June Scholastic Period Recap | Top Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The June Scholastic Period has officially come and gone, and it once again provided a great opportunity to evaluate some of the top high school programs in the Midwest. Over the course of the month, I had the chance to watch many of the premier teams from Indiana and Kentucky compete against high-level competition, giving an early glimpse at who could be positioned for special seasons this winter. Here are the teams that stood out the most and left the biggest impression during the June Scholastic Period:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Evansville North Huskies</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Got to see a couple times this June, and though they will be a bit inexperienced due to graduation, they are in good hands with Senior Point Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2140367' first='Greg' last='Pieterek'] returning. He is really the straw that stirs the drink and will be a vital piece in keeping the Huskies near the top of the SIAC and as sectional contenders. Though inexperienced, Evansville North will bring a trio of talented 2028 players in [player_tooltip player_id='3177207' first='Jelani' last='McGee'], [player_tooltip player_id='3441586' first='Jacoby' last='Cooper'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2382147' first='Markell' last='Cayce'] up from a talented JV team that went 17-5 last season. 2028 Guard [player_tooltip player_id='3268965' first='Gavin' last='Vignolo'] also returns with varsity experience as an excellent catch and shoot threat. 6'7” 2027 Center [player_tooltip player_id='3675115' first='Andrew' last='Smith'] is a wild card as a raw prospect getting his first minutes for the varsity action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Louisville Ballard Bruins</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What will almost certainly be a Top 5 team in the state of Kentucky, Louisville Ballard is full of absolute studs that will surely play at the Division I level led by 7'0” 2029 Five-Star Center [player_tooltip player_id='2851845' first='Mason' last='Grivna']. Grivna is a balanced two-way big man that impacts the game in the paint with his rebounding and shot blocking as well as an inside-out big man with good footwork around the basket and shooting ability from the outside. The Bruins return two future Division 1 guards in 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2529549' first='Baron' last='Clay'] and 2029 [player_tooltip player_id='2459420' first='Qyntin' last='Woods']. Clay is a hard nosed guard that recently picked up an offer from the University of Evansville. Woods is a talented 6'3” combo guard that just makes winning plays. The Bruins will be able to throw on the floor legitimate matchup problems with size as 6'9” 2028 W/F [player_tooltip player_id='2396084' first='Jackson' last='Strite'] is a floor spacer offensively while also being length and size around the rim defensively. The Bruins are a youthful experienced team that will head into next season with championship aspirations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fishers Tigers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miles Wayer takes over the helm for the Fishers Tigers program that has set the standard for winning in the last three years. Led by the best backcourt in the state in 2027 duo of 5'10” [player_tooltip player_id='2140345' first='Cooper' last='Zachary'] and 6'1” [player_tooltip player_id='2267046' first='Jason' last='Gardner Jr.'] Zachary has been arguably the best shooter in the state in his career while also playing the majority of last season at his natural point guard position with the injury to Gardner Jr. Gardner Jr is the best driver of the basketball in the entire state and one could argue the country. Elite speed and quickness and an uncanny ability to get in the lane and finish. The Tigers also return one of the highest stock risers in the state in 6'4” 2027 Wing [player_tooltip player_id='2470635' first='Levi' last='Walker']. Breakout junior season to go along with a strong spring, Walker will be a handful as a third option for what could be the preseason #1 team in 4A. The Tigers also return a duo of 2029 prospects in 6'8” Forward [player_tooltip player_id='3666055' first='Max' last='Hopkins'] and 6'2” Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2860080' first='Tristan' last='Breland'] that will have more impactful roles this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Silver Creek Dragons</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not often you talk about a team that loses multiple Division I recruits from a season ago, but still be primed to start the season potentially in the top spot in 3A. Recent Belmont Commit [player_tooltip player_id='2140328' first='Brandon' last='Hunter'] returns as the state's leading assist man after averaging 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 10.5 assists on his way to being selected as an Indiana Junior All-Star. The Dragons are loaded with senior returners with legit size. Brody McGlaughlin, a 6'5” Wing/Forward is a returning starter that is one of the best defenders in the state. 6'9” Forward [player_tooltip player_id='2831121' first='Lucas' last='Linderman'] and 6'7” Forward [player_tooltip player_id='2436214' first='Donovan' last='Whitehead'] will form a two headed monster in the paint. They also have two talented 2028's moving up from the JV in 6'7” Forward [player_tooltip player_id='3038275' first='Aiden' last='Makun'], who is an athletic freak whose best days are still ahead of him with untapped potential and 6'6” Wing [player_tooltip player_id='3038274' first='Evan' last='Renn'] who will bring consistent shooting to the Dragons. Once again, Coach Brandon Hoffman and the Silver Creek Dragons will be among the favorites to cut down the nets in 3A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Other Notable Teams</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Austin Eagles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Barr-Reeve Vikings</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Carmel Greyhounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Chesterton Trojans</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Evansville Bosse Bulldogs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Louisville Male Bulldogs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• North Oldham Mustangs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Terre Haute North Patriots</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->