Prep Hoops Indiana 2025-26 High School Preview – Class 1A (North)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is almost time to tip-off the Indiana High School Basketball season. The games begin on Monday, November 22nd which means we are in full season preview mode here at Prep Hoops Indiana headquarters. We have spent the last few weeks updating and expanding our prospect rankings so that they are nice and fresh for the 2025-2026 season. This week, along with class-by-class previews, we will unveil our Prep Hoops Indiana All-State teams plus Mr. Basketball candidates. Let's begin here with an overview look at the Class 1A North.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Field</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional 49 @ Kouts High School:</strong> Bowman Academy, Hammond Academy of Science and Technology, Kouts, Marquette Catholic, Morgan Township, Tri-Township, Washington Township, Westville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional 50 @ Caston High School:</strong> Caston, DeMotte Christian, North Newton, North White, Pioneer, South Newton, Tri-County, West Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional 51 @ Culver Community High School:</strong> Argos, Culver Community, Elkhart Christian Academy, North Judson-San Pierre, Oregon-Davis, South Central (Union Mills), Trinity Academy at Greenlawn, Triton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional 52 @ Bethany Christian School:</strong> Bethany Christian, Fort Wayne Canterbury, Fremont, Hamilton, Lakeland Christian Academy, Lakewood Park Christian, Smith Academy for Excellence</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional 53 @ Fountain Central High School:</strong> Attica, Covington, Faith Christian, Fountain Central, Lafayette Central Catholic, North Vermillion, Riverton Parke</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional 54 @ Clinton Central High School:</strong> Bethesda Christian, Carroll (Flora), Clinton Central, Clinton Prairie, Frontier, Rossville, Traders Point Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional 55 @ Wes-Del High School:</strong> Cowan, Daleville, North Miami, Northfield, Southern Wells, Southwood, Tri-Central, Wes-Del</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional 56 @ Lincoln High School:</strong> Blue River Valley, Lincoln, Monroe Central, Randolph Southern, Seton Catholic, Union (Modoc), Union City</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Toughest Sectional: Sectional 54 @ Clinton Central High School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sectional 49 at Kouts High School would have likely been awarded the toughest Sectional if not for a couple of key out-going transfers. Both Marquette Catholic and Westville lost star seniors who would have made them instant contenders. Instead, Sectional 54 takes the crown like they did last season. Carroll (Flora), Clinton Prairie, Frontier, and Rossville all won at least 16 games last season. Clinton Prairie will be down after graduating a ton of production from their Class 1A State Runner-Up team, but the others all have a chance to be improved in 2025-2026. Look for this to be a difficult, well-balanced Sectional once again this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">State Title Contenders</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kouts:</strong> The Mustangs went 24-5 last season and reached the Class 1A Final Four last season. Returning 5'8" senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1559321' first='Lucas' last='Kleckner'] is a big reason for their preseason optimism once again heading into 2025-2026. He averaged 17.8 points and 4.7 assists per game last season to lead his team to a great deal of postseason success. Fellow senior Eli Harper, a 6'3" post guy, brings back 12.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game to provide would could be the most potent inside-outside punch at the 1A level. Sophomore guard Billy Miller is another one to be excited about. He averaged 9.0 points per game as a freshman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional 54 Winner:</strong> It is hard to predict who comes out on top between Carroll (Flora), Frontier, or Rossville at this point. All three of them would at least have a chance at advancing further if they are able to survive Sectional 54.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Triton:</strong> It is never smart to count out Triton when it comes to post season runs. The Trojans went 23-5 and reached the Class 1A North Semi-State last season. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2399000' first='Gage' last='Riffle'] is the leading returning player for Triton this season. He averaged 12.3 points per game. Then, there is sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2443367' first='Brady' last='Wood']. His ability to take a major step forward is a big reason for some preseason optimism. Wood averaged 4.6 points per game as a freshman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Washington Township:</strong> Washington Township actually defeated Kouts in their first of three matchups last season. However, they lost the last two including the Sectional 49 Championship game 61-52. They will once again be the team best positioned to knock them off. Returning senior guard Kyle Banker brings back 10.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game while fellow senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2433440' first='Rob' last='McGowan'] averaged 12.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Then, there is sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2791286' first='Brogan' last='Banker'] who put together an excellent freshman season. Banker averaged 12.8 points per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Players</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2791286' first='Brogan' last='Banker'] (Washington Township H.S. 2028)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2272861' first='Tony' last='Bos'] (DeMotte Christian 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2561161' first='Quentavious' last='Fly'] (Bowman Academy 2028)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2837570' first='Lane' last='Hook'] (Caston H.S. 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1559321' first='Lucas' last='Kleckner'] (Kouts H.S. 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2538005' first='Teagan' last='Leonard'] (North Vermillion H.S. 2028)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2812795' first='Avery' last='MacFarlane'] (Lakewood Park Christian 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2414957' first='Josiah' last='Mays'] (Marquette Catholic 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2399000' first='Gage' last='Riffle'] (Triton H.S. 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2136359' first='Bryce' last='Wilcox'] (Southwood H.S. 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quick Hitters</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Look for sophomore guards [player_tooltip player_id='2561161' first='Quentavious' last='Fly'] (Bowman Academy) and [player_tooltip player_id='2538005' first='Teagan' last='Leonard'] (North Vermillion H.S.) to be among the state's top scorers this season. Fly averaged 16.5 points per game as a freshman while Leonard put up 20.5 points per game.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>6'7" senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2136359' first='Bryce' last='Wilcox'] (Southwood H.S.) is committed to Saint Francis.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Since the IHSAA Tournament was cancelled in 2020, three of the five Class 1A North finalists did not win their Sectional the year prior. The two who did cut down Sectional nets did not advance beyond the Regional round.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->