3 For 3: Week 4 Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 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! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Players</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1275772"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Gustin remains arguably the best player in the in-state 2024 class that still remains on the board. While Pendleton Heights has struggled this season (2-4), Gustin has been in the lone bright spot this year thus far showing off his versatility on both ends of the floor. The 6'7″ forward has always had a ton of upside, but that potential met production over the last year which led to his recruitment really heating up with multiple D1s involved. Gustin is a great athlete and has gotten stronger which has helped him as a finisher, rebounder, and defender. He and the Arabians have a chance to bounce back this week with a home game vs Guerin Catholic (12/12) and at Liberty Christian (12/16).","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65773058dbbef"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1296998"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"There may not be a bigger stock-riser in the state than this 6'5 shooting guard out of Richmond. Horton had a phenomenal spring/summer which landed him offers from schools such as Kent State, Miami (OH), and many others. He is an extremely high-upside prospect with blossoming skill to match his elite physical tools. He uses his elite athletic ability to make impressive plays around the rim and has started to become more of a catch-and-shoot threat more and more. Richmond has been one of the better 4A teams this season thus far sitting at 4-0 and will look to continue their undefeated streak when they host Phalen Academy (12/15) and travel to Connersville (12/16) this week.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65773058dbc57"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1561617"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"When it comes to upside, the 2026 in-state forward [player_tooltip player_id='1561617' first='Dikembe' last='Shaw'] may have the most out of anyone in that class. At 6'4″ he has guard like skill on the perimeter and puts in a lot of effort on both ends of the floor at all times. Although he is not super athletic yet, his strength and power for his age is extremely impressive. He has been one of the bigger bright spots for this talented Crown Point team and continue to show his D1 potential. Coming off a big win over Carmel, Shaw will look to lead the Bulldogs to another win when they host Munster on 12/15.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65773058dbcb3"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Teams</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Guerin Catholic (3A)</strong> - The Golden Eagles of Guerin Catholic currently sit as the best team in Class 3A and further solidified that over the weekend with a big win over Heritage Hills at the Forum Tipoff Classic. Sitting at 5-1 so far this year, Guerin Catholic has really dominated teams winning those five games by an average of 12.4 points. With [player_tooltip player_id='1386181' first='Jack' last='Cherry'] being out, seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1547883' first='Dylan' last='Murans'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1275817' first='Robert' last='Sorensen'] have really turned it up a notch and been one of the better duos in the state. Junior PF [player_tooltip player_id='2053658' first='Bryson' last='Cardinal'] has also been a guy that has produced even more than expected. They will look to continue to build momentum as the top 3A team when they travel to Pendleton Heights (12/12) and host Heritage Christian (12/15) this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wapahani (2A)</strong> - When it comes to Class 2A, the Raiders of Wapahani sit as the top team and look like a team that is going to make a big push towards a state championship. They currently sit at 5-0 and just has flat-out dominated every team they the played. They are led by one of the best 2024 guards in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='1158181' first='Isaac' last='Andrews'] who is averaging an outstanding 28 points a game thus far this season. This team went 25-2 last year and have a chance to replicate that if they continue the play they have shown so far. Wapahani travels to Wes-Del (12/15) and host Alexandria (12/16) this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Christian Academy (1A)</strong> - One of the teams in the Class 1A level that I feel should be getting a little more noticed is the Christian Academy Warriors. The Warriors sit at 5-0 on the season thus far and have yet to even play a single home game thus far. The guy to know here for the Warriors is 2025 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1297066' first='Joshua' last='Renfro'] who is one of the best all-around scores in the entire state and has put up big time performances this year. They have their first home game of the season on 12/15 when they host a tough South Central (Elizabeth) squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Matchups</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fort Wayne Blackhawk (2A) vs Manchester (2A) – Dec. 16th, 7:30 pm:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In my opinion, this is the top 2A matchup up the week because the winner of this one could make a strong case as the second best team in the northern Indiana area at the Class 2A level. The key matchup here is going to be the fun 2025 power forward battle of Blackhawk's [player_tooltip player_id='1364589' first='Kellen' last='Pickett'] and Manchester's [player_tooltip player_id='1297028' first='Gavin' last='Betten'], both who are extremely versatile players. While we know those guys are going to battle back-and-forth, it the surrounding pieces that are going to be the difference maker in who comes out of this one. This game takes place at Grace College so there is no homecourt advantage here, as well. Blackhawk needs a big win here to build some momentum but it is going to be a tough outing for the Braves as Manchester comes in undefeated and has played very good basketball this year. Give me Blackhawk to just squeak out a win here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Westfield (4A) at Noblesville (A) – Dec. 15th, 7:30 pm:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This may be the biggest matchup out of any game this week because you have two of the top teams in the state going at it. The Westfield Shamrocks have been on a roll this season having won their first five games thanks to the tough duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1275749' first='Trey' last='Buchanan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2079499' first='Nic' last='Book'] but they are about to face the best trio they may face all season in Noblesville Aaron fine, [player_tooltip player_id='1275012' first='Hunter' last='Walston'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1534261' first='Justin' last='Curry II']. Noblesville has only lost one game this season but are coming off just fantastic wins over Carmel and Crispus Attucks over the weekend. This one is going to be extremely tight from start to finish and could likely be a preview of what we may get in Sectional 8. Give me Noblesville here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Heritage Hills (3A) at Evansville Memorial (3A) – Dec. 15th, 7:30 pm:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one is one of my matchups to watch simply because of the power forward battle of Heritage Hills' [player_tooltip player_id='1297118' first='Trent' last='Sisley'] and Evansville Memorial's [player_tooltip player_id='1578479' first='Tucker' last='Tornatta']. I had this one circled since I saw it schedule because you are looking at two of the best southern Indiana teams at the 3A level. Heritage Hills is coming off a tough loss to Guerin Catholic while Evansville Memorial started the season 2-0 but have a more difficult stretch coming up starting this season. For Sisley, this is the best power forward he is going to play all season and Tornatta will have his hands full with Sisley as well. This will be a fun game and I like for Heritage Hills to come in and beat Memorial, strictly because they are more battle-tested. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->