Class 1A Preseason Favorites – Early October Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following the Charlie Hughes Showcase in June we took our first stab at some "way too early" season previews. We highlighted a handful of teams in each class that were legitimate contenders for their respective state championships. Then, at the end of July, we revisited the list and added some notes. Now that the calendar has turned to October and the season is within sight it seemed like a good time to revisit this discussion. Here are the preseason Class 1A favorites as of early October.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Barr-Reeve Vikings</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The reigning Class 1A State Champions are in a very good position to repeat. The Vikings return their top five scorers and only lose one primary rotation player. Rising senior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3045017' first='Kierson' last='Lengacher']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kierson-lengacher/"></a> </strong>is the headliner bringing back 14.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3148411' first='Jaylon' last='Graber']</strong>, a rising junior, averaged in double-figures as well with 10.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. Look for other rising juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2797665' first='Braxton' last='Neidigh']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/braxton-neidigh/"></a> </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3527814' first='Josh' last='Miller']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josh-miller-2/"></a> </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josh-miller-2/"></a> to take another leap as well. They averaged 9.9 points and 8.6 points per game respectively. Barr-Reeve has a culture of winning and they will likely have the most talented Class 1A roster in the state next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***7/28 Update - The defending state champions went 3-1 at Charlie Hughes with their lone loss coming to a good Class 3A team in Bishop Chatard. The backcourt duo of Lengacher and Graber is going to be a lot to handle at the 1A level. At the end of the day, the Vikings are a well-oiled machine. It is a group that is accustomed to winning, but defending a title is never easy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***10/2 Update - We will be visiting Barr-Reeve for a practice very soon which will give us a more behind-the-scenes look at the Vikings. However, there aren't going to be many surprises this season. The state championship core from 2025-2026 is fully intact for 2026-2027. These guys know how to win at the highest level and certainly have the pieces to repeat as champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cloverdale Clovers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Having a 6'9" dominant interior presence at the Class 1A level can serve as a cheat code. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2617833' first='Ishmael' last='Kiteka']</strong>, a rising junior center with Division I offers and interest, averaged 20.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.2 blocks per game last season. However, Cloverdale has more to be excited about than just their superstar big man. They also return their next four leading scorers including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3493161' first='Trey' last='Schabel']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trey-schabel/"></a> </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3028141' first='Donavin' last='Newby']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/donavin-newby/"></a> </strong>who averaged 11.5 points and 11.3 points per game respectively. Look for 6'1" rising junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2797122' first='Toby' last='Hart']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/toby-hart/"></a> </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/toby-hart/"></a> to step into a larger role this coming season as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***7/28 Update - As long as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2617833' first='Ishmael' last='Kiteka']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ishmael-kiteka/"></a> continues to walk through the door you can expect Cloverdale to be a tough out at the Class 1A level. However, both Schabel and Newby have had great summers to help take some of the pressure off of the 6'9" superstar center. The Clovers were impressive at Charlie Hughes and throughout the month of June.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***10/2 Update - [player_tooltip player_id='2617833' first='Ishmael' last='Kiteka'] keeps getting better and better. The 6'9" center will be the most dominant Class 1A player in the state. He gives Cloverdale something different than any other team. However, their backcourt isn't bad either. The Clovers ability to compete for a state championship will likely come down to how well their guards can make teams pay for the attention that will be paid to Kiteka.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Liberty Christian Lions</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a team that has been knocking on the door for several years now. The Lions have won three consecutive Regional titles, but haven't yet punched their ticket to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. A talented Class of 2027 will now be seniors so the time is now for them to make their run. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140408' first='Kendrick' last='Martin']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kendrick-martin/"></a> </strong>will be one of the best players at the Class 1A level bringing back 17.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. Fellow rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2267054' first='Tywaine' last='Fuller Jr']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tywaine-fuller/"></a> </strong>. has been a big part of all three Regional championship teams as well. The dynamic playmaking point guard averaged 9.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per game last season. Look for rising sophomore Kamaries Allen and rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3472328' first='Marcus' last='Boyd']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/marcus-boyd-2/"></a> </strong>to take steps into larger roles this season as well. Liberty Christian will be hungry to finish their climb to the mountain top this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***7/28 Update - Liberty Christian was probably the most talented Class 1A team in the state already. However, now they added senior guard&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194824' first='Antonio' last='Baymon']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/antonio-baymon/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;who moved back to the Hoosier state from Florida. The 6'0" guard is an explosive scorer who put up 35 points in a contest at Charlie Hughes. Adding him to an already super talented Class 1A roster could make the Lions the favorite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***10/2 Update - The last time we updated this article Liberty Christian added [player_tooltip player_id='2194824' first='Antonio' last='Baymon']. Now, since then, they have brought back TJ English who was a start on their Semi-State teams as a freshman and sophomore before spending last season at Bishop Luers. The addition of those two players to an already talented roster makes them the most talented team in Class 1A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Marquette Catholic Blazers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning your top two scorers is a really good place to start when building a winner. Marquette Catholic went 19-8 last season, while playing one of the toughest 1A schedules in the state as usual, and won a Sectional Championship while leaning heavily on the backcourt duo of&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2368903' first='Vaughn' last='Rael-Kludt']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/vaughn-rael-kludt/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/vaughn-rael-kludt/"></a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2414957' first='Josiah' last='Mays']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josiah-mays/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;</strong>. Rael-Kludt averaged 15.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 2.8 steals per game while Mays added 15.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. Alongside those two talented rising juniors, the Blazers are set to add rising sophomore&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2361891' first='Izzy' last='Hutcheson']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/izzy-hutcheson/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/izzy-hutcheson/"></a>&nbsp;who should make an immediate impact as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***7/28 Update - The Blazers picked up two quality wins at the Charlie Hughes Showcase and will have the backcourt firepower to matchup with the best of the best. They are always battle tested and capable of making a postseason run. Based on what we have seen this summer they will absolutely be a Top 5 Class 1A team in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***10/2 Update - Hutcheson has transferred to Wheeler, but there is still a lot to be excited about with this group. Rael-Kludt and Mays will give them an excellent backcourt capable of keeping up with anyone at the 1A level. However, it remains to be seen if the Blazers have the depth of some of the other contenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rossville Hornets</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the Class 1A level a couple of star players can make all of the difference. Rossville, a reigning Sectional champion, will feature one of the top scorers in the state in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2414956' first='Brayden' last='Thiele-Hahn']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brayden-thiele-hahn/"></a> </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brayden-thiele-hahn/"></a> and very good running mate in Aiden Schaumburg. Thiele-Hahn averaged 22.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game as a junior while Schaumberg put up 13.1 points per game. Overall, the Hornets are set to return their top four scorers from last season's 20-win team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***7/28 Update - We watched Rossville play North Vermillion, another team we considered as a Class 1A contender, at the Charlie Hughes Showcase and the Hornets won 82-43. Summer scores should always be taken with a (massive) grain of salt, but it was still an eye-opener. Thiele-Hahn and Schaumburg are an incredibly impressive duo and there are other talented pieces as well. Rossville is going to win a ton of games this coming season and could make some serious postseason noise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***10/2 Update - There isn't much new to discuss when it comes to Rossville. They were very good at Charlie Hughes and Thiele-Hahn gives them the star power to compete every night out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Teams to Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Decatur, Monroe Central, North Vermillion, Tri, Trinity Lutheran, Triton, West Washington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***7/28 Update - Tri had an excellent summer and Trinity Lutheran has the horsepower to keep up with anyone. Those two teams probably head the best month of June amongst this group of additional contenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->