Tri-State Orthopaedics Bosse Winter Classic Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On December 20th, the 15th Annual Tri-State Orthopaedics Bosse Winter Classic will be played on the campus of Evansville Bosse. In past years, some of the Midwest's very best players and teams have played in the event including 2014 McDonald's All American Trey Lyles of Arsenal Tech (IN) and 2020 McDonald's All American Caleb Love of Christian Brothers College High School (MO). Other notable programs to compete in the event are Ensworth (TN), Frederick Douglass (KY), Gary West Side (IN), Fort Wayne North (IN), and University Heights Academy (KY). This year's Classic is a 10 team/5 game event featuring ranked teams with some of the top ranked players coming out of the state of Indiana. Here are the matchup previews:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 1: Liberty Christian vs Evansville Harrison</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Liberty Christian Lions led by Coach Norm Anderson have a dynamic junior backcourt in [player_tooltip player_id='2140408' first='Kendrick' last='Martin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2267054' first='Tywaine' last='Fuller']. Fuller leads the Lions in scoring at 21 points per game with Martin following at 15 points per game. The Lions also boast a solid senior front court duo in [player_tooltip player_id='1989432' first='Jordan' last='Haralson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2417030' first='Monte' last='Dillard']. Haralson is a physical and skilled wing/forward averaging ten points per game while Dillard flirts with a double-double every game out averaging eight points and monstrous 14 rebounds per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evansville Harrison trying to get back to their winning ways currently sitting at 1-3 being led by two freshman in 6'5” Forward [player_tooltip player_id='2889976' first='Romyiez' last='Calvin'] at 12 points and 6.5 rebounds per game followed by 6'0” Guard Aiden Terry at 11 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. The experienced backcourt of Junior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2489672' first='Ady' last='Thomas'] and Senior Dustin Gerner combining for 15 points and 5 rebounds to try and give 1-3 Warriors some stability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 2: Crispus Attucks vs Evansville Bosse</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crispus Attucks comes into the matchup with one of the more explosive backcourts in the entire state. Their top six scorers are in the backcourt led by 6'4” Senior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='1560945' first='DeZhon' last='Hall'] at 22.5 points per game. 6'0” Senior Sharp Shooting Guard Jamier Davis, a transfer from Pike, has stepped into that second slot scoring the ball at an impressive 57% from behind the arc for 15.5 points per game. Junior Backcourt duo of [player_tooltip player_id='3219509' first='Bles'sed' last='Thomas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2622052' first='AJ' last='Jones'] can go nuclear at any time with both also in double figures for the 2-2 Tigers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the Evansville Bosse Bulldogs waiting on a couple key transfers to get eligible, the 1-1 Bulldogs are being led by committee with their backcourt. 6'3” Senior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2172596' first='Marrius' last='Harris'] is the most talented player in the backcourt that is playing at this time with 5'10” Junior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2489643' first='Elijah' last='Eastwood'] being the table setter while Junior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2408663' first='Elijah' last='Chinn'], Senior Guard Raymon Nelson, and Sophomore Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2766818' first='Dontae' last='Barnes'] are all capable of taking over games with their perimeter shooting ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 3: Princeton vs Castle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 3-1 Tigers have four players in double figures led by 6'7” Indiana Junior All-Star [player_tooltip player_id='1560964' first='Edwin' last='Holmes']. The inside-out do it all wing/forward is off to a fast start this season averaging 19.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and five assists. The transfer portal was kind to the Tigers with the additions of 6'1” Sophomore Guard Quintin Voltz and 6'6” Senior Forward [player_tooltip player_id='2892468' first='Drew' last='Wilkas']. Voltz is second on the team in scoring at 15.3 points while also averaging 3.5 assists per game. Wilkas has provided much needed shooting for the Tigers averaging 14.5 points at 42% shooting from 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 0-2 Castle Knights have lost two close games to Henderson County (KY) and to Evansville Harrison. The Knights were torn down by graduation and are playing a bunch of inexperienced players. Senior Guard Carter Bobe is controlling the offense while being the leader scorer at 10 points and 4.5 assists per game. Senior Guard Matt Dillman follows at seven points per game. The future is bright for Castle with two freshman in the rotation with Guard Cade Baker being the third leading scorer at 5.5 points per game while shooting 43% from 3 through two games this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 4: Lawrence Central vs Evansville Reitz</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm not sure there is a team in the state that “won” the transfer portal more than Lawrence Central. Returning All MIC performers in Senior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='1561118' first='Doron' last='Harris'], the teams leading scorer at 16 points per game, and Senior Forward [player_tooltip player_id='1981704' first='Albert' last='Gooden III'], the Bears brought in five high level players this season including [player_tooltip player_id='2243047' first='Caleb' last='Wells'], a 6'5” Junior Wing that is averaging 13.3 points. Key transfers in [player_tooltip player_id='2140390' first='Jeremiah' last='Bellamy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1561112' first='Gavin' last='Petty'] have yet to suit up for the 1-3 Bears this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After losing their top five scorers from a year ago, the Evansville Reitz Panthers have come out strong led by 6'6” Senior Forward [player_tooltip player_id='2466252' first='Preston' last='Tolliver'] averaging 15.4 points and 5.6 rebounds for the 3-2 Panthers. Grayson Dease, a 6'6” Freshman Wing, is off to a strong start to his high school career averaging 11.6 points and 8.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game. Castle transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2892526' first='Tim' last='Swope'], a 6'0” Senior Guard, is also a double digit scorer averaging 10.8 points to go along with 5.2 assists per game this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 5: Jeffersonville vs</strong> <strong>Evansville Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tre Singleton (Northwestern), Michael Cooper (Wright State), and PJ Douglas (Wright State) aren't walking through the doors. The key cogs of the 2025 4A State Championship team has moved on to their college careers, but the cupboard certainly isn't empty for Jeffersonville Head Coach Sherron Wilkerson. 6'3” Junior Forward [player_tooltip player_id='2622021' first='Jacob' last='Wilkerson'] returns and is leading the Red Devils in scoring at 15.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.7 steals per game. Louisville Eastern Transfer 6'4” Senior Guard/Wing [player_tooltip player_id='2404178' first='Cash' last='Whitehead'] gives Jeffersonville some much needed scoring punch averaging 13.7 points to go along with 5.7 rebounds. Senior Guards Elijah Cheeks and [player_tooltip player_id='2625550' first='Terrence' last='Nord'] combining for 12 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much like Jeffersonville, Evansville Central suffered major loss to graduation from the Bears 20-5 team a year ago. Three players in double figures through four games to start the season led by 6'4” Junior Forward [player_tooltip player_id='2964484' first='Wyatt' last='Plisky'] at 13 points and nine rebounds. Junior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2269379' first='Cameron' last='Patterson'] follows at 10 points per game. The Bears get an experienced point guard in Castle Transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1561102' first='Donavin' last='Williams'] averaging 10 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. The X-Factor could be 6'4” Junior Wing [player_tooltip player_id='3037591' first='Milen' last='Garnett']. A physical left handed wing that can play inside-out averaging 8.5 points and 4.3 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->