Prep Hoops Indiana: 10 Players to Watch in February - Part 1

Just like that, the final month of the regular season in high school basketball is here and man, what a season it has been. We have seen many players across the state breakout, multiple great games, and still even have a few unbeaten teams remaining. With the final month about to start and Sectionals just right around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to take a look at 10 players to watch this final month. Here are the first 5 players to watch in February.    You can make the very strong case that the 6-foot-6 guard out of East Chicago Central may be the best unsigned player in the entire state of Indiana. He is having a spectacular season for the Cardinals like you thought he would have in his final year averaging 22.3 points on 51% shooting while also adding 8.7 rebounds as game as well. With elite athleticism, Murphy Jr is an elite wing scoring threat with a very high motor. Still on the board with offers from Ball State Central Michigan.     The Avon Orioles are having one of the better years out of any school in the state and a big reason to that is because of senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1539455' first='DeAndre' last='Lott-Hancock']. The 6-foot-5 forward has been pretty versatile this season with his strong work in the paint while also showing his improved jumper 15ft and out from time to time. For Avon, he is averaging 12.2 points on 53% shooting whole also adding 8.1 rebounds as well. No reported offers on social media however, this guy can play at multiple levels in college.     The Westfield Shamrocks have had a stellar year and a big reason to that is the emergence of junior shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1988138' first='Drew' last='Haffner']. Haffer, a 6-foot-4 wing, is the leading scorer for the Shamrocks with his 13.4 points per game. When it comes to Haffner as a player, he is one of the more true shooters in the in-state 2026 class being one of the best catch-and-shoot threats. He has broke out this season and it seems like he is only getting started.     If you want to talk about risers and breakout seasons at the Indiana high school level, that list may start with 2026 wing [player_tooltip player_id='2625235' first='JaShawn' last='Ladd']. Ben Davis proved that they were not going anywhere this season and even though they have been without Notre Dame football signee [player_tooltip player_id='1373105' first='Mark' last='Zackery'], Ladd has been one of the players that stepped up in a big way. On 54% shooting, Ladd is the leading scorer for the Giants with his 13.1 points. The 6-foot-4 wing is one of the more highly athletic players you will see throughout the entire state with his elite ability to make plays off the bounce as a driver or shooter.     There is only going to be one freshman in this list and that player is going to be 6-foot-4 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2457404' first='Caleb' last='Coolman'] out of Penn High School. Besides maybe one or two others, can you seriously say that anyone in the in-state 2028 class has had a better first year than Coolman. As a freshman, he is literally leading Penn in points (16.1), rebounds (5.4) and assists (4.6). He is a great passer, fluid ball handler, and can create his own shot from every level on the floor. He is truly special.

Just like that, the final month of the regular season in high school basketball is here and man, what a season it has been. We have seen many players across the state breakout, multiple great games, and still even have a few unbeaten teams remaining. With the final month about to start and Sectionals just right around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to take a look at 10 players to watch this final month. Here are the first 5 players to watch in February.