Kyler's Early Season Standouts - Part 2

The first two weeks of the season has officially wrapped up with multiple big time games taking place in the early part of the 2025-26 season. I was able to make it out to a few games over the past few weeks and was able to see a good amount of standout performances from our high school prospects. Here is part 2 of my standouts in the early part of the season.    I have always said that [player_tooltip player_id='1981704' first='Albert' last='Gooden III'] is a straight bully of a player on the floor and that once again held true this past week. There was not a more physical presence on the floor for Lawrence Central than what Gooden was with him using his strong frame to go at the defense and score so well through the contact. He also just brings it on the defensive end of the floor being a guy that can guard multiple spots of the floor and do it with a high motor as well. Feels like the x-factor in many ways for the Bears.     When it comes to prospects with the most upside on Lawrence Central this season, the top guy would likely be 2027 wing [player_tooltip player_id='2243047' first='Caleb' last='Wells']. This was my first chance to see Wells since he moved back into the state for his junior season. What instantly stands out to me is his length and overall smoothness in nearly all levels of the floor. Well is a highly skilled wing that can knock down shots on the perimeter, makes plays around the rim, and affect shots on the defensive end.     This was my first chance seeing 2027 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2140392' first='JJ' last='Craig'] since he transferred from Warren Central to Lawrence Central and you could easily tell just how perfect of a fit he is for the Bears. With how deep and balanced LC is across the board, Craig feels like he plays real relaxed and is allowed to play his game pressure free. He knocked multiple threes showing his improvement as a consistent outside threat. Craig is also that powerful, long prospect that can just be a mismatch in the backcourt and wing.     [player_tooltip player_id='2267046' first='Jason' last='Gardner Jr.'] is just a special player that can dictate any game that he plays in and that was in full display on Friday in Fishers win over Noblesville. He had a slower first half in the game before taking over the game right as soon as the 2nd Half whistle blew. He scored in the lane at ease per usual as well as getting to the free throw line a bunch of times. Still no jumper being displayed yet, but still the best guard in the lane in the state.     [player_tooltip player_id='2140345' first='Cooper' last='Zachary'] did some [player_tooltip player_id='2140345' first='Cooper' last='Zachary'] things on Friday in Fishers win over Noblesville. We talk about how [player_tooltip player_id='2267046' first='Jason' last='Gardner Jr.'] can dictate a game at any moment but his fellow backcourt teammate Zachary does that on a nightly basis. In his 12 points he scored on Friday, Zachary hit some very clutch threes that would halt any momentum that Noblesville would get, especially in the 2nd half. Seeing Zachary as many times I have over the past few years, I always remain so impressed with his elite playmaking on the ball.     Even though his team came up short, I think I can make a strong case that Flanagan has an argument for the player of the game in the Noblesville/Fishers matchup. He ended up with 12 points in the game with all of those points coming from the first half, which helped give the Millers the lead going into the half. Flanagan was able to hit 4 threes all in one half and gave Fishers some problems with his length on the wing. First time I have gotten to see the 6'4 forward in a large role like that and I came away so impressed. He can be a mismatch problems at times for any teams.     The Valpo signee was doing the thing that he does best this past Friday: make big time shots. Curry would end up leading Noblesville in scoring with 19 points with most of them coming from athletic plays at the basket and off deep jumpers. Curry has shown a ton of improvement as a consistent shotmaker over the years becoming that go-to guy for the Millers when they need a bucket. Valpo is getting one of the top shooters in the state.

The first two weeks of the season has officially wrapped up with multiple big time games taking place in the early part of the 2025-26 season. I was able to make it out to a few games over the past few weeks and was able to see a good amount of standout performances from our high school prospects. Here is part 2 of my standouts in the early part of the season.