3 For 3: Week 2 Preview
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The 2023-24 high school boys’ basketball season is underway and we at Prep Hoops Indiana want to give you the absolute best coverage in the whole state. Indiana is full of great teams and talented players thus giving the fans…
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Continue ReadingThe 2023-24 high school boys’ basketball season is underway and we at Prep Hoops Indiana want to give you the absolute best coverage in the whole state. Indiana is full of great teams and talented players thus giving the fans incredible matchups every week. Join me, Kyler Staley, every Monday during the season as I preview the 3 Players, 3 Teams, and 3 Matchups to watch for that coming week. Are you ready? Let’s get started!
3 Players
One of the best bigs in the entire state finally get his season kicked off this week. Tucker Tornatta has been one of our biggest stock-risers in the in-state 2024 class and really started to breakout this past summer playing for Kyle Guy Elite. He comes into his senior season after big junior year averaging 12.9 points and 11.7 rebounds per game and his offensive game is showing major improvements every time I watch him and those rebounding skills are always excellent. He is proving his is a D1 one guy. Don’t only watch him this week, watch him all season long.
Highlights
Mullins has solidified himself as one of the best players not only in the in-state 2025 class, but in the entire state. The 6’5 shooting guard out of Greenfield-Central is coming off arguably the best summer out of any in-state prospect that saw his recruitment and overall national rankings take a major rise. With his mixture of size, athleticism, and shooting ability on the perimeter, high major programs are heavily involved and by the time the 2023-24 high school season ends, he will be one of the most highly sought-after players in the state. Look for him to lead the Cougars to improvement of 2-0 as they travel to Northeastern on Saturday.
Highlights
If you are not familiar with Steven Reynolds III Steven Reynolds III 6’5″ | SG South Bend Washington | 2026 State IN by now, you need to be. He is a 6’5″ guard that is so fluid athletically and with the ball in his hands. He flashes the ability to play point guard with excellent court vision, passing ability, and a high basketball IQ. When it comes to shot making, he is extremely elite in that area and will make big time plays for his team all season. He is the top 2026 prospect in the state for a reason and is someone you need to buy stock in now. He is going to have a huge season for the Panthers. You can watch him vs Elkhart (11/28), New Prairie (12/1) and at Goshen (12/2) this week.
3 Teams
Scottsburg (3A) – Arguably the favorite to come out of the south in 3A this season, the Warriors return to action this week. They arguably also have the best ‘big three’ in the state in the senior core of Kody Clancy Kody Clancy 6'4" | PG Scottsburg | 2024 State IN , Jack Miller Jack Miller 6'5" | SG Scottsburg | 2024 State IN , and Wyatt Zellers while also having one of the better “glue guys” in senior guard Caden Richardson Caden Richardson 6'4" | SG Scottsbug | 2024 IN , who is also the son of coach Eric Richardson. Scottsburg is coming off of a beatdown of a win vs Austin last week but have three key games on tap this week hosting Eastern (Pekin) (11/28), traveling the Charlestown (12/1) and then hosting Bedford (12/2). Warriors will be a tough team all season.
Fort Wayne Blackhawk (2A) – The reigning 2A State Champs finally get their season kicked off this week. For the Braves, it all starts with 6’9 versatile forward Kellen Pickett Kellen Pickett 6'9" | PF Blackhawk Christian | 2025 State #108 Nation IN who will be the primary scoring option for them this season. The big man averaged 13.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per game as a sophomore. Senior sharpshooter Isaac Smith Isaac Smith 6'6" | SG Blackhawk Christian | 2024 State IN is back as well after averaging 9.1 points per game while shooting 79-199 from three-point range. While they have lost some great talent from last year, the Braves will still be a force up north in 2A. They start the year off with two road games this week traveling to Fort Wayne North (11/28) and New Haven (12/1).
Bloomfield (1A) – As it currently looks right now, the Cardinals are the top team in 1A right now in the south region of the state. 2026 shooting guard Blake Neill Blake Neill 6'4" | SG Bloomfield | 2026 State IN is looking like he could have a breakout season and his backcourt running mate Tyler Patterson Tyler Patterson 5'5" | PG Bloomfield | 2027 IN is a great complimentary piece alongside him. Last year, they feel short of their goal to make it to state and while they may have a challenge this year, they are a team that could get better and better as the season continues. Currently sit at 2-0 this season with a key road game at Shakamak this Friday.
3 Matchups
Fisher (4A) at Indianapolis Tech (4A) – Nov. 28th, 7:30 pm:
This has been a game I have been majorly interested in ever since the fall. We all know how great this Fishers team is and will be for the remainder of the season, but this game is more of a test for Indianapolis Tech, who I think have some sneaky talent on their squad this year with the core of Jayden Ford, Elijah Sanders, Brandon Rogers Jr Brandon Rogers Jr 6'0" | PG Anderson | 2025 State IN , and rising sophomore Elexander Harris Elexander Harris 5'11" | PG Arsenal Tech | 2026 State IN . That group going up against the senior 1-2 punch combo Keenan Garner Keenan Garner 6'6" | PF Fishers | 2024 State IN and Taden Metzger as well as rising players Justin Kirby and Cooper Zachary Cooper Zachary 5'9" | PG Fishers | 2027 State IN is an exciting matchup for me. While I think Fishers will face a challenge, the experience and depth in this play a factor so I am giving the edge to the Tigers. Don’t be shocked if we see an upset here.
Providence (2A) at Borden (1A) – Dec. 2nd, 7:30 pm:
This is an under-the-radar game down in southern Indiana featuring two of the better teams in class 2A and 1A. Providence is coming off of a tough loss to Brownstown but 2024 guard Noah Lovan Noah Lovan 6'3" | PG Providence | 2024 State IN kicked off his senior season with 33 points. For Borden, they started the year 2-0 and fellow senior guard Kasym Nash Kasym Nash 6'0" | SG Borden | 2024 State IN is the leading guy for the Braves. The matchup of Lovan and Nash will be a fun one, but Providence has the edge here with other supporting guys like Quentin Hesse, Drew Cassis Drew Cassis 6'1" | SG Our Lady Of Providence | 2026 IN , and Elijah Fuller-Tucker Elijah Fuller-Tucker 6'6" | PF Providence | 2026 State IN . Providence will bounce back here and get the win, but Borden will be a fight.
Sneakers For Santa Shootout – Dec. 2nd, 11:30 am – 8:15 pm:
The annual Sneakers For Santa Shootout is this Saturday and the field is just as loaded as it usually is! This event is always one of the best in the state and with the lineup we have this year, that will not change. Below is the full schedule plus the top talent that will be in attendance. My picks are listed in BOLD.
11:30 am: Heritage Hills vs. Evansville Christian
1:15 pm: Cathedral vs. Evansville Bosse
3:00 pm: Brownsburg vs. Warren Central
4:45 pm: Ben Davis vs. Fort Wayne Wayne
6:30 pm: Lawrence North vs. Brownstown Central
8:15 pm: Crispus Attucks vs. Center Grove
Top Prospects: Jack Benter Jack Benter 6'4" | SG Brownstown Central | 2024 State #121 Nation IN , K.J. Windham K.J. Windham 6'3" | PG Ben Davis | 2024 State #137 Nation IN , Ron Rutland III Ron Rutland III 6'1" | SG Crispus Attucks | 2024 State IN , Josiah Dunham Josiah Dunham 6'0" | PG Evansville Christian | 2024 State IN , Nick Glover, Kobi Bowles Kobi Bowles 6'2" | PG Lawrence North | 2024 State IN , Taray Howell Taray Howell 5'8" | PG Evansville Bosse | 2024 State IN , Jordan Lomax Jordan Lomax 6'3" | SG Brownsburg | 2024 State IN , Grant Porath Grant Porath 6'1" | SG Brownsburg | 2024 State IN , Jevon Lewis Jevon Lewis 5'9" | PG Fort Wayne Wayne | 2024 State IN , Mark White, Joey Schmitz Joey Schmitz 6'2" | PG Center Grove | 2024 State IN , Dhani Flannigan Dhani Flannigan 5'10" | PG Ben Davis | 2024 State IN , Mason Lewis Mason Lewis 5'9" | PG Crispus Attucks | 2024 State IN , Peyton Byrd Peyton Byrd 6'7" | PF Center Grove | 2024 State IN , Sheldon Gatlin Sheldon Gatlin 6'7" | SF Cathedral | 2024 State IN , Anthony Fields Anthony Fields 6'2" | SG Cathedral | 2024 State IN , Will Spellman Will Spellman 6'6" | PF Center Grove | 2024 State IN , Dezmon Briscoe Dezmon Briscoe 6'9" | PF Crispus Attucks | 2025 State #107 Nation IN , Trent Sisley Trent Sisley 6'8" | PF Heritage Hills | 2025 State #47 Nation IN , Azavier Robinson Azavier Robinson 6'1" | PG Lawrence North | 2025 State #88 Nation IN , Colby Hall Colby Hall 6'6" | PF Brownstown Central | 2025 State IN , Brady Koehler Brady Koehler 6'9" | SF Cathedral | 2025 State #199 Nation IN , Michael Ephraim Michael Ephraim 6'10" | C Center Grove | 2025 State IN , Chase Barnes Chase Barnes 6'1" | PG Fort Wayne Wayne | 2025 State #355 Nation IN , Mark Zackery Mark Zackery 6'0" | PG Ben Davis | 2025 State #398 Nation IN , Jevon Guess Jevon Guess 6'6" | PF Warren Central | 2025 State IN , Lebron Gough Lebron Gough 6'1" | PG Cathedral | 2025 State IN , Trey Dillard Trey Dillard 6'5" | PF Fort Wayne Wayne | 2025 State IN , Kai McGrew, Brennan Miller Brennan Miller 6'7" | PF Lawrence North | 2026 State IN , Jake Prior Jake Prior 6'5" | SG Heritage Hills | 2026 State IN