Charlie Hughes Shootout: Notebook Pt. II

This weekend was the final live period for high school programs in June. It was a huge event at the Charlie Hughes Shootout with over 100 teams and more than 120 college coaches on hand. We recap what we saw from the teams at the event here. Fort Wayne Snider (4A): When looking at 4A North, you are going to have to really be looking at Snider this year. With a star in Michael Eley and high-end talent up and down the roster, this team should have a legit shot to take it a long way in March. Dillon Duff, Isaac Farnsworth, Karson Jenkins, Jordan Moore, Jermaine Woods, and Cleevas Craig are the names you need to know because at any game they could be the man for this team. So, so much depth in a year where 4A is weak. Fort Wayne South (4A): Over the last few years, South has really added some nice pieces and grown a bit. Now, I think the expectations are a bit higher this season as they have quite a few pieces. J.T. Langston, Austin Jordan, Ashton Johnson, Jaylen Lattimore, and Javion Langston will be guys that should help a lot. Jordan looks as good as ever and should be a stabilizing force but J.T. has to be the piece that makes the offense come alive. Good mid-range shooter that needs some consistency. Franklin Central (4A): Franklin Central gets a new head coach and some new life into a program that has been good but not great recently. By the end of the year, they could be a very tough team to play. Criss Byers and his defensive mentality with his guards will go over well with this group that has a ton of good options on the floor. Benny Ogayonne, Mason Gonzales, and Bryan Marshall are some of the best here. They don’t have a ton of size but incoming freshman Jalen Hooks will be 6’6 with some versatility and likely a top player in his class. Greensburg (3A): Like always, Greensburg is going to be one of the top competitors in 3A. They have a ton of options here with another deep team. Andrew Welage looks like he could finally be taking that huge step in his development. Lane Sparks might be one of the more impressive scorers you will find in the state at the guard spot. Add in Miles Wilkinson and Colin Comer and you have the makings of a 3A South team to watch. Guerin Catholic (3A): Guerin is about as consistent as any programs in the state. Not sure they have the talent to really compete in 3A at the top but they are still going to be really good. With a ton of guard options from Joseph Bobilya, Bernie McGuiness, and Kameron Osswald, expectations are that if you don’t bring your A-game, you might not make it out with a win. Hamilton Southeastern (4A): This team is completely different than they were a year ago. No more Chris Grubbs or Landon Morris as they both head to Prep School instead of finishing out their high school careers. Instead, they will rely upon guys like Vinny Buccilla, Mabor Majak, Bradley Beemon, and Kole Hornbuckle. Beemon and Hornbuckle have the most to gain here as relatively under-used assets who will now be bumped into a high-volume role. If they take the reins and run with it, this could be one of the more interesting teams to watch in all of the state. Harrison (4A): In the Lafayette-area, Harrison could have a chance to be the best team. Lafayette Jeff is right there but Harrison has quite a bit of talent and some toughness. Jordan Walters and Max Jacobsen are both pretty good but really physically tough in games. Add in talented sophomore guard Jonah Lucas and those three should provide some solid pieces to dream on. Their head coach thrives on being tough and he might finally have enough guys to make him happy. Heritage Hills (3A): One of the best teams in the state this coming year will be Heritage Hills. Regardless of class, this team has the pieces to be dominant. Can they get past Evansville Bosse to make that State Championship run? That is the question but they have more than enough pieces. Simon Scherry, Blake Sisley, and Murray Becher are one heck of a 3-headed monster to have. They pretty much everyone from one of the most effective and well-ran offenses we watched in the state last year. Jeffersonville (4A): Looking ahead, Jeffersonville could end up as one of the best teams in the state from the jump. They are stockpiled with talent. Tre Coleman looks like a man possessed this weekend. Add in guys like Jacob Jones, Will Loving-Watts, Kobe Stoudemire, Darin Starks, and Devean Franklin and you have so much talent. If Luce can get them running and gunning with toughness, they are going to be dangerous. Linton-Stockton (2A): Be on the lookout once again for Linton. They do lose a ton of talent and their older depth is gone. But, Lincoln Hale looked great and they have two freshman that look like good players here pretty quickly in Drew Cook and Joey Hart. In 2A, that is enough to make a run. They lack size so figuring that out and how to play small will be something to watch. Lowell (4A): Not sure how good Lowell will be as they Region is a revolving door sometimes with talent but being led by Chris Mantis is a good start. He is growing and developing so well. As a playmaker, he is going to really make all his teammates better. They have a ton of guards and guys without a ton of experience so be mindful of that. Could be an up and down year but they do have talent worth the price to get in the door.