3 For 3: Week Three 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":["1509229"],"_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-693612e0af2a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first player we are going to preview for the third week of the high school season may be the best available player on the board in the in-state 2026 class. Coming in as one of the best in-state transfers there was the offseason, the former Lawrence North power forward has come in and done exactly what you thought he would do in the front court of the Fishers Tigers. As of this writing, McGrew is averaging around 16.0 points and over 5.0 rebounds per game. McGrew constant energy and physicality has added a new dynamic to Fishers this season and that will be on display this week when Fishers plays Penn at Southport on Saturday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140349"],"_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-693612e0af30f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Bloomington North Cougars are 2-0 so far this season and lot of it can be credited to the play of 2027 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2140349' first='Derrick' last='Cross Jr']. Already this season, Cross has had already one of the best single player performances this season with his 23 points to go along with his multiple assists in the first game of the season vs BNL. Cross came into his junior season with already multiple offers and key interests from school such as Creighton, SIUE, Miami (OH), SEMO, and others due to his elite shooting, athletic ability, and overall playmaking. Watch this talented guard this week when the Cougars travel to Mooresville (12/10) and host Franklin Central (12/13).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2382148"],"_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-693612e0af35c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coming into this season, it was going to be very important that [player_tooltip player_id='2382148' first='Noah' last='Washington'] breaks out and lives up to the hype in his sophomore year and so far, he has done that and then some. A player that has all the in-state colleges and more other key high major programs interested in him, Washington is arguably the highest-rated prospect we have in the entire state of Indiana. Washington has already put on multiple shows this season which has led the Bulldogs to a 2-1 record. It will not be long before most blue blood programs extend offers. Catch Washington this week when New Albany travels to Floyd Central on Friday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Teams</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Bend Riley (4A) –&nbsp;</strong>One of the top under-the-radar teams in Class 4A this year are the South Bend Riley Wildcats, who enter week three of the season 2-0 thus far. A team that has a good mix of senior and younger talent on their roster, Riley came into this season with a goal of winning Sectional 3 and making a deep run in postseason. For the Wildcats, it starts with the senior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2398991' first='Tyrese' last='Jones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1561093' first='Isaiah' last='Packer'] but younger guys like [player_tooltip player_id='2560361' first='Dontreyelle' last='Johnson'], who is on the verge of breaking out in the 2027 class. They have had a couple of easier games to start the season but get their first real test vs Homestead at Grace College on Saturday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Guerin Catholic (3A) –</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;Class 3A has a lot of really talented teams could make a strong push to make it to the state finals this season and one of those teams is certainly the Guerin Catholic Golden Eagles. A talented team across the board, the Golden Eagles are currently led by juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2140383' first='Jake' last='Grissom'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2137375' first='Carter' last='Murans'] who combines have averaged over 40 points for Guerin Catholic this season. Guys like [player_tooltip player_id='2137317' first='Andrew' last='Riethman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2140371' first='Hayden' last='Rogers'] have also started the season strong as well. They coming off a tough loss vs Muncie Central last week but have a chance to bounce right back when they face Westfield on Friday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Linton (2A) – </strong> Class 2A has a bunch of real intriguing teams this season and a team down south that has the roster to make a strong postseason run are the Linton Miners. They have started off the year 2-0 with solid wins over Terre Haute South and Heritage Hills. The Miners have one of the better duos in Class 2A with Indiana football commit [player_tooltip player_id='1560992' first='Paul' last='Oliver'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1560986' first='Conner' last='Daily'], who have led them so far. On Saturday, you can watch them in the Linton Classic Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Matchups</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fort Wayne Blackhawk (3A) at Penn (4A) – Dec. 9th, 7:30 pm</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Up in the northern part of the state is a matchup between two intriguing teams in both Class 3A and 4A. The undefeated Fort Wayne Blackhawk will go on the road to face a very talented Penn team that will be looking to get their first signature win of the season. So far this season, Fort Wayne Blackhawk has proven they are not going anywhere and are a player in Class 3A. They will come into this game led by guy like Biggs Pardon, [player_tooltip player_id='2218634' first='Payton' last='Rhinehart'], [player_tooltip player_id='2539827' first='Bryce' last='LaCross'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2539823' first='Drake' last='Sefton'] but they will be going up against arguably the top player in the 2028 in-state class in [player_tooltip player_id='2457404' first='Caleb' last='Coolman']. Blackhawk will also have to worry about guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1561051' first='Cody' last='Evans'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2140417' first='Makale' last='Price'], as well. Blackhawk has been on a roll to start the year, but I think I like Penn just a little bit more here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop Chatard (3A) at New Palestine (3A) – Dec. 10th, 7:30 pm</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perhaps maybe the best Class 3A matchup this week will take place on Wednesday night when Bishop Chatard goes on the road to face New Palestine. In many ways, this game feels much like a "prove it" type of game for both teams with each of them needing a big win to get their momentum going. Each team has some sneaky, underrated players on their squads but the guy that headlines this game is New Pal's sophomore shooting guard, [player_tooltip player_id='2539934' first='Will' last='Davidson'], who leads the Dragons with over 20.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. If Chatard wants to get a big road win, it will come down to them getting monster games from [player_tooltip player_id='2907608' first='Alex' last='Lake'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2831756' first='Zach' last='McCormack']. I will be in attendance for this game this Saturday and look forward seeing what both teams do. Im taking New Pal in this one, however. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southport Tipoff</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>Dec. 13th</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>12:30 am - 8:30 pm</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the biggest single-day shootouts takes place this Saturday with the annual SuperStar Events Tipoff Classica event at Southport High School. Like always, this event will feature 6 GREAT matchups. Below is the full schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>12:30 pm</td><td>Centerville vs. <strong>Parke Heritage</strong></td></tr><tr><td>2:00 pm</td><td>Anderson vs. <strong>Mount Vernon (Fortville)</strong></td></tr><tr><td>3:30 pm</td><td><strong>Charlestown</strong> vs. Southport</td></tr><tr><td>5:15 pm</td><td>South Bend St. Joseph vs. <strong>Silver Creek</strong></td></tr><tr><td>6:30 pm</td><td><strong>Crown Point </strong>vs. Carmel</td></tr><tr><td>8:30 pm</td><td>Penn vs. <strong>Fishers</strong></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->