Forum Tipoff Classic: X-Factors (Part 2)
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The annual Forum Tipoff Classic at Southport High School is coming our way this Saturday and the field is as loaded as it always is. With 12 of the best teams in the state, there will be tons of talented…
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Continue ReadingThe annual Forum Tipoff Classic at Southport High School is coming our way this Saturday and the field is as loaded as it always is. With 12 of the best teams in the state, there will be tons of talented prospects in the Southport High School gym and Prep Hoops will have a presence there all day. Each of the 12 teams that will be participating in the Forum Tipoff Classic each all have highly talented players while each having an “X-Factor” player that will help get them a win. For this short preview series, we are gonna look at an “X-Factor” player from each team. For Part 2, we are going to look at the “X-Factor” from Crispus Attucks, Noblesville, Lawrence North, Fort Wayne Wayne, Fishers, and Kokomo.
While guys like Dezmon Briscoe Dezmon Briscoe 6’9″ | PF Crispus Attucks | 2025 State #107 Nation IN , Ron Rutland III Ron Rutland III 6’1″ | SG Crispus Attucks | 2024 State IN , and Mason Lewis Mason Lewis 5’9″ | PG Crispus Attucks | 2024 State IN get a lot of the attention, one of the ‘glue guys’ on this Crispus Attucks team that plays an important role is junior guard Chris Hurt Chris Hurt 5’11” | PG Crispus Attucks | 2025 State IN . At 5’11, Hurt is a lefty guard that is very disciplined on both ends of the floor while bringing energy on the court as well. He is a guy that if you are not watching closely can make big plays happen and if he is in his groove on the floor, he can be tough to stop. One of the many pieces this Attucks team up their sleeve.
Noblesville is a team that is full of a lot of weapons, especially in the backcourt/wing with guys like Hunter Walston Hunter Walston 6’6″ | SF Noblesvile | 2024 State IN , Aaron Fine Aaron Fine 6’3″ | PG Noblesville | 2024 State IN , and Justin Curry II Justin Curry II 6’4″ | SG Noblesville | 2026 State IN . One of the backcourt pieces that gets overlooked too often is junior guard TJ Davidson TJ Davidson 6’1″ | SG Noblesville | 2025 State IN , who has really been an X-Factor in this young season thus far. Davidson is an active on-ball defender that can also be a versatile scorer both on and off the ball. He brings a lot of the toughness and physicality on the defensive end and his speed and athletic ability can be difference maker on the floor for Noblesville. He can matchup well with the backcourt of Attucks.
Highlights
Myles Baker Myles Baker 5’11” | PG Lawrence North | 2024 State IN has been an X-Factor for Lawrence North for the past few seasons because this senior guard can get hot in a hurry and put up a lot of points. At 5’11, Baker knows how to use his stocky size to play against contact while also having the skill to stretch the floor and hot some big time threes at a consistent rate. The three guard lineup that Lawrence North has with Baker, Azavier Robinson Azavier Robinson 6’1″ | PG Lawrence North | 2025 State #88 Nation IN , and Kobi Bowels is arguably the best guard trio in the state and while most defenders give their attention to Robinson and Bowels….Baker is a player you always have to respect. If he is hitting shots, Lawrence North is a tough team to beat.
Comer is the top perimeter option for the Generals with his excellent tools as an athletic, strong wing. He attacks closeouts well off of the dribble, is dangerous in transition, and rebounds the ball well on both ends of the floor. The 6’4 wing has shown a lot of times that he can bring high volume as a scorer and be a game-changer for Fort Wayne Wayne. He is a true X-Factor for Fort Wayne Wayne and someone that could help the Generals get a big win on Saturday.
There may not be a bigger X-Factor in the Southport gym on Saturday. When it comes to stock-risers in the state, Justin Kirby is becoming one of the biggest impressive skill level on the perimeter to go with his elite physical and athletic tools. While Fishers has multiple playmakers on their team that defensives have to plan for, Kirby is the one guy that you absolutely have to make sure you try to contain because length, bounce, and explosion off the dribble can breakdown almost any defender. He has seen his role see a major increase this season and Fishers are benefiting from it.
At this point, everyone knows that Flory Bidunga Flory Bidunga 6’9″ | C Kokomo | 2024 State #7 Nation IN is going to produce but lately the storyline for Kokomo is the surrounding pieces stepping up and taking pressure off of the Kansas signee. A player that continues to flash major potential is 6’5 forward Karson Rogers Karson Rogers 6’6″ | PF Kokomo | 2024 State IN . When it comes to the frontcourt of this Wildcats team, Rogers has become an excellent compliment to Bidunga and someone that is benefitting from the attention the five-star center is getting. e plays with such a fantastic motor, athletic, rebounds and defends. He makes it where you have to worry about him while also trying to contain the best prospect in the state.