3 For 3: Week 14 Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022-23 high school boys' basketball season has hit it's final week and we at Prep Hoops Indiana want to give you the absolute best coverage in the whole state. Indiana is full of great teams and talented players thus giving the fans incredible matchups every week. Join me, Kyler Staley, every Monday during the season as I preview the 3 Players, 3 Teams, and 3 Matchups to watch for that coming week. Are you ready? Let's get started! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3 Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1295323"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f3a189dee61"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you think of 2023's that have had breakout seasons, you have to include [player_tooltip player_id='1295323' first='Ian' last='Stephens'] on that list. The versatile forward has led New Palestine to a 20-2 record and is putting up incredible numbers this season. He is a highly athletic player with just a great motor and the ability to score at all three levels. His play this year has gotten some schools to take interest in him like Indiana Tech and IU South Bend. He has a chance to lead New Palestine to a deep run this post season. He and the Dragons host Greenwood on 2/24 to close out the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1150871"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f3a189def6a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Up in northern Indiana, [player_tooltip player_id='1150871' first='Aidan' last='Franks'] is one of the best pure scorers in that area of the state. He is an absolute sharpshooter of a player with a high IQ and enough athletic ability to compete with almost anybody in the state. He is one of the main reasons as to why Wapahani is 20-1 and one of the favorites to make it to the 2A state championship. Really surprised more smaller schools have yet to reach out but he does have schools like Goshen College and IU Southeast offering. Watch Franks and Wapahani one last time in the regular season as they travel to Shenandoah on 2/24. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["935741"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f3a189defe5"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='935741' first='Ty' last='Cunningham'] is arguably one of the more under-the-radar guards in the state. Have watched him a few times and his athletic ability, size, and defense have all improved. Lawrence has had a much better season than many had thought and Cunningham has played a major role in their success. He does all the little stuff is constantly out there hustling and playing with a top tier motor. If there are smaller schools out there that want a tough, athletic guard then Cunningham is your guy. Lawrence North finishes off with a road game at Hamilton Southeastern on 2/21. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3 Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Munster</strong> <strong>(4A):</strong> Munster may be a top 8 team in 4A but I still feel like they might be one of the more underrated squads heading into the post season. It all starts with their stud forward [player_tooltip player_id='814532' first='Brandon' last='Trilli'], who has had a real strong senior season. They also great junior class that starts with talented guard [player_tooltip player_id='1275808' first='David' last='Cundiff'] making him and Trilli one of the best 1-2 punch duos. They are currently riding a 13-game winning streak and are showing no signs of getting cold at any moment. Expect them to continue this winning streak heading into Sectionals with wins over Hanover Central (2/21) and Whiting (2/24) this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Connersville</strong> <strong>(3A):</strong> Sitting at a 17-4 record and riding a current 5-game win streak, the Connersville Spartans may be the favorite at this point to make it to the 3A state championship out of the southern Indiana area. As far as leaders of this team, it starts with the pair of 2023 forwards, [player_tooltip player_id='1295370' first='Josh' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1578435' first='Lucas' last='Barron']. Overall, they are one of the more tougher teams in the state and have beaten some really good teams this year. They have a chance to finish out strong with a game at Northeastern on Tuesday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Indianapolis Lutheran</strong> <strong>(1A):</strong> The Saints at Indianapolis Lutheran have made some noise this season at the 1A level. They play a tough schedule but still sit a 13-7 record and have won their last 4 games. They are pretty athletic squad with guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1162771' first='Kameron' last='Patterson'] and Lonte Ward Jr. being some of their top guys. The 1A level is usually ran by southern Indiana teams but Lutheran has all the makings of being a team that could make a deep run this post season. They have a tough end to the season with a road game at Bethesda Christian. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3 Matchups&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Culver Academy</strong> <strong>(3A) at Gary 21st Century (2A) – Feb 21st, 7:00 pm:</strong> This is the game I am the most intrigued with in the northern Indiana area. Two of best 2023s in the stat will be going at it with [player_tooltip player_id='868239' first='Cooper' last='Farrall'] and [player_tooltip player_id='868220' first='Ashton' last='Williamson'] going at it. I think this game comes down to which supporting cast has the better game. With Culver Academy, [player_tooltip player_id='1293386' first='Fola' last='Fayemi'] has had a great year and causes matchup problems but Gary 21st can counter that with [player_tooltip player_id='1042493' first='D.J.' last='Moss']. Should be a fun one fun on Tuesday and I like Culver Academy going on the road to get this one done. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Orleans (1A) at Brownstown (2A)</strong> <strong>– Feb 24th, 7:30 pm: </strong>This has to be one of the best games on paper this week in southern Indiana. Orleans is as good you thought they would be and might be the favorite to win it all at the 1A level. Brownstown jsut has so much talent and is led by one of the best juniors in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='1158245' first='Jack' last='Benter']. I think the key here is Brownstown's [player_tooltip player_id='1297005' first='Colby' last='Hall'] as I feel he will cause mismatch problems with Orleans. It is going to be a classic southern Indiana battle, but my choice here is Brownstown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Center Grove (4A) at Brownsburg (4A) – Feb 21st, 7:30 pm:</strong> This has the makings to be the best game of the final week of the regular season. Both Center Grove and Brownsburg two of the best 4A teams in the state. You could say that these two teams are both the favorites in their Sectionals this could be a preview of a potential matchup down the road this post season. To me, this could come down to which star of the team has the better game between [player_tooltip player_id='1272949' first='Marcus' last='Ankney'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1275779' first='Kanon' last='Catchings']. While those two could go off, it could also come down to how well [player_tooltip player_id='1158238' first='Joey' last='Schmitz'] performers for Center Grove as he has been a stud for them all season. I think it will be tight game throughout, but I am going to go with Brownsburg to win this one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->