Four Takeaways From the Hall of Fame Classic
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Prep Hoops Indiana had boots on the ground coverage from the annual Hall of Fame Classic on Saturday as the Crispus Attucks Tigers came away with the 2023 championship. Let’s quickly take a look at four big picture takeaways coming…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops Indiana had boots on the ground coverage from the annual Hall of Fame Classic on Saturday as the Crispus Attucks Tigers came away with the 2023 championship. Let’s quickly take a look at four big picture takeaways coming out of one of the marquee events of the Indiana High School Basketball season.
Crispus Attucks is a Legitimate State Title Contender
On paper, this Crispus Attucks team was always one of the most talented in the state of Indiana this season. They have excellent guard play, one of the best interior players in the state, and plenty of depth. The Tigers proved themselves at times last season winning 18 games, taking home the Indianapolis City Tournament championship, and advancing to the finals of Sectional 10. With so much coming back from that team expectations were high. However, quite frankly, they didn’t have the best summer. It is difficult to know how much weight to place on relatively meaningless games played in June, but Attucks had some results that let you scratching your head. That left some people, including us at Prep Hoops Indiana, in a situation were their status as a true contender needed to be earned on the floor. Coach Chris Hawkins and his squad did that on Saturday debating Kokomo 69-59 and Brownstown Central 76-51 to win the Hall of Fame Classic.
Chris Hurt Chris Hurt 5'11" | PG Crispus Attucks | 2025 State IN Deserves His Praise
University of Indianapolis signee Ron Rutland III Ron Rutland III 6'1" | SG Crispus Attucks | 2024 State IN and three-star Class of 2025 prospect Dezmon Briscoe Dezmon Briscoe 6'9" | PF Crispus Attucks | 2025 State #107 Nation IN are the first two names you think of when talking about Crispus Attucks basketball. Then, on Saturday, Mason Lewis Mason Lewis 5'9" | PG Crispus Attucks | 2024 State IN went off for 23 points in the championship game to earn Most Valuable Player honors. However, Attucks point guard Chris Hurt Chris Hurt 5'11" | PG Crispus Attucks | 2025 State IN is in his third season now running the show in the backcourt and deserves plenty of praise for his performance at the Hall of Fame Classic. The ultra-quick, left-handed point guard scored 18 points to go with 4 assists and 4 steals in their win over Kokomo and backed it up with 17 more points in the championship game. He has really expanded his game offensively and is playing like one of the better point guard prospects in Indiana’s Class of 2025.
Don’t Take Flory Bidunga Flory Bidunga 6'9" | C Kokomo | 2024 State #7 Nation IN ‘s Greatness For Granted
We only get so many more opportunities to witness this special prospect and each time he takes the floor should be celebrated. He is THAT good of a player. The Wildkats fell to Crispus Attucks in the opening game of the day as the Tigers executed an excellent defensive game plan on the star center early. However, Bidunga still finished with 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots. Then, in the evening game, the Kansas signee finished with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists. If you haven’t yet had the chance to watch him play in person you need to make it priority between now and the end of this season.
Brownstown Central is a Contender With or Without Their Star
Fans were disappointed to see Purdue signee Jack Benter Jack Benter 6'4" | SG Brownstown Central | 2024 State #121 Nation IN come out of the tunnel at New Castle High School with a boot on his left foot. However, Brownstown Central proved themselves a Class 2A contender with or without the 2,000 point scorer. The Braves knocked off Brownsburg in the morning session and then were competitive for a half against Crispus Attucks before running out of gas. 6’6″ junior forward Colby Hall Colby Hall 6'6" | PF Brownstown Central | 2025 State IN was excellent finishing with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists in their win before backing it up 22 points and 6 rebounds in the championship game. Chace Coomer Chace Coomer 6'5" | SG Brownstown Central | 2025 State IN and Parker Hehman Parker Hehman 6'0" | PG Brownstown Central | 2024 IN were very good in both games as well. Those three players can compete with anyone at the Class 2A level and when you add Benter back into the mix they are absolutely one of the best in the state regardless of class.