One Month Out Rankings: Class 1A Top 5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>About three months ago we highlight our "Way Too Early State Title Contenders" in each class. Fast forward to late October and we are just about one month away from the 2025-2026 Indiana High School Basketball season tipping off. We have spent September and October attending high school open gyms and workouts across the state and now will see if any of our opinions have changed heading into the season. Here are our top five teams in each class one month out from the 2025-2026 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1 Liberty Christian Lions</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Season: 18-9, Semi-State Semi-Finals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the course of the last two seasons the Liberty Christian Lions have lost three games to Class 1A competition. They have reached the Semi-State each of the last two years. The core of rising juniors including TJ English,&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2267054' first='Tywaine' last='Fuller']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tywaine-fuller/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;, and&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140408' first='Kendrick' last='Martin']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kendrick-martin/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;have been the primary keys to the Lions sustained success. However, English has transferred to Bishop Luers breaking up that exciting trio. Martin led Liberty Christian in scoring last season at 15.5 points per game while Fuller averaged 8.5 points per game. The addition of 6'7" rising senior forward/center&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2417030' first='Monte' last='Dillard']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/monte-dillard/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;should help to fill in the gap.&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2245726' first='Jaloni' last='Dixon']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaloni-dixon/"><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1989432' first='Jordan' last='Haralson']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jordan-haralson/"><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;are two other returning rising seniors that will help make this team, once again, one of the best in Class 1A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2 Bloomfield Cardinals</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Season: 17-8, Sectional Semi-Finals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Historically, Bloomfield is no stranger to postseason success. The Cardinals reached the State Finals in 2016, won the Sectional in 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022, and won the Regional in 2019. However, they are on a two-year cold streak due to the emergence of Clay City. This could, and probably should, be the year that they return to cutting down the nets. Indiana Junior All-Star&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1560962' first='Blake' last='Neill']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/blake-neill/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;will arguably the best player in Class 1A. The 6'5" guard averaged 27.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season. Neill alone will make Bloomfield a contender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3 Kouts Mustangs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Season: 24-5, Semi-State Finals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning three key pieces from a 24-5 team that lost to the eventual Class 1A State Champion in the Final Four is a pretty good place to start. Kouts returns senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1559321' first='Lucas' last='Kleckner'] who will be one of the top players in 1A this season. The 5'8" guard averaged 17.8 points and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 63-131 (48.1%) from three-point range. 6'3" senior forward Eli Harper returns as well to provide an interior presence. He averaged 12.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Sophomore Billy Miller is back as well after an impressive freshman year that saw him average 9.0 points per game. Their post season experience from last season should pay dividends in 2025-2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4 Hauser Jets</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Season: 24-4, Semi-State Semi-Finals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jets broke through and won their first Sectional since 2017 eventually losing by two points, 69-67, to the State Champion Orleans Bulldogs. Despite losing their three leading scorers, the return of&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2814297' first='Gavin' last='Keller']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/gavin-keller-2/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2272841' first='Stryker' last='Gill']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/stryker-gill/"><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;in the backcourt should give Hauser the ability to compete with anyone in Class 1A once again. Keller averaged 10.9 points per game last season while Gill averaged 8.6 points and 8.0 assists. Don't be surprised if they advance just as far, if not further, in the tournament this coming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5 Barr-Reeve Vikings</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Season: 17-7, Sectional Semi-Finals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is a new era at Barr-Reeve. After seven incredibly successful years, including the 2021 State Championship, head coach Josh Thompson moved across town to rival Loogootee. He left behind a very talented young core that should give new head coach, Heath Howington, a chance to compete at the top of Class 1A where the Vikings are used to being. Rising junior Kierson Lengacher is the top returner statistically having averaged 10.3 points per game last season. There were three freshman and a handful of sophomores that played key roles that are ready to step into larger shoes as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Others to Consider</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carroll (Flora), Lafayette Central Catholic, Loogootee, North Vermilliion, Orleans, Triton, Washington Township, Wood Memorial</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->