“Others Receiving Votes” – 5 Small Schools to Watch in 2023-2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Tuesday we released our “unofficial” preseason Prep Hoops Indiana Super Poll highlight the Top 20 teams in the state regardless of class. Here are five more teams worthy of consideration, primarily smaller schools, heading into the 2023-2024 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">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″ junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1364589' first='Kellen' last='Pickett']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kellen-pickett/"></a> 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. Senior sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='1277730' first='Isaac' last='Smith'] is back as well after averaging 9.1 points per game while shooting 79-199 from three-point range. This is a team that routinely competes with, and beats, larger schools. Don't count out Blackhawk Christian coming out of the north.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Evansville Christian Eagles</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their 16-10 record doesn't exactly jump off of the page, but Evansville Christian was arguably the most talented team for most of the season last year at the Class 1A level. They only lost two games against Class 1A competition including a Sectional championship upset in overtime to Northeast Dubois. Other defeats came in close contests to the likes of North Daviess, Jeffersonville, Blackhawk Christian, Linton-Stockton, and Noblesville. Indiana Junior All-Star <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158176' first='Josiah' last='Dunham']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josiah-dunham/"></a> </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josiah-dunham/"></a> is back to run the show after averaging 24.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. Meanwhile, four of their five other primary rotation players will also return to the Eagles lineup. Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='2282412' first='Andrew' last='Lynn'] played very well late in the summer at an Elite Camp at UIndy where the 6'4″ forward showed off his pick-and-pop ability. Look for him to have a breakout season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Indianapolis Lutheran Saints</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fresh off of winning the Class 1A state championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in March, the Saints return enough to earn plenty of preseason accolades going into next season. Junior point guard Lonte Ward has emerged as one of the best players in Class 1A after averaging 13.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 3.8 steals per game for the state champs as a sophomore. He has had a great spring and summer as well. Additionally, junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2053660' first='Cayden' last='Loescher']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/cayden-loescher/"></a> brings back 9.3 points per game. The 6'4″ bigger guard was excellent in the state championship game. Lutheran lost some very important pieces, but the one-two punch of Ward and Loescher is an excellent place to begin rebuilding for a shot at repeating.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Park Tudor Panthers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers won 16 games including the Sectional 43 championship a year ago. Now, they return one of the best scoring guards in the area in junior [player_tooltip player_id='1297034' first='Hudson' last='Horvath'] and pair him in the backcourt with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1561125' first='Miles' last='Wiley'], seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1295326' first='Kamon' last='Washington'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1295384' first='Ben' last='Wilkerson'], and junior KJ Mark. That is a deep and talented Class 2A backcourt. Inside, 6'7" junior [player_tooltip player_id='1578356' first='Cal' last='Bostic'] should be ready for a breakout season. Replacing a Division I talent is never easy, especially for a smaller school, but Park Tudor has plenty of guys with experience to step up to the plate this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">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. 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″ juunior <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 senior, was also in double-figures a year ago averaging 11.2 points per game. That is an excellent returning core.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->