Way Too Early Preview – Four Sleeper Teams to Watch, Class 1A-3A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We recently revisited the "way too early" previews that we released prior to the Charlie Hughes Showcase. In this update we gave fresh takes on the top five state title contenders in each class along with some additional teams to watch. We also released a first look at a "way too early" summer edition of the Prep Hoops Indiana Top 20 Super Poll. Now let's dive even deeper and highlight five additional teams beyond any of those that have been mentioned yet that could make some noise in various classes this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bowman Academy Eagles</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There has been enough success over the years at Bowman Academy that it is impossible for them to truly fly under-the-radar. However, they could be another sneaky contender in an absolutely loaded Class 1A Sectional 49 field. Kouts, Marquette Catholic, and Washington Township all might enter the season with higher expectations on paper, but [player_tooltip player_id='2561161' first='Quentavious' last='Fly'] is one of the most talented Class 1A players in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='3028528' first='Malachi' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3657686' first='Kevin' last='Turner'] each got valuable experience as freshmen last season. Additionally, rising junior Edwin Hogan El returns as their second leading scorer from a year ago. Don't count out the Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Culver Academy Eagles</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It wouldn't be crazy to say that Culver Academy could be the favorite in Class 3A Sectional 19. Mishawka Marian needed three overtime periods to keep the Eagles from cutting down the nets last season. 6'8" rising senior big man [player_tooltip player_id='2882227' first='Tomislav' last='Kostelac'] is a load inside and rising junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2617862' first='Cole' last='Welton'] had a breakout summer. Additionally, rising sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='3033255' first='JT' last='Rink'] and Thomas Oliver-Overmyer should be ready to step into larger roles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jasper Wildcats</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a lot of buzz surrounding Gibson Southern entering the 2026-2027 season and rightfully so. However, Japser defeated them twice last season and, like Gibson Southern, returns a lot of their primary production. The Wildcats bring back rising senior Jaylen Manners who will once again be one of the best players in the area. Averaged 14.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game last season. Rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='3663314' first='Riley' last='Foy'] is another key returner who averaged 12.6 points per game a year ago. This team has quietly had a good deal of success lately and could be a real disruptor in Class 3A Sectional 31.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lapel Bulldogs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Did you know Lapel has won 18, 18, and 21 games the last three seasons? Did you know they made the Class 2A North Semi-State last season and came up just short against Westview? There is a strong recent track record of success. The Bulldogs were hit pretty hard by graduation losing five primary rotation players, but returning your best player from a Semi-State team is a good starting point. Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='3589697' first='Owen' last='Garber'] averaged 16.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assist, and 2.8 steals per game last season. Rising junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2897669' first='Liam' last='Ko'] is set to step into a larger role as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->