Indiana All-Star Candidates – Version 2.0

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the end of January we took <a href="https://prephoops.com/2024/01/prep-hoops-indiana-daily-1-30-indiana-all-star-candidates/">our first stab at this exercise</a>. Now, a month later, the Indiana High School Basketball regular season is over and the postseason tips off on Tuesday night. Here is where we believe the Indiana All-Star picture stands entering Sectional play. We have broken it down into some tiers and tried to include as many potential candidates as possible. As always, you can provide your own thoughts, opinions, and feedback to me directly on Twitter&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/BRamseyKSR">@BRamseyKSR</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Indiana All-Star Locks</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158245' first='Jack' last='Benter']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jack-benter/"></a>&nbsp;(Brownstown Central H.S. – Purdue) – Benter is climbing the all-time Indiana scoring list and will ultimately approach the Top 10 by season's end. The Purdue signee is an elite shooter, great passer, and averages around 25 points per game for Class 2A #1 ranked Brownstown Central.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1363488' first='Flory' last='Bidunga']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/flory-bidunga/"></a>&nbsp;(Kokomo H.S. – Kansas) – Likely the front-runner to win Indiana Mr. Basketball, the 6'9″ five-star center is one of the best prospects our state has seen in a long time. Bidunga currently averages 18.4 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 81.9% from the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1275780' first='Micah' last='Davis']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/micah-davis/"></a>&nbsp;(Franklin H.S. – Eastern Kentucky) – The Grizzly Cubs quietly had a fantastic regular season and their dynamic, left-handed point guard is a big reason why they are are the favorite to win 14. Davis is averaging 25.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2079500' first='Keenan' last='Garner']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/keenan-garner/"></a>&nbsp;(Fishers H.S. – Undecided) – The best player on one of the best teams in the state certainly gets a nod. The versatile 6'6″ forward is averaging 17.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game for the 22-1 Fishers Tigers. Sectional 8 will be a gauntlet, but the Tigers have as good of a chance as anyone at not just cutting down the Sectional nets but doing so again at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1278639' first='Evan' last='Haywood']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/evan-haywood/"></a>&nbsp;(Brebeuf Jesuit – Butler) – Leading the #1 ranked team in Class 3A this season, this future Butler Bulldog is averaging 20.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158204' first='K.J.' last='Windham']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/k-j-windham/"></a>&nbsp;(Ben Davis H.S. – Northwestern) – Windham averages 14.5 points per game for the defending state champion Giants who are once again a borderline Top 10 team. His ability to play on the ball as a playmaker or off of the ball as a knockdown shooter makes him a valuable addition to the All-Star team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Likely Selections</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158176' first='Josiah' last='Dunham']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josiah-dunham/"></a>&nbsp;(Evansville Christian – Undecided) – Winning matters, and this point guard puts up some massive numbers while leading the clear cut #1 ranked team in Class 1A. Dunham is averaging 23.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158209' first='Aaron' last='Fine']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/aaron-fine/"></a>&nbsp;(Noblesville H.S. – Undecided) – It is hard to imagine a 1,000 point scorer from a 20-2 Noblesville team not making the Indiana All-Star roster. Fine is having an excellent senior season averaging 18.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game for the Millers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158193' first='Jevon' last='Lewis']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jevon-lewis/"></a>&nbsp;(Fort Wayne Wayne H.S. – Undecided) – Lewis will look to lead the Generals on another deep state tournament run this season. The dynamic point guard is putting up big numbers averaging 19.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 2.3 steals per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1275807' first='Tyler' last='Parrish']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tyler-parrish/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(Chesterton H.S. – Undecided) – He was on the “core” Junior All-Star team, has a ton of career success, and is once again putting up big numbers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1275771' first='Ron' last='Rutland III']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ron-rutland-iii/"></a>&nbsp;(Crispus Attucks H.S. – UIndy) – Averages 12.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game for a well-balanced borderline Class 4A Top 10 Crispus Attucks team that has a chance to survive a loaded Sectional 10 field. Shooting 36% from 3-point range on two makes per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Strong Candidates</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158181' first='Isaac' last='Andrews']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/isaac-andrews/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(Wapahani H.S. 2024 – Undecided)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2079499' first='Nic' last='Book']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nic-book/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(Westfield H.S. 2024 – Undecided)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158213' first='Kobi' last='Bowles']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kobi-bowles/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(Lawrence North H.S. 2024 – Undecided)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1275749' first='Trey' last='Buchanan']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trey-buchanan/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(Westfield H.S. 2024 – Undecided)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1275772' first='Josiah' last='Gustin']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josiah-gustin/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(Pendleton Heights H.S. – Marian)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158192' first='Taray' last='Howell']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/taray-howell/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(Evansville Bosse H.S. 2024 – Undecided)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1761697' first='Malachi' last='McNair']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/malachi-mcnair/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(Evansville Harrison H.S. 2024 – Undecided)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158216' first='Jaxon' last='Pardon']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaxon-pardon/"></a>&nbsp;(Fort Wayne Carroll H.S. 2024 – Bowling Green)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2282357' first='Karson' last='Rogers'] (Kokomo H.S. 2024 - Undecided)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158231' first='Justin' last='Sims']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/justin-sims/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(Chesterton H.S. 2024 – Marian)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1547565' first='Jake' last='Smith']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jake-smith-4/"></a>&nbsp;(Lake Central H.S. 2024 – Undecided)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1547882' first='Tucker' last='Tornatta'] (Evansville Memorial 2024 – Marian)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Obviously there are at least 10-12 more names that could be listed, but we are only fighting for two remaining spots so it seems unlikely they will be filled outside of those 12 names. Since the last time we ran this exercise, [player_tooltip player_id='2282357' first='Karson' last='Rogers'] has really proven himself as the best front court candidate out of this group. Regardless of what Kokomo does in the post season he should make the team, but especially if they make a run it will be hard to keep him off. Then, you are likely looking at someone filling a backcourt spot as the 13th and final selection. As we did last time, that'll go to [player_tooltip player_id='1158213' first='Kobi' last='Bowles'] in order to get a representative from Lawrence North. [player_tooltip player_id='1275749' first='Trey' last='Buchanan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1158192' first='Taray' last='Howell'] seem like the two other mostly likely candidates who could play their way into more serious contention with a postseason run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->