3 For 3: Week 2 Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024-25 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 week 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":["2195051"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672d083ad92de"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Week 2 of the season is here which means we finally have a chance to get our first look at the best overall prospect in the in-state 2027 class, [player_tooltip player_id='2195051' first='Jaylan' last='Mitchell']. Mitchell, a 6'7 forward, is one of the best pure talents we have across the entire state. As a freshman, he averaged 15.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. With his elite combination of size and skill, the sky is the limit for Mitchell. Catch him and Evansville Reitz this week as they travel to Vincennes Lincoln on 12./6. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1297010"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672d083ad9335"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 2025 class has a good amount of players that is still left on the board Anderson senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1297010' first='Damien' last='King'] is one of the best in that category. At 6'4, King is one of the most versatile players you will find at his position in the state being able to use his elite athletic ability to make plays all over the court. Like his team Anderson, King has started off the season hot with 19.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. Catch King this week as Anderson hosts New Castle on 12/7. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1561080"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672d083ad9375"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the best stock risers in the in-state 2026 class is guard [player_tooltip player_id='1561080' first='Terrence' last='Hayes'] of Gary 21st Century. Hayes, a 6'1 lead guard, has already helped lead the Cougars to a 2-0 start with his elite playmaking ability. He is capable of playing on or off of the ball and is such a dynamic creator and that has really opened up the eyes of many. You can see this electric prospect this week when Gary 21st travels to Bowman Academy on 12/6.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Teams</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fishers</strong> <strong>(4A) – </strong>The reigning Class 4A State Champions have started this season where they picked up in true, dominant fashion. In their first two games of the season, the Tigers have beaten Ben Davis 71-36 and followed that up with 91-63 win over Indianapolis Tech. Right now, Fishers has four players averaging double-figures being led by sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2267046' first='Jason' last='Gardner Jr.'] with 18.5 points followed by Cooper Zackery (13.0), [player_tooltip player_id='1297069' first='Justin' last='Kirby'] (12.5), and [player_tooltip player_id='1297097' first='Nathan' last='Baker'] (11.5). With as much talent they still have from last year's team, the Tigers still are looking for that repeat championship. They travel to Noblesville (12/6) and Mount Vernon Fortville (12/7) this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jennings County (3A)</strong> –  A team that feels a little under-the-radar when it comes to Class 3A basketball is the Jennings County Panthers. While they may have started off the season the 0-1 with a loss to a talented Indianapolis Roncalli team, they still have the potential to go on a run this season. For the Panthers, it all starts with senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1296996' first='Carter' last='Kent'], who started off the season with a 19.0 point and 9.0 rebound outing. Jennings County will look to bounce back when they travel to Madison on 12/6 and then host South Dearborn 12/7. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Park Tudor</strong> <strong>(2A) – </strong>Class 2A has many teams that can make a big run this season but you could argue that the Park Tudor Panthers may have the best shot. When it comes to pure talent, it is hard to argue that any team in Class 2A can compare with guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1297034' first='Hudson' last='Horvath'], [player_tooltip player_id='2441621' first='Montell' last='Johnson II'], [player_tooltip player_id='1297074' first='KJ' last='Mark'], and many others leading way. They didn't start the year like they wanted to with a loss to Guerin Catholic however, their schedule has plenty of opportunity to bounce back and it starts with Greenwood Christian tonight. </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>Homestead</strong> <strong>(4A) at Manchester (2A) – Dec. 3rd, 7:30 pm</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Up in the northern parts of the state is an interesting yet under-the radar matchup this week with Homestead traveling to Manchester. The Star of this game is without question Grace commit Gavin Betton but for Homestead, they have some intriguing pieces to their roster like [player_tooltip player_id='2536447' first='Brogan' last='McNiece'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2140416' first='Mack' last='Welker']. This game provides a true test for Manchester while also challenging the players on Homestead to see if they can play against a top talent like Betton. For this one, I like Homestead finding enough to get a big road win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Warren Central</strong> <strong>(4A) at Southport (4A) – Dec. 7th, 7:30 pm</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This could be a really fun game that has a lot of talented players on both sides of the ball. Warren Central travels to take on fellow Class 4A rival Southport with both teams looking to make a statement win. Southport has started the season 2-0 thanks to play of guys like [player_tooltip player_id='2252551' first='James' last='Kalala'] while Warren Central started their season with a beatdown of a loss to Cathedral last week. This game features a chance for a bounce back for Warren Central and going on the road and beating a team like Southport could do that. Unfortunately, I don't think [player_tooltip player_id='2140392' first='JJ' last='Craig'] and the Warriors will beat Southport this week with how well the Cardinals are playing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sneakers For Santa Shootout - Dec. 7th, 11:30 am-8:15 pm</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The annual Sneakers For Santa event is here once again and the lineup looks as stacked as ever. Below is the full schedule plus some players to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>11:30 am</td><td>Fort Wayne Blackhawk vs. Avon</td></tr><tr><td>1:15 pm</td><td>NorthWood vs. Zionsville</td></tr><tr><td>3:00 pm</td><td>Bedford North Lawrence vs. Brownsburg</td></tr><tr><td>4:45 pm</td><td>Gary West vs. Lawrence North</td></tr><tr><td>6:30 pm</td><td>East Chicago Central vs. Indianapolis Attucks</td></tr><tr><td>8:15 pm</td><td>Greenfield-Central vs. Ben Davis</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1364589' first='Kellen' last='Pickett'], [player_tooltip player_id='2485632' first='Bryce' last='Sefton'], [player_tooltip player_id='1539455' first='DeAndre' last='Lott-Hancock'], [player_tooltip player_id='1565984' first='Keriawn' last='Berry'], [player_tooltip player_id='1297122' first='Tyler' last='Raasch'], [player_tooltip player_id='2046170' first='Cooper' last='Hess'], [player_tooltip player_id='1525678' first='Maguire' last='Mitchell'], [player_tooltip player_id='1525679' first='Drew' last='Snively'], [player_tooltip player_id='1578453' first='Patric' last='Matson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2116874' first='Parker' last='Kern'], [player_tooltip player_id='1539507' first='Jesiah' last='Sloss'], [player_tooltip player_id='1297065' first='Joreim' last='Lomax'], [player_tooltip player_id='2053673' first='Derek' last='Collins'], [player_tooltip player_id='1560995' first='Reggie' last='Hinton'], [player_tooltip player_id='1509229' first='Kai' last='McGrew'], [player_tooltip player_id='1729136' first='Brennan' last='Miller'], [player_tooltip player_id='1296979' first='Azavier' last='Robinson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1297020' first='Dominique' last='Murphy Jr'], [player_tooltip player_id='1297019' first='Dezmon' last='Briscoe'], [player_tooltip player_id='1296984' first='Braylon' last='Mullins'], [player_tooltip player_id='1749499' first='Tavion' last='Williams']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->