Charlie Hughes Showcase Preview – 5 Underrated Matchups to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is no better event on the calendar from an evaluation or recruiting standpoint than the annual IBCA/IHSAA Charlie Hughes Showcase. This weekend, which is a live evaluation period for Division I college coaches, most of the best teams in the state of Indiana will descend on Carmel and Westfield High Schools for an absolutely excellent three days of basketball. Prep Hoops Indiana will have boots on the ground coverage from the opening tip-off to the final buzzer. However, before the event even starts, we will be rolling out content all week long to preview this outstanding event. Let's dive on in and take a look at 5 underrated matchups to watch this weekend.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kokomo vs East Chicago Central</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Day:&nbsp;</strong>Friday</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Time:</strong>&nbsp;1:30 PM EDT</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location:</strong>&nbsp;Carmel High School(Gold)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kokomo</strong> <strong>Players to Watch:</strong>&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='3044974' first='Daniel' last='Gak'], [player_tooltip player_id='2882250' first='Josphat' last='Kanyinda'], [player_tooltip player_id='2556654' first='Javier' last='Bowens'], [player_tooltip player_id='2135089' first='Erivon' last='Burks'], [player_tooltip player_id='2468939' first='DJ' last='Nash'], [player_tooltip player_id='2560249' first='Austin' last='Moos']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/payton-rhinehart/"></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Chicago Central Players to Watch:</strong>&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='3040513' first='Justin' last='Bennett'], [player_tooltip player_id='2918106' first='Naji' last='Meux'], [player_tooltip player_id='2888361' first='Mekhi' last='Gillis'], [player_tooltip player_id='3033260' first='Zayden' last='Johnson'], Juell Bryant<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/holden-prall/"></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quick Breakdown: </strong>This is real interesting matchup between two teams that are looking to make some noise this weekend at Charlies Hughes. One of the first games on Friday, Kokomo brings back a real solid core led by stud junior [player_tooltip player_id='2468939' first='DJ' last='Nash'] and will be taking on the younger unit of East Chicago Central. It will be real interesting to see Nash go up against one of the top 2029 prospects we have in the state in Naji Muex. This could be a real momentum type of game for each team to get the weekend started. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bremen vs Barr-Reeve</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Day:&nbsp;</strong>Friday</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Time:</strong>&nbsp;7:30 PM EDT</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location:</strong>&nbsp;Westfield High School(Main)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bremen</strong> <strong>Players to Watch:</strong>&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='2414954' first='Chase' last='Devine'], Riley Tener, Bryce Miller, [player_tooltip player_id='3586736' first='Espen' last='Simpson'], Owyn Nunemaker, Santos Rodriguez<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/payton-rhinehart/"></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Barr-Reeve</strong> <strong>Players to Watch:</strong>&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='3045017' first='Kierson' last='Lengacher'], [player_tooltip player_id='3148411' first='Jaylon' last='Graber'], [player_tooltip player_id='3527814' first='Josh' last='Miller'], [player_tooltip player_id='2797665' first='Braxton' last='Neidigh'], Carson Yoder, Miller Thompson<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/holden-prall/"></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quick Breakdown: </strong>In many of ways, this could be the best 1A vs 2A matchup throughout the entire weekend. This will be one of the first chances to see the regaining Class 1A State Champions Barr-Reeve take the floor since they cut down the nets. They will get challenged early on this weekend when they face a Bremen team that is looking to make a deep run in northern part of Class 2A led by one of the top scorers in the state in Chase DeVvne. It will be fun to watch Devine go upcast the duo of [player_tooltip player_id='3045017' first='Kierson' last='Lengacher'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2797665' first='Braxton' last='Neidigh']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Decatur Central vs Anderson</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Day:&nbsp;</strong>Saturday</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Time:</strong>&nbsp;9:00 AM EDT</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location:</strong>&nbsp;Carmel High School (Fieldhouse 1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Decatur Central</strong> <strong>Players to Watch:</strong>&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='2140420' first='Nash' last='Sigmund'], [player_tooltip player_id='2560619' first='Makeil' last='Baker'], [player_tooltip player_id='2194347' first='Devin' last='Colbert'], [player_tooltip player_id='2539816' first='Lavell' last='Love']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/payton-rhinehart/"></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Anderson</strong> <strong>Players to Watch:</strong>&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='2622026' first='Kaijir' last='Boyd'], [player_tooltip player_id='2538870' first='Don' last='Bowling III'], [player_tooltip player_id='2538885' first='Ray' last='Bowling'], [player_tooltip player_id='2797660' first='Manu' last='Jackson']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/holden-prall/"></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quick Breakdown: </strong>Anderson will face Decatur Central in an early matchup on Saturday morning and it will be a matchup between two under-the-radar teams in Class 4A. It is no secret that [player_tooltip player_id='2797660' first='Manu' last='Jackson'] has been one of the breakout players the 2028 class for Anderson and with the return of twin brother [player_tooltip player_id='2538870' first='Don' last='Bowling III'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2538885' first='Ray' last='Bowling'], Anderson has the trio to be really good next season. Decatur Central returns a real solid core in both [player_tooltip player_id='2140420' first='Nash' last='Sigmund'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2560619' first='Makeil' last='Baker'] and has the pieces to surprise some people this weekend at Charlie Hughes. This game will have a lot of talent on the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Plainfield vs Austin</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Day:&nbsp;</strong>Sunday</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Time:</strong>&nbsp;12:20 PM EDT</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location:</strong>&nbsp;Westfield High School(Fieldhouse Court 4)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Plainfield</strong> <strong>Players to Watch:</strong>&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='2267048' first='Harper' last='Baker-Lands']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/payton-rhinehart/"></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Austin</strong> <strong>Players to Watch:</strong>&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='2636078' first='Micah' last='Mohler'], [player_tooltip player_id='2538909' first='Tracen' last='Roush'], [player_tooltip player_id='3626117' first='Braysen' last='Russell']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/holden-prall/"></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quick Breakdown: </strong>There are not very many Class 4A vs 2A matchups this weekend at Charlies Hughes, but if we are being honest here, this a true player vs player matchup that is super exciting on paper. Incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='2267048' first='Harper' last='Baker-Lands'] returns for Plainfield and will go up against the top in-state prospect in the 2029 class in [player_tooltip player_id='2636078' first='Micah' last='Mohler']. We know how truly productive Baker-Lands is and while Plainfield will look a lot different from last season, there is no denying he the guy for them. Mohler will get a chance to go up against one of the top guards in the state but make sure to keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='2538909' first='Tracen' last='Roush'] and Brayden Russell for Austin, as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bedford North Lawrence vs Crispus Attucks</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Day:&nbsp;</strong>Sunday</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Time:</strong>&nbsp;1:30 PM EDT</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location:</strong>&nbsp;Westfield Intermediate School (Court 1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bedford</strong> <strong>Players to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2116874' first='Parker' last='Kern'], [player_tooltip player_id='2140375' first='Jace' last='Nicholson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2382157' first='Easton' last='Moore'], [player_tooltip player_id='2897037' first='Riley' last='Blake Pruett'], [player_tooltip player_id='2955283' first='Cruz' last='Gomez'], [player_tooltip player_id='3033848' first='Hudson' last='Kern'], [player_tooltip player_id='3664580' first='Colt' last='Robbins']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/payton-rhinehart/"></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Crispus Attucks</strong> <strong>Players to Watch:</strong>&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='2470631' first='Octavius' last='Comer'], [player_tooltip player_id='2987571' first='Markel' last='Gray'], [player_tooltip player_id='2907634' first='Corde' last='Hill'], Donell Dawson, Beau Jester<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/holden-prall/"></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quick Breakdown: </strong>One of the best things about Charlie Hughes is getting a chance to see matchups that you do not normally get a chance to see during the regular season, and one of those games is Bedford vs Crispus Attucks. Both of these teams will each be looking a little different than a season with BNL looking to have a much more improved season than a year ago with a better roster and Crispus Attucks having a new group with a few returning guys looking to have breakout years in much more increased roles. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2116874' first='Parker' last='Kern'] comes back as the leader for BNL and incoming freshman [player_tooltip player_id='3664580' first='Colt' last='Robbins'] is a very promising prospect for the Stars. For the Tigers of Crispus Attucks, look for guys such as [player_tooltip player_id='2470631' first='Octavius' last='Comer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2907634' first='Corde' last='Hill'] to be guys that could step up in huge ways. You will learn a lot of about each team in this game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->