3 For 3: Week Eight Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025-26 high school boys' basketball season is underway and it is the eighth 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":["1560969"],"_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-6962b774a7338"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Arguably the best big man prospect that is still available in the in-state 2026 class is Gary West center [player_tooltip player_id='1560969' first='Tyler' last='Crews']. Crews has been a major factor for the 2A Gary West Cougars due to his legit size and impact he makes around the basket. He is a guy that always has double-double potential and the upside for him to play at the next level -- at any level -- is high. Watch him this week when he plays Andrean and Bowman Academy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2266897"],"_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-6962b774a73b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It is a known fact that the Pike Red Devils are one of the more talented teams in the state this season and one of the more overlooked players on that squad is junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2266897' first='Kenneth' last='Lampley']. Lamprey has been a solid piece for Pike this year with his size and versatility on the wing. One of the more athletic players on the team, Lampley does a good job of making plays in the lane while also being capable of hitting the outside ball. This week, Pike will compete in the Marion County Tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2560420"],"_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-6962b774a73fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the top pure scorers in the in-state 2028 class is [player_tooltip player_id='2560420' first='Will' last='Davison'] out of New Palestine. As of this writing, Davison is averaging a team in both points and rebounds with 21.3 ppg and 5.1 rpg. Long term, Davison will be viewed as a shooter but right now, he scores at all levels at a very high level. This week, watch Davison vs Pendleton Heights and Avon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Teams</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carmel (4A) –&nbsp;</strong>Even though they are pretty much a top three team in Class 4A right now, it still feels like the Carmel Greyhounds are a team that still does not get talked about enough. Right now, the Greyhounds are 9-0 on the year and will be looking to improve to 11-0 when they face Plainfield and Columbus North this week. The main man for them as expected is Bellermaine signee [player_tooltip player_id='1560952' first='Evan' last='Harrell'] but guard [player_tooltip player_id='2140341' first='Cash' last='Daniels'] has been an x-factor for them in so many ways. Throw in their surrounding cast, this is a real complete team that can challenge Fishers in Sectional 8 potentially, </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Columbia City</strong> <strong>(3A) –</strong>  There is no question about it that the Columbia City Eagles are one of the best teams in all of Class 3A and are a title contender. Right now, they sit at 10-1 on the year with their only loss coming vs South Bend Adams last month. Since then, they have railed off 4 more wins and will be winning a lot more before this season is over with. Bethel signee [player_tooltip player_id='2471421' first='Owen' last='Marshall'] and Huntington University signee [player_tooltip player_id='2837583' first='Landon' last='Richmond'] are the main guys for them and the Eagles are building off the tone that they set. This week, they have Huntington North and Warsaw.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blackford</strong>&nbsp;<strong>(2A) –&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;One of the few unbeaten teams in the entire state are the Blackford Bruins and with that, they look like a Class 2A State Championship contender. The Bruins are 11-0 on the year and a big part of that is the play of sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2539991' first='Amarian' last='Leggett'] with his 25.6 points per game. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2892519' first='Mason' last='Kitterman'] has also been a stud for them with his 14.2 points. This week they will look to improve to 13-0 with matchups vs Mississinewa and Winchester. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Matchups</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bloomington South (4A) at Bloomington North (4A) - Jan. 12th, 7:30&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is one thing for sure and that is both Bloomington North and South are not friends of one-another but luckily for us, these two teams will compete on the hardwood this week. This is one of the best rivalries in the southern Indiana region of the state and when these two teams have talent like they both do, it makes this game even more of a must-watch. Both North and South come into this game with a winning record and and have a strong chance to compete in Sectional 13. The matchup of [player_tooltip player_id='2140349' first='Derrick' last='Cross Jr']. and [player_tooltip player_id='2381200' first='Levi' last='Lindeman'] vs South's [player_tooltip player_id='1561042' first='Jack' last='Clark'] and their front court will be a very interesting one. I like North to protect their home floor here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zionsville (4A) at Parke Heritage (2A) - Jan. 17th, 7:30&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game looks to be one of the more interesting ones this week with both Zionsville and Parke Heritage looking to get massive wins. Although they stand at 6-6 currently, Zionsville has gotten some nice wins this year and have proven to be a tougher team than probably most people expected being led by junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2140338' first='Camden' last='Moore'] with 13.9 points per game. Parke Heritage, on the other hand, is proving to be a contender in Class 2A as expected with their big three in [player_tooltip player_id='1560965' first='Treigh' last='Schelsky'], [player_tooltip player_id='2272232' first='Isaac' last='Pickel'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2140339' first='Carter' last='Crum']. This will be a really good game to keep an eye on. Give my Parke Heritage in a close one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marion County Tournament, 1/13-1/17</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is the start of the Marion County Tournament and it is expected to be one of the top in-season tournaments once again this season. Here is the full schedule of the first round and my projected winners (bold).</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>Jan. 13</td><td>1</td><td>Indianapolis Lutheran</td><td>at</td><td><strong>Park Tudor</strong> </td><td colspan="2">6:30 pm</td><td>Park Tudor</td><td>R1</td></tr><tr><td>Jan. 13</td><td>2</td><td>Franklin Central </td><td>at</td><td><strong>Southport </strong></td><td colspan="2">6:30 pm</td><td>Southport</td><td>R1</td></tr><tr><td>Jan. 13</td><td>3</td><td><strong>Lawrence North </strong></td><td>at</td><td>North Central (Indianapolis) </td><td colspan="2">6:30 pm</td><td>North Central</td><td>R1</td></tr><tr><td>Jan. 13</td><td>4</td><td>Perry Meridian</td><td>at</td><td><strong>Indianapolis Roncalli</strong> </td><td colspan="2">6:30 pm</td><td>Roncalli</td><td>R1</td></tr><tr><td>Jan. 13</td><td>5</td><td><strong>Decatur Central </strong></td><td>at</td><td>Speedway</td><td colspan="2">6:30 pm</td><td>Speedway</td><td>R1</td></tr><tr><td>Jan. 13</td><td>6</td><td><strong>Pike</strong></td><td>at</td><td>Brebeuf Jesuit </td><td colspan="2">6:30 pm</td><td>Brebeuf Jesuit</td><td>R1</td></tr><tr><td>Jan. 13</td><td>7</td><td><strong>Ben Davis </strong></td><td>at</td><td>Warren Central </td><td colspan="2">6:30 pm</td><td>Warren Central</td><td>R1</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table -->