Tip-Off Classic Preview - Part Two

There are a few events every year that automatically earn Prep Hoops Indiana's attendance. The annual Tip-Off Classic, formerly sponsored by FORUM (announcement coming soon) 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.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5:15 p.m. - South Bend St. Joseph vs. Silver Creek</h2>   Last Season's Records: South Bend St. Joseph (27-3, Class 3A State Champions) Silver Creek (22-5, Sectional Final)   Prospects to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='2476482' first='Dane' last='Caldwell'] (Silver Creek H.S. 2026 - Richmond), [player_tooltip player_id='1385611' first='Kasen' last='Daeger'] (Silver Creek H.S. 2026), [player_tooltip player_id='2140328' first='Brandon' last='Hunter'] (Silver Creek H.S. 2027), [player_tooltip player_id='2140359' first='Elijah' last='King'] (South Bend St. Joseph H.S. 2027), [player_tooltip player_id='1560973' first='Ethan' last='Roseman'] (South Bend St. Joseph H.S. 2026), [player_tooltip player_id='2024513' first='Nick' last='Shrewsberry'] (South Bend St. Joseph H.S. 2026)   Last season's Class 3A State Champion will face-off agaisnt this season's Class 3A favorite in the fourth game of the FORUM Tip-Off Classic. South Bend St. Joseph has moved up to Class 4A where they will immediately compete once again. They graduate leading scorer Chase Konieczny, but bring back an excellent core of [player_tooltip player_id='2140359' first='Elijah' last='King'], [player_tooltip player_id='1560973' first='Ethan' last='Roseman'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2024513' first='Nick' last='Shrewsberry'] alongside a few impact incoming transfers. As for Silver Creek, they have a trio of Division I prospects headlined by recent Richmond commit [player_tooltip player_id='2476482' first='Dane' last='Caldwell']. The 6'8" forward really blew up over the summer to become one of the most sought after prospects in the state. Sharpshooting senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1385611' first='Kasen' last='Daeger'] and elite passing point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2140328' first='Brandon' last='Hunter'], a junior, provide plenty of firepower in the backcourt as well. This Dragons' team is going to be very fun to watch.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">7:00 p.m. - Crown Point vs. Carmel</h2>   Last Season's Records: Crown Point (22-3, Semi-State Finals) Carmel (10-13, Sectional Quarterfinals)   Prospects to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1561445' first='Mason' last='Darrell'] (Crown Point H.S. 2026 - Bellarmine), [player_tooltip player_id='1560952' first='Evan' last='Harrell'] (Carmel H.S. 2026 - Bellarmine), [player_tooltip player_id='1561617' first='Dikembe' last='Shaw'] (Crown Point H.S. 2026 - Illinois-Chicago)   Crown Point will have a strong case to be number one in the preseason polls. They return so much, including Division I commits [player_tooltip player_id='1561445' first='Mason' last='Darrell'] (Bellarmine) and [player_tooltip player_id='1561617' first='Dikembe' last='Shaw'] (Illoins-Chicago), from a team that nearly made it to Gainbridge Fieldhouse last season. The Bulldogs are well coached and very, very deep with talent. Meanwhile, Coach Ryan Osborn and Carmel understand how to control a game as well as anyone. Always one of the best defensive teams in the state, the Greyhounds feature 6'8" forward [player_tooltip player_id='1560952' first='Evan' last='Harrell'] (Bellarmine). Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2837913' first='Cash' last='Daniels'], who transferred in from Cathedral, along with seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1561121' first='Jamichael' last='Fountain'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1561129' first='Julian' last='Vogt'] will be keys for Carmel in the backcourt.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">8:30 p.m. - Penn vs. Fishers</h2>   Last Season's Records: Penn (16-9, Sectional Quarterfinals) Fishers (30-1, State Runner-Up)   Prospects to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='2457404' first='Caleb' last='Coolman'] (Penn H.S. 2028), [player_tooltip player_id='1561051' first='Cody' last='Evans'] (Penn H.S. 2026), [player_tooltip player_id='2267046' first='Jason' last='Gardner Jr.'] (Fishers H.S. 2027), [player_tooltip player_id='1509229' first='Kai' last='McGrew'] (Fishers H.S. 2026), [player_tooltip player_id='2140417' first='Makale' last='Price'] (Penn H.S. 2027), [player_tooltip player_id='2140345' first='Cooper' last='Zachary'] (Fishers H.S. 2027)   Fishers has gone an incredible 59-2 over the last two seasons with a Class 4A State Championship and a State Runner-Up finish. Their superstar backcourt of junior duo [player_tooltip player_id='2267046' first='Jason' last='Gardner Jr.'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2140345' first='Cooper' last='Zachary'] is a big reason for that success. This season, the Tigers will add 6'8" senior big man [player_tooltip player_id='1509229' first='Kai' last='McGrew'] to the equation along with a handful of other talented pieces. As for the Penn Kingsmen, they feature one of the best sophomores in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='2457404' first='Caleb' last='Coolman']. He led Penn in scoring (15.6), rebounding (6.0), and assists (4.8) as a freshman. It will be fun watching him compete against the Tigers' backcourt in the nightcap.

There are a few events every year that automatically earn Prep Hoops Indiana's attendance. The annual Tip-Off Classic, formerly sponsored by FORUM (announcement coming soon) 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.