This was a highly anticipated matchup in the SAC Friday night. Both teams can score points in a hurry and that was then case Friday night. Chase Barnes and Preston Comer both had 11 points in the first half for Wayne and Jaxon Pardon had 12 for Carroll. Wayne stretched their lead to 40-28 at the half. Cannen Houser and Jaiyre Sampson cut into that lead right away in the 2nd half for Carroll, but Jevon Lewis and HJ Dillard kept Wayne at a nice distance for much of the 2nd half. Carroll went on a run later in the 4th quarter to cut it down to 2 and had the ball looking to tie or take thr lead and they couldn’t capitalize. The refs really let both teams play in this one. I don’t recall either team getting into the bonus until later in the 4th quarter when Carroll had to foul.
* 6’6 Junior forward HJ Dillard has shown a lot of improvement since last year. He is making quicker decisions with the ball and being a lot more aggressive in the paint. He was awesome for Wayne in the 2nd half where he scored 13 of his 15 points. He’s showing the ability to face up and shoot from 12-15 feet as well. Wayne fuels off of Jevon Lewis and Chase Barnes, but when Dillard plays like he has the last few games it makes Wayne just that much more dynamic.
* 5’10 Sr PG Jevon Lewis played an all around game for Wayne. One of the best players in all of Northern Indiana. Lewis ended with 17 points and 12 assists. He was really affective around the rim in this one getting in the paint and scoring or finding guys. I look for more NAIA schools to start getting in on the action with Lewis.
* 6’1 Jr guard Jaiyre Sampson has definitely progressed since last season for Carroll. He’s always been a kid who can get places with the dribble and finish at the rim. This season he has shown the ability to pull-up and shoot + hitting shots more consistently from 3. He’s had 2 30 point games this year already and Friday night I had him for 23. We know about Grace commit Cannen Houser and Bowling Green commit Jaxon Pardon, but if Sampson keeps being as dynamic as he’s been, Carroll will be a tough out in the state tournament around this area.
*Bowling Green commit Jaxon Pardon was dynamic in this one. He can score it in a hurry. He ended with 22 Friday night. He has a quick trigger from 3. I’d like to see him clean up some of his shot attempts. Seems like he forces things at times. I noticed a few times where he’s trying to drive a set defense with no ball movement and that didn’t lead to positive results. Pardon’s athleticism has progressed since last season which is good to see. Overall, Carroll is going to be in a lot of games strictly because of how well they can score the ball, but they are going to have to be able to sit in a stance and grind out defensive possessions.
This was a battle of two 4A heavyweights both having regional/ semi state aspirations. Harrison comes into this game 4-0 and #12 in the 4Apolls. I had them rated higher than that after watching them dismantle New Albany a few weeks back. Jeffersonville on the other hand has stumbled out of the gate to 2-2 on the young season but just coming off a 25 pt home win v. Silver Creek. This was a strange game to say the least. The Warriors held the lead from the opening tip but never got it past 4 or 5. Jeff just sort of hung around despite 0 points thru 3 quarters for their big 6'8 D1 bound, Tre Singleton. The difference ended up being his five fourth quarter points that pushed the Devils over the edge and onto the win. It was a game neither team seemed to execute but someone had to win. On this day, it was the Red Devils, 49- 46.
Jeff starters; Tre Singleton, PJ Douglas, Michael Cooper, Shawn Boyd, Jeremy Rose
Harrison starters; Shane Sims, Malachi McNair, Eli Speer, Brooks Thomas, Jay Summitt
● 6'4 junior guard Michael Cooper held the Devils afloat offensively throughout this game hitting five 3s on his way to a 22 point game. Coop shot the ball well this weekend and looked like a more confident ball player than I remember seeing over the summer. He is driving the ball well and finishing at the basket while handling some point guard duties. Out of every kid out there today, Coop stood out the most.
● 6'4 junior PJ Douglas also had a good game for Jeff today scoring 11. His bread and butter is 5-6 ft jump shot while driving. Douglas has grown up with guard skills as well as good footwork and a soft touch inside. Like I said in my last game takes, PJ will make a college coach look real smart. The kid just gets it done.
● 6'8 junior Tre Singleton was plagued with foul trouble this game, especially after picking up 3 in the first half. Singleton was needed against Harrison's big frontline and the fact that Jeff won with Tre only scoring 5 is a plus teamwise and a red flag for him personally. Everyone has 'off' games and I understand that but scoring 5 pts while being a kid regarded as a Indiana all star lock is a head scratcher. Jeff needs a confident Tre if they want to make noise in the Holiday Tournament in Kokomo in the coming weeks.
● 6'3 junior Shane Sims shot the cover off the ball in the 1st half. Jeff seemed content to leave him open in their zone and Sims capitalized. Sims was held virtually scoreless in the 2nd half and totaled 13 for the game. Sims is a a Jr. All Star candidate with a good season.
● 6'8 senior Malachi McNair had a tough day for the Warriors. I've seen him be a load inside so I know he's had better games. He seemed to have trouble catching some passes in the middle of Jeff's zone. If McNair can become more consistent and aggressive inside then Harrison will be a very tough out come March.
● 6'7 junior big Brooks Thomas is the other half of Harrison's twin towers. He has a good motor and cleans up the glass really well. Jeff had a hard time stopping him from getting offensive rebounds and putbacks. Thomas is averaging 11.5 and 5.8 rbs. Today he totaled 10 pts.
On an interesting note I cannot leave out, junior guard Shawn Boyd did not play most all, if any of the 2nd half. Coach Wilkerson went with freshman guard, Caleb Jones down the stretch. New Albany transfer Jeremy Rose was also on the bench much of the 2nd half. Rose was putting up big numbers for the Bulldogs last year but has seen his averges drop on this loaded Red Devils squad. 6'2 sophomore Anthony Fresh also played alot of minutes today. Coach Wilkerson is using at least 10 kids in the rotation and is not afraid to use them all all throughout the game.
The Olympians came into the Pressure Cooker the night after a big win over rival Columbus North. Columbus East is still a young team that is a year away from being a real nice ball club. This year and game belonged to the hometown Warriors. Scottsburg led from start to finish en route to a 74- 51 win. Columbus East made a run in the 2nd quarter to get the game within single digits but Scottsburg is too good and top experienced.
Scottsburg starters;
Wyatt Zellers, Jack Miller, Caden Richardson, Kody Clancy, Dare Bowles
● The Warriors were led offensively tonight by 6'3 senior guard, Kody Clancy. The senior's 3 ball was falling tonight and got hot scoring 18 of his game high 28 in the 1st half. There's not much Clancy isn't solid at on thr basketball floor. He has good size for his position, he makes good decisions for a point guard, he can shoot, and take it to the basket. Clancy has a couple of D3 offers and would be a steal at that level.
● 6'8 senior Wyatt Zellers should be called Double Dribble because he is money from the corner 3. Zellers gets his feet set quickly and has a smooth left handed motion on his 3 ball. I couldn't 4 blocks but it could have been more. Zellers does not fall for shot fakes and uses his length to alter shots. Wyatt will be a perfect stretch 4 at the next level. He scored 17.
● 6'5 senior guard Jack Miller didn't have a huge offensive game only scoring 9 but rebounds and guards his position as well any anyone around. Miller used his athleticism in the 3rd quarter for a baseline dunk that woke up the crowd. Jack has some nice offers at the next level. Miller only hit one 3 tonight but his motion has become alot more fluid and there's no unnecessary movements.
● 5-11 guard Mason Reeves is a quick and shifty kid from Columbus East. Reeves showed the ability to hit the outside shot and made some good decisions. Reeves is a part of a nice junior class for the Olympians that will compete for a sectional in 2025.
Appropriately, this game was delayed because of burnt popcorn and the fire alarm going off but even the delay could not hold back the Red Devils tonight. The visiting Dragons came in 6-0 and #3 in the 3A polls and left The Inferno with their first loss. The 1st quarter was competitive with both teams trading buckets but by halftime Jeff had built a 12 point lead en route to a 27 point win. This game showed me what I wanted to see the rest of the season going forward for the Devils if they want to be true state contenders.
● 6'8 junior big Tre Singleton plays big but in reality is a 4 at the next level. He can step out and hit the open 3 as well as handle the ball. Tre has a quick spin and good athleticism to dunk over opponents. I've seen Singleton get mean and be unstoppable and would like to see that consistently to become the dominant force in southern Indiana going forward. Tre finished with 16
● 6'4 junior PJ Douglas is a mismatch nightmare at the high school level. He is too strong and good inside for smaller defenders but also too shifty and ball handler for bigger guys. PJ is money from 6-8 feet on his jump shot. He looks like a tweener for the next level but has always been a part of a winner and just gets the job done whenever I've seen him since middle school. Douglas could be described as a point/strong 4. PJ ended up tied for a game high 18.
● 6'3 junior 2 guard Michael Cooper is the sharpshooter on a team full of them. Mike can get hot from behind the arc in a hurry. When he looks to be aggressive getting to the basket he's really tough to stop. Coop can get downhill most of the time and is a true 2 guard that handles the point duties some. I can see Mike getting serious looks and PT at the NAIA level if not higher. Cooper tallied 16 points.
● 6'2 Dragon sophomore Kasen Daeger led SC with 18 on the night. Daeger has one of the quickest releases I've seen in a while. One of the best shooters from deep in the south, if not the entire state. Once he gets a little stronger on his drives downhill he will start to receive serious low major D1 looks. Expect Daeger to blow up statewide in the next few years and is a future Indiana all star candidate.
● Speaking of future Indiana All star candidates, SC freshman point guard Brandon Hunter is a legit threat for a spot on that future roster scoring 11. Hunter will undoubtedly break the Dragons all time assist record when its all said and done but I was impressed with the range on his shot. He has a fluid motion and shoots it well from deep. The Dragons are a young team and will benefit from Hunter's vision on the floor. Brandon is a legit top 10-15 freshman in the entire state. I can see him having D1 options when it's all said and done.
Off to their best start since 1997, a team that included Josh Mullins, now a varsity assistant coach, Greenfield Central is 5-0 so far playing a good early season schedule. Their leader and go to guy is Braylon Mullins. The 6'5" junior guard has an array of scholarship offers, and GC pulled off a good sectional prep week going 3-0.
Mullins' production for the week:
Braylon Mullins, Courtside Indiana Player of the Week for the week of December 4-December 9.
Others considered:
Others nominated:
Sophomores and Freshmen nominations:
An early candidate for game of the week/ surprise of the week took place in the House of Troy in Chesterton on Tuesday night as the visiting Cardinals of East Chicago Central went up against the Chesterton Trojans. The game was back and forth throughout until the 4th quarter when the visiting Cards caught fire scoring 35 points in the final frame. That was the difference as EC pulled the upset, 83-70.
● 6'5 junior swingman Dominic Murphy was one of the catalyst for the Cardinals scoring 22 of his points from a variety of spots. Murphy was hitting on his mid range and outside shots. He is really a handful when his offensive game is on like it was tonight. If Dominique can become more consistent and put up those kind of numbers game after game, he will be on all the high majors in the Midwest.
● 6'0 senior guard Jameil Rich Jr. scored a game- high 27 in the win. Rich was all over the floor offensively and defensively. He was driving the lane, pulling up from 6-8 ft, and hitting his outside shots. If Rich can put up numbers like he did tonight look for the Cards to be real contenders in the Region come March.
● Deon'ta Timms is a 6'4 forward for the Cardinals. Timms scored it often in the 4th to help put the game away. Deon'ta scored 12 in the game and became a third to score double figures for EC tonight. He is aggressive on the glass and is athletic for his size to clean up the glass. Timms also showed 5-6 jumper last night that I'm not sure anyone was expecting.
● 6'3 senior Tyler Parrish for Chesterton got in some early foul trouble and didn't find his rhythm until the 2nd half. Parrish has numerous NAIA offers and should fit in nicely at that level. He is more athletic than your average player, he aggressively drives to thr basket, and can hit an outside shot. Tyler is a real Indiana all star candidate this season.
● Chesterton's other half of their Jr. All Star duo is forward Justin Sims. Sims was stepping out onto the perimeter more this game and showed potential. He is still more comfortable using his athletic ability to get to the basket or for offensive putbacks. Justin also holds a handful of NAIA offers. He finished with 14.
● Trojan sophomore, 6'3 Logan Pokorney led the team in scoring last night with an array of range. Logan scored 17, most of which were from behind the arc. As of now he looks more comfortable as a spot up shooter but with 2 and a half years of high school ball left, Porkorney will look to expand his game with creating his own shot and getting to the basket.
● Chesterton freshman, Tobias Ray is a name to watch out for. Ray showed incredible poise and the ability to hit the open 3. The game did not look too fast for him although being just 14 years old. Ray has alot of potential to be the next star coming out of Chesterton High school in the class of 2027.
Fishers ran away with this one in the end. Fishers has a combination of ball handlers, shooters, athleticism, and depth that makes them tough. They are a very deep team and unselfish. Kokomo is trying to work out all their new pieces and I believe when March comes around they will be ready to make a run to Gainbridge again. They were not good at all Saturday night though. Fishers made it tough on Bidunga all night and that was the first time I watched Flory and thought his motor was just okay. The noticeable improvement from Keenan Garner and JonAnthony Hall + the phenomenal play from freshman guards Cooper Zachary and Jason Gardner Jr has Fishers off to a fantastic start his year. Kokomo kept it close in the first half thanks to Karson Rogers and Zion Bellamy, but Fishers blew it open in the third and never looked back.
*2024 forward Karson Rogers played well for Kokomo in this one. He lead Kokomo with 17. His size stands out. It looks like he’s gotten stronger and taller since last season. Looks to be about 6’7. He’s a 4 at the college level. He scored most of his points right at the rim against Fishers. Need to see more on him to understand if he can step out and shoot consistently.
*2024 forward Keenan Garner for Fishers continues to progress. He got a couple loose balls where he scooped it up and out ran defenders down the floor for a 2 hand dunk. I’m not sure he was doing that last season. Garner also hit 2 3’s in this one and that was not something he was consistent at last season. Garner had to match up with Flory and did a good job for the most part. He rebounds it really well. Garner has 2 smaller D1 offers and I think that’s the level he will end up at. Garner ended with 17 points
* 2027 guard Cooper Zachary is a gamer for Fishers. He makes winning plays. He doesn’t get sped up with the ball in his hands and has fantastic vision. He continues to knock down threes efficiently as well. Zachary has had the cameras on him since middle school and you can tell he is not bothered by a big game or the spot light. Only thing that could limit him is size. Zachary ended with 13 points 7 assists and 3 steals.
*2025 guard Jonathony Hall was fantastic in this one as well. Super athletic and physical guard that is starting to make better decisions with the ball. He will take on the opponents best perimeter player every night. He attacks the paint but also has shown more ability to knock down perimeter shots as well. Still not sure if he is going to pursue football or basketball in college but he’s an important piece for Fishers on the court. He finished with 10 points in this one.
Wayne had the lead at halftime by 2 points. At the end of the third Lawrence North was up 5 and I thought we were going to be in for a heck of a finish, but Wayne could not string anything together in the 4th quarter. My opinion has not changed on Wayne. They’ve played right with Ben Davis and Lawrence North for a good chunk of both games. Lawrence North played with out their star 6’9 sophomore Kai Mcgrew. It was reported that he got sick in the locker room right before the game. Lawrence North’s backcourt is a load to deal with. Azavier Robinson and Kobi Bowles relentlessly attack the paint and Myles Baker is deadly from behind the arc. You add in 6’6 sophomore Brennan Miller who can knock down shots and rebound at a high level and you have a hard team to beat. Jevon Lewis, Chase Barnes, and HJ Dillard played well for Wayne.
* 2025 guard Azavier Robinson played well in this one. He finished with 24 points 7 rebounds and 4 steals. His shot mechanics and shot making ability has progressed. He’s got elite length and quickness. He rebounds his position extremely well. He gets into the paint at will but also hit some midrange shots and a 3. He likes to take a dribble right or left and go behind the back the opposite direction to get into the lane. Would like to see him not rely on that behind the back dribble all the time. LN is going to be hard to beat all year and he’s their number 1 guy.
* 2026 forward Brennan Miller is gaining more and more notice from D1 coaches. His motor stands out and his positive body language. He rebounds really well for his position. Miller can make shots on the perimeter. He’s got length and strength which allows him to score around the basket as well. I think Miller is going to be a high major player before it’s all said and done. He finished with 11 points 10 rebounds and 5 assists.
* 2024 PG Jevon Lewis has grown into a leader for this Wayne Generals team. I noticed he took control of the huddle and held guys accountable in a fall workout I was at and it was evident in the floor Saturday night. Jevon can score it in a multitude of ways at this level. He’s very hard to keep out of the lane. Does a good job of finishing around bigger players. Shoots it well from the perimeter. Him and Chase Barnes can get it going in a hurry. I can see Jevon playing at the NAIA level. He ended with 16 for Wayne.
* 6’6 forward HJ Dillard has really progressed for Wayne. He looks a lot more confident out there on the floor than last year. He has a nice touch in the paint and steps out and can hit 12 footers. His athleticism has taken a jump as well. He’s now getting dump off’s and taking a gather step and dunking with ease. I’m not sure he was doing that consistently last year. Dillard finished with 12 points in this one.
Noblesville came out ready to roll in this one. Aaron Fine had 7 quick points for Noblesville. They were running their offense and getting high % shots. Attucks came out and looked sluggish to the point their fans started chanting “wake up Tigers clap clap clap clap clap.” They did wake up in the 3rd quarter but could never take the lead. They would get within 1 or 2 and then Hunter Walston would make a play. Demetrius Jenkins was a big piece off the bench for Attucks in the first half. He had 2 and 1’s and 2 more free throws that really kept Attucks in the game in the first half. Dezmon Briscoe and Ron Rutland both added 10 for Attucks. Rutland had a couple chances in the 2nd half to hit big shots but he couldn’t get them to fall. Hunter Walston was great for Noblesville all game. Aaron fine had 7 quick ones and then it looked like he jammed his thumb and didn’t look the same from there. He ended with 9. Overall, was impressed with Noblesville. They run their offense and have nice role players to go along with Fine, Walston, and Justin Curry. Aiden Brewer, TJ Davidson, and Baron Walker all played well for Noblesville.
*6’8 Attucks forward Dezmon Briscoe showed some glimpses of why he is so highly touted. Noblesville made it hard for Briscoe every time he got the ball in the paint, but he was able to find guys for buckets out of the double team. I wanted to see more activity from him though. I thought there was a few opportunities to go up and block or affect a shot at the rim and there was no attempt. It looks like he works on his face up game, but want to see it more in games.
* 6’5 Senior Noblesville forward Hunter Walston has impressed me every time I’ve seen him. Great feel for the game. Noblesville was able to run their offense and get Walston the ball in the paint switched on a guard multiple times. Walston can score it inside and outside. I think he would be a great fit in the crossroads league as a skilled 4. He ended with 20 points in this one.
6’3 Senior PG Aaron Fine also looks like an NAIA kid to me. Strong and athletic guard that makes good decisions and can make shots. I like his ability to get into the lane and take contact and finish. He 7 quick ones and then ended with 9 points for the game. Give credit to Attucks for sticking Jacson Payton on him and making it really hard for him.
The Rebels were off and running Saturday night with a good win against a solid 3A opponent. The Batesville Bulldogs, who came in 2-1, never led in this game as Southwestern left no doubt early who the better team is. Coming in ranked in the top 10 of 2A the Rebels flexed their muscle with a 85- 52 win on a career night for senior guard Peyton Cloud.
● 6'0 senior guard Peyton Cloud stole the show on Saturday night with a career high, 36 points in 3 quarters for Southwestern. Cloud is a scrappy guard that is the Rebels best perimeter defender and has always hovered around 9 or 10 points a game. This season Peyton has taken his game to a new level offensively. He showed good range from the outside as well as not bring afraid to drive in and take contact from bigger opponents. At the moment I am unaware of any schools at the next level on his radar or if he is wanting to pursue that as an option but his stock on this Southwestern team is going up game by game.
● 6'4 Senior Jamison Lewis had a quiet night offensively by his standards but that is mostly because of Cloud's 36. Lewis feels comfortable driving and scoring over shorter opponents as well as stepping outside where he is a capable 3 point shooter. Lewis finished with 9 points but on a given night could drop 20+.
● 6'5 junior Landon Kidwell is a consistent inside force for the Rebels who keeps getting better every game I see him. I first remember watching him play in 7th grade and his game has grown by leaps and bounds so I know he is a hard worker. He's got sort of an old school back to basket game but has shown at times being able to step out . The next step in his development will to become a reliable shooter from the perimeter.
● 5'9 sophomore Braxton Lewis put up 9 points on 3/3 behind the arc. Coming off the bench Lewis has provided a spark and seems to be one of their better 3 point shooters. The younger brother of teammate, Jameson, Braxton may grow a few more inches and become a name to keep an eye on down south in the next 3 years. If you're really looking for a long term investment, watch for the youngest of the 3 Lewis brothers, who's currently in 7th grade.
● 6'4 Batesville junior Cade Kaiser was the Bulldogs leading scorer last night with 13. Kaiser is a really nice baseball prospect who you can tell is a good athlete. Cade has good size and strength to go along with his outside shot. He could even afford to be more aggressive at times. If the Bulldogs look to compete with Greensburg and Connersville in their sectional, look for Kaiser to be a big reason why.