3 For 3: Week 8 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
He has only been here less than a year, but the senior forward has really made an impact in his short time in the state of Indiana for Westfield. The 6’8 power forward out of New Zealand is one of the most aggressive overall players I have seen all season long and is someone that will do whatever it takes to get a rebound. What he does on the floor on both ends is not the prettiest, but it can be very effective at times, which is why Westfield remains undefeated and one of the top teams in the state. Arguably the best uncommitted 2024s we have in the state. Watch him when Westfield hosts Hamilton Southeastern on 1/12.
It is pretty well-known by now, but I am a huge fan of Cole Henry and his game. Being all the way down in South Ripley, he falls a little under-the-radar but by all accounts, he has been having a great junior season and continuing to raise his stock as a college prospect. At nearly 6’7, Henry is one of the more versatile players at his position and has the motor and tools that can be improved with more and more work. Should have a strong finish to the season and is in for an important spring/summer. South Ripley travels to Oldenburg Academy (1/12) and Switzerland County (1/13) this week.
Highlights
All the way up in northern Indiana at Gary West is one of the more dynamic and high upside guards in the in-state 2026 class. Hinton is a near 6’0 lead guard that is very good with the ball in his hands, creates for himself and others off of the dribble, and can be an impactful defender as well. He has had multiple high-scoring games this season and should be getting more attention this upcoming summer with Indiana Elite. He and Gary West are in for a busy week when they host Victory Christian (1/9) and travel to Bowman Academy (1/11) and Indianapolis Tindley (1/13).
3 Teams
Noblesville (4A) – Noblesville is just one of the most consistent teams we currently have in the state. They sit at a fantastic 10-1 record with their only loss coming to the unbeaten Fishers but are currently riding a 8-game winning streak with wins over Attucks, Anderson, Crown Point, and many others. They arguably have the best trio in the state with seniors Aaron Fine Aaron Fine 6'3" | PG Noblesville | 2024 State IN and Hunter Walston Hunter Walston 6'6" | SF Noblesvile | 2024 State IN with sophomore wing Justin Curry II Justin Curry II 6'4" | SG Noblesville | 2026 State IN being such a great compliment to this experienced team. This team is set up to make a strong run in the postseason. This week they travel to Zionsville (1/12) and host Connersville (1/13).
Danville (3A) – The Warriors are one of the more surprising teams in Class 3A this season and after a very impressive 11-0 start, they finally saw their streak end with a tough loss to Avon. For this team, it all starts in the middle with big man and 2024 Indiana football signee Evan Lawrence Evan Lawrence 6'6" | C Danville | 2024 State IN , who has been a beast this season. Senior shooting guard Caden Collins junior shooting guard Jace Scrafton Jace Scrafton 6'4" | SG Danville | 2025 State IN have also been great pieces as well. They have a chance to bounce back this week when they travel to North Montgomery (1/12) and host West Lafayette (1/13).
Brownstown Central (2A) – The Braves of Brownstown Central are back to full strength with 2024 Purdue signee Jack Benter Jack Benter 6'4" | SG Brownstown Central | 2024 State #121 Nation IN returning from his lower leg injury last weekend. Even when Benter was out, the Braves proved to almost be just as dominant without him, which is scary for the rest of Class 2A. Guys like Colby Hall Colby Hall 6'6" | PF Brownstown Central | 2025 State IN , Chase Coomer, and Parker Hehman Parker Hehman 6'0" | PG Brownstown Central | 2024 IN have seen their game be taken up a notch which has taken the Braves to another level. They sit at 10-4 on the year with a two-game road trip to Carmel (1/12) and Silver Creek (1/13) this week.
3 Matchups
Silver Creek (3A) at Christian Academy (1A) – Jan. 9th, 7:30 pm
There is going to be a lot of scoring in this game I would imagine. Down in the southern Indiana area, you will see a matchup of two of the best scorers in the state in junior shooting guard Joshua Renfro Joshua Renfro 6'2" | SG Christian Academy | 2025 State IN and sophomore shooting guard Karen Daeger going at it. For their respective classes, both teams have been one of the best with Silver Creek coming into this game 8-3 and Christian Academy at 10-1. While we know both Renfro and Darger are going to go off, it will come down to surrounding factors in my opinion, which I think Silver Creek has the slight edge in. This one could go either way.
Guerin Catholic (3A) at Cathedral (4A) – Jan 13th, 7:30
This may be the biggest matchup of the week. You’ve got arguably the best 3A team in the state going on the road to face one of the top 4A teams. The exciting matchup here is senior wing Dylan Murans Dylan Murans 6'7" | SF Guerin Catholic | 2024 State IN going up against sophomore wing Brady Koehler Brady Koehler 6'9" | SF Cathedral | 2025 State #199 Nation IN . The key here will be how Guerin Catholic will be able to handle the depth of Cathedral especially with the way their guards and wings have been playing. In order for the Golden Eagles to go on the road and win this one, both Robert Sorensen Robert Sorensen 6'0" | PG Guerin Catholic | 2024 State IN and Bryson Cardinal Bryson Cardinal 6'6" | PF Guerin Catholic | 2025 State IN will have to be consistent factors all game. I like Cathedral here at home and because of their depth.
Marion County Tournament – Jan. 9th-13th
Marion County Tournament is this week and it looks just about as stacked as you can imagine! Below, I have the top player of each team listed plus the my predictions of how the tournament will play out. Winners are in BOLD.
Top Players: Papi Rivera Papi Rivera 6'1" | PG North Central | 2025 State IN , Lonte Ward Jr. Lonte Ward Jr. 5'10" | PG Indianapolis Lutheran | 2025 State IN , Hudson Horvath Hudson Horvath 6'1" | PG Park Tudor | 2025 State IN , Contrell Byrd, Azavier Robinson Azavier Robinson 6'1" | PG Lawrence North | 2025 State #88 Nation IN , Albert Gooden III Albert Gooden III 6'0" | PG Lawrence Central | 2026 State IN , DeZhon Hall, Aidan Hunt Aidan Hunt 6'3" | SG Perry Meridian | 2024 IN , Evan Haywood Evan Haywood 6'4" | SG Brebeuf Jesuit | 2024 State #231 Nation IN , K.J. Windham K.J. Windham 6'3" | PG Ben Davis | 2024 State #137 Nation IN , E.J. Hazelett E.J. Hazelett 6'7" | SF Franklin Central | 2026 State IN , James, Kalala, K.C. Berry K.C. Berry 5'11" | PG Decatur Central | 2024 State IN , Jevon Guess Jevon Guess 6'6" | PF Warren Central | 2025 State IN , Cam Reich Cam Reich 6'1" | SG Speedway | 2024 State IN , Drew Kegerreis Drew Kegerreis 6'3" | SG Roncalli | 2024 State IN .
Frist Round
North Central (Indianapolis) at Indianapolis Lutheran
Beech Grove at Park Tudor
Lawrence Central at Lawrence North
Perry Meridian at Pike
Brebeuf Jesuit at Ben Davis
Southport at Franklin Central
Decatur Central at Warren Central
Indianapolis Roncalli at Speedway
Quarterfinals
North Central at Park Tudor
Lawrence North at Pike
Ben Davis at Franklin Central
Warren Central at Indianapolis Roncalli
Semifinals
Park Tudor vs Lawrence North
Ben Davis vs Warren Central
Finals:
Lawrence North vs Ben Davis