Prep Hoops Indiana State Tournament – Ramsey’s Sunday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the perfect event to culminate a busy spring. Believe it or not, the Prep Hoops Circuit has been roaring for two months now. We've followed the circuit around from Chicago, to Indianapolis, to Lafayette and everywhere in between. Now, before heading into the June scholastic period, it is time to crown some champions. This weekend we are hosting the annual Prep Hoops Indiana State Tournament at The Farmers Bank Fieldhouse in Lebanon. Let's empty out the notebook with some takeaways from championship Sunday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='2400093' first='Indiana' last='Elite Team Tradition'] Cruises to 17u Title</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group went undefeated on the weekend, including rattling off three victories on Sunday, to win the Prep Hoops Indiana State Tournament 17u championship. They beat a good [program_tooltip program_id='2076924' first='EG10' last=''] team 78-58 win the semifinals and then a very talented Indiana Basketball Club group 77-61 in the championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2125697' first='Reece' last='McKee'] (New Albany H.S. 2027) was excellent on Sunday just as he had been all weekend. The lightning quick point guard was able to consistently beat his man off of the dribble, collect paint touches consistently, and score with an impressive pop of athleticism at the end of his drives. McKee is also one of the best on-ball defenders that you'll find in Indiana's Class of 2027. He was a standout all weekend long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big man [player_tooltip player_id='2140379' first='Jackson' last='Gordon'] (Brownsburg H.S. 2027) had a strong showing on championship Sunday as well. The 6'9" center was a real difference-maker around the basket in [program_tooltip program_id='2400093' first='Indiana' last='Elite Team Tradition']'s win over Indiana Basketball Club in the championship game. Whether he was finishing offensive rebound putback's, scoring out of the dunker's spot on a dump off pass, or finishing his right hand over left shoulder hook shot Gordon was a consistent force inside. He also made several good looking three-point shots over the course of the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='2076924' first='EG10' last=''] Collects the 16u Championship</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We had the opportunity to watch this group a couple of times over the weekend including on Sunday when they picked up a trio of victories to win the Prep Hoops Indiana State Tournament 16u championship. They narrowly got past [program_tooltip program_id='2559412' first='Marlin' last='Academy'] (P32) 69-67 in the semifinals before beating Indiana Elite - Elliot 60-54 to win the title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2539928' first='Quintyn' last='Voltz'] (Princeton Community H.S. 2028) was the best player on the best team all weekend long. Not only can the 6'1" guard make tough shots from the perimeter, but his ball handling allows him to consistently get by his man off of the bounce. Voltz proved himself as both a scorer and all-around playmaker while leading [program_tooltip program_id='2076924' first='EG10' last=''] to the 16u championship. He is one of the better pure offensive talents in Indiana's Class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3579629' first='Kamran' last='Bell'] (Lawrence North H.S. 2028) was force off of the dribble for [program_tooltip program_id='2076924' first='EG10' last=''] as well. He is so explosive end-to-end with the ball in his hands. You can always count on him to collapse the defense as he puts pressure on the rim as a driver. Pairing his explosiveness with the skill level of Voltz in the backcourt is a big reason why [program_tooltip program_id='2076924' first='EG10' last=''] came away as the 16u champions at the Prep Hoops Indiana State Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='2559412' first='Marlin' last='Academy'] (P32) 15u Wins it All</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a [program_tooltip program_id='2559412' first='Marlin' last='Academy'] heavy semifinals at the 15u level of the Prep Hoops Indiana State Tournament. All three of their 15u teams made it to the final four with [program_tooltip program_id='2559412' first='Marlin' last='Academy'] (P32) defeating [program_tooltip program_id='2559412' first='Marlin' last='Academy'] - Landis in one semifinal and [program_tooltip program_id='2076924' first='EG10' last=''] beating [program_tooltip program_id='2559412' first='Marlin' last='Academy'] - Carlson in the other semifinal. Then, in the championship game, [program_tooltip program_id='2559412' first='Marlin' last='Academy'] (P32) took down [program_tooltip program_id='2076924' first='EG10' last=''] 54-49.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest takeaway of the weekend from watching this [program_tooltip program_id='2559412' first='Marlin' last='Academy'] (P32) team is that [player_tooltip player_id='3626117' first='Braysen' last='Russell'] (Austin H.S. 2029) is one of the best shot-makers, pure scorers, and all-around playmakers in Indiana's Class of 2029. He is an elite three-point shooter, but also very crafty off of the bounce. Russell, who is transferring from Madison to Austin for his sophomore year, was absolutely outstanding while leading his team to the 15u title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2879982' first='JP' last='Siltz'] (Henryville H.S. 2029) was a consistent force for this group as well. The 6'3" forward finished with an impressive double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds in the championship game against [program_tooltip program_id='2076924' first='EG10' last='']. He is so skilled around the basket and understands how to use his footwork and leverage to score against bigger, more athletic defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->