Class 2A 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 2A favorites as of early October.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Austin Eagles</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In early January this team was 2-6 with a few ugly, blowout losses. However, from that point on, they lost just three more times including in the Class 2A South Semi-State to Linton in overtime. Rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2636078' first='Micah' last='Mohler']</strong>, who is ranked as the #1 prospect in the Class of 2029 by Prep Hoops Indiana, brings back 21.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2538909' first='Tracen' last='Roush']</strong>, a rising junior, is one of the top catch-and-shoot threats in southern Indiana as well. Then, there is the addition of rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3626117' first='Braysen' last='Russell']</strong>. The transfer from Madison averaged 21.4 points per game as a freshman and was one of the most prolific three-point shooters in the state. This team has had a great summer and will have a strong case to be at the top of the preseason 2A rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***7/28 Update - Austin fell to Class 1A Liberty Christian and got punched in the mouth by Brebeuf Jesuit, but ended Charlie Hughes with an impressive win over Plainfield. There isn't a Class 2A team that has the firepower that the trio of Mohler, Roush, and Russell provide. Those guys don't operate completely alone either. This group is going to be very hard to beat in the south.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***/8/2 Update - [player_tooltip player_id='2636078' first='Micah' last='Mohler'] now holds high-major offers from Indiana and Purdue following unofficial visits to both schools. However, this Austin team really is more than just him. Roush and Russell are excellent running mates as well as a few others that are very capable high school players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Blackford Bruins</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2539991' first='Amarian' last='Leggett']</strong> is just about enough at the Class 2A level to make any team a legitimate contender all by himself. The 6'4" rising junior guard averaged 26.3 points, 4.2 rebound, and 4.3 assists per game while leading Blackford to a Sectional Championship last season. There is some attrition due to graduation around him, but 6'7" forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3662612' first='Eli' last='Petro']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/eli-petro/"></a> </strong>will be back for a full season after a shortened junior year due to transferring. Also, the Bruins added rising junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2791287' first='Rayveon' last='Fetz'] </strong>from Mississinewa. The 5'10" playmaker averaged 15.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists as a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***7/28 Update - There were dozens of college coaches watching the Blackford versus Scecina Memorial game at the Charlie Hughes Showcase and the Bruins got beat pretty handily. They ended up going 0-4, but played very good competition. The scoring and playmaking that Leggett and Fetz provide in the backcourt will be enough to win a lot of games. We aren't backing off our projection of them being a Top 5 team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***8/2 Update - Fetz will no longer be joining Blackford's team as he is staying at Mississinewa. That obviously takes away a good deal of firepower from the backcourt and leaves Leggett as more of a lone wolf. However, he had plenty of success operating in a very large, independent role last season as a sophomore. Blackford is still a preseason Top 5 team at the Class 2A level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Oak Hill Eagles</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oak Hill was one of the best teams in Class 2A from start to finish last season. They did not lose a game until February 7th against Class 4A Homestead and finished 25-2 falling to Bishop Luers in the Class 2A North Semi-State. The Eagles will return their talented backcourt duo of rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2266894' first='Jace' last='Tonagel']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jace-tonagel/"></a> </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jace-tonagel/"></a> and rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2956681' first='Will' last='Tonagel']</strong>. The elder averaged 16.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.6 steals per game while the younger one averaged 14.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.6 assists per game. Kevaunte Simmons, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2526294' first='Jayden' last='Younce']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2272271' first='Landon' last='Cruzan']</strong>, and others are ready to step into larger roles as well. This group has a very legitimate case to be the preseason #1 in Class 2A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***7/28 Update - This is probably the most sound, complete team in Class 2A. The Tonagel brothers run the show in the backcourt and everyone else knows their role and excels in it. They were undefeated with some impressive wins at the Charlie Hughes Showcase and we watched them beat a very good Penn team at Super Hoops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***8/2 Update - Based on everything we saw this summer, Oak Hill is likely the most deserving of the preseason #1 spot in Class 2A. They return so much production and the Tonagel brothers are as good as anyone at the 2A level. [player_tooltip player_id='2266894' first='Jace' last='Tonagel'] recently committed to play for his father at Indiana Wesleyan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Scecina Memorial Crusaders</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After being tripped up in the Sectional in back-to-back years by Triton Central, look for Scecina Memorial to break through and cut down the nets this season. They have the talent to go even further as well. 6'5" rising junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2617866' first='Jaylin' last='Foster']</strong> is a very difficult matchup for opponents. He averaged 12.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game last season. Rising junior guards <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2954490' first='Ian' last='Collins'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2881715' first='Boomer' last='Minch'] </strong>bring back a good deal of production as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2950496' first='Conner' last='Weaver']</strong>, a rising sophomore guard, gained some varsity experience as a freshman and should be ready to step into a larger role as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***7/28 Update - As we mentioned above, Scecina Memorial put a lot of people on notice at the Charlie Hughes Showcase with how they handled Blackford. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2617866' first='Jaylin' last='Foster']</strong> is a two-way game wrecker and has a trio of guards who will help to take a lot of pressure off of him. This team is going to continue to surprise a lot of people heading into the 2026-2027 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***8/2 Update - Foster continues to prove himself as a two-way stud heading into his junior season. Collins, Minch, and Weaver have all been very impressive at different points over the course of the summer and early fall as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Westview Warriors</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In our original posting we had Westview in the "other teams to know" category, but they have proven worthy of being considered a true contender. Not only were they the Class 2A State Runner-Up last season, but they return Indiana Junior All-Star <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2622228' first='Austin' last='Schlabach']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/austin-schlabach/"></a> along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2888376' first='Bryce' last='Yoder']</strong>, Daniel Yoder, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3684152' first='Pierce' last='Yoder']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/pierce-yoder/"></a> to name a few. They went 4-0 at the Charlie Hughes Showcase with wins over Blackford, Bloomington South, Columbus North, and Noblesville. Someone is going to have to beat the Warriors before we count them out as a championship contender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***8/2 Update - Schlabach is now committed to play at Huntington. This team is obviously proven having made it to Gainbridge Fieldhouse last season and coming up just a possession shy of cutting down the nets. There is enough returning firepower to set their sights on a return trip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Teams to Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blackhawk Christian, Bremen, Evansville Mater Dei, Gary 21st Century, South Ripley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->