First Financial Wabash Valley Classic - Round One Live Blog

Nothing signals the day after Christmas quite like the annual Wabash Valley Classic. This year the event sponsored by First Financial will take place at Terre Haute South High School. We generally cover this tournament remotely but are excited to have boots on the ground coverage from Friday's opening round of games this season. Prep Hoops Indiana will be running a live blog from the opening tip to the final buzzer of today's eight games.   ***All Rankings are from our Prep Hoops Indiana <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/12/prep-hoops-indiana-week-5-class-by-class-rankings/">Week 5 Class-by-Class Rankings</a>***   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Martinsville 73 Shakamak 72 (OT)</h2>   Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1560961' first='Grady' last='Gardner'] (Martinsville H.S. 2026 - University of Saint Francis)   Seven first half three-point shots by Shakamak has kept them right in this one. Leo Miller, a sophomore guard, hit two three-point shots late in the half, including one just before the final buzzer, to tie the game at 33-33.   The Lakers are led by Madden Husband with 9 points at the half. [player_tooltip player_id='2408973' first='Case' last='Terrell'] has added 7 points while both Leo Miller and Jalen Johnson have 6 points.   For Martinsville, it is University of Saint Francis signee [player_tooltip player_id='1560961' first='Grady' last='Gardner'] who leads all scorers with 10 points and 2 assists at the half. Mason Dodson also has 10 points.   Shakamak came out of the half time locker room just as hot as they went into it. Jaden Johnson hit a three-point shot to give the Lakers their first lead in a long time, maybe of the game, which sparked a 7-1 run that gave them a 40-34 advantage. However, [player_tooltip player_id='1560961' first='Grady' last='Gardner'] answered with five straight points of his own to close up Martinsville's deficit.   A couple of buckets by Husband and Jalen Johnson helped to keep the Lakers in front as the quarter went along. Husband has 15 points heading into the fourth quarter as Shakamak holds onto a 48-46 lead. The 6'2" junior wing has been impressive in this one.   [player_tooltip player_id='2408973' first='Case' last='Terrell'] laid it up for Shakamak with 1.5 seconds left to send this one to overtime. It's been a great game to start the day here at the First Financial Classic!   Martinsville was able to survive thanks to the strong play of [player_tooltip player_id='1560961' first='Grady' last='Gardner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2407767' first='Carson' last='Robertson'] down the stretch. The Artesians held on to defeat Shakamak 73-72 in overtime. University of Saint Francis signee [player_tooltip player_id='1560961' first='Grady' last='Gardner'] led the way with 29 points including 12 in the fourth quarter and overtime. [player_tooltip player_id='2407767' first='Carson' last='Robertson'] added 16 points. In the loss for the Lakers, Madden Husband finished with 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Edgewood 50 Linton 49</h2>   Players to Watch: Connor Daily (Linton H.S. 2026), [player_tooltip player_id='2622251' first='Caden' last='Jones'] (Edgewood H.S. 2027), [player_tooltip player_id='1560992' first='Paul' last='Oliver'] (Linton H.S. 2026 - Indiana State University Football)   This game opened up with two big runs. Edgewood struck first scoring the first 10 points of the game. Then, the Miners of Linton got going and finished the period on a 13-0 run.   Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1560986' first='Conner' last='Daily'] has 12 points at the half to lead the Miners who are on top of Edgewood 27-25. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2844515' first='Jake' last='Rose'] has added 7 points.   For Edgewood, freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='2909816' first='Luke' last='Druckrey'] has stepped up off the bench to score 7 points. Reece Roberts also has 7 points for the Mustangs.   Daily and Edgewood's [player_tooltip player_id='2797141' first='AJ' last='Norris'] traded buckets throughout the third quarter. The Miners extended their lead just a bit to five points at 41-36.   The game of runs returned midway through the fourth quarter. Edgewood took their first lead in a long time after a tough corner three-point shot by [player_tooltip player_id='2622251' first='Caden' last='Jones'] followed by an equally tough turnaround jump shot out of the mid-post. Those back-to-back buckets gave the Mustangs a 43-41 lead. However, [player_tooltip player_id='2538634' first='Reuben' last='Goodman'] connected on a three and Daily laid one up to put Linton back on top 46-43. Edgewood answered once again via layups by Druckrey and Carter Hayden to retake the lead at 47-46. Hayden added an And-1 to make it 50-46 with just under two minutes to play.   [player_tooltip player_id='1560986' first='Conner' last='Daily'] got a three-point attempt up with about 4.5 seconds to go but it fell short. [player_tooltip player_id='2844515' first='Jake' last='Rose'] was there to offensive rebound it and throw up a quick putback attempt, but it missed as well. Edgewood escaped with a 50-49 win over the Miners.   Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2622251' first='Caden' last='Jones'] finished with 12 points and 6 rebounds to lead the Mustangs. [player_tooltip player_id='2797141' first='AJ' last='Norris'] and Reece Roberts added 11 points a piece.   [player_tooltip player_id='1560986' first='Conner' last='Daily'] scored a game-high 20 points in the loss for Linton. [player_tooltip player_id='2844515' first='Jake' last='Rose'] had 15 points.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bloomfield 48 Casey-Westfield (IL) 43</h2>   Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='2881972' first='Leighton' last='Jones'] (Casey-Westfield H.S. 2026), [player_tooltip player_id='1560962' first='Blake' last='Neill'] (Bloomfield H.S. 2026)   We have yet another very close game at the 26th annual First Financial Wabash Valley Classic. Ashton Pace and [player_tooltip player_id='1560962' first='Blake' last='Neill'] had it rolling from beyond the arc early on to give Bloomfield a lead, but [player_tooltip player_id='2890793' first='Jackson' last='High'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2881972' first='Leighton' last='Jones'] matched them in the second quarter to eventually take a 25-23 lead for Casey-Westfield heading into the halftime locker room.   Neill continued to lead the Cardinals in the third quarter fighting through some physical play. He has 14 points to lead all scorers as Bloomfield leads Casey-Westfield heading into the fourth quarter.   Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2881972' first='Leighton' last='Jones'] was good down the stretch for Casey-Westfield keeping them right in the game until the final buzzer. The Warriors had a shot in the air with about five seconds left that could have tied the game, but Bloomfield got the stop and sunk two free throws to secure a 48-43 victory.   Unsigned senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1560962' first='Blake' last='Neill'] led all scorers with 20 points. Ashton Pace added 16 points and 7 rebounds.   For Casey-Westfield, [player_tooltip player_id='2890793' first='Jackson' last='High'] had 16 points and [player_tooltip player_id='2881972' first='Leighton' last='Jones'] added 15 points.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Terre Haute North 75 Cloverdale 52</h2>   Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1561105' first='Brady' last='Klopfenstein'] (Terre Haute North H.S. 2026 - Bellarmine University), [player_tooltip player_id='2617833' first='Ishmael' last='Kiteka'] (Cloverdale H.S. 2028), [player_tooltip player_id='2425772' first='Tyler' last='Renn'] (Terre Haute North H.S. 2027)   We last saw 6'9" sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2617833' first='Ishmael' last='Kiteka'] over the summer after his monster freshman season. It didn't take long to recognize that he is a completely different player now as a sophomore. He is so much more fluid as an athlete which allows him to catch everything thrown to him, rebound more outside of his area, and block even more shots. Kiteka hit a couple of very impressive turnaround jump shots to begin the game as well.   Sharp-shooting sophomore guard Tobias Hart was a big part of Cloverdale's hot start as well. He connected on a pair of three-point shots and had eight points in the first quarter. However, [player_tooltip player_id='1561104' first='Gavin' last='Woelfle'] got hot to end the quarter including a steal and pull-up three-point shot to give Terre Haute North a 19-18 advantage.   From 18-11 to 36-18 Terre Haute North went on a 25-0 tear from late in the first quarter into the second quarter. [player_tooltip player_id='1561104' first='Gavin' last='Woelfle'] was the catalyst of the run and leads the Patriots with 15 first half points. [player_tooltip player_id='2140323' first='Blake' last='Hammond'] has added 8 points. For Cloverdale, 6'9" [player_tooltip player_id='2617833' first='Ishmael' last='Kiteka'] leads the way with 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots.   After trailing early on this one was all Terre Haute North. They never looked back following their 25-0 run and went on to win 75-52.   6'4" junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2140323' first='Blake' last='Hammond'] led all scorers with 22 points for Terre Haute North. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1561104' first='Gavin' last='Woelfle'] added 20 points and 4 assists.   For Cloverdale, it was 6'9" sophomore center [player_tooltip player_id='2617833' first='Ishmael' last='Kiteka'] who posted an impressive 17 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots. [player_tooltip player_id='2797122' first='Toby' last='Hart'] added 11 points.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Parke Heritage 73 Greencastle 52</h2>   Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1728674' first='Sam' last='Gooch'] (Greencastle H.S. 2026 - Wabash Valley College Baseball), [player_tooltip player_id='2272232' first='Isaac' last='Pickel'] (Parke Heritage H.S. 2026 - Taylor University), [player_tooltip player_id='1560965' first='Treigh' last='Schelsky'] (Parke Heritage H.S. 2026 - Huntington University)   Parke Heritage got a late three-point shot from [player_tooltip player_id='2756991' first='Brenden' last='Goins'] to fall late in the first quarter to compliment [player_tooltip player_id='2140339' first='Carter' last='Crum']'s dominance around the basket. The Wolves led the Tigers Cubs of Greencastle 15-9 after the opening period.   In the second quarter, Crum kept holding his own inside while Huntington University signee [player_tooltip player_id='1560965' first='Treigh' last='Schelsky'] got going as well. Parke Heritage really started to impose their height advantage on Greencastle in the paint as they pulled away to a 38-20 halftime lead.   Crum has 15 points and 5 rebounds at the half for Parke Heritage. Schelsky has added 7 points. For the Tiger Cubs, Connor Sullivan leads with 13 points.   Crum continued his interior domination in the third quarter. He is so skilled around the basket and such a great rebounder for being "just" 6'3"-6'4". The junior forward started the third quarter with a three-point shot at the top of the key and then controlled the offensive glass finishing a couple of buckets. After 11 points and 3 rebounds in the third quarter alone, Crum now leads with 26 points and 8 rebounds for the game. [player_tooltip player_id='1728674' first='Sam' last='Gooch'] got it going for the Tiger Cubs in the third scoring 9 of his 13 points which ties Connor Sullivan for the lead on Greencastle's side of the scorebook. Parke Heritage leads 61-37.   In the end Parke Heritage defeated Greencastle 73-52. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2140339' first='Carter' last='Crum'] finished with a double-double of 32 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, Huntington University signee [player_tooltip player_id='1560965' first='Treigh' last='Schelsky'] added 13 points for the Wolves. Connor Sullivan led Greencastle with 18 points. [player_tooltip player_id='1728674' first='Sam' last='Gooch'] added 15 points, 11 in the second half, and 5 rebounds.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">West Vigo 61 South Vermillion 24</h2>   Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='2470672' first='Reed' last='Dougherty'] (West Vigo H.S. 2027), Ben Shryock (South Vermillion H.S. 2028)   This was our first truly non-competitive game of the day. West Vigo jumped out to a 17-4 lead and never looked back. The Vikings were forcing turnovers from the opening tip, executing in transition, and using their physical size to overwhelm South Vermillion.   Eventually the running clock was enacted with 2:41 to play following a Georgie Belleu layup.   West Vigo went on to defeat South Vermillion 61-24. Landon Fields, a 6'3" senior wing, led the Vikings with 16 points. 6'1" senior guard Tommy Roberts added 13 points. 6'9" junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2470672' first='Reed' last='Dougherty'] finished with 12 points and 6 rebounds.   Sophomore guard Ben Shryock led South Vermillion with 8 points and 5 rebounds.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Northview 64 vs. Terre Haute South 47</h2>   Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='2622247' first='Trayven' last='Buis'] (Northview H.S. 2027), [player_tooltip player_id='1561022' first='Brayden' last='Goff'] (Northview H.S. 2026 - Marian University), [player_tooltip player_id='2797123' first='Quinn' last='Lewis'] (Northview H.S. 2028), Leonard Wilson (Terre Haute South H.S. 2028)   Terre Haute South hung around through the first 10 or so minutes thanks to their backcourt duo of Maddox Woodcock and [player_tooltip player_id='2985341' first='Leonard' last='Wilson III'] plus the interior presence of [player_tooltip player_id='2477143' first='Tre' last='Lewis']. All three were finding success, but Northview's speed, passing, and cutting was too much as the half went on.   [player_tooltip player_id='1561022' first='Brayden' last='Goff'] dished out an incredible 8 first half assists as the Knights lead 35-24. Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='2797123' first='Quinn' last='Lewis'] leads in the scoring column with 12 points while [player_tooltip player_id='2892554' first='Avery' last='Perry'] has 11 points for Northview.   [player_tooltip player_id='2477143' first='Tre' last='Lewis'], Maddox Woodcock, and [player_tooltip player_id='2985341' first='Leonard' last='Wilson III'] all have 7 points for Terre Haute South.   Northview opened the second half on a 15-0 run and turned this one into a blowout. [player_tooltip player_id='2797123' first='Quinn' last='Lewis'] continued to dominate in transition, as a cutter, and scoring at the end of his drives. Charlie Livers stopped the bleeding for Terre Haute South with a three-point shot, but the Braves still trailed by 23 by that time. Northview leads 50-30 heading to the fourth quarter.   6'4" sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2797123' first='Quinn' last='Lewis'] finished with 27 points and 7 rebounds to lead the defending champion Knights to a 64-47 win over host Terre Haute South. [player_tooltip player_id='2622247' first='Trayven' last='Buis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2892554' first='Avery' last='Perry'] each added 11 points for Northview. Marian University signee [player_tooltip player_id='1561022' first='Brayden' last='Goff'] had 9 points and 10 assists.   Both Maddox Woodcock and [player_tooltip player_id='2985341' first='Leonard' last='Wilson III'] scored 14 points to lead Terre Haute South in the loss.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sullivan 74 vs. Marshall (IL) 56</h2>   Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1561438' first='Cooper' last='Bock'] (Sullivan H.S. 2026), [player_tooltip player_id='2807644' first='Paul' last='Ridgway'] (Sullivan H.S. 2027)   Sullivan's interior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2807644' first='Paul' last='Ridgway'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1561438' first='Cooper' last='Bock'] were too much for the Marshall Lions from the opening tip. The Golden Arrows jumped out to a lead and expanded it each quarter on their way to a 74-56 victory.   6'6" junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2807644' first='Paul' last='Ridgway'] led all scorers in the game with 25 points to go along with 6 rebounds and 3 assists. The skilled lefty hit four three-point shots on the game while also dominating around the basket. Meanwhile, 6'6" senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1561438' first='Cooper' last='Bock'] added 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots. His bounciness and fluid athleticism really stand out. On the perimeter, senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1561008' first='Christian' last='Bryan'] added 18 points for Sullivan.   As for Marshall, senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2407880' first='Payton' last='McGuire'] played very well finishing with 22 points. He is a solid small college prospect. 6'4" big man Garrett Pugh added 13 points in the loss for the Lions.

Nothing signals the day after Christmas quite like the annual Wabash Valley Classic. This year the event sponsored by First Financial will take place at Terre Haute South High School. We generally cover this tournament remotely but are excited to have boots on the ground coverage from Friday's opening round of games this season. Prep Hoops Indiana will be running a live blog from the opening tip to the final buzzer of today's eight games.