Updated Look at the Mr. Basketball Race
Now that the calendar has turned to February we only have a few weeks of Indiana High School Basketball remaining. That means it is time to take a look back at our preseason Indiana Mr. Basketball candidates and see how…
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Continue ReadingNow that the calendar has turned to February we only have a few weeks of Indiana High School Basketball remaining. That means it is time to take a look back at our preseason Indiana Mr. Basketball candidates and see how their seasons are going. Also, we will highlight any new contenders that may have emerged with a strong senior season.
Preseason Favorite:
Fletcher Loyer
Fletcher
Loyer
6'4" | SG
Homestead | 2022
State
#108
Nation
IN
Prior to the season, we here at Prep Hoops Indiana named Purdue signee
Fletcher Loyer
Fletcher
Loyer
6'4" | SG
Homestead | 2022
State
#108
Nation
IN
as the favorite in the Mr. Basketball race. The Homestead High School senior has certainly lived up to the billing by averaging 26.8 points per game for the 14-5 Spartans. This will remain his award to lose and barring an unexpected early exit from the state tournament he should wind up with the prestigious honor.
Other Preseason Candidates
In the preseason we featured
Braden Smith
Braden
Smith
6'0" | PG
Westfield | 2022
State
IN
,
Tayshawn Comer
Tayshawn
Comer
6'0" | PG
Cathedral | 2022
State
#226
Nation
IN
,
Connor Essegian
Connor
Essegian
6'4" | SG
Central Noble | 2022
State
#170
Nation
IN
, and
Chris Gunn
Chris
Gunn
6'5" | SG
Lawrence North | 2022
State
#114
Nation
IN
, alongside Loyer, as the primary Mr. Basketball candidates. Smith had solidified himself as a strong contender alongside Loyer, but unfortunately suffered an injury that will force him to miss several games down the stretch. That missed time will be difficult to overcome unless he can return and lead the Shamrocks on a run to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The future Purdue Boilermaker was averaging 19.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game when he went down.
Speaking of injuries,
Chris Gunn
Chris
Gunn
6'5" | SG
Lawrence North | 2022
State
#114
Nation
IN
missed the beginning of the season but has quickly returned to form. The Indiana recruit scored 34 points in his first game back on the floor and has put up several big performances for the Wildcats. However, like with Smith, the missed games will have an impact on his candidacy.
Tayshawn Comer
Tayshawn
Comer
6'0" | PG
Cathedral | 2022
State
#226
Nation
IN
‘s case for Mr. Basketball was always going to center around the “best player, best team” argument. His 17.4 points and 5.7 assists per game have backed up his end of the deal, but with the Fighting Irish dropping a few games along the way it has kept them out of the state’s #1 spot for much of the season. Cathedral is still a leading candidate for a state championship, and that could earn Comer some votes, but it was probably going to take a truly special season to win the award.
Lastly, we take a look at Wisconsin signee
Connor Essegian
Connor
Essegian
6'4" | SG
Central Noble | 2022
State
#170
Nation
IN
. He has led Central Noble to a 17-1 record as the Cougars appear to be a favorite in Class 2A just as we all expected. Essegian just became the NECC’s all-time leading scorer now sitting at 2172 career points. His points per game numbers are right up there with Loyer’s this season (though not available online). It is possible that Essegian could end up second in the voting as long as voters don’t hold the 2A schedule against him too much.
New Candidates Emerging
-
Billy Smith
Billy Smith 6'7" | SF Brebeuf Jesuit | 2022 State IN of Brebeuf Jesuit could sneak in as a top five candidate if the Braves win the Class 3A title. The future Miami Ohio Redhawk is averaging 19.8 points per game.
- The other two players who at least deserve a mention are high-scoring guards
Jalen Jackson
Jalen Jackson 6'2" | PG Fort Wayne Northrop | 2022 State IN at Fort Wayne Northrop and Karson Jenkins
Karson Jenkins 6'1" | PG Fort Wayne Snider | 2022 State IN at Fort Wayne Snider. Neither have had quite enough team success to become serious candidates, but just in terms of raw numbers these two have earned consideration. Jenkins is averaging 28.3 points per game and while Jackson’s statistics aren’t available online he is definitely at or above that number as well.
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