Class 3A 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 3A 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">Brebeuf Jesuit Braves</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Based on their incredible showing at the Charlie Hughes Showcase it would be hard to not include Brebeuf Jesuit at this point. If they can survive Sectional 26, which would include defeating the reigning Class 3A state champs in Cathedral, they could make a serious run. The backcourt of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140342' first='Chace' last='Ford']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2886224' first='Dylan' last='Logan']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2141016' first='Jayden' last='Washington']</strong> is really tough for opponents to handle. Brebeuf was dominant while defeating Austin, Ben Davis, Columbus North, and Kokomo at Charlie Hughes. They will need to prove it consistently throughout the regular season, but the Braves put the state on notice this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***8/2 Update - After going to watch them practice this fall we are even higher on the Braves. There are several additional pieces aside from their veteran backcourt trio that are ready to step up and make some noise this season. We really feel like Brebeuf Jesuit is a preseason Top 5 team in Class 3A. Sectional 26 is going to be a gauntlet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Delta Eagles</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fresh off of three consecutive Regional Championships, this Delta team could be their best one yet. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2797662' first='Ryan' last='Lynch']</strong>, Chase Phillips, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2958507' first='Walker' last='Johnson']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2349711' first='Madden' last='Ramsey'] </strong>were second through fifth on the team last season in scoring averaging 9.9, 9.1, 8.6, and 6.5 points per game respectively. However, it is the addition of rising junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2540036' first='Jaxson' last='Johnson']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaxson-johnson/"></a> </strong>from Muncie Central that could really prove to be the difference this time around. He gives the Eagles a dynamic scoring and playmaking punch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***7/28 Update - Delta went 2-2 at the Charlie Hughes Showcase with good wins over Gibson Southern and Whiteland along with losses to Brownsburg and Hamilton Southeastern. With the postseason success they have had the last few years there is no reason to believe that they won't be right back to competing for a title this year as they are likely as talented as they have been given the addition of Johnson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***8/2 Update - It is unfortunate that Sectional 24 and Sectional 26 are only going to produce two Sectional Champions because you could argue about half of the Class 3A Top 10 reside in those two brackets. Delta has the pedigree, returning production, and influx of talent in [player_tooltip player_id='2540036' first='Jaxson' last='Johnson'] to have their sights set on Gainbridge Fieldhouse.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Guerin Catholic Golden Eagles</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've been tracking this Class of 2027 at Guerin Catholic since they were freshmen. Now here are they as seniors and they are poised to potential lead the Golden Eagles to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140383' first='Jake' last='Grissom']</strong> earned Junior All-Star honors averaging 20.5 points per game. Fellow rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2137375' first='Carter' last='Murans'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140371' first='Hayden' last='Rogers'] </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/hayden-rogers/"></a>are major impact returning players as well. Murans, a 6'7" wing, averaged 12.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while Rogers averaged 8.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game. Look for rising sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3033279' first='Luke' last='Keller']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/luke-keller/"></a> </strong>to be a potential breakout player this season as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***7/28 Update - This group is going to be very hard to beat this season. The Grissom, Murans, and Rogers three-headed monster has been building towards this year since they were freshmen. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3033279' first='Luke' last='Keller']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/luke-keller/"></a> is going to be an excellent player as well, but look for seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2137317' first='Andrew' last='Riethman']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2410408' first='Alex' last='Wall']</strong> to step up and be key contributors as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***8/2 Update - Another team in the Sectional 24 gauntlet, this is the year Guerin Catholic has been building towards. When we visited their practice this fall 6'8" senior forward/center [player_tooltip player_id='2410408' first='Alex' last='Wall'] played very well. If he can really step up and give them a consistent interior presence it will go a long way to helping them navigate the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">New Haven Bulldogs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs were able to advance to Gainbridge Fieldhouse finishing as the Class 3A State Runner-Up last season. This year they will return a very important core trio of rising seniors in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140444' first='Tarvar' last='Baskerville II']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2837232' first='Lavell' last='Ledbetter']</strong>, and Shane Rogers-Smith. New Haven should once again be one of the best teams in the Fort Wayne area and a real threat to make a repeat trip to the State Finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***7/28 Update - Fresh off of a Class 3A State Runner-Up finish, New Haven defeated the defending Class 4A State Champions at the Charlie Hughes Showcase. Baskerville II is an excellent guard, Rogers-Smith helps to take some pressure off of him, and Ledbetter is a really tough matchup. There are several other talented pieces as well. The Bulldogs have the athleticism and defensive pressure to give a lot of teams a lot of problems.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***8/2 Update - Returning three primary contributors, including a do-it-all player like Baskerville II, from a team that played for a state championship last season seems like a good place to start. The Bulldogs know what it takes to make a deep run and have the pieces to get back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Silver Creek Dragons</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the second straight season it will be Silver Creek who will likely be the #1 Class 3A team in the preseason. Last year they advanced to the Class 3A Final Four before falling to the eventual champion Cathedral. Rising senior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140328' first='Brandon' last='Hunter']</strong>, who is committed to Belmont, is the Dragons' top returning player. Hunter averaged 12.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 10.5 assists per game last season. There is quite a bit of size returning as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2470698' first='Brody' last='McLaughlin']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2831121' first='Lucas' last='Linderman']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2436214' first='Donovan' last='Whitehead'] </strong>all return for their senior seasons. Look for rising juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3038275' first='Aiden' last='Makun'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3038274' first='Evan' last='Renn']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/evan-renn/"></a> </strong>to step into larger roles as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***7/28 Update - There are no surprises with this group. They will once again be among the favorites in Class 3A and will feature one of the biggest lineups in the state. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2831121' first='Lucas' last='Linderman']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3038275' first='Aiden' last='Makun']</strong> both had really good summers solidifying the front court with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140328' first='Brandon' last='Hunter']</strong> obviously holding things down in the backcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***8/2 Update - Year after year you can pencil in Silver Creek as a state title contender. They haven't cut down the nets since 2021, but that very well could change this season. Since our last update [player_tooltip player_id='2831121' first='Lucas' last='Linderman'] has announced his commitment to Indiana Wesleyan. This group has a ton of talent and is used to winning in the post season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->