturday. Roberts is averaging 24 points and 10 rebounds for the 2-1 Cougars. As we close out week three, Fishers has arguably been tested as much as anyone in the state. The Tigers are 3-3, but still ranked #10 in Class 4A due to their losses coming against Ben Davis, Noblesville, and Carmel in overtime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Fishers has more overall talent in this one, but Roberts is at least capable of matching Haralson one-for-one in the battle for best player on the floor. That can always make a difference. However, I'm riding with the Tigers. Fishers 67 Bloomington North 58</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>7:00 p.m. - Penn vs. Zionsville</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prospects to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1049169' first='Markus' last='Burton'] (Penn H.S. 2023 - Notre Dame), [player_tooltip player_id='1272962' first='Joe' last='Smith'] (Penn H.S. 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='1391326' first='Joey' last='Garwood'] (Penn H.S. 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='1272951' first='Josh' last='Gatete'] (Penn H.S. 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='1049172' first='Dylan' last='Derda'] (Penn H.S. 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='1547389' first='Dominic' last='Bonner'] (Penn H.S. 2024), [player_tooltip player_id='868255' first='Logan' last='Imes'] (Zionsville H.S. 2023 - Penn State), [player_tooltip player_id='868244' first='Nick' last='Richart'] (Zionsville H.S. 2023 - Charlotte), [player_tooltip player_id='1525679' first='Drew' last='Snively'] (Zionsville H.S. 2025), [player_tooltip player_id='1525678' first='Maguire' last='Mitchell'] (Zionsville H.S. 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Two of Indiana's best guard, and Mr. Basketball candidates, will go head-to-head in the second to last game of the day on Saturday evening. Penn State bound [player_tooltip player_id='868255' first='Logan' last='Imes'] leads the 2-2 Eagles, ranked #5 in the state, averaging 16.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. His 6'9" running mate [player_tooltip player_id='868244' first='Nick' last='Richart'], who is headed to Charlotte, averages 12.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. For the Kingsmen, Notre Dame signee [player_tooltip player_id='1049169' first='Markus' last='Burton'] is one of the top scorers in the state for the second straight season averaging 28.7 points to go with 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 steals per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> In a Top 5 battle between #3 Penn and #5 Zionsville there will be no shortage of talent on the floor. Two Mr. Basketball candidates plus a whole host of other future college players. While, Zionsville has the 6'9" Richart and a talented sophomore class, it could be hard to overcome the veteran Kingsmen. Penn 62 Zionsville 57</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>8:30 - Cathedral vs. Ben Davis</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prospects to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='868219' first='Xavier' last='Booker'] (Cathedral H.S. 2023 - Michigan State), [player_tooltip player_id='868251' first='Jake' last='Davis'] (Cathedral H.S. 2023 - Mercer), [player_tooltip player_id='868252' first='Jaron' last='Tibbs'] (Cathedral H.S. 2023 - Purdue Football), [player_tooltip player_id='868227' first='Kamari' last='Slaughter'] (Cathedral H.S. 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='1297083' first='Lebron' last='Gough'] (Cathedral H.S. 2025), [player_tooltip player_id='1297015' first='Deric' last='Cannady'] (Cathedral H.S. 2025), [player_tooltip player_id='1042497' first='Zane' last='Doughty'] (Ben Davis H.S. 2023 - Valparaiso), [player_tooltip player_id='1273713' first='Sheridan' last='Sharp'] (Ben Davis H.S. 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='1158204' first='K.J.' last='Windham'] (Ben Davis H.S. 2024), [player_tooltip player_id='1273740' first='Shaun' last='Arnold'] (Ben Davis H.S. 2023 - Saint Thomas Aquinas), [player_tooltip player_id='1160716' first='Clay' last='Butler'] (Ben Davis H.S. 2023 - Lincoln), [player_tooltip player_id='1049168' first='Jesse' last='Faires'] (Ben Davis H.S. 2023)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> This is the early season matchup that everyone has been waiting for. #1 ranked Cathedral is 4-0 and #2 Ben Davis is 5-0 both with impressive resumes entering this heavyweight bought. Namely, you have 6'11" Michigan State signee [player_tooltip player_id='868219' first='Xavier' last='Booker'] against 6'9" Valparaiso signee [player_tooltip player_id='1042497' first='Zane' last='Doughty'], but there is a ton of other supporting talent. Last weekend in Cathedral's win over Centerville (OH) in the Sneakers For Santa Shootout it was [player_tooltip player_id='868252' first='Jaron' last='Tibbs'] who stepped up with 33 points for the Irish. Either team will need a performance like that to come out victorious.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> You might as well just flip a coin to decide this one. Cathedral is the defending state champion, but Ben Davis came into the season with a ton of hype and has backed it up with their 5-0 start against a gauntlet of a schedule. These two teams are playing at a level to their own in Indiana right now and Saturday night's outcome won't change that. Until the Irish lose though, I'll stick with them. Cathedral 67 Ben Davis 64</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->