3 For 3: Week 2 Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025-26 high school boys' basketball season is underway and it is the second week of the regular season and we at Prep Hoops Indiana want to give you the absolute best coverage in the whole state. Indiana is full of great teams and talented players thus giving the fans incredible matchups every week. Join me, Kyler Staley, every Monday during the season as I preview the 3 Players, 3 Teams, and 3 Matchups to watch for that coming week. Are you ready? Let's get started!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Players</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560945"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6925f4719db73"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A few weeks ago, Crispus Attucks looked a little different than what they do with the season a week in and that is because they got an alpha player in [player_tooltip player_id='1560945' first='DeZhon' last='Hall']. You all might remember Hall who transferred out of the state for a couple of years but he is now back and looking to lead the Tigers to a successful season. Last week he had some great showings vs both Arsenal Tech and Lawrence North showcasing why he is one of the more athletic and dynamic guards we have in the 2026 class. This week, look for him to have a big showing at North Central (12/2) and vs West Memphis Christian (Tenn.) (12/5). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140416"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6925f4719dbce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There are few teams that get their season started this week and one of those programs is the Homestead Spartans. With that, that means we get to see one of the bigger stock risers in the in-state 2027 class in [player_tooltip player_id='2932419' first='Mack' last='Welker']. Welker, a 6'6" wing, is coming off a great offseason that saw him get on the radar of multiple D1 programs as well help lead [program_tooltip program_id='2076927' first='Indy' last='Heat'] 16u to a EYBL Championship. When you talk about length, IQ, and pure shot making, Welker is near the top of that list in the state. Look for him to start the season strong vs Manchester (12/2) and at Warsaw (12/5). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2617833"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6925f4719dc13"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coming into the 2025-26 season, there are many intriguing prospects that we have our eye on this year and one of those guys comes from Cloverdale High School, 2029 6'9" center [player_tooltip player_id='2617833' first='Ishmael' last='Kiteka']. Last season and over the summer you got to see flashes of what Kiteka could become in the long term and we are excited to see what he can do this year for Cloverdale. At the Class 1A level, when you have guy with the legit size of Kiteka, it is major advantage. This week, you will get a chance to watch him at Edgewood (12/5) and vs Soutmout (12/6)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Teams</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Silver Creek (3A) –&nbsp;</strong>The 2025-26 season is officially a week old and still, the Silver Creek Dragons look to be a force and are on a collision course to a Class 3A State Championship. Arguably the best collection of talent in the whole state comprised of [player_tooltip player_id='2476482' first='Dane' last='Caldwell'] (Richmond), [player_tooltip player_id='1385611' first='Kasen' last='Daeger'] (Stony Brook), Dane Springler, [player_tooltip player_id='2140328' first='Brandon' last='Hunter'], [player_tooltip player_id='2436214' first='Donovan' last='Whitehead'], [player_tooltip player_id='2831121' first='Lucas' last='Linderman'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2470698' first='Brody' last='McLaughlin'], these guys started off the year 2-0 with wins over Floyd Central and Charlestown last week. This week, they have a couple of tougher road tests when they face Columbus North (12/5) and Austin (12/6). Expect these guys to continue to roll this week and beyond. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop Luers (2A) –</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;The north portion of Class 2A has some real interesting teams that can make a deep run and one of those teams are the Bishop Luers Knights. The Knights bring in one of the more talented rosters in Class 2A led by 2027 Liberty Christian transfer shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2414946' first='Tamarje' last='English'], who immediately comes in as the top guy for this year's team. Along with English, guys like [player_tooltip player_id='2272229' first='Jonas' last='Muya'], [player_tooltip player_id='2892479' first='Ayle' last='Taylor'], and others are expected to play big roles for them this season. They officially get started this week when they host Mishawaka Marian on Saturday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bloomfield (1A) – </strong> Class 1A south is always one of the more interesting areas that the state has to offer with their always being a few teams you could see make a legit run come the postseason. One of those teams is certainly the Bloomfield Cardinals. For the Cardinals of Bloomfield, it starts and ends with Indiana Junior All-Star [player_tooltip player_id='1560962' first='Blake' last='Neill']. Last week, Neill led Bloomfield to a 1-0 start with a win over Riverton Parke and will be looking continue the momentum when they face Shakamak on the road on Friday and then host Vincennes Rivet on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Matchups</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Albany (4A) at Bloomington South (4A) – Dec. 1st, 7:30 pm</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first week of the Indiana high school season always brings plenty of fun and intriguing matchups, and Wednesday offers a sneaky-good one as two underrated Class 4A South teams open their seasons with New Albany hitting the road to face Bloomington South. All eyes will naturally be on star sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='2382148' first='Noah' last='Washington'], who leads a talented Bulldogs group that includes [player_tooltip player_id='2873152' first='Greyson' last='Grubbs'], [player_tooltip player_id='2823963' first='Kyron' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1563826' first='TJ' last='Washington'], and others. They'll be tested by one of the strongest frontcourts in the state in Bloomington South's [player_tooltip player_id='1561085' first='Matthew' last='Tierney'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2470608' first='Duncan' last='Combs'], with senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1561042' first='Jack' last='Clark'] looming as a potential difference-maker. It's a compelling matchup, but I give a slight edge to Bloomington South.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carmel&nbsp;(4A) at Lawrence Central (4A) – Dec. 5th, 7:30 pm</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arguably the biggest game of the week will take place this Friday when the Greyhounds of Carmel High School go on the road to face off against Lawrence Central. If you want a game with a ton of talent on the floor, this the game for you. Carmel will come in with the 1-2 punch duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2140341' first='Cash' last='Daniels'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1560952' first='Evan' last='Harrell'] when they face a team that arguably had the best offseason as far transfers in the whole the state. Lawrence Central will have a loaded lineup of guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1561118' first='Doron' last='Harris'], [player_tooltip player_id='1561112' first='Gavin' last='Petty'], [player_tooltip player_id='2477117' first='Dayton' last='Stephens'], [player_tooltip player_id='2140392' first='JJ' last='Craig'], [player_tooltip player_id='2243047' first='Caleb' last='Wells'], and many others. If Carmel wants to come away with the win, they will need guys like [player_tooltip player_id='2560647' first='Vincent' last='Nover'], [player_tooltip player_id='1561129' first='Julian' last='Vogt'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1561121' first='Jamichael' last='Fountain'] to step up in a big way. I see Lawrence Central winning this one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sneakers for Santa</strong>, <strong>Dec. 6th</strong>, <strong>10 am - 8:15 pm</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the biggest single-day shootouts takes place this Saturday with the annual Sneakers For Santa event at Brownburg High School. Like always, this event will feature 7 GREAT matchups. Below is the full schedule, players to watch, and who I predict to win (bolded). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>10:00 am</td><td><strong>Princeton</strong> vs. Charlestown</td></tr><tr><td>11:30 am</td><td><strong>New Albany</strong> vs. Plainfield</td></tr><tr><td>1:00 pm</td><td>Liberty Christian vs. <strong>Brownsburg</strong></td></tr><tr><td>2:30 pm</td><td><strong>South Bend St. Joseph</strong> vs. Indianapolis Cathedral</td></tr><tr><td>4:45 pm</td><td>Lawrence North vs. <strong>Noblesville</strong></td></tr><tr><td>6:30 pm</td><td>Louisville Male (Ky.) vs. <strong>Pike</strong></td></tr><tr><td>8:15 pm</td><td>Mount Vernon (Fortville) vs. <strong>Fishers</strong></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1560964' first='Edwin' last='Holmes'], [player_tooltip player_id='2539928' first='Quintyn' last='Voltz'], [player_tooltip player_id='1922051' first='Anthony' last='Fresh'], Parker Olde, [player_tooltip player_id='2382148' first='Noah' last='Washington'], [player_tooltip player_id='2267048' first='Harper' last='Baker-Lands'], [player_tooltip player_id='1561513' first='Noah' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='1560946' first='Landon' last='Gilliatt'], [player_tooltip player_id='1962847' first='Chrishon' last='Woodward'], [player_tooltip player_id='2272233' first='Chris' last='Brandon'], [player_tooltip player_id='1561114' first='Brandon' last='Addison'], [player_tooltip player_id='2140408' first='Kendrick' last='Martin'], [player_tooltip player_id='2267054' first='Tywaine' last='Fuller'], [player_tooltip player_id='2024513' first='Nick' last='Shrewsberry'], [player_tooltip player_id='1560973' first='Ethan' last='Roseman'], [player_tooltip player_id='2140359' first='Elijah' last='King'], [player_tooltip player_id='1561435' first='Julien' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='1561135' first='Keaton' last='Aldridge Jr']., [player_tooltip player_id='1729136' first='Brennan' last='Miller'], [player_tooltip player_id='1561031' first='Cameron' last='Webster'], [player_tooltip player_id='1534261' first='Justin' last='Curry II'], [player_tooltip player_id='1561054' first='Baron' last='Walker'], [player_tooltip player_id='2266896' first='Isaiah' last='Hill'], [player_tooltip player_id='2194328' first='Jahari' last='Miller'], [player_tooltip player_id='2266897' first='Kenneth' last='Lampley'], [player_tooltip player_id='2538892' first='Landon' last='Lampley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1728587' first='Luke' last='Ertel'], [player_tooltip player_id='2140419' first='Max' last='Vise'], [player_tooltip player_id='1509229' first='Kai' last='McGrew'], [player_tooltip player_id='2194415' first='Jason' last='Gardner'] Jr, [player_tooltip player_id='2140345' first='Cooper' last='Zachary']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->