3 For 3: Week 9 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!&nbsp;</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":["2079500"],"_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":"What a season the senior power forward is having for Fishers High School. As of this writing, Garner is averaging a near double-double of 16.6 points and 8.5 rebounds a game this year and really become the top option for the Tigers. Garner came into this season as one of the players that Fishers was needing to step up this season and he has exceeded expectations which is why he is arguably the top uncommitted player in the state at this moment. A dominant, versatile player that can do a lot of things on the floor with a high a motor. He will look to keep Fishers unbeaten when they travel to Avon (1/19) and host Fort Wayne Carroll (1/20) this week.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a444a0d2bcf"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1297094"],"_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":"The 2025 small forward is one of the more up-and-coming players when have in the that class. As of this writing, he is currently one of the breakout players for Portage averaging 13.3 points and 4.3 rebounds a game. Wellman is a versatile offensive player that is physical, skilled, and knows how to play. Wellman is a fluid athlete with excellent strength and body control around the rim and can also attack closeouts off of the dribble and find the open man as a passer. He is a stock-riser in the 2025 class and will be in action when Portage travels to Merrillville on 1/19.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a444a0d2c2b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2252564"],"_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 more impressive out of state transfer this season than the sophomore power forward at Lawrence North. McGrew is a 6'7 power forward and for his age, his skillset and physical tools are already at an elite level. He moves up and done the floor extremely well and plays like a modern day power forward with his ability to stretch the floor and make athletic plays around the rim. He ha been an immediate impact player for the Wildcats this season and is a big reason they are unbeaten. He and Lawrence North will be in action when they travel to North Central on 1/19.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a444a0d2c7b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Teams</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Greenfield-Central (4A)</strong> - The Cougars of Greenfield-Central on a ROLL this season. They remain undefeated this year at 13-0 which includes wins over good teams such as Mt. Vernon (Fortville), Bishop Chatard, New Palestine, and many others. Of course, it all starts with 2025 four-star guard [player_tooltip player_id='1296984' first='Braylon' last='Mullins'] who is just having an outstanding season thus far and is putting up major numbers. It is not just Mullins however, because guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1547496' first='Braden' last='Robertson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1539554' first='Aidan' last='Robertson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2485696' first='Dallas' last='Freeman'], and others have been great contributors as well. May not be a hotter team in the state than the Cougars. This week, they host Indianapolis Shortridge (1/16) and travel to Shelbyville (1/20). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NorthWood (3A) - </strong>Up north is a team that is just consistently good year after year, the NorthWood Panthers. They come into this week 9-3 on the year and been slowing climbing the ranks of Class 3A with wins over Fort Wayne North, Bloomington South, Columbia City, and more. For them, this team is built around 2025 6'8 center [player_tooltip player_id='1297122' first='Tyler' last='Raasch'], who has just been dominant for them this year like expected. While they aren't as stacked as they were a season ago, this group just finds ways to win. Big week this week for the Panthers as they host South Bend St. Joes (1/16) and travel to Goshen (1/19). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Barr-Reeve (1A) </strong>- Down in southern Indiana, the Barr-Reeve Vikings has proved a lot of doubters wrong this year. At the 1A level, they have proven to arguably be the top team in all of Class 1A and sit with just 1 loss on the year compared to their 12 wins over teams such as Springs Valley, Orleans, and most recently Loogootee. As of this writing, they have three players averaging double-figures in Brayden Knepp (12.2), Donnie Miller (11.9), and [player_tooltip player_id='2391242' first='Seth' last='Wagler'] (10.2). Come Sectional 63, this will be team that could come away the winner. </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>Westfield (4A) at Noblesville (4A) – Jan. 17th, 7:30 pm</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talk about a heavyweight battle in Class 4A this week. This game was originally supposed to be played weeks ago but due to sickness, it was pushed to this week, which nobody is complaining about. The Westfield Shamrocks have been on a roll this season being unbeaten though 10 games thanks to the tough duo of&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1275749' first='Trey' last='Buchanan']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trey-buchanan/"></a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2079499' first='Nic' last='Book']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nic-book/"></a>&nbsp;but they are about to face the best trio they may face all season in Noblesville [player_tooltip player_id='1158209' first='Aaron' last='Fine'],&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1275012' first='Hunter' last='Walston']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/hunter-walston/"></a>&nbsp;, and&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1534261' first='Justin' last='Curry II']</strong>, who have only lost once this year. This is arguably the best game of the week and one that could set the tone when it comes to momentum in Sectional 8. I see Noblesville giving Westfield their first loss this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chesterton (4A) at Crown Point (4A) – Jan. 19th, 8:00 pm</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Think this could be one of the more fun games of the week up in the northern Indiana region. Chesterton has been a team that has struggled a little bit with consistency while Crown Point has gotten better and better throughout the year. The matchup up that I am excited to see is senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1158231' first='Justin' last='Sims'] going up. against sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='1561617' first='Dikembe' last='Shaw']. The difference markers in this game is Chesterton's [player_tooltip player_id='1275807' first='Tyler' last='Parrish'] and Crown Points [player_tooltip player_id='2079502' first='Jack' last='Svetich']. However can win this game is going to build a lot of momentum. I like Crown Point to win this one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Indianapolis City Tournament – Jan. 16-22, 7:30 pm</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top in-season tournament is this week in the Indianapolis City Tournament. The tournament will run 1/16 through 1/22 of this week and will feature some of the top prospects in the state including [player_tooltip player_id='1297019' first='Dezmon' last='Briscoe'], [player_tooltip player_id='1275771' first='Ron' last='Rutland III'], [player_tooltip player_id='1525663' first='Brady' last='Koehler'], [player_tooltip player_id='1560973' first='Ethan' last='Roseman'], and much more! Here is my quick prediction of each round. Winners in <strong>BOLD</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Round 1 (1/16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Covenant Christian at <strong>Christel House,</strong> 7:30 pm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Indianapolis Herron</strong> at Heritage Christian, 7:30 pm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Indianapolis Scecina at I<strong>ndianapolis Chatard</strong>, 7:30 pm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Indianapolis Ritter at <strong>Indianapolis Tindley</strong>, 7:30 pm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Providence Cristo Rey at <strong>Indianapolis Tech</strong>, 6 pm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Indianapolis Washington</strong> at Purdue Poly Englewood, 7:30 pm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterfinals (1/18)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christel House at <strong>Indianapolis Cathedral</strong>, 7:30 pm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Indianapolis Chatard</strong> at Indianapolis Herron, 7:30 pm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Indianapolis Tindley at <strong>Indianapolis Attucks</strong>, 7:30 pm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Indianapolis Washington at <strong>Indianapolis Tech</strong>, 7:30 pm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinals (1/20)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Indianapolis Cathedral</strong> vs Indianapolis Chatard, 6 pm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Indianapolis Attucks</strong> vs Indianapolis Tech, 7:30 pm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Championship (1/22)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cathedral vs <strong>Attucks</strong>, 7:30 pm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->