FORUM Tip-Off Classic Preview – Part One

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are a few events every year that automatically earn Prep Hoops Indiana's attendance. The annual FORUM Tip-Off Classic hosted at the historic Southport Fieldhouse is one of those events. Held on December 13th this year, this event will feature six games that will be full of high-level college prospects. Potential State Title favorites in Class 2A, 3A, and 4A will be featured along with the likely Indiana Mr. Basketball award winner. In total, there are five current Division I commits slated to participate in the event as well as up to 20 total Division I prospects. Now that the field has been set let's dive in and preview this outstanding annual event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">12:30 p.m. - Centerville vs. Parke Heritage</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Season's Records:</strong> Centerville (20-8, Regional) Parke Heritage (25-5, Semi-State Finals)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prospects to Watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1738825' first='Shea' last='Hollendonner'] (Centerville H.S. 2026), [player_tooltip player_id='2272232' first='Isaac' last='Pickel'] (Parke Heritage H.S. 2026), [player_tooltip player_id='1560965' first='Treigh' last='Schelsky'] (Parke Heritage H.S. 2026 - Huntington)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will be a rematch of last season's Regional where Parke Heritage defeated Centerville 47-41. Both teams return all of their production from last season and will be among the best in Class 2A this season. The Wolves of Parke Heritage have won three straight Regional titles and have been one game away from Gainbridge Fieldhouse each of the last two years. Point Guard [player_tooltip player_id='1560965' first='Treigh' last='Schelsky'] has been the constant during Parke Heritage's run of success and will look to break through to the State Finals this season. The Huntington University commit was an Indiana Junior All-Star last season. Meanwhile, Centerville has been slowly building to this season around a very talented senior class. 6'2" senior wing/forward [player_tooltip player_id='1738825' first='Shea' last='Hollendonner'] has a chance to become the school's all-time leading scorer while his younger brother, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2617854' first='Jace' last='Hollendonner'], adds another talented piece to an otherwise veteran group. Don't be surprised if this December 13th matchup is simply a preview of a postseason game to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2:00 p.m. - Anderson vs. Mt. Vernon (Fortville)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Season's Records:</strong> Anderson (21-3, Sectional Semi-Finals) Mt. Vernon Fortville (21-6, Semi-State Semi-Finals)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prospects to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2538870' first='Don' last='Bowling III'] (Anderson H.S. 2028), [player_tooltip player_id='1728587' first='Luke' last='Ertel'] (Mt. Vernon Fortville H.S. 2026 - Purdue), [player_tooltip player_id='2252566' first='Elijah' last='Parra'] (Mt. Vernon Fortville H.S. 2026), [player_tooltip player_id='2140419' first='Max' last='Vise'] (Mt. Vernon Fortville H.S. 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two Sectional 9 rivals will face-off in the second game of the day at the FORUM Tip-Off Classic. Mt. Vernon (Fortville) obviously features 2026 Indiana Mr. Basketball favorite [player_tooltip player_id='1728587' first='Luke' last='Ertel'] who is committed to Purdue. Fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='2252566' first='Elijah' last='Parra'] will add additonal scoring and shooting in the Marauders backcourt while 6'8" junior big man [player_tooltip player_id='2140419' first='Max' last='Vise'] is poised for a breakout season. For Anderson, it is the sophomore class that will lead them into the future. [player_tooltip player_id='2538870' first='Don' last='Bowling III'], a 6'4" wing, is the best of the bunch right now. He averaged 9.2 points per game as a freshman. [player_tooltip player_id='2797660' first='Manu' last='Jackson'], a Marion transfer, and Raymond Bowling are two more to watch in the Indian's Class of 2028. Returning senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1560980' first='Collin' last='Lewis'] provides some veteran leadership, playmaking, and excellent defense on the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3:30 p.m. - Charlestown vs. Southport</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Season's Records:</strong> Charlestown (18-6, Sectional Semi-Finals) Southport (12-12, Sectional Semi-Finals)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prospects to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1922051' first='Anthony' last='Fresh'] (Charlestown H.S. 2026), [player_tooltip player_id='2252551' first='James' last='Kalala'] (Southport H.S. 2026), [player_tooltip player_id='1560994' first='Parker' last='Odle'] (Charlestown H.S. 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year Charlestown couldn't get over the Brownstown Central hump losing to them twice, including in the Sectional, by a seven points. Silver Creek will be the Sectional 30 favorite this season, but the Pirates won't go down without a fight. 6'2" senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1922051' first='Anthony' last='Fresh'] returns from earning Indiana Junior All-Star honors averaging 20.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. The shooting ability of left-handed senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1560994' first='Parker' last='Odle'] will once again help to take some pressure off of Fresh in the backcourt. Odle averaged 10.7 points per game and shot 42% from beyond the arc. On Southport's side, all eyes will be on 6'7" senior big man [player_tooltip player_id='2252551' first='James' last='Kalala']. The athletic left-handed forward/center averaged 10.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game as a junior and should once again be one of the best front court players in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->