3 For 3: Week 6 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":["1297108"],"_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-676d8ba608a4c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the best senior prospects that is still on the board is in action this week and that player is North Central guard [player_tooltip player_id='1297108' first='Papi' last='Rivera']. By this point in time, you already know just how much of a microwave scorer Rivera is and his 19.8 points per game this further prove that. He already has a few offers, but honestly he should have more before the season is over with. North Central hosts Floyd Central this Saturday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560952"],"_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-676d8ba608ae5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 2026 class is starting to have some players that are coming into their own and one of those players is Junior power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1560952' first='Evan' last='Harrell'] out of Carmel High School. Harrell has been one of the top breakout big men with his versatility and skill around the basket and as a defender. This guy has double-double potential in every game he plays in. Carmel has a showdown with Cathedral on Saturday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140352"],"_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-676d8ba608b38"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Raiders of Cardinal Ritter are legit and a big reason to this is because of sophomore power froward [player_tooltip player_id='2140352' first='Devin' last='Bolden']. Bolden is a true 6-foot-7 forward that can dominate a game consistently. Right now, he is leading the Raiders in scoring with 23.1 points and rebounds with 12.3 rebounds per game. He is a special talent and you can watch him this week at Speedway on Friday. </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>New Albany (4A)</strong> – Let's talk about a team that is slowing becoming a force in Class 4A down in Southern Indiana, the New Albany Bulldogs. Right now, the Bulldogs stand at 5-1 and rank at No. 13 in the class. All eyes are on freshman shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2382148' first='Noah' last='Washington'] who is good as advertised but New Albany still has other good pieces such as senior small forward Chris Lamkins as well. Watch the Bulldogs compete at Seymour and vs Louisville Manual (Ky.) this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Heritage Hills (3A)</strong> – They may not have four-star forward Trent Sisley anymore, but the Patriots of Heritage Hills are still a team to respect in Class 3A. As a top 15 team in Class 3A, the Heritage Hills Patriots are 5-2 on the year with wins over North Harrison, Floyd Central, and others. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1560951' first='Jake' last='Prior'] is making the leap we hoped he would make with his 13.4 points and 2.6 assists per game. The Patriots are in action this week vs Evansville Reitz on Friday and at Charlestown on Saturday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gary 21st (2A)</strong> – The Cougars of Gary 21st could be the Class 2A team that cuts down the nets come March. Even though they have lost back-to-back games, Gary 21st has 6 wins already wings [player_tooltip player_id='1561080' first='Terrence' last='Hayes'] (20.9 ppg) and Lemetrius Williams (18.4 ppg) leading the way. They have proven themselves to be a top 5 team in Class 2A and will look to get back on track at Hammond Morton on Wednesday and vs Detroit Renaissance (Mich.) on Thursday. </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>Jeffersonville (4A) at Lawrence North (4A), January 4th, 7:00 pm</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This may be best matchup of the year with two contenders to win the Class 4A State Championship meeting this week in the regular season. The Jeffersonville Red Evils will make the trip up to Lawrence North to face the Wildcats. This will be a game of a Big 3 vs a Big 3 with Lawrence North's [player_tooltip player_id='1296979' first='Azavier' last='Robinson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1729136' first='Brennan' last='Miller'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1509229' first='Kai' last='McGrew'] facing off against [player_tooltip player_id='1297093' first='Michael' last='Cooper'], [player_tooltip player_id='1373104' first='P.J.' last='Douglas'], and a returning [player_tooltip player_id='1388408' first='Tre' last='Singleton']. There are a ton of D1 prospects in this game, at least 6 alone. This a heavyweight bout but in this one, I like Lawrence North just a little bit more. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sheridan (2A) at Parke Heritage (2A), January 4th, 7:00 PM</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When it comes to the Class 2A level, this is a must watch this week. Both Sheridan and Parke Heritage are two of the favorites to make it to Indianapolis in the post season but before we get there, we have to see which team is better in the regular season. This is battle of 2 really good guards either Sheridan's [player_tooltip player_id='1139221' first='Caleb' last='Wright'] vs Parke Heritage [player_tooltip player_id='1560965' first='Treigh' last='Schelsky']. I expect a lot of scoring here, but give me Parke Heritage this round. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fishers Tournament, Jan 2nd-3rd</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><th><small>DATE</small></th><th><small>GM</small></th><th><small>SCHEDULE (EASTERN TIME)</small></th><th><small>SITE</small></th><th><small>ROUND</small></th></tr><tr><td>Jan. 2</td><td>1</td><td>South Dearborn at Fishers, 10:30 am</td><td>Fishers</td><td>R1</td></tr><tr><td>Jan. 2</td><td>2</td><td>Chesterton vs. Evansville Bosse, 12:15 pm</td><td>Fishers</td><td>R1</td></tr><tr><td>Jan. 2</td><td>3</td><td>Portage vs. Lawrence Central, 2 pm</td><td>Fishers</td><td>R1</td></tr><tr><td>Jan. 2</td><td>4</td><td>Bloomington North vs. Fort Wayne Wayne, 3:45 pm</td><td>Fishers</td><td>R1</td></tr><tr><td>Jan. 2</td><td>5</td><td>Loser Game 2 vs. Loser Game 1, 5:30 pm</td><td>Fishers</td><td>Con</td></tr><tr><td>Jan. 2</td><td>6</td><td>Loser Game 4 vs. Loser Game 3, 7:15 pm</td><td>Fishers</td><td>Con</td></tr><tr><td>Jan. 3</td><td>7</td><td>Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 1, 10:30 am</td><td>Fishers</td><td>SF</td></tr><tr><td>Jan. 3</td><td>8</td><td>Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 12:15 pm</td><td>Fishers</td><td>SF</td></tr><tr><td>Jan. 3</td><td>9</td><td>Loser Game 6 vs. Loser Game 5, 2 pm</td><td>Fishers</td><td>7th</td></tr><tr><td>Jan. 3</td><td>10</td><td>Winner Game 6 vs. Winner Game 5, 3:45 pm</td><td>Fishers</td><td>5th</td></tr><tr><td>Jan. 3</td><td>11</td><td>Loser Game 8 vs. Loser Game 7, 5:30 pm</td><td>Fishers</td><td>3rd</td></tr><tr><td>Jan. 3</td><td>12</td><td>Winner Game 8 vs. Winner Game 7, 7:15 pm</td><td>Fishers</td><td>1st</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297069' first='Justin' last='Kirby'], [player_tooltip player_id='2140345' first='Cooper' last='Zachary'], [player_tooltip player_id='2267046' first='Jason' last='Gardner Jr.'], [player_tooltip player_id='1525664' first='JonAnthony' last='Hall'], [player_tooltip player_id='1989437' first='Logan' last='Pokorney'], [player_tooltip player_id='1297094' first='Michael' last='Wellman'], [player_tooltip player_id='1297027' first='Garrett' last='Clark'], [player_tooltip player_id='1297112' first='Samuel' last='Wellman'], [player_tooltip player_id='1749527' first='Luke' last='Lindeman'], [player_tooltip player_id='1560959' first='Jalen' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='2140349' first='Derrick' last='Cross Jr']., [player_tooltip player_id='1297001' first='Chase' last='Barnes']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->