2023 FORUM Tipoff Classic Preview
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We are now nearly three weeks into the Indiana High School Basketball season and one of the best single day events of the year is here. The annual FORUM Tipoff Classic at the historic Southport Fieldhouse is back for another…
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Continue ReadingWe are now nearly three weeks into the Indiana High School Basketball season and one of the best single day events of the year is here. The annual FORUM Tipoff Classic at the historic Southport Fieldhouse is back for another year featuring 12 excellent teams, six competitive games, and five nationally ranked prospects. As always, Prep Hoops Indiana will have boots on the ground coverage of this great event. Let’s dive in and take a closer look at this day full of Indiana High School Basketball.
12:30 p.m. Southport vs. Greenfield-Central
Players to Watch: Braylon Mullins Braylon Mullins 6'6" | SG Greenfield-Central | 2025 State #123 Nation IN (Greenfield-Central H.S. 2025)
Records: Southport (1-2), Greenfield-Central (3-0)
Preview: The host Southport Cardinals will look a lot different than they did a year ago. Last year’s group was loaded with seniors and first year head coach Bill Zych will be replacing the top six scorers from that squad. Look for their strong 2025 class to make a leap this season though led by guard Michael Johnson Michael Johnson 5'11" | PG Southport | 2025 State IN and wing Jack Turner Jack Turner 6'4" | SF Southport | 2025 State IN . 6’7″ sophomore forward James Kalala James Kalala 6'7" | C Southport | 2026 State IN is one to watch as well. As for the Cougars of Greenfield-Central, it will be all about Top 100 national prospect Braylon Mullins Braylon Mullins 6'6" | SG Greenfield-Central | 2025 State #123 Nation IN . The 6’5″ guard averaged 16.9 points per game a year ago along with a team-leading 5.2 rebounds. His ability to score from any spot on the floor has made him one of the most dangerous offensive players in the state this season and he is averaging 25.0 points per game while leading the Cougars to a 3-0 record. Ranked #82 in the On3 Class of 2025 Rankings, Mullins holds offers from Indiana and Notre Dame among over a dozen others.
Prediction: Greenfield-Central 64 Southport 50
2:00 p.m. Warren Central vs. Center Grove
Players to Watch: Michael Ephraim (Center Grove H.S. 2025), Jevon Guess Jevon Guess 6'6" | PF Warren Central | 2025 State IN (Warren Central H.S. 2025), Joey Schmitz Joey Schmitz 6'2" | PG Center Grove | 2024 State IN (Center Grove H.S. 2024)
Records: Warren Central (0-2), Center Grove (3-2)
Preview: After leading the Warriors to a 32-0 state championship in 2018, head coach Criss Beyers returns to the Warren Central sideline with an under-the-radar group. 6’3″ wing Robert Walker Robert Walker 6'3" | SF Warren Central | 2024 State IN had an excellent summer and should really emerge as a two-way threat on the perimeter. 6’5″ forward Jevon Guess Jevon Guess 6'6" | PF Warren Central | 2025 State IN is a physically gifted big man who will dominant the paint and the glass inside. Freshman JJ Craig JJ Craig 6'2" | PG Warren Central | 2027 State IN has already stepped into a starting role for the Warriors too. Center Grove is fresh off an excellent season and has several pieces to help them maintain success. Senior point guards Joey Schmitz Joey Schmitz 6'2" | PG Center Grove | 2024 State IN and Jalen Bundy Jalen Bundy 5'11" | PG Center Grove | 2024 State IN bring back a lot of playmaking ability while Schmitz is also a high-level shooter. 6’6″ senior forward Will Spellman Will Spellman 6'6" | PF Center Grove | 2024 State IN is one of the best big men in the area that people may not know a ton about yet as well. His skill level at his size makes him a versatile piece for coach Zach Hahn to play with on the offensive end of the floor. 6’10” junior move-in Michael Ephraim is one to watch as well. These are two deep teams that should make for a fun matchup.
Prediction: Center Grove 63 Warren Central 58
3:40 p.m. #2 (3A) Guerin Catholic vs. #7 (3A) Heritage Hills
Players to Watch: Dylan Murans Dylan Murans 6'7" | SF Guerin Catholic | 2024 State IN (Guerin Catholic 2024), Trent Sisley Trent Sisley 6'8" | PF Heritage Hills | 2025 State #47 Nation IN (Heritage Hills H.S. 2025), Robert Sorensen Robert Sorensen 6'0" | PG Guerin Catholic | 2024 State IN (Guerin Catholic 2024)
Records: Guerin Catholic (4-0), Heritage Hills (3-0)
Preview: This matchup will feature two of the top teams in Class 3A. Last season, Guerin Catholic went on an impressive postseason run to reach the state finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. They return a lot from that team including leading scorer Robert Sorensen Robert Sorensen 6'0" | PG Guerin Catholic | 2024 State IN who posted 14.4 points per game along with senior forward Dylan Murans Dylan Murans 6'7" | SF Guerin Catholic | 2024 State IN who holds Division I offers from Army and Missouri State along with up-and-coming junior forward Bryson Cardinal Bryson Cardinal 6'6" | PF Guerin Catholic | 2025 State IN who is poised for a breakout season. On the Heritage Hills sideline, it is all about 6’8″ junior forward Trent Sisley Trent Sisley 6'8" | PF Heritage Hills | 2025 State #47 Nation IN . The highly sought after four-star prospect is ranked #61 in the On3 Industry Ranking with offers from nearly all of the Big Ten along with Notre Dame. Sisley is currently averaging 24.7 points and 13.3 rebounds per game for the Patriots.
Prediction: Guerin Catholic 60 Heritage Hills 51
5:20 p.m. #9 (4A) Crispus Attucks vs. #6 (4A) Noblesville
Players to Watch: Dezmon Briscoe Dezmon Briscoe 6'9" | PF Crispus Attucks | 2025 State #107 Nation IN (Crispus Attucks H.S. 2025), Justin Curry II Justin Curry II 6'4" | SG Noblesville | 2026 State IN (Noblesville H.S. 2026), Aaron Fine Aaron Fine 6'3" | PG Noblesville | 2024 State IN (Noblesville H.S. 2024), Ron Rutland III Ron Rutland III 6'1" | SG Crispus Attucks | 2024 State IN (Crispus Attucks H.S. 2024 – University of Indianapolis), Hunter Walston Hunter Walston 6'6" | SF Noblesvile | 2024 State IN (Noblesville H.S. 2024)
Records: Crispus Attucks (3-1), Noblesville (2-1)
Preview: Two very successful teams from a year ago will face-off in the evening of the Forum Tipoff Classic featuring Top 10 rosters in the Class 4A preseason rankings. Crispus Attucks won last season’s Indianapolis City championship and return nearly all of their production from that team. UIndy commit Ron Rutland III Ron Rutland III 6'1" | SG Crispus Attucks | 2024 State IN was the Tigers leading scorer averaging 18.0 points per game while making nearly 80 three-point attempts. Inside, Top 150 national prospect in the Class of 2025, Dezmon Briscoe Dezmon Briscoe 6'9" | PF Crispus Attucks | 2025 State #107 Nation IN brings back 15.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks per game. Noblesville will counter with senior guard Aaron Fine Aaron Fine 6'3" | PG Noblesville | 2024 State IN who averaged 13.8 points and 3.5 assists per game last year and stock-rising senior wing Hunter Walston Hunter Walston 6'6" | SF Noblesvile | 2024 State IN who contributed 8.3 points and 5.0 rebounds. Look for sophomore guard Justin Curry II Justin Curry II 6'4" | SG Noblesville | 2026 State IN to potentially be the difference maker for the Millers as well.
Prediction: Noblesville 70 Crispus Attucks 67
7:00 p.m. #1 (4A) Lawrence North vs. #8 (4A) Fort Wayne Wayne
Players to Watch: Chase Barnes Chase Barnes 6'1" | PG Fort Wayne Wayne | 2025 State #355 Nation IN (Fort Wayne Wayne H.S. 2025), Kobi Bowles Kobi Bowles 6'2" | PG Lawrence North | 2024 State IN (Lawerence North H.S. 2024), Jevon Lewis Jevon Lewis 5'9" | PG Fort Wayne Wayne | 2024 State IN (Fort Wayne Wayne H.S. 2024), Kai McGrew (Lawrence North H.S. 2026), Brennan Miller Brennan Miller 6'7" | PF Lawrence North | 2026 State IN (Lawrence North H.S. 2026), Azavier Robinson Azavier Robinson 6'1" | PG Lawrence North | 2025 State #88 Nation IN (Lawrence North H.S. 2025)
Records: Lawrence North (3-0), Fort Wayne Wayne (2-1)
Preview: Lawrence North enters as the #1 team in the state while the Generals of Fort Wayne Wayne are ranked #8 and are fresh off a trip to the Semi-State last season. The Wildcats feature three-star prospect Azavier Robinson Azavier Robinson 6'1" | PG Lawrence North | 2025 State #88 Nation IN who is ranked #119 in the On3 Industry Ranking. He played in front of Indiana head coach Mike Woodson and Notre Dame head coach Micah Shrewsberry on Wednesday in a win over rival Lawrence Central. Fellow backcourt mate Kobi Bowles Kobi Bowles 6'2" | PG Lawrence North | 2024 State IN has been excellent as well for LN. In forth front court, a pair of sophomores lead the way as 6’6″ Brennan Miller Brennan Miller 6'7" | PF Lawrence North | 2026 State IN and 6’8″ Kai McGrew have been dominant. This roster is loaded and looks very much like a state title contender. For the Generals, their dynamic backcourt of Jevon Lewis Jevon Lewis 5'9" | PG Fort Wayne Wayne | 2024 State IN , Chase Barnes Chase Barnes 6'1" | PG Fort Wayne Wayne | 2025 State #355 Nation IN , and Khalyn Williams-Thomas Khalyn Williams-Thomas 5'11" | PG Fort Wayne Wayne | 2025 State IN will give them a unique ability to matchup with the Wildcats. Down low, Trey Dillard Trey Dillard 6'5" | PF Fort Wayne Wayne | 2025 State IN and Preston Comer Preston Comer 6'4" | SF Fort Wayne Wayne | 2025 State IN will look to hold their own against Miller and McGrew.
Prediction: Lawrence North 75 Fort Wayne Wayne 62
8:30 p.m. #3 (4A) Fishers vs. #4 (4A) Kokomo
Players to Watch: Flory Bidunga Flory Bidunga 6'9" | C Kokomo | 2024 State #7 Nation IN (Kokomo H.S. 2024 – Kansas), Keenan Garner Keenan Garner 6'6" | PF Fishers | 2024 State IN (Fishers H.S. 2024), Taden Metzger (Fishers H.S. 2024 – Huntington University)
Records: Fishers (5-0), Kokomo (3-1)
Preview: This game was even more highly touted when it was announced, but even a high-profile transfer can’t keep this game from being the perfect nightcap to an excellent day of basketball. Kansas signee Flory Bidunga Flory Bidunga 6'9" | C Kokomo | 2024 State #7 Nation IN is the obvious draw in this one as a five-star prospect ranked #6 in the On3 Industry Ranking. Bidunga is averaging 17.8 points, 14.3 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game to begin the season. Senior forward Karson Rogers Karson Rogers 6'6" | PF Kokomo | 2024 State IN actually leads the Wildkats in scoring at 18.3 points per game while also pulling down 9.8 rebounds. For Fishers, versatile 6’6″ senior forward Keenan Garner Keenan Garner 6'6" | PF Fishers | 2024 State IN is their go-to man. He olds a couple of Division I offers along with DII and NAIA options. Huntington commit Taden Metzger is certainly one to watch as well along with talented freshman guard duo Cooper Zachary Cooper Zachary 5'9" | PG Fishers | 2027 State IN and Jason Gardner Jr. Jason Gardner Jr. 5'11" | PG Fishers | 2027 State IN
Prediction: Kokomo 70 Fishers 68