Havoc in the Heartland: Sunday Stars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The annual Havoc in the Heartland packed quite a punch into its two-day schedule. I'll cover surrounding states later in the week. However, we'll wrap up daily coverage with the home team. The field was dominated by standouts from the Hoos..</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the event shifting to Lafayette, perhaps I should drop the gridiron championship moniker and Boiler up a little. But I digress. This Michigan scout will play it safe and identify eight Indiana standouts broken down by class. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2026 </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>R'Mello Watson 6-0 Phelan Leadership Academy </strong>Led Indy Jazz to a perfect 4-0 record on the weekend. Is a legitimate point guard prospect but is built like a tank. While the physicality is jarring, was also a good shooter from beyond the arc. Got his shot off quickly with a compact but smooth release. Explosive athletically with a quick first step. Got to the basket at will as defenses had to stay honest on him. Absorbed contact on penetration and finished through contact. I wish I could have stayed for the Jazz' close final victory as they were untested in the games I watched. Type of athlete that should have options with some sport at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gavin Pritzel 6-7 Lafayette Jerfferson </strong>Did everything for an Indiana Falcons squad that went 3-1 on the weekend. Standout contest that I watched was a 27-point outing in close victory over Primetime 219. This outburst largely came in winning time as he only has eight points at the half. At this level of grassroots play is kind of positionless player. Does a little bit of everything on a lanky but not overly skinny 6-7 frame. Good ball handler and passer for his size. Able to initiate offense and make plays for others. As an out of state scout, I'm not totally up to speed with the lay of the recruiting landscape in Indiana. Like Waston (see above) I would think he could have options somewhere at the next level</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2027 </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2807644' first='Paul' last='Ridgway'] <strong>6-7 Sullivan (pictured)</strong> Like Pritzel (see above) a positionless prospect who had a good weekend with a Distinxion squad that went 3-1 on the weekend. While his versatility was readily evident. By the mere eye test, this a big boy who looks like a straight up post prospect. Once the game starts, the advanced ball skills and deceptive athleticism standout. Is a good ball handler and passer. Also has a smooth and fluid release from the perimeter. Fundamentally sound player who seems to know and play his role well. Probably could have looked for his shot a little more. I don't write that sentence often in this job. Finished off his weekend with an impressive dunk in transition that showed the above the rim bounce. The lefty was also an excellent shooter from beyond the arc. Particularly in the corners. Finished with 28 points in his final outing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3044974' first='Daniel' last='Gak'] 6-5 Kokomo </strong>A key part of a Progeny-2 unit that went undefeated on the weekend. Including an endurance defying 3-0 gauntlet in a tight window on Sunday. Gak is the upside pick on this list. Looks to be far from a finished product. Is explosive around the rim and a plus defender already. Good lateral quickness and got up and down the court quickly. The offense is well ahead of the defense at this point in his development. Caught and finished some difficult lobs on Sunday. The perimeter shot did not look to be a major part of his game at the moment. That being said, when fouled looked comfortable at the line. He might take some time to become a finished product. However, with the bounce and length, could make a patient college coach happy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3589697' first='Owen' last='Garber'] 6-1 Lapel </strong>The [program_tooltip program_id='2847679' first='Refined' last='Indiana'] 17U squad featured an outstanding shooting backcourt. While Garber is technically apart of that. Their thin rotation (only six players this weekend) and smaller frontline gave him an added element. Held up down low against bigger players. Seemed more comfortable in that role on Sunday than he did Saturday. Exploited this size advantage on the other end with aggressive penetration. Put up 15 points in his team's dramatic victory over Progeny-3. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2028 </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2859684' first='Evan' last='Magsamen'] 6-5 Noblesville </strong>A no-frills old-school post who had a good weekend for a [program_tooltip program_id='2847679' first='Refined' last='Indiana'] 16U squad that went undefeated on the weekend. Did not mind contact and fought hard for deep post position. Thick and beefy frame that he had no problem throwing around. Belied the lineman's frame by showing a soft touch around the basket with good overall ball skills. Averaged a double double on the weekend. Standout contest for me was 12-point outing against [program_tooltip program_id='3587267' first='Indiana' last='Impact']-Leighton. But the numbers only tell a part of the story. Walled up and provided excellent rim protection. Also set a litany of punishing screens to get shooters open. Along with 2027 guards and fellow [program_tooltip program_id='2847679' first='Refined' last='Indiana'] products [player_tooltip player_id='2853946' first='Luke' last='Schelle'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2560646' first='Sunjay' last='Narsinghani'] the Millers (great mascot, wanting to use it for years) should have a nice inside/out combo next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3563765' first='Justin' last='Fowler'] 6-3 Northview </strong>Playing up a grade level with a previously mentioned strong Distinxion 17U unit. Fowler showed upside and potential. For starters, you would have no clue he was playing up unless you had a program. Physically advanced wing who plays taller than his listed height due to his length. Moves around the perimeter easily and with purpose. Both off the ball and with a nice handle. Good elevation on his jump shot with a well-schooled release point. While I didn't necessarily see it this weekend. I would imagine he is capable of playing above the rim with his athleticism. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2029 </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2873440' first='Ayden' last='Huggins'] 6-9 New Albany </strong>I began the weekend impressed with the size of Progeny 15 UA Rise"s frontcourt on Saturday morning. On Sunday I decided to head over to Lafayette Jefferson high school to catch a Michigan squad. That was game was cancelled. While I liked [player_tooltip player_id='2892383' first='Corey' last='Brown'] (Gary Lighthouse) on Sunday. Huggins stood out against [program_tooltip program_id='2076166' first='Grand' last='Park Premier']. You have to start with the size. It's eye opening. Our database says 6-10, the info I was given said 6-8. I'm going to split the difference at 6-9. Either way you look at it. This is 15U basketball. This is a big kid. Has long arms and broad shoulders that help him play even bigger. Fluid athlete who ran the court well. Seems to know who he is is and did not stray from the paint much. Showed a soft touch around the basket with good hands. Fluid athlete who ran the court well. Simply put, a high upside prospect to monitor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->