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Game Takes: Concord 66 – SB St. Joe 63

By
Zak T
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0

In what started as a sloppy turnover filled first quarter, ended with an exciting back and forth fourth quarter that finished with a buzzer beating 3 to win the game from the volleyball line. This game also had a 23-0 run by the team who did NOT win, which I don't think I have ever seen. With that said, St Joe will be just fine this season as they are filled a nice variety of talent in both the upper class and under class. Concord showed their fight and grit in this one, and Senior Amarion Moore helped with that adding 16. Didn't back down before that run was over by the Indians and hit some big time shots. Will look forward to seeing both of these teams again in the coming months.

  • 6'1" senior guard for Concord Malachi Emmons was a dog in this one. He hit the game winning 3, along with three others in this one, with 3/4 being in the fourth quarter during crunch time. Knocked down some big ones too. Wasn't afraid of the spotlight and being the man. Showed leadership and heart. Great fit at Concord after transferring from Elkhart over the summer. Originally grew up with a lot of guys he's playing with now, which made the transition smoother. Could definitely see him at the D3 level, maybe NAIA, with his strong scoring ability a defensive talents. Great mid-range jumper as well. Unofficially finished with 30 points 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
  • St Joe senior guard Cole Hatkevich (5'9") played the best game I've seen him play. Finished with 19 points with 6 threes. The point guard hit some big shots. Shots that in the past he would've been asked probably to pass up. It was good to see him in attack mode, though, as he showed his true abilities. Not only as a scorer/shooter, but as a ball handler and passer. Showed great vision and ran the offense well. Smart player with D3 potential for sure. Unfortunately to me, he's limited to level by his size.
  • The one who should be on all radars currently is 6'3" St Joe freshman Chase Konieczny. He is the brother of former Indian standout and current ND freshman JR Konieczny so the pedigree is there. Chase has a smooth shot and nice release that looks a lot like his brothers. Is long with maybe some room to grow as JR is 6'6". Was cool and calm in this one and didn't play like a freshman. Wanted the ball and wanted to score it when he had it. Didn't back down at all and finished with 23. Knocked down 4 threes and had some nice takes to the basket that he finished. Strength will come for sure. With that will come the ability to continue to finish through contact. He added 8 rebounds so is capable on the boards. Definitely will be a player to watch over the next 4 years as we'll see him rise up the rankings of the 2025 class.

Up Next

  • Concord - Jimtown - Friday, Dec 3
  • St. Joe - South Bend Adams - Friday, Dec 3

Game Takes: Zionsville 50, Ben Davis 49

By
Jim R
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0

Zionsville led most of the way, but Ben Davis never let it too far away, saving their biggest runs for their biggest deficits.  The largest lead of the game was Zionsville by eight, and BD came out of a timeout firing off an 8-0 run.

  • Logan Imes, 6'3" junior point guard, was sped up in the third quarter, and it bothered him at times.  He was turned over three trips in a short span.  BD's Ghakel Weathers, 6'0" senior guard, was physical with him.  No question Imes and the Zionsville bench felt he was fouled on a couple of them.
    • How did Imes respond?  Extremely well.  He came out in the fourth quarter, changed speeds more, used quarter pivots to protect the ball and was proactively physical himself on penetration.
    • The other way Imes responded?  He hit what amounted to being the game winner, rejecting a ball screen and hitting a floater off the glass.  
  • Zionsville got mixed production from its bigs.  Isaiah Davis, 6'8" senior forward, is certainly showing his stretchability, and he hit a couple of deep 3pters.  He has to be accounted for, providing a great deal of space for Imes and Nick Richart.
    • Richart, 6'9" junior center, found low post scoring opportunities tough to finish.  Now, granted, BD has a great deal of size, especially in starting center, Zane Doughty, 6'8" junior center, and when Doughty is off the floor, they don't get much smaller.
  • Zionsville needs to get more production on the glass from their bigs. 
  • BD put a ton of pressure on Zionsville attacking the paint.  Sheridan Sharpe, Clay Butler and KJ Windham can all put up points.  Sharpe and Butler are juniors.   Windham, sophomore guard, being the best shooter of the three.  
    • They were excellent getting movement off the ball, and Windham was excellent in coming off pin screens and getting his feet set on the catch.
  • Doughty is a good rim defender and good rim runner.  He brings a lot length and athleticism to the table.  Getting the ball from catch to shot still needs to improve.  He can seal to catch, but if he doesn't have an angle he has struggled to finish.  
    • However, his motor, he will battle on all misses, and he steals some points on second chance baskets.
  • Shaun Arnold, 6'4" junior forward, and Jesse Faries, 6'7" junior forward, each bring good range to the power forward spot.  It's a nice three man rotation for BD up front.

CSI Pod :: Episode 97 – Games are back!!

By
Jim R
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0

Zak Tyler and Jim Reamer go through recruiting updates, including freshman Trent Sisley adding his second Big 10 offer.  Then we have the return of Top Game, Top Team and Top Performer, our weekly breakdown of what we saw during the previous week.

Follow us on Twitter:  @CourtsideIND

Sponsors:

Box Out Sports is the leading online graphics solution giving you the ability to create professional content in seconds to highlight your team and student-athletes this season. You can sign up for a free demo at BoxOutSports.com

Courtside Indiana podcast is on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can subscribe via each of those apps and have them delivered straight to your phone, tablet or desktop.

Game Takes: NorthWood 78 – Lakeland 31

By
Zak T
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0

The night started off with NorthWood's JV blowing out Lakeland, resulting in the implementation of the new "mercy" rule and running clock to finish out the game. Little did I know this would be a theme for the night as NorthWood's varsity was able to do the same thing. NW showed their depth in this one as they had 9 players score, with 4 of those getting into double figures. This will definitely be a good thing as the NLC looks to be improved and more balanced from last season.

  • Junior guard, Cade Brenner showed out. Flashed his ball handling skills, his tough D, and his passing. Shot it well, as this is a main strength. Made some great long, up-court passes to guys who were able to finish. Moved well without the ball also. One thing I noticed from last season that improved, at least for last night, was that he didn't force shots. Last season I feel like he would try to do too much, or seemed like he was pressing too much. This looked a lot better. Had a good feel for the game and what he needed to do, and was great at getting others involved. Finished unofficially with 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Recently took an unofficial Belmont visit, and holds an offer from Huntington. Look for him to have a great junior year.
  • Sophomore guard Ethan Wolfe, a 5'11 coaches son, really showed maturity in this one. Not a kid who will back down from a challenge. Knocked down four 3s and ran the point very well. Dependable and crafty with the ball, Ethan was able to get into spots to make him, and his teammates, successful. Found open teammates and got himself in position to rebound. Tons of upside here. Very important piece for the Panthers this season. Had 14 points with 3 rebounds and 3 assists (unofficial).
  • 6'5" junior forward Ian Raasch is a long, lanky kid who is smart and strong. Like Cade, he didn't force anything and played smart basketball. Did his damage in this one underneath as he had the height advantage all night. Hit some shots around the rim and got a couple put backs to fall. Runs the court well, and is a solid passer. Can do a lot with and without the ball, and will be a mismatch nightmare for teams this season as he IS able to stretch the floor from the outside, although he didn't take any threes in this one. Defensively uses his length to give opponents fits. Finished with 12 points and 4 rebounds (unofficially).
  • As mentioned above, the depth showed for the Panthers in this one as their role players shined. 6'2" Junior Brock Bontrager added 10 points and toughness on both ends. Senior Cooper Wiens (6'2") is scrappy and he had 8. Throw in senior Chaz Yoder and sophomore Nitro Tuggle, add the development this season of freshman Tyler Raasch, the little brother of Ian Raasch, who is a long 6'7" and we could see the Panthers making a run again.

NEXT UP:

NorthWood vs. FW Concordia in the NorthWood Classic - Sat, Nov 27

Game Takes: Lawrence North 56, Noblesville 50

By
Jim R
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0

No Gunn.  Just enough ammunition for Lawrence North to hang on vs. Noblesville.  As both teams bunkered down in a 2-3 zone a vast majority of the game, outside shooting became a premium.  EJ Smith, senior, and Cooper Bean, junior, led the way for Noblesville, while senior McCoyion Brown provided cover for LN.

In the end, it was LN's ability to get paint touches and extra possessions on the offensive that carried the night.

  • Kobi Bowles, 6'1" sophomore guard, ran the show for LN and was effective at getting to the paint.  He has a variety of finishes and great vision.  
    • His arrival to LN's varsity has been anticipated for a couple of years, as most figured he'd be a three year starter once Shamar Avance graduated.  His first start showed why.
  • A big recipient, especially in the second half, of LN's paint touches and kick outs was Brown.  The 6'1" senior guard was on fire, and the way the ball came off his hand, it looks like he'll be a weapon, much like 2021 grad, Kayden Beatty was.
  • Azavier Robinson made his HS debut for LN.  The 6'1" freshman guard is viewed as one of the top two or three PG's in the 2025 class.  He played with a lot of poise in his first varsity start.  He didn't get a ton of shots, but Bowles and he will be a strong backcourt the next three seasons.
  • The maturation of Noblesville's Smith has been evident.  He went from irrational confidence guy as a sophomore, to streaky shooter you have to account for as a junior to, last night at least, all around scorer who will penetrate and find people.
    • Smith was deadly last night, and for the most part kept Noblesville within striking distance.  Even as LN's coaching staff was yelling his number, Smith found ways to make shots and make plays. 
  • As Smith kept Noblesville in the game, when Bean got going, that carried Noblesville to a lead, and the game was a one or two possession game most of the second half.
  • While LN played without Gunn, juniors Preston Roberts and Luke Almadovar and sophomore Aaron Fine struggled with touches or finishes.  
    • Roberts, normally a wing, is Noblesville's second biggest player, and vs. LN's zone, he was their 'big'.  When the 6'5" junior was able to get touches in the middle, off ball screen action or along the baseline he was able to get to the rim.  A couple tough ones rolled out.  Rebounded well and was aggressive with the ball.
    • Almadovar won't shoot like he did last night all that often.  The 6'3" junior is a weapon beyond the 3pt line, and a sneaky, sneaky athlete.
    • Fine also will have better shooting days.  The 6'0" sophomore was still steady with the ball vs. LN, never looked rushed and didn't back down.  Like Roberts he was able to get the rim, just had a couple bound away.

Game Takes: Culver Academy 66 – Indy Homeschool 56

By
Zak T
-
0

This one started as you would imagine, sloppy, as it was both teams first games of the season. In the end the Eagles were just too much, as they had the talent to overcome an early 13-9 deficit after the first quarter. The Eagles stayed patient and ran their sets and turned up the D. The Wildcats on the other side fought the entire game, and in the end just didn't have the dogs to stay in the fight. In a team with a great core of juniors, the Eagles will be in every game this season.

  • Cooper Farrall has gotten bigger and stronger. He's able to fight through contact and isn't afraid to take the ball to the basket. Outside shot is still stolid. Has improved as a rebounder and is making improvements as a defender. Tons of upside for the junior, as most already know. He finished with 26, including three 3s. Turned it on when his team needed him. Looks to be a leader.
  • Thomas Collins is a 6' junior guard who I love. Great shooter, dependable with the ball and coming off of screens, and is a bulldog on defense. Solid passer with great court vision. Does all the little things right, and a glue guy who you want on your squad and I'd take all day long. This is a kid on the rise. Finished with 14 (3 3s).
  • One kid who might have a little attention and be on some radars is 6'4" junior Fola Fayemi. I feel like he is just scratching the surface of his potential. Has some bounce to him and is long. Can rebound and block shots. Improving his feet as a defender. Post moves have improved also, and he is getting better at finishing at the rim. Once he puts it all together I think he has a great chance to open some more eyes. Had 12 and a handful of rebounds.
  • Indy Homeschool had a couple of kids that kept them in the game. 5"11" senior Joel Owen and 6'4" senior Sam Wirts were both solid. Owen had 5 3s, and could really shoot it. Wirts used his length to rebound and cause fits on D. He ended up with 14 and 7 rebounds. Could be solid DIII options.

NEXT UP:

Game Takes: Zionsville 45, Carmel 42

By
Jim R
-
0

Up 30-21 at the half and playing well, Carmel scored three points in the third quarter and and didn't score in the fourth quarter until just under the five minute mark.  Zionsville wasn't setting the world on fire, but they were inching their way back, mostly behind Logan Imes.

Up 35-33, Carmel's Peter Suder, who was strong in the first half, picked up a technical (his 4th personal foul).  Imes his both FT's, and on the ensuing possession hit a hop back toward the left short corner, giving Zionsville their first lead since it was 3-2.  They never relinquished the lead.

  • Zionsville didn't get anything out of their two bigs, Nick Richart and Isaiah Davis, in the first half.  Davis did have some first half foul trouble, but Richart wasn't able to score on Carmel's Charlie Williams nor take advantage when Williams was in foul trouble.
    • The second half, Richart was able to get going a little more, mostly when Williams was sitting due to fouls.  Davis got going a bit from mid-range, and he hit the a dagger 3pter off a back action ball screen read from Imes, giving Zionsville a five point lead the possession after finally getting the lead.
  • Imes played at his own pace the whole game.  Carmel's defense is good, and it kept Imes from getting everywhere he wanted, but he didn't force things or look at any point sped up.  He hit two contested 3pters in the first half, showing growth in his outside shot.
    • He had to work for each scoring opportunity, but it was in the final stretch, tying the game at the FT line and hitting a hop back to give Zionsville the lead, to the next possession of hitting Davis off the ball screen, which gave Zionsville their first two possession lead.  
  • Suder was impressive in the first half.  He was aggressive with the ball and without.  He was pretty aggressive the whole game.  Zionsville decided to jam the paint the whole game, taking away a lot of Suder's gaps in the second half.
    • Suder's shot mechanics have taken another leap forward.  His mechanics are smoother and quicker.
  • Carmel didn't get much scoring from anyone other than Suder in the first half.  However, they were aggressive off the ball.  It underscored the value of player movement, and while the others didn't shoot well, they were moving well, scoring off cuts.  
    • That was the big change in the third quarter.  There was a lot of standing around offensively, and that wasn't enabling anyone  Carmel came out sharper in the fourth, but they couldn't get much to fall.
    • Carmel only hit four 3pters on the night, three from Suder and one from Josh Whack, whose was in the waning seconds of the first half.
  • Williams did battle foul trouble much of the night, but he wasn't aggressive at all with his touches.  

CSI Pod :: Episode 96 – 3A and 4A Previews

By
Jim R
-
0

Nick Baumgart joins Jim Reamer to breakdown the top 3A and 4A (1:01:46) teams.

For episodes 95 and 96 of the Courtside Indiana Podcast, Nick Baumgart and I preview the top teams for the 2021-2022 season.  If you’re listening to the 1A and 2A preview, the 3A and 4A preview will be published later this afternoon.  If you’re listening to the 3A and 4A, check out the earlier pod for more content.

Both episodes have timestamps in the show notes, so you can skip ahead if you need to.

Sponsors:

Box Out Sports is the leading online graphics solution giving you the ability to create professional content in seconds to highlight your team and student-athletes this season. You can sign up for a free demo at BoxOutSports.com

Courtside Indiana podcast is on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, as well as SoundCloud. You can subscribe via each of those apps and have them delivered straight to your phone, tablet or desktop.

 

CSI Pod :: Episode 95 – 1A and 2A Previews

By
Jim R
-
0

Nick Baumgart joins Jim Reamer to breakdown the top teams in 1A and 2A (1:01:20) for the 2021-2022 season.

3A and 4A preview will be published later this afternoon.

Sponsors:
Box Out Sports is the leading online graphics solution giving you the ability to create professional content in seconds to highlight your team and student-athletes this season. You can sign up for a free demo at BoxOutSports.com

Courtside Indiana podcast is on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, as well as SoundCloud. You can subscribe via each of those apps and have them delivered straight to your phone, tablet or desktop.

Game Previews: Monday, November 22

By
Jim R
-
0

Welcome to the 2021-2022 season!

Our season previews for each class will be published via podcast form.  As of this posting, we already have projections for the Indiana All-stars and Mr. Basketball.  Later this morning we will have our 1A and 2A previews published, and later this afternoon our 3A and 4A previews will be published.

You can find our podcasts on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

In the meantime, there is a great season opener tonight at Arsenal Tech HS:

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