3 For 3: Week Five 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 week 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!</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":["1561440"],"_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-694571bf9e204"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the top unsigned seniors heading into this week is without question 2026 Kokomo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1561440' first='Korbyn' last='Hammel']. Coming into week five of the season, Hammel leads the Wildkats with 19.7 points and shooting 60 percent from the field as of the writing. At 6'3, he's one of the most versatile guards in Indiana's 2026 class, pairing athleticism with a relentless motor. Kokomo will have a trip to Lebanon on 12/23. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140449"],"_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-694571bf9e277"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more intriguing teams in the Fort Wayne area are the Snider Panthers and one of their main guys is junior shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2140449' first='Trell' last='Hogue']. He will head into the week five as one of the top producers for Snider averaging 14.5 points and 2.0 assists per game as of this writing. Hogue is a 6'2 shooting guard with tremendous athletic ability and is just all-around elite playmaker on the floor. Watch him with Snider this week when the Panthers travel to South Bend Riley on Tuesday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140414"],"_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-694571bf9e2ca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more productive guards in the southern Indiana area is Floyd Central junior shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2140414' first='Landon' last='Reed']. The best thing that Reed does is scores and that is proven by him leading the highlanders with 14.0 points while adding 3.6 points and 2.4 assists. Reed is an extremely dynamic left-handed two-guard that can make plays all over the floor. He has a real consistent jumper and can make plays with a burst of explosion in the lane. This Saturday, they will host Franklin County (Ky.). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Teams</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bloomington North (4A) –&nbsp;</strong>When you look down at the southern Indiana portion of Class 4A, one of the more intriguing teams that we have in the state are the Bloomington North Cougars. Led by their talented junior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2140349' first='Derrick' last='Cross Jr'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2381200' first='Levi' last='Lindeman'], Bloomington North has won three games this season and only have had their first loss this past weekend vs Southport. This team on paper is one of the more talented teams in the Bloomington area and have a chance to win a Sectional 13 Championship. They are much better than their 7-17 record from a season ago. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evansville Bosse</strong>&nbsp;<strong>(3A) –</strong>&nbsp;There is a team down in Evansville that is looking to do big things this season at the Class 3A level and that is without question the Bosse Bulldogs. Even though their star senior [player_tooltip player_id='1760994' first='Dorion' last='Bowen'] has had to sit due to transfer rules, they still have a great group of players that will help them weather the storm including leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id='2172596' first='Marrius' last='Harris'], freshman wing [player_tooltip player_id='3219910' first='Ethan' last='Hampton'], and others. Right now, they are 1-2 but I expect them to make a big run here soon, especially when they get their full roster intact. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Ripley</strong> <strong>(2A) – </strong> At this point in the early part of the season, it is time to really talk about how the South Ripley Raiders could be the team cutting down the nets in Class 2A this season. Having only loss to Hauser, the Raiders have won 5 games already this season including wins over North Decatur, South Decatur, and others. Right now, they have some of the better underclassman in the south portion of the state with guys like [player_tooltip player_id='2140354' first='Drew' last='Volz'], [player_tooltip player_id='2539946' first='Eli' last='Gilpin'], [player_tooltip player_id='2477290' first='Blake' last='Gunter'], and others. This week, they will have a challenge vs Batesville on Tuesday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Matchups</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For this week. We will look at 3 Holiday Tournaments to watch this week. Full schedules, a top player to watch from each team, and predictions (in bold). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wabash Valley Tournament – Dec. 26th-30th (only games for 26th listed)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><th><small>DATE</small></th><th><small>GM</small></th><th colspan="5"><small>SCHEDULE (EASTERN TIME)</small></th><th><small>SITE</small></th><th><small>ROUND</small></th></tr><tr><td>Dec. 26</td><td>1</td><td>Shakamak</td><td>vs</td><td><strong>Martinsville</strong></td><td colspan="2">10:00 am</td><td>Terre Haute South</td><td>R1</td></tr><tr><td>Dec. 26</td><td>2</td><td><strong>Linton</strong></td><td>vs</td><td>Edgewood</td><td colspan="2">11:30 am</td><td>Terre Haute South</td><td>R1</td></tr><tr><td>Dec. 26</td><td>3</td><td>Casey-Westfield (Ill.)</td><td>vs</td><td><strong>Bloomfield</strong></td><td colspan="2">1:00 pm</td><td>Terre Haute South</td><td>R1</td></tr><tr><td>Dec. 26</td><td>4</td><td>Cloverdale</td><td>vs</td><td><strong>Terre Haute North</strong></td><td colspan="2">2:30 pm</td><td>Terre Haute South</td><td>R1</td></tr><tr><td>Dec. 26</td><td>5</td><td><strong>Parke Heritage</strong></td><td>vs</td><td>Greencastle</td><td colspan="2">4:00 pm</td><td>Terre Haute South</td><td>R1</td></tr><tr><td>Dec. 26</td><td>6</td><td>South Vermillion</td><td>vs</td><td><strong>West Vigo</strong></td><td colspan="2">5:30 pm</td><td>Terre Haute South</td><td>R1</td></tr><tr><td>Dec. 26</td><td>7</td><td><strong>Northview</strong></td><td>at</td><td>Terre Haute South</td><td colspan="2">7:00 pm</td><td>Terre Haute South</td><td>R1</td></tr><tr><td>Dec. 26</td><td>8</td><td><strong>Sullivan</strong></td><td>vs</td><td>Marshall (Ill.)</td><td colspan="2">8:30 pm</td><td>Terre Haute South</td><td>R1</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2408973' first='Case' last='Terrell'], [player_tooltip player_id='1560961' first='Grady' last='Gardner'], [player_tooltip player_id='1560992' first='Paul' last='Oliver'], [player_tooltip player_id='2622251' first='Caden' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='1560962' first='Blake' last='Neill'], [player_tooltip player_id='2617833' first='Ishmael' last='Kiteka'], [player_tooltip player_id='1561105' first='Brady' last='Klopfenstein'], [player_tooltip player_id='1560965' first='Treigh' last='Schelsky'], [player_tooltip player_id='1728674' first='Sam' last='Gooch'], Nick Straw, [player_tooltip player_id='2470672' first='Reed' last='Dougherty'], [player_tooltip player_id='1561022' first='Brayden' last='Goff'], Leonard Wilson, [player_tooltip player_id='1561438' first='Cooper' last='Bock']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Homestead Tournament – Dec. 26th</strong>-<strong>27th</strong> <strong>(only games for 26th listed)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><th><small>DATE</small></th><th><small>GM</small></th><th colspan="5"><small>SCHEDULE (EASTERN TIME)</small></th><th><small>SITE</small></th><th><small>ROUND</small></th></tr><tr><td>Dec. 26</td><td>1</td><td><strong>Zionsville</strong></td><td>vs</td><td>Carroll (Fort Wayne)</td><td colspan="2">5:30 pm</td><td>Homestead</td><td>R1</td></tr><tr><td>Dec. 26</td><td>2</td><td>South Bend St. Joseph</td><td>vs</td><td><strong>Mount Vernon (Fortville)</strong></td><td colspan="2">5:30 pm</td><td>Homestead</td><td>R1</td></tr><tr><td>Dec. 26</td><td>3</td><td>Center Grove</td><td>at</td><td><strong>Homestead</strong></td><td colspan="2">7:00 pm</td><td>Homestead</td><td>R1</td></tr><tr><td>Dec. 26</td><td>4</td><td><strong>Hamilton Southeastern</strong></td><td>vs</td><td>Penn</td><td colspan="2">7:00 pm</td><td>Homestead</td><td>R1</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players to Watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2046170' first='Cooper' last='Hess'], [player_tooltip player_id='2846455' first='Brody' last='Fisher'], [player_tooltip player_id='2140359' first='Elijah' last='King'], [player_tooltip player_id='2140419' first='Max' last='Vise'], [player_tooltip player_id='2932419' first='Mack' last='Welker'], [player_tooltip player_id='2470624' first='Zavier' last='Laney'], [player_tooltip player_id='2457404' first='Caleb' last='Coolman'], [player_tooltip player_id='1561009' first='Luke' last='Weemer']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hall of Fame Classic</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>Dec. 23rd</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><th><small>DATE</small></th><th><small>GM</small></th><th colspan="5"><small>SCHEDULE (EASTERN TIME)</small></th><th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><small>SITE</small></th><th><small>ROUND</small></th></tr><tr><td>Dec. 23</td><td>1</td><td><strong>Mount Vernon (Fortville)</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">vs</td><td>Northview</td><td colspan="2">11:00 am</td><td>New Castle</td><td>R1</td></tr><tr><td>Dec. 23</td><td>2</td><td>Silver Creek</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">vs</td><td><strong>Crown Point</strong></td><td colspan="2">12:30 pm</td><td>New Castle</td><td>R1</td></tr><tr><td>Dec. 23</td><td>3</td><td>Loser Game 1</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">vs</td><td>Loser Game 2</td><td colspan="2">6:00 pm</td><td>New Castle</td><td>3rd</td></tr><tr><td>Dec. 23</td><td>4</td><td>Winner Game 1</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">vs</td><td>Winner Game 2</td><td colspan="2">7:30 pm</td><td>New Castle</td><td>1st</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1728587' first='Luke' last='Ertel'], [player_tooltip player_id='2622247' first='Trayven' last='Buis'], [player_tooltip player_id='2140328' first='Brandon' last='Hunter'], [player_tooltip player_id='1561617' first='Dikembe' last='Shaw']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->