Way Too Early Class 1A Rankings – Version 2.0

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We first took a stab at this <a href="https://prephoops.com/2023/06/way-too-early-class-1a-top-5/">exercise back in the middle of June</a> heading into the Top 100 and Charlie Hughes Showcase. However, we know more now in the middle of August than we did two months ago. With this being a slower time of year it felt like a good opportunity to start rolling out some preview content for the upcoming Indiana High School Basketball season. So, let's dive on in and take an updated look at the projected top five teams in Class 1A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1 Evansville Christian Eagles</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their 16-10 record doesn't exactly jump off of the page, but Evansville Christian was arguably the most talented team for most of the season last year at the Class 1A level. They only lost two games against Class 1A competition including a Sectional championship upset in overtime to Northeast Dubois. Other defeats came in close contests to the likes of North Daviess, Jeffersonville, Blackhawk Christian, Linton-Stockton, and Noblesville. Indiana Junior All-Star <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158176' first='Josiah' last='Dunham']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josiah-dunham/"></a> is back to run the show after averaging 24.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. Meanwhile, four of their five other primary rotation players will also return to the Eagles lineup. Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='2282412' first='Andrew' last='Lynn'] recently played very well at an Elite Camp at UIndy where the 6'4" forward showed off his pick-and-pop ability. Look for him to have a breakout season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2 Indianapolis Lutheran Saints</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fresh off of winning the Class 1A state championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in March, the Saints return enough to earn plenty of preseason accolades going into next season. Rising junior guard Lonte Ward has emerged as one of the best players in Class 1A after averaging 13.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 3.8 steals per game for the state champs as a sophomore. He has had a great spring and summer as well. Additionally, rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='2053660' first='Cayden' last='Loescher'] brings back 9.3 points per game. The 6'4″ bigger guard was excellent in the state championship game. Lutheran lost some very important pieces, but the one-two punch of Ward and Loescher is an excellent place to begin rebuilding for a shot at repeating. Until someone knocks them off they certainly have an argument to be #1, but for now we are sticking with Evansville Christian in the top spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3 Orleans Bulldogs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning your top three scorers, and six of your eight rotation players, from a 22-4 team is a pretty darn good place to start. The Bulldogs came up short in Sectional 63 losing to Loogootee, but they will return the most in the loaded field and have a chance to be one of the better teams in southern Indiana. Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158190' first='Ian' last='Hall']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ian-hall/"></a> , a versatile wing, brings back a team-leading 12.2 points per game while classmate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1386673' first='Xavier' last='Alston']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/xavier-alston/"></a> averaging 10.3 points per game. This is a balanced group that is no stranger to winning basketball games. Look for them to compete towards the top of Class 1A this coming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4 Bethesda Christian Patriots</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bethesda Christian went 21-5 a year ago and captured the Sectional 58 championship. Now, they return their top two scorers including talented rising senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1761698' first='Sam' last='Mlagan']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sam-mlagan/"></a> who averaged 16.9 points per game. His classmate and running mate in the backcourt is Luke Douglas who averaged 11.6 points per game. Two seniors graduate that averaged 8.5 and 8.0 points per game, but there is enough coming back that the Patriots should be one of the more talented teams around the Indianapolis area in Class 1A once again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5 Christian Academy Warriors</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors were playing some of their best basketball of the season down the stretch last year rattling off seven straight victories. However, they stumbled twice at the end to South Spencer and Rock Creek Academy to end the season 16-7 with a first round Sectional exit. Rising junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297066' first='Joshua' last='Renfro']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/joshua-renfro/"></a> and company will be hungry to prove they can go further this time around. Renfro, one of the top scorers in southern Indiana, averaged 21.2 points per game as a sophomore while making 77 three-pointers at a 41.6% clip. The Warriors second leading scorer, rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1749327' first='David' last='Cook']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/david-cook/"></a> , is back as well after averaging 13.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. They will lose some valuable size, but returning your top two scorers and five of six primary rotation players is a good place to start.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->