Preview: Sneakers For Santa

The annual Sneakers For Santa showcase event has quickly become one of the best days of basketball on the calendar. Presented by Ryan Owens Allstate Insurance, Sneakers For Santa features seven excellent matchups, eight teams ranked inside the Prep Hoops Indiana Top 10 of their respective classes, and several of the best prospects in the state. Let's go game-by-game and preview each contest. Also, you can still buy tickets following <a href="https://public.eventlink.com/tickets?t=23616&p=34952">THIS LINK</a>.   <h2>10:00 a.m. - North Central (1-1) vs. Bloomfield (2-0)</h2>   Prospects to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='868259' first='Joey' last='Brown'] (North Central H.S. 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='1158227' first='Mason' last='Lewis'] (North Central H.S. 2024), [player_tooltip player_id='1297108' first='Rogelio' last='Rivera'] (North Central H.S. 2025), [player_tooltip player_id='1557223' first='Peter' last='Combs'] (Bloomfield H.S. 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='1560962' first='Blake' last='Neill'] (Brownsburg H.S. 2026)   Storyline: This is certainly the most unique matchup of the day as you have a storied Class 4A program from Indianapolis taking on Class 1A Bloomfield. However, the Cardinals have a great basketball tradition of their own including trips to the state finals in 1998 and 2016. Bloomfield is coming off of a 20 win season and a Sectional 57 championship. North Central went 16-8 last season and returns Division I prospect [player_tooltip player_id='868259' first='Joey' last='Brown'] as one of the states top uncommitted prospects. Look for 6'6" forward [player_tooltip player_id='1557223' first='Peter' last='Combs'] to make a difference inside for Bloomfield as well. This game will likely feature a contrast of styles, but it'll be two well-coached teams tipping off a great day of basketball at Brownsburg High School.   Prediction: The athleticism of North Central will likely be too much for Bloomfield. The Panthers can get up and down the court with excellent guard play led by the versatile 6'6" Brown on the wing. 70-52 Panthers.   <h2>11:30 a.m. - NorthWood (2-0) vs. Beech Grove (1-1)</h2>   Prospects to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1226596' first='Cade' last='Brenner'] (NorthWood H.S. 2023 - Huntington), [player_tooltip player_id='1391324' first='Ian' last='Raasch'] (NorthWood H.S. 2023 - Grace) [player_tooltip player_id='1225303' first='Ethan' last='Wolfe'] (NorthWood H.S. 2024), [player_tooltip player_id='1297122' first='Tyler' last='Raasch'] (NorthWood H.S. 2025), [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)   Storyline: This matchup features the current Prep Hoops Indiana Class 3A #1 ranked team in NorthWood against the defending Class 3A state champions in Beech Grove. The Panthers are led by 6'3" guard [player_tooltip player_id='1226596' first='Cade' last='Brenner'] who was named an Indiana Junior All-Star, is committed to Huntington, and will likely reach the 1,000 point milestone during Saturday's game. Meanwhile, the Hornets are trying to prove that they still belong in the conversation as 3A contenders despite what they have lost from last season's team. Senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1530699' first='Jeremiah' last='Alexander'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1556397' first='Jeremiah' last='Tate'] were both starters on that squad.   Prediction: NorthWood isn't just the best in Class 3A, they are one of the more complete teams in the state. They are the only non-4A team currently ranked in the Prep Hoops Indiana Super Poll. Expect to see the Panthers flex those muscles in this one against the defending state championship. 67-54 NorthWood.   <h2>1:15 p.m. - Zionsville (0-2) vs. Gary 21st Century (2-0)</h2>   Prospects to Watch: [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='868220' first='Ashton' last='Williamson'] (Gary 21st Century 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='1042493' first='D.J.' last='Moss'] (Gary 21st Century 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='1160677' first='Quintin' last='Floyd'] (Gary 21st Century 2023)   Storyline: It has been a tough start to the season for Zionsville as they sit at 0-2 after losses to Carmel and Ben Davis. However, the Eagles are still ranked #6 in 4A by Prep Hoops Indiana and feature as good of a one-two punch as you'll find in the state. Penn State bound guard [player_tooltip player_id='868255' first='Logan' last='Imes'] and 6'9" Charlotte bound [player_tooltip player_id='868244' first='Nick' last='Richart'] make up an excellent inside-out duo for Coach J.R. Howell. On the other side, Gary 21st Century has a ton of firepower in their senior class. The Cougars are ranked #3 in Class 2A led by constant triple-double threat [player_tooltip player_id='868220' first='Ashton' last='Williamson'] in the backcourt. Division I programs need to be keeping a close eye on the dynamic point guard.   Prediction: This one will likely come down to style of play. A half court game will favor the Eagles while a higher-scoring affair likely means Gary 21st Century is controlling the tempo. Imes and Richart won't be thrown off by the athleticism of the Cougars though. 67-62 Zionsville.   <h2>3:00 p.m. - Heritage Christian (1-1) vs. Linton-Stockton (1-0)</h2>   Prospects to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='868229' first='Myles' last='J. Colvin'] (Heritage Christian 2023 - Purdue), [player_tooltip player_id='1042495' first='Dylan' last='Doss'] (Heritage Christian 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='868240' first='Joey' last='Hart'] (Linton-Stockton H.S. 2023 - Central Florida), [player_tooltip player_id='935736' first='Logan' last='Webb'] (Linton-Stockton H.S. 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='1158180' first='Braden' last='Walters'] (Linton-Stockton H.S. 2024)   Storyline: The matchup between two Indiana Mr. Basketball candidates is the draw in this one. Future Purdue Boilermaker [player_tooltip player_id='868229' first='Myles' last='J. Colvin'] is one of the most exciting players in the state. He is a high-flyer at the rim and an excellent shooter from beyond the arc. [player_tooltip player_id='868240' first='Joey' last='Hart'], who is signed to play at Central Florida, is an elite shooter as well with some above-the-rim abilities in his own right. Linton-Stockton comes in as the #2 ranked team in Class 2A and likely has the advantage in terms of overall talent. However, Colvin can be the game changer.   Prediction: The "Big 3" formed by Hart, Webb, and Walters will be too much for the Eagles in this one. Colvin is an exceptional talent, but the Miners have more depth. 57-51 Linton-Stockton.   <h2>4:45 p.m. - Brownsburg (2-0) vs. Heritage Hills (2-0)</h2>   Prospects to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1275779' first='Kanon' last='Catchings'] (Brownsburg H.S. 2024 - Purdue), [player_tooltip player_id='1391626' first='Elhadj' last='Diallo'] (Brownsburg H.S. 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='1297118' first='Trent' last='Sisley'] (Heritage Hills H.S. 2025), [player_tooltip player_id='1560951' first='Jake' last='Prior'] (Heritage Hills H.S. 2026)   Storyline: The host Bulldogs, featuring Purdue commit [player_tooltip player_id='1275779' first='Kanon' last='Catchings'], face-off with 4-star sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='1297118' first='Trent' last='Sisley']. Sisley is a highly sought after Big Ten recruit who could potentially play with, or against, Catchings down the road in college. Brownsburg has been one of the more impressive teams in the young season having beaten North Central on opening night and then defeating a talented Lakota West (OH) team.   Prediction: Brownsburg will be the more veteran team and certainly possesses more overall talent. However, Sisley could be the X-Factor that keeps the Patriots in the game. 65-48 Brownsburg.   <h2>6:30 p.m. - Ben Davis (3-0) vs. Kokomo (0-1)</h2>   Prospects to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1042497' first='Zane' last='Doughty'] (Ben Davis H.S. 2023 - Valparaiso), [player_tooltip player_id='1158204' first='K.J.' last='Windham'] (Ben Davis H.S. 2024), [player_tooltip player_id='1273713' first='Sheridan' last='Sharp'] (Ben Davis H.S. 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='1160716' first='Clay' last='Butler'] (Ben Davis H.S. 2023 - Lincoln), [player_tooltip player_id='1273740' first='Shaun' last='Arnold'] (Ben Davis H.S. 2023 - St. Thomas Aquinas), [player_tooltip player_id='1363488' first='Flory' last='Bidunga'] (Kokomo H.S. 2024), [player_tooltip player_id='1202993' first='Zavion' last='Bellamy'] (Kokomo H.S. 2023)   Storyline: Anyone who even remotely follows Indiana High School Basketball knows the draw in this game. 6'9" 5-star center [player_tooltip player_id='1363488' first='Flory' last='Bidunga'] versus 6'9" Valparaiso commit [player_tooltip player_id='1042497' first='Zane' last='Doughty']. Anytime Bidunga takes the floor it is appointment viewing. One of the very best prospects in the entire country regardless of class.   Prediction: [player_tooltip player_id='1363488' first='Flory' last='Bidunga'] is the best player in the state, but Ben Davis just has too many pieces. 66-55 Giants.   <h2>8:15 p.m. - Cathedral (2-0) vs. Centerville (OH) (0-0)</h2>   Prospects to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='868219' first='Xavier' last='Booker'] (Cathedral H.S. 2023 - Michigan State), [player_tooltip player_id='868252' first='Jaron' last='Tibbs'] (Cathedral H.S. 2023 - Purdue Football), [player_tooltip player_id='868251' first='Jake' last='Davis'] (Cathedral H.S. 2023 - Mercer), [player_tooltip player_id='868227' first='Kamari' last='Slaughter'] (Cathedral H.S. 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='867934' first='Gabe' last='Cupps'] (Centerville H.S. 2023 - Indiana)   Storyline: Two of the best teams in the midwest meet up for the Sneakers For Santa nightcap. This game might feature two Mr. Basketball award winners as Michigan State commit [player_tooltip player_id='868219' first='Xavier' last='Booker'], the #1 player in the country according to Rivals, is a front-runner in Indiana while Indiana signee [player_tooltip player_id='867934' first='Gabe' last='Cupps'] won the award last season in Ohio.   Prediction: Both of these teams have state championship aspirations. The Irish went 26-6 and won the Indiana Class 4A title while Centerville went 29-1 a year ago. Cathedral should have a little bit more depth and Booker's size can be the difference. 73-66 Cathedral.

The annual Sneakers For Santa showcase event has quickly become one of the best days of basketball on the calendar. Presented by Ryan Owens Allstate Insurance, Sneakers For Santa features seven excellent matchups, eight teams ranked inside the Prep Hoops Indiana Top 10 of their respective classes, and several of the best prospects in the state. Let's go game-by-game and preview each contest. Also, you can still buy tickets following THIS LINK.