Way Too Early Class 3A Rankings – Version 2.0
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We first took a stab at this exercise back in the middle of June 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…
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Continue ReadingWe first took a stab at this exercise back in the middle of June 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 3A.
#1 Scottsburg Warriors
Scottsburg went 22-6 last season and came up just one game short of the state finals. The Warriors will return their three leading scorers who were all selected to the IBCA Top 100 Workout. Kody Clancy Kody Clancy 6'4" | PG Scottsburg | 2024 State IN is the top returner as he averaged 16.8 points and 4.3 assists per game as a junior. Meanwhile, 6’5″ wing Jack Miller Jack Miller 6'5" | SG Scottsburg | 2024 State IN added 15.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game on impressive 56.5%/46.6%/84.1% shooting splits. Finally, 6’8″ forward Wyatt Zellers averaged 12.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game. That trio of rising seniors, including fellow senior X-Factor Caden Richardson Caden Richardson 6'4" | SG Scottsbug | 2024 IN , should help Scottsburg remain at or near the top of Class 3A. This group had an excellent summer and proved themselves worthy of hanging on to the preseason #1 spot.
#2 Guerin Catholic Golden Eagles
Fresh off of a trip to Gainbridge Fieldhouse were they ended as state runner-up, the Golden Eagles will be back for more in 2023-2024. Leading scorer Robert Sorensen Robert Sorensen 6'0" | PG Guerin Catholic | 2024 State IN is back after averaging 14.4 points per game and will once again have his eyes set on playing for a state championship. Aside from the 5’11” rising senior guard, 6’7″ Dylan Murans Dylan Murans 6'7" | SF Guerin Catholic | 2024 State IN averaged 8.0 points per game a year ago and will be poised for a breakout season after a great summer. The athletic, versatile 6’7″ forward is a really intriguing prospect in the rising senior class. Rising junior forward Bryson Cardinal Bryson Cardinal 6'6" | PF Guerin Catholic | 2025 State IN is coming off of a great spring and should see an expanded role inside and rising senior point guard Jack Cherry Jack Cherry 6'1" | PG Guerin Catholic | 2024 State IN is back to run the show once again. There is a lot of returning talent from this group that went all the way to the state finals a year ago.
#3 Delta Eagles
Sticking with the theme of teams who made deep tournament runs but return a majority of their talent, the Delta Eagles come in at #3 with a fair argument to be higher. They went 19-10 last season and advanced all the way to the Semi-State championship before falling to eventual state champion NorthWood. The Eagles bring back their top four scorers and six of their eight primary rotation pieces. Rising senior forward Jackson Wors and rising senior wing are the leaders bringing back 14.0 and 13.2 points per game respectively. We didn’t get to see Wors this summer at all as he was out with an injury, but Hood was one of the top stock-risers in the state attracting a lot of college attention. Jayden Furney Jayden Furney 6'1" | SG Delta | 2024 IN , another rising senior, was also in double-figures at 10.3 points per game. This is a well balanced group with a lot of scoring coming back.
#4 Evansville Memorial Tigers
The first team on this list that did not advance to the Class 3A Final Four, Evansville Memorial actually didn’t even win a Sectional game last season. However, they went 14-9 and bring their most talented guys back from a year ago. Luke Ellspermann Luke Ellspermann 6'0" | PG Evansville Memorial | 2025 State IN , a rising junior guard, is a very talented scorer that averaged 16.7 points to go along with 4.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game last season. On the interior, 6’7″ rising senior forward Tucker Tornatta contributed a double-double of 12.9 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. Tornatta was excellent on the grassroots circuit this summer and is poised for yet another big year. Meanwhile, rising junior guard Luke Lawrence Luke Lawrence 6'0" | SG Evansville Reitz | 2025 State IN adds some shooting ability on the perimeter as well with 9.4 points per game. The Tigers have very talented rising sophomore and junior classes that will look to fill in the gaps to their rotation. Don’t sleep on this group. Should be the best down in the Pocket City in 2023-2024.
#5 Brebeuf Jesuit Braves
The top four in this class felt pretty clear, but there were a handful of teams you could have thrown in here at number five. However, none of those other teams have Evan Haywood. After a spectacular summer that saw his recruitment blow up, the 6’4″ guard is back after averaging 14.3 points per game. His elite shooting ability, and all-around scoring prowess, will make the Braves a tough out every time they step on the floor. Unfortunately, only one of Brebeuf or Guerin Catholic will be able to make it out of the always tough Sectional 27. Alongside Haywood, senior wing Reis Butcher Reis Butcher 6'4" | SF Brebeuf Jesuit | 2024 State IN will be relied upon for two-way production on the perimeter.