Havoc in the Heartland: Friday Night Lights

The Prep Hoops Circuit rolled back into the greater Indianapolis area for its annual Havoc in the Heartland event. Even with a light three session opening slate at Fishers High School. Plenty of high level play was on display. Following are a few that caught my eye.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Team Teague 2025 continues to impress </h2>   I am not native to the great state of Indiana. Consequently my primary viewings of [player_tooltip player_id='1373105' first='Mark' last='Zackery'] are limited to grassroots setting. I also miss many of his gridiron exploits. They must be a sight to behold. As he is a serious point guard prospect in my notebook.   Got off to a slow start against an Ohio based All H.E.A.R.T Basketball Club that was very impressive at The Stage two weekends ago. However Zackery quickly changed the complexion of the game defensively. Showed off his defensive back skills by cleverly lurking and bursting through passing lanes. Turns defense into offense quickly and is explosive in transition. Pulled off a series of creative euro step finishes that you simply will not see from many players.   While Zackery was as impressive as usual. He did not do it alone. Richmond's 6-5 forward [player_tooltip player_id='1296998' first='Cedric' last='Horton'] was explosive going to the basket throughout the contest. Finished above the rim with ease and authority. Had a nice drive down the baseline that he completed with an emphatic flush. Also displayed touch from the perimeter with a three. Like Zackery and the rest of his squad. Was a factor with his length on the defensive end.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Two 6-4 playmakers are better than one </h2>   Friday nights action tipped off with a good 2024 matchup between Michigan's Great Lake Warriorz and local INB Elite. After leading GLW to a perfect record at The Stage. Canton's [player_tooltip player_id='1587593' first='Bradley' last='Eziuka'] continued his strong play. Used his wiry but strong frame to get to the basket seemingly at will. Once there used his length to explode to the rim. Allowed his squad to take a lead late into the second half.   As the heading would imply INB Elite was able to battle back due to presence of not one— but two players similar to Eziuka. Oddly enough it was rinse repeat for [player_tooltip player_id='1275802' first='Reis' last='Butcher']. At last years Havoc in the Heartland. Butcher similarly led a spirited second half comeback against a good REACH squad out of Michigan. This time around he had help from similar prospect in [player_tooltip player_id='1275806' first='Brayden' last='Kanitz']. They both applied constant pressure at the rim.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Indiana Ambition program has an impressive night</h2>   The Evansville area program went 2-0 on the night. The 2026 unit was dominant to kick things off. Evansville North's 6-5 forward Bryson Peters was particularly impressive. Was able to take a turnover coast to coast to finish through contact for and1 with the left. However I was taken by the grit and talent shown by the 2025 bunch in a close victory over EG10. They withstood an outstanding 32 point performance by Maconaquah‘s [player_tooltip player_id='1747066' first='Josiah' last='Ball'].   The Ambition attack was a little more balanced. I was struck by the post presence provided by Illinois forward Mitchel Edwards. He was a presence at the rim with his length and lateral quickness. Also led the way offensively with 13 points. The 6-7 lefty clearly has long term upside on both ends of the court.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top 1 doesn't want to go home </h2>   My final game of the night was literally— the final game of the night. Michigan's Top 1 Basketball Club held on tooth and nail for a close victory over a World Hoops Elite squad that featured a mix of Illinois and Wisconsin players.   WHI's Javerion Banks led a spirited comeback. Highlighted by back-to-back “pick six” steals and dunks. This showed a high level of bounce and burst. As the Warren Central (IL) guard was only listed at 5-11. Also displayed a bounding step back move that allowed him create space on the perimeter.   With gym emptying out and the time dwindling away. It would have been easy for Top 1 to wilt. Their backcourt would not let that happen. Clarkston's 2025 point guard Doug Schoenefeld provided a steady ball handling. However after a late injury that role fell to Fenton's Gavin Yanez. Playing up an age division Rochester's [player_tooltip player_id='1588155' first='Maxwell' last='Muhl'] sealed it at the line. Muhl is an excellent shooter who played with composure as things got close in crunch time. Definitely a prospect to monitor in Michigan's 2026 class.

The Prep Hoops Circuit rolled back into the greater Indianapolis area for its annual Havoc in the Heartland event. Even with a light three session opening slate at Fishers High School. Plenty of high level play was on display. Following are a few that caught my eye.