High School Spotlight: Zionsville Eagles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The High School Spotlight Series is back and we are excited to feature multiple teams throughout the state once again! The season is still a few months away, but with team workouts starting to take place soon, it is the perfect time to start previewing the season. In this series, we will be taking a look at some quick hitters, the top player(s), a potential breakout player, other roster members, and notable games for the upcoming season. For today's spotlight, we take a look at the Zionsville Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quick Hitters</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Went 11-13 last season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Defeated by Noblesville in Sectionals.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Head Coach J.R. Howell returns for 5th season as the head coach. 54-38 overall record.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Strong chance to compete for Sectional 8 Championship</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1525678' first='Maguire' last='Mitchell']/[player_tooltip player_id='1525679' first='Drew' last='Snively']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With both Mitchell and Snively returning for the Eagles this season for their senior years, you are arguably looking at one of the best duos across the entire state. Mitchell, who committed to IU-Indianapolis over the offseason brings back 20.0 points per game whereas Snively, who has multiple D1 offers, brings back 17.9 points per game. They are the only players to bring back double-digit scoring figures so them as the top players in this edition of the High School Spotlight only made the most sense. Mitchell is an elite scorer that provides so much production on the floor in many areas. Snively, like Mitchell, is also a player that provides a ton of production on the floor is on of the more athletic wings you will see at the 4A level. Together, these two will be looking to lead Zionsville to their first Sectional Championship since 2019.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Potential Breakout Player: [player_tooltip player_id='2046170' first='Cooper' last='Hess']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a sophomore last season, Hess is a player that did not see a ton of varsity action but is expected to be slotted into a much more important role for the Eagles this upcoming year. At 6'7, Hess is a versatile front court prospect that has some intriguing tools to his skillset. Solid mobility, elite rebounding, tough finishes around the rim, good passing big, and a high motor are just some of the intangibles that Hess has as a player. He has been a guy that has been on our radar as a possible breakout star in the 2026 class and with an increased role for the Eagles this upcoming year, there is a strong chance he starts to make himself known in the metro Indy area. He will be the main front court guy this season for Zionsville. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Key Roster Members</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2277797' first='Will' last='Allen'] - Senior</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1560982' first='Quincy' last='Ferguson'] - Junior</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1561143' first='Owen' last='Haan'] - Junior</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Jackson Tielker - Senior</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2277798' first='Eugene' last='Hilton'] - Senior</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Notable Games (Full Schedule Note Yet Released)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>at Carmel (11/26)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>vs Ben Davis (11/30)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>vs NorthWood (Sneakers For Santa, 12/7)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>vs New Palestine (Southport Tip Off, 12/14)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>at Noblesville (1/17)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>at Bloomington North (2/8)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->