2023 Sneakers For Santa Shootout Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The fourth annual Sneakers For Santa Shootout is set to tip-off on Saturday featuring six excellent games between some of Indiana's best basketball programs. Based on the current Prep Hoops Indiana poll, eight of the 12 teams are ranked in the Top 10 of their respective classes. There are also five nationally ranked prospects along with dozens of the top in-state prospects. As always, this will be a great day of hoops at Brownsburg High School and Prep Hoops Indiana will have boots on the ground coverage from start to finish. Let's take a look at all six matchups as we preview the 2023 Sneakers For Santa Shootout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***All rankings are based on the <a href="https://prephoops.com/2023/11/prep-hoops-indiana-class-by-class-poll/">latest Prep Hoops Indiana poll</a>.***</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">11:30 a.m. – #8 (3A) Heritage Hills vs. #2 (1A) Evansville Christian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Records</strong>: Heritage Hills (2-0) Evansville Christian (3-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prospects to Watch</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1158176' first='Josiah' last='Dunham'] (Evansville Christian 2024), [player_tooltip player_id='1297118' first='Trent' last='Sisley'] (Heritage Hills H.S. 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Storyline:</strong> Two talented teams out of the Pocket City will tip things off on the big stage at the fourth annual Sneakers For Santa Shootout. The obvious draw here is 4-star, Class of 2025 Top 75 prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297118' first='Trent' last='Sisley']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trent-sisley/"></a> who is highly sought after across the Big 10 including by the home state Hoosiers and Boilermakers. You can expect to see plenty of fans from across Big 10 country make the trip to Brownsburg to see the prized recruit. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158176' first='Josiah' last='Dunham']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josiah-dunham/"></a> is a talented prospect in his own right holding current offers from SIU-Edwardsville and Purdue Northwest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: Evansville Christian is no stranger to playing against bigger schools as they've already knocked off Terre Haute North this season. However, the size and talent of the 6'8" Sisley along with sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='1560951' first='Jake' last='Prior'] will be too much for the Eagles in this one. Heritage Hills 66 Evansville Christian 54.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1:15 p.m. – Cathedral vs. Evansville Bosse</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Records</strong>: Cathedral (2-0) Evansville Bosse (0-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prospects to Watch:</strong>&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158192' first='Taray' last='Howell']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/taray-howell/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(Evansville Bosse H.S. 2024),&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1525663' first='Brady' last='Koehler']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brady-koehler/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(Cathedral H.S. 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Storyline:</strong> Cathedral won the 2022 Class 4A state championship and backed it up with a Sectional title last season. However, there is a lot to replace from the last couple of seasons. 6'8″ wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1525663' first='Brady' last='Koehler']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brady-koehler/"></a> will lead the way as a talented left-handed shooter with several mid-major offers. He is off to an excellent start to the season scoring 26 and 24 points in the Irish's first two contests. Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1297083' first='Lebron' last='Gough'] and sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='1561135' first='Keaton' last='Aldridge Jr']. are two other names to know. Meanwhile, for Bosse, this will be an excellent statewide stage for one of the best scorers in Indiana, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158192' first='Taray' last='Howell']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/taray-howell/"></a> . The 5'7″ point guard averaged 23.2 points per game last year on his way to being named an Indiana Junior All-Star.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: The Fighting Irish are off to a somewhat surprisingly strong after losing as much as they did a year ago. It looks like it is a reload, not a rebuild this season under Coach Jason Delany. Look for them to control this one as well to move to 3-0. Cathedral 82 Evansville Bosse 66.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3:00 p.m. – Brownsburg vs. Warren Central</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Records:</strong> Brownsburg (2-0) Warren Central (0-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prospects to Watch:</strong>&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297060' first='Jevon' last='Guess']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jevon-guess/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(Warren Central H.S. 2025),&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172872' first='Jordan' last='Lomax']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jordan-lomax-2/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(Brownsburg H.S. 2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Storyline:</strong> Admittedly, this game isn't what it would have been if Purdue commit Kanon Catchings hadn't left Brownsburg for Overtime Elite. However, there is still plenty of talent taking the floor. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172872' first='Jordan' last='Lomax']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jordan-lomax-2/"></a> made the move to Brownsburg from Avon High School for his senior season after averaging 17.3 points per game. He will play along side another transfer, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578416' first='Jesiah' last='Sloss']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jesiah-sloss-2/"></a> from Evansville Harrison, returning senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1293376' first='Grant' last='Porath'], and several other talented pieces. Warren Central features junior big man <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297060' first='Jevon' last='Guess']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jevon-guess/"></a> who will have help inside from senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1277566' first='Nick' last='Glover']</strong>. Look for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2089932' first='Robert' last='Walker']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/robert-walker-2/"></a> to have a big senior season on the wing as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: Warren Central has the athleticism to pressure the Bulldogs guards, but ultimately look for Brownsburg to get it done on their home floor. Lomax and Porath will be the difference in the backcourt. Brownsburg 71 Warren Central 67.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4:45 p.m. – #9 (4A) Ben Davis vs. #2 (4A) Fort Wayne Wayne</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Records:</strong> Ben Davis (1-1) Fort Wayne Wayne (1-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prospects to Watch:</strong>&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297001' first='Chase' last='Barnes']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/chase-barnes/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(Fort Wayne Wayne H.S. 2025), [player_tooltip player_id='1158193' first='Jevon' last='Lewis'] (Fort Wayne Wayne H.S. 2024),&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158204' first='K.J.' last='Windham']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/k-j-windham/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(Ben Davis H.S. 2024 – Northwestern)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Storyline:</strong> Ben Davis returns from an undefeated, state championship season with another Top 10 roster with repeating on its mind. The Giants will be lead by Northwestern commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158204' first='K.J.' last='Windham']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/k-j-windham/"></a> who was named to the “Core” Indiana Junior All-Star team last year. Look for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1373105' first='Mark' last='Zackery']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mark-zackery/"></a> to have a big junior season as well as one of the better two-way guards in the state. As for the Generals, they return nearly everything from last season's Semi-State team including their top two scorers in [player_tooltip player_id='1158193' first='Jevon' last='Lewis'] and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297001' first='Chase' last='Barnes']</strong>. Those two will lead one of the best backcourts in the state of Indiana this season. This will be an excellent matchup between two teams with aspirations of getting to Gainbridge Fieldhouse.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: In order to beat Ben Davis you have to have excellent guard play to be able to withstand their pressure. The Generals have that in spades with Lewis, Barnes, and junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1297075' first='Khalyn' last='Williams-Thomas']. Fort Wayne Wayne 75 Ben Davis 65.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6:30 p.m. – #1 (4A) Lawrence North vs. #1 (2A) Brownstown Central</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Records:</strong> Lawrence North (1-0) Brownstown Central (2-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prospects to Watch:</strong>&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158245' first='Jack' last='Benter']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jack-benter/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(Brownstown Central H.S. 2024 – Purdue),&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158213' first='Kobi' last='Bowles']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kobi-bowles/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(Lawrence North H.S. 2024),&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1296979' first='Azavier' last='Robinson']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/azavier-robinson/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(Lawrence North H.S. 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Storyline:</strong> Not often could you pair the #1 Class 2A team against the #1 Class 4A team in the state and call the game pretty close to a toss-up. However, Brownstown Central is not your ordinary 2A team. They are led by Purdue commit and Mr. Basketball candidate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158245' first='Jack' last='Benter']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jack-benter/"></a> who is one of the best pure scorers in the state. The Braves have several other very good players in senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1547584' first='Parker' last='Hehman'] alongside juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1297005' first='Colby' last='Hall'] and Chance Coomer that helped them beat many of the best 4A programs over the summer. Lawrence North will feature the best backcourt in Indiana led by 4-star prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1296979' first='Azavier' last='Robinson']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/azavier-robinson/"></a> and senior Division I-level prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158213' first='Kobi' last='Bowles']</strong>. There is a ton of depth on the Wildcats sideline.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: Lawrence North is just too good with too much depth. Barring an off night they will be able to take care of business in this one against the Braves. Lawrence North 74 Brownstown Central 60.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">8:15 p.m. – #7 (4A) Crispus Attucks vs. #8 (4A) Center Grove</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Records</strong>: Crispus Attucks (0-1) Center Grove (2-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prospects to Watch</strong>: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297019' first='Dezmon' last='Briscoe']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dezmon-briscoe/"></a> (Crispus Attucks H.S. 2025), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2277727' first='Michael' last='Chigozie']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/michael-chigozie-2/"></a> (Center Grove H.S. 2025), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1275771' first='Ron' last='Rutland III']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ron-rutland-iii/"></a> (Crispus Attucks H.S. – UIndy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Storyline</strong>: Crispus Attucks returns the vast majority of their roster from last season's 18-8 squad that won the Indianapolis City Tournament. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1275771' first='Ron' last='Rutland III']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ron-rutland-iii/"></a> led the way averaging 18.0 points per game while 3-star, Class of 2025 Top 150 prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297019' first='Dezmon' last='Briscoe']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dezmon-briscoe/"></a> averaged 15.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks per game. Those two will create arguably the best inside-outside presence in the state this season. Briscoe will be tasked with going against 6'10” transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2277727' first='Michael' last='Chigozie']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/michael-chigozie-2/"></a> who moved in from Florida for his junior season. The Trojans also feature senior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158238' first='Joey' last='Schmitz']</strong> and senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1547488' first='Will' last='Spellman'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: This Trojans team has a lot of pieces. Schmitz, alongside [player_tooltip player_id='1547490' first='Jalen' last='Bundy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1212044' first='Dylan' last='Meador'] are as good of a senior led backcourt as you'll find. Crispus Attucks certainly isn't lacking in that department, and Briscoe can be a game-changer inside, but the veteran nature of Center Grove will be the difference in the end. Center Grove 61 Crispus Attucks 55</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->