Southwest Indiana X-Factors for their Team

With a little over a month until the IHSAA Tournament starts up, teams are rounding into form and becoming what their record says they are. Every team has their “Batman” and “Robin”, but to advance in the tournament, teams need that guy that steps up and is needed to play well in order to survive and advance. Here are eight potential X-Factors for Southwest Indiana teams heading into tournament time:    Ty is a crafty veteran guard that is just steady in every game. The young Harrison Warriors have overachieved a bit this season behind their two freshman stars in [player_tooltip player_id='3253027' first='Aiden' last='Terry'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2889976' first='Romyiez' last='Calvin'], but are looking for that consistent third guy, and the Warriors have a number of guys that could it. Choosng Ty in this situation is based off his experience in being a returning starter on a sectional championship team a year ago. He's a calming presence that plays unselfishly and if left open he will make you pay from the perimeter.     On a very talented and senior led Evansville North squad, [player_tooltip player_id='1561478' first='Lance' last='Smith'] has been a sensational glue guy. Not many weaknesses in his game, but his calling card is his insane motor. He makes plays all over the floor because he simply wants it more. Good defender that can guard multiple spots on the floor. He rebounds well outside of his area. On the offensive end, he's a good three-point shooter that also does the little things in the offense like setting good screens and is an excellent cutter off the ball. If Evansville North is to make a run, don't be surprised to see [player_tooltip player_id='1561478' first='Lance' last='Smith']'s name popping up.     A Southridge team that has had recent tourney success, but the majority of that tournament experience lost due to graduation, the Raiders continue to develop new roles with returning starter [player_tooltip player_id='1560966' first='Camden' last='Haywood'] and up and coming Junior Wing [player_tooltip player_id='2622135' first='Hudson' last='Montgomery'], a consistent threat from deep, arguably the most athletic player for the Raiders is [player_tooltip player_id='3429433' first='Sam' last='Gasser']. Long and lanky athlete that has the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Smooth three-point shooter that has also showed a slipperiness in getting in the lane. He's an inside-out threat and matchup problem due to his length and athleticism. For Southridge to get back to their winning ways in tournament time, this junior wing will need to be a big part of the process.     It's been a rough road for the Tecumseh Braves for a lot of the past decade , but it seems the talent is starting to blend with experience. No seniors on the roster this season, the Braves consistently play two juniors, three sophomores, and two freshman. Junior Guards [player_tooltip player_id='2882777' first='Damon' last='Oxley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3343955' first='Dax' last='Kramer'] will provide the majority of the scoring load night in and night out, but Sophomore Guard [player_tooltip player_id='3429553' first='Waylon' last='Riddle'] continues to get better and better every game. He's a smooth guard that plays through contact well and rarely gets sped up. He's comfortable playing on or off the ball and has a quick trigger from the three-point line that is becoming essentially automatic. He' does a good job playing on balance absorbing contact in the lane and able to finish with either hand around the basket. He's a high IQ defender with active hands that's capable of turning defense to offense in a hurry.The more aggressive he is this season will only help him, as well as the Braves preparing for next season when they should be ready to get back to winning in a big way.     In the first year of the Josh Wetzel Era at Heritage Hills, the Patriots have the talent to compete with any team in the area. With the Senior backcourt mates of recent Saint Francis Commit [player_tooltip player_id='1560951' first='Jake' last='Prior'] and Western Kentucky Baseball commit [player_tooltip player_id='1560979' first='Peyton' last='Gray'] to go with 6'6” Junior Forward [player_tooltip player_id='2140443' first='Tait' last='Wetzel'], the Patriots look to Junior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2140370' first='Gunner' last='Lubbehusen'] to run the point. The defensive minded 6'1” guard has played some of his best basketball in the games I've attended. He's a menace in the defensive end with quick feet and active hands that has the other team's guard in panic full court. Offensively he's a steady guard that is a heavy right hand driver when he tries to get in the lane. Has shown the ability to make good decisions off the bounce while balancing creating his own looks and opportunities for his teammates. He's been a consistent three-point shooter that has been a big improvement over the last couple years. He catches it on balance and is now shooting with a lot of confidence. Lubbehusen staying steady and playing turnover free will be huge for the Patriots as we get closer to tournament time.     Coming into the season, [player_tooltip player_id='2489643' first='Elijah' last='Eastwood'] was prepared to take a big step forward as the starting point guard at Evansville Bosse. Early season struggles haven't wavered his confidence though. The last few outings from the junior have been steps in the right direction as he's starting to play to his full potential as a defensive minded guard that impacts the game on both ends of the floor without having to need to score. He's a lightning quick guard that is one of the best on ball defenders in the area. He does a good job pressuring while staying out of foul trouble. Offensively, he's really good in the pick and roll where he's able to get downhill. He has good court vision making the right reads. Has shown a nice pull-up midrange jumper where he can stop on a dime and elevate over defenders. With the unknown injury status of [player_tooltip player_id='1760994' first='Dorion' last='Bowen'], the Evansville Bosse Bulldogs need Eastwood to show up in a big way down the stretch.     The Princeton Tigers have reloaded with talent behind Indiana Junior All-Star [player_tooltip player_id='1560964' first='Edwin' last='Holmes'] following a semi-state birth last season. Senior Point Guard DeMarcus Newson is a returning starter that brings stability. 6'6” Senior Transfer Forward [player_tooltip player_id='2892468' first='Drew' last='Wilkas'] brings much needed perimeter shooting while Sophomore 6'1” Guard Quintyn Vomtz provides another scoring punch in the backcourt. Outside of Wilkas, 6'3” Senior Wing [player_tooltip player_id='3429617' first='Zen' last='Coomer'] brings shot making ability that the Tigers will need if they are to achieve what they are looking to as a team. Long and lanky frame, Coomer is a smooth shooter that has in the gym range, and once he gets hot, he's scorching. In the past, he's a player that you know you will get shooting on the offensive end, but struggle defending due to a lack of physicality and sometimes flat out want to. The last couple games I've seen of Zen, he's done a better job of impacting the game in other ways besides his shooting. This is a big development as the season is winding down and Princeton is finding their groove.     The Gibson Southern Titans have been rolling this season with big time win after big time win behind their Big 3 of Senior Point Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2978386' first='Cam' last='Truxal'], and Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2891750' first='Reece' last='Runyan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2140411' first='Kolton' last='Schmitt']. The Titans have a few players that could be named the X-Factors, but I'm going with Junior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='3266681' first='Knoxx' last='Lamb']. He's a dynamic guard that does what the game has always been about; getting buckets. He's shifty with the ball in his hands and has the ability to score from anywhere on the floor. Plays with a confidence on the floor that isn't matched by many on the court. Really good in the pick and roll as a scorer and distributor. He uses change of speeds to his advantage where he can get all the way to the rim or can stop and pop in the midrange. Gibson Southern has scorers all over the floor, but there will be games down the stretch where buckets are tough to come by and Knoxx will carry them the offensive load to a victory.

With a little over a month until the IHSAA Tournament starts up, teams are rounding into form and becoming what their record says they are. Every team has their “Batman” and “Robin”, but to advance in the tournament, teams need that guy that steps up and is needed to play well in order to survive and advance. Here are eight potential X-Factors for Southwest Indiana teams heading into tournament time: