Open Gym Report: Noblesville Millers

<p>Here at Prep Hoops Indiana we take great pride in covering the Hoosier state with a breadth and depth unlike anyone else. We often say “nobody does content and event coverage like Prep Hoops.” That is certainly true, but our team here Indiana prefer to go even further than that. On top of wall-to-wall, border-to-border coverage during the grassroots and high school seasons we also hit the ground running in the fall. This is a great time to hit high school open gyms and get a behind the curtain preview of some of the top teams around the state. These trips also help strength our relationships with the high school coaches and prospects that we cover. On Thursday, October 5th I had the privilege of attending a workout at Noblesville High School. Let's dive in to what the Millers have this season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Program Profile</h2>   <p>For a program that generally has had solid talent and won more than they have lost, Noblesville has not found much recent postseason success. Since reaching the Regional Finals in 2010 under head coach Dave McCollough, the Millers had won just two total Sectional games in over a decade. However, Coach Scott McClelland got over the hump last season cutting down the Sectional 8 nets with wins over Westfield and Zionsville. Then, they fell just short 62-60 against Fort Wayne Wayne in the Regional. Overall, Noblesville went 19-7 and Coach McClelland will enter year three with a 32-18 record. He is now 278-187 after 20 total seasons as a head coach including a Class 1A state title at Morristown in 2018.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Holes to Fill, Talent to Fill the Holes</h2>   <p>The Noblesville Millers are in a unique spot heading into the 2023-2024 season. On one hand, there is a lot of production to replace. Three seniors moved on to play college basketball including Indiana All-Star Luke Almodovar who led the team in scoring at 17.5 points per game. However, there is a lot of excitement around some of the pieces that will be tasked with stepping into larger roles. The steadying presence through the transition will be senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1158209' first='Aaron' last='Fine'] who was named an Indiana Junior All-Star while averaging 13.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. His playmaking, shooting, and toughness in the backcourt will help keep the Millers headed in the right direction while new faces take on expanded roles.</p>   <p>Another key returning piece is senior [player_tooltip player_id='1275012' first='Hunter' last='Walston']. The 6'6" versatile, two-way wing had a breakout summer playing with Kyle Guy Elite that saw him pick up offers from Air Force along with Division III powerhouses such as Hope and Wabash. His mixture of size, shooting ability, and ball handling make him such a difficult cover for opposing defenses. Walston has the unique ability to initiate offense as a primary ball handler, stretch the floor as an excellent catch-and-shoot threat, or attack a mismatch with his size around the basket. He should have a breakout senior season for Noblesville.</p>   <p>After gaining valuable experience as a rotation piece as a freshman, sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1534261' first='Justin' last='Curry II'] will be counted upon to take the biggest leap this season. The 6'4" guard is an excellent athlete, very smooth with the ball in his hands, and can shoot it at a high percentage both from the mid-range and beyond the arc. If he takes the step forward that Coach McClelland and others around the program expect to see from him this season, Curry II will form a talented "Big 3" alongside Fine and Walston.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Depth Will Come From a Variety of Places</h2>   <p>If you are looking for a name that will burst onto the scene this season, look no further than sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1561054' first='Baron' last='Walker']. The 6'1" guard was excellent on the Millers junior varsity team as a freshman, had a strong summer playing with [program_tooltip program_id='2076166' first='Grand' last='Park Premier'] on the UAA Circuit, and got a little bit of varsity tick in a handful of games. However, as a sophomore, he will be one relied upon to vastly increase his production. Sticking in the backcourt, junior T.J. Davidson is another one that will take on a bigger role this year. He is a shifty ball handler that will take some primary ball handling duties off the plate of Fine and Walston in the halfocurt when he is in there.</p>   <p>After Fine, Walston, and Curry II, the most known commodity for Coach McClelland is junior forward Aidan Brewer. The 6'4" bruising interior presence will join the Millers after football season and could very likely step into a starting role to provide some size and strength around the basket. [player_tooltip player_id='2282373' first='Luke' last='Etchison'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2277743' first='Max' last='Miller'] are the other Noblesville football players that will enter the rotation on the hardwood.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2114230' first='Ryan' last='Vetor'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2282371' first='Will' last='Smits'] are two more names to know that will factor into the rotation. Vetor, a 6'3" junior, has had a great summer and fall showcasing his perimeter skill level that he mixes nicely with a strong frame. Smits, a 6'5" senior, has gotten bigger and stronger and played very well at the workout I attended at Noblesville. He will help provide some size on the interior this season. Sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1561045' first='Adam' last='Fine'] could factor into the equation as well for additional ball handling.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prep Hoops Indiana Projected Rotation</h2>   <p>Guards: [player_tooltip player_id='1158209' first='Aaron' last='Fine'] (SR), [player_tooltip player_id='1534261' first='Justin' last='Curry II'] (SO), [player_tooltip player_id='1561054' first='Baron' last='Walker'] (SO), [player_tooltip player_id='1428862' first='TJ' last='Davidson'] (JR), [player_tooltip player_id='1561045' first='Adam' last='Fine'] (SO)</p>   <p>Wings: [player_tooltip player_id='1275012' first='Hunter' last='Walston'] (SR), [player_tooltip player_id='2114230' first='Ryan' last='Vetor'] (JR), [player_tooltip player_id='2277743' first='Max' last='Miller'] (JR)</p>   <p>Forwards: Aidan Brewer (JR), [player_tooltip player_id='2282373' first='Luke' last='Etchison'] (SR), [player_tooltip player_id='2282371' first='Will' last='Smits'] (SR)</p>

Here at Prep Hoops Indiana we take great pride in covering the Hoosier state with a breadth and depth unlike anyone else. We often say “nobody does content and event coverage like Prep Hoops.” That is certainly true, but our team here Indiana prefer to go even further than that. On top of wall-to-wall, border-to-border coverage during the grassroots and high school seasons we also hit the ground running in the fall. This is a great time to hit high school open gyms and get a behind the curtain preview of some of the top teams around the state. These trips also help strength our relationships with the high school coaches and prospects that we cover. On Thursday, October 5th I had the privilege of attending a workout at Noblesville High School. Let's dive in to what the Millers have this season.