Prep Hoops Indiana High School Preview – Class 3A (North)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Indiana High School Basketball season is just around the corner and we at Prep Hoops Indiana will be pumping out a ton of previews right up until the opening tip. We have individually spotlighted 100+ schools across the state, gave out watch lists for each class, and will have several other previews in the coming days. This week, while Brandon Ramsey will be will be handling the big picture previews, I will be breaking down each class in both the north and south regions by highlighting the best Sectional, top players in the area, state title contenders, and other quick hitters you need to know within the class. For this one, we will breaking down the Class 3A (North).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best Sectional: Sectional 21</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teams:</strong> Angola, Concordia Lutheran, Fort Wayne Dwenger, Garrett, Heritage, Leo, Woodlan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Reason:</strong> Up in the 3A North, you could have went with a few different options, but in terms of 'most wide open' you are looking at Sectional 21. In this Sectional, you realistically have four teams that can get out of here and make a deep run in the state tournament. Those four teams that can win this one include Concordia Lutheran, Fort Wayne Dwenger, Leo, and Woodlan. Leo is probably the team with the most depth and experience here with seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1578478' first='Trey' last='Hiteshew'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1272450' first='Jackson' last='McGee'] leading the pack. Woodlan matches up well with them with upperclassman [player_tooltip player_id='1158186' first='Braden' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2056300' first='Trey' last='Yoder'] but don't necessarily have the depth. Dwenger probably has the best big man in this group in [player_tooltip player_id='1158223' first='Caleb' last='Lehrman'] and Concordia Lutheran may have the best overall player here in Grace College pledge [player_tooltip player_id='1158230' first='Cole' last='Hayworth']. We will have to see how the season plays out but on paper, Sectional 21 is a real tossup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">State Contenders</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop Noll</strong> - The Warriors are one of the more sneaky 3A teams up north. They have a really solid core coming back with a great 1-2 punch combo of guard [player_tooltip player_id='1157213' first='Jaedin' last='Reyna'] and forward [player_tooltip player_id='1547487' first='Amauri' last='Moore']. Ma'Trell Harbin is another massive post presence that should impact the game on both ends as well. Reyna is one of the more dynamic lead guards in the state, Moore is a physical presence with a versatile offensive game, and Harbin is a 6'9 post with tons of potential. Have a tough Sectional 17 but should be viewed as the favorites there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Concordia Lutheran</strong> - The Cadets are one of the teams that could realistically come out of the wide-open Sectional 21. Obviously the main guy for them is Grace College pledge [player_tooltip player_id='1158230' first='Cole' last='Hayworth'], who is one of the best overall players in all of 3A north. Also look for 6'1 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1296978' first='Avery' last='Cook'] to provide some key production here too. One thing is for sure, they have the schedule to battle-test them before the postseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Delta</strong> - The Eagles are coming off of a arguably the best post-season run out of any team in the state last season getting all way to semi-state when people did not give them much of a chance before ultimately losing to NorthWood. They brings back one of the more experience core groups led by 2024 wising wing [player_tooltip player_id='1275729' first='D'Amare' last='Hood']. They also get back power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1158184' first='Jackson' last='Wors'] who missed the summer season but should be back healthy this winter. The Furney bothers, Jayden and Jordan, will also be back to help run that backcourt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fort Wayne Dwenger</strong> - Dwenger is another sneaky team here coming out of Sectional 21. While they are coming off of a lackluster 9-13 regular season, they somehow made it to semi-state before losing to NorthWood in the first round. The Saints are always one of the tougher teams in 3A north and bring back that toughness in 2024 big man [player_tooltip player_id='1158223' first='Caleb' last='Lehrman']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leo</strong> - The Leo Lions may have the most depth out of any 3A north team listed as a contender. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1578478' first='Trey' last='Hiteshew'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1272450' first='Jackson' last='McGee'] lead the pack there and both have shown major upside over this past summer. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1297084' first='Leonard' last='Petty'], [player_tooltip player_id='1539759' first='Solomon' last='Richard'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1529289' first='Brock' last='Schott'] will also be a big help there. Only finished 9-14 last season but you really have to respect what they bring back this season and the improvements the top guys have made over the summer. Arguably the favorites in Sectional 21. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NorthWood</strong> - While NorthWood loses a ton of talent from last season, you still have to give respect to the defending 3A State Champs. The main guy for them is 2025 center [player_tooltip player_id='1297122' first='Tyler' last='Raasch'] who will have a ton of pressure on him to be the 'go-to' guy for the Panthers this season. However, he will have help with [player_tooltip player_id='1225303' first='Ethan' last='Wolfe'] in the backcourt and someone that will take on more of an increased role this year. They may not be the favorites this season, but until beaten in the post-season, NorthWood are the defending champs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Bend St. Joseph</strong> - This could be the year that SBSJ finally put it all together and make a run because they certainly have the talent to do so. It wall starts with one of the best wings in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='1297002' first='Chase' last='Konieczny'] but he now has the surrounding pieces to do some damage up in 3A north. They added 6'2 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2024513' first='Nick' last='Shrewsberry'] and 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1675493' first='Braylen' last='White'] should step up this season. Will need to get past South Bend Washington Sectional 19, but they are the team to beat in there at this point in time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Bend Washington</strong> - when you have arguably the best player in the state, you automatically become a contender in preseason previews. South Bend Washington is home to the top 2026 in-state prospect, [player_tooltip player_id='1561449' first='Steven' last='Reynolds III'], and the talented guard is expected to take another step in his overall game. The Panthers were able to win Sectional 19 last season, but are a little bit younger this time around. If Reynolds take that next step, South Bend Washington is going to be a tough team to beat at any time this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tippecanoe Valley</strong> - The Vikings bring a lot of talent back from their 18-6 season a year ago. The group of [player_tooltip player_id='1578459' first='Riley' last='Shepherd'], [player_tooltip player_id='1981703' first='Stephen' last='Akase'], [player_tooltip player_id='1277733' first='Kyler' last='Johnson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1539665' first='Deondre' last='Hamilton'] is a big group that also has the talent and experience to compete. Although Sectional 18 is a tough one, I think the Vikings should be viewed as not only the favorites, but a team that can make a deep run in the postseason. Would not be shocked to see them representing 3A north this year in the state finals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Woodlan</strong> - The Warriors of Woodlan are the last team that realistically come out of Sectional 21 this season. The combo of [player_tooltip player_id='1158186' first='Braden' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2056300' first='Trey' last='Yoder'] are going to be dynamic one to stop at times and if those guys are clicking from game-to-game, Woodlan may have a legit chance here to make a run. They are coming off of a great 19-6 2022-23 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Players</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1981703' first='Stephen' last='Akase'] (Tippecanoe Valley)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1747066' first='Josiah' last='Ball'] (Maconaquah)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1578475' first='Tillman' last='Etchison'] (Hamilton Heights)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1275827' first='Jayden' last='Furney'] (Delta)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1539482' first='Jordan' last='Furney'] (Delta)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1539665' first='Deondre' last='Hamilton'] (Tippecanoe Valley)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1561078' first='Me'trell' last='Harbin'] (Bishop Noll)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1158230' first='Cole' last='Hayworth'] (Concordia Lutheran)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1578478' first='Trey' last='Hiteshew'] (Leo)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1275729' first='D'Amare' last='Hood'] (Delta)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1277733' first='Kyler' last='Johnson'] (Tippecanoe Valley)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1297002' first='Chase' last='Konieczny'] (South Bend Saint Joseph)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1158223' first='Caleb' last='Lehrman'] (Fort Wayne Dwenger)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2091425' first='Donovan' last='Loudermill'] (West Lafayette)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1272450' first='Jackson' last='McGee'] (Leo)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1547487' first='Amauri' last='Moore'] (Bishop Noll)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1297122' first='Tyler' last='Raasch'] (NorthWood)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1157213' first='Jaedin' last='Reyna'] (Bishop Noll)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1561449' first='Steven' last='Reynolds III'] (South Bend Washington)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1158198' first='Matthew' last='Roettger'] (Peru)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1578459' first='Riley' last='Shepherd'] (Tippecanoe Valley)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2024513' first='Nick' last='Shrewsberry'] (South Bend St. Joseph)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1158186' first='Braden' last='Smith'] (Woodlan)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1578430' first='Kieran' last='Tewari'] (Yorktown)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dareon Thornton (Mishawaka Marian)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1225303' first='Ethan' last='Wolfe'] (NorthWood)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1158184' first='Jackson' last='Wors'] (Delta)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2056300' first='Trey' last='Yoder'] (Woodlan)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quick Hitters:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>NorthWood represented 3A north last season in the 3A State Finals and were able to defeat Guerin Catholic 66-63 in OT to win it all. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->