Way Too Early Class 2A Rankings – Version 2.0

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/luke-lawrence/"></a>We first took a stab at this <a href="https://prephoops.com/2023/06/way-too-early-class-2a-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 2A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1 Brownstown Central Braves</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With all due respect to the other teams in Class 2A, sticking Brownstown Central at #1 of this class may be the easiest decision of the offseason. The Braves return the core of their team that went 24-5 and came up one game short of the state final a year ago. Purdue commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158245' first='Jack' last='Benter']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jack-benter/"></a> is back and will be an Indiana Mr. Basketball candidate. Meanwhile, rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1547584' first='Parker' last='Hehman']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/parker-hehman/"></a> alongside rising juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1296999' first='Chace' last='Coomer']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/chace-coomer/"></a> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297005' first='Colby' last='Hall']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/colby-hall/"></a> will help to take some scoring pressure off of their star. The Braves will have a chance to not just be one of the best in Class 2A, but one of the best in the state in 2023-2024. That was certainly proven over the course of the summer with some very impressive wins over highly regarded Class 4A programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2 Tipton Blue Devils</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tipton cut down the Sectional 39 nets for a second straight season, but ran into eventual state champion Blackhawk Christian in the Regional. However, they return their top three scorers and should be one of the most talented Class 2A teams in the state. Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158205' first='Nolan' last='Swan']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nolan-swan/"></a> averaged 19.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game as a junior to lead the Blue Devils. Meanwhile, 6'4″ rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297029' first='Grady' last='Carpenter']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/grady-carpenter/"></a> was a stat sheet stuffer averaging 15.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game. Swan and Carpenter are a truly dynamic backcourt at this level. Jackson Money, a rising senior, was also in double-figures a year ago averaging 11.2 points per game. That is an excellent returning core.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3 Providence Pioneers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2021-2022 Class 2A state champions went 19-5 last season, but fell in the Sectional to Brownstown Central in a close 44-42 content. There is plenty of be excited about once again though as the Pioneers return rising senior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1287890' first='Noah' last='Lovan']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/noah-lovan/"></a> and his classmate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578457' first='Quentin' last='Hesse']</strong>. Lovan averaged 15.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game a year ago while Hesse added 8.3 points per game. Another name to keep an eye on is rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1561079' first='Elijah' last='Fuller-Tucker']</strong>. He should see a much expanded varsity role after averaging 3.4 points per game as a freshman. This group is always well coached and prepared on the defensive end. With the rest of Class 2A being pretty wide open it feels safe to bet on this group once again. You can expect a Sectional collision course once again down south between rivals Brownstown and Providence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4 Blackhawk Christian Braves</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Until some dethrones the champs, they deserve to be considered among the state's best. Also, the cupboard isn't completely bare from last season's Braves squad that went 27-3 and won their third state championship in five years. 6'8″ rising junior forward&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1364589' first='Kellen' last='Pickett']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kellen-pickett/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;will be relied upon to make a leap into a primary scoring role this season. The big man averaged 13.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per game as a sophomore. Rising senior sharpshooter&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578398' first='Isaac' last='Smith']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/isaac-smith-2/"><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;is back as well after averaging 9.1 points per game while shooting 79-199 from three-point range. Don't count out Blackhawk Christian coming out of the north.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5 Wapahani Raiders</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wapahani is no stranger to winning a bunch of basketball games. However, post season success hasn't always come with their 20+ win seasons. That changed for the Raiders last season as they advanced to the Semi-State while putting together a fabulous 25-2 record. They won 25 straight games in between losing their first and last games. Leading scorer&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158181' first='Isaac' last='Andrews']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/isaac-andrews/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;will return after averaging 17.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game on his way to being named an Indiana Junior All-Star. Look for rising sophomore&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1561131' first='Camden' last='Bell']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/camden-bell/"><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;to have a breakout season as well taking over a larger scoring role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->