Jayden Brewer, 6'5" senior shooting guard; Ben Davis

• His eligibility status has been well discussed on this site (podcasts), and as he has since gotten the final word he's eligible to play, it's finally time to talk about his game. His biggest asset, other than his considerable athleticism and length, is his ability to be a primary ball handler and plus-court vision.  
• His jump shot is coming along, but it still needs work.  He's good with clean looks off the catch, enough that the defender must juggle the open shot vs. his ability to get downhill in a hurry and make a play.  A defender can still go under ball screens.
• Brewer has a good floater and good feel when finishing around the rim.  While he needs to get stronger, he plays with force and without much fear of contact.  
• Defensively, he can be a menace in the passing lanes, can block shots, especially rotating over, and is a lockdown caliber ball defender.  Strength will be an issue in college.
• Offers from Cleveland State, Evansville, IUPUI and Miami (OH).  He is definitely a D1 talent with HM athleticism.  - JR

Quimari Peterson, 6'1" senior point guard; Gary West

• He has a lot of weapons around him, including two coveted big men.  He always has a ball screen partner on the floor.  His strength and patience, he's outstanding at getting downhill.  He has the quicks to just beat people, but he's rarely sped up.  
• Peterson could improve as a shooter off the move from range.  In the paint, he can finish in a variety of ways--floater, different finishing moves to get to the rim.  Off the catch, stationary, he's consistent.  Nothing in his shot to suggest he won't improve in all areas of shooting.
• He's tenacious on defense.  Will gamble a bit, but when he's locked in he's a plus-defender.  He could be cross matched with 2's and smaller 3's if needed.
• His leadership on the court isn't rivaled by many in this class.  He can carry the load offensively when needed, and he has no issue involving the many other weapons West Side has.
• Offers from IUPUI, New Orleans, Valparaiso.  Peterson is a definite D1 prospect.  Guys like him will be hurt between COVID and the new transfer rule, which will compel many programs to use the transfer market for experienced point guards. - JR

Naylon Thompson, 6'4" senior shooting guard; Fort Wayne Bishop Luers

• On the verge of becoming Luers' second all-time leading scorer, behind DeShaun Thomas.  He has progressed to being a player who can score at all levels
• Thompson's playmaking has improved, and he's spent time being a primary ball handler the last two season. He's still best off the ball, where he's a consistent catch/shoot guy.
• He leads Luers in most of their counting stats, which is a roundabout way of saying he can rebound his position for sure.  
• Defensively, Thompson can guard multiple positions, best suited guarding wings.  He needs to improve off the ball, as he can get a bit ball hawkish, but he doesn't quit on plays.
• Offers from Cleveland State and IUPUI.  Thompson is a D1 prospect who can round into solid wing.  - JR

Brian Waddell, 6'7" senior small forward; Carmel

• One of the more complete offensive players in the class, and for Waddell the separation from him and many others is his ability move without the basketball.  Granted, it's necessary in Carmel's system, but he's adept at reading his defender and can score off all cuts.
• While he will need to improve his strength, he's finishing through contact and able to keep his defender out of position at the slightest advantage.
• Consistent from the 3PT line, his shot has improved as he's gotten stronger.  His shooting pocket is extended away from his body.  The more he's gotten his legs into his shot, the better he's been.  Much of it for him is how he catches it, and his more aggressive disposition the season and a half has made the difference.
• He can guard his position at the D1 level, and he'll maximize his recruiting where he can guard 3's.  He's disciplined off the ball and guards his yard on it.  He'll likely not be a lockdown defender, but he'll play system rules well and rebound his position. 
• Offers from Incarnate Word and Wright State, Waddell is definite D1 prospect, who projects well as a MM wing with additional strength.  - JR

Harold Woods, 6'4" senior small forward; Hammond

• First blush, he didn't shoot it at all from range, but in the summer he showed good mechanics and shot it pretty well off the catch.  It's a slower release, but it looks good coming off his hands.  
• Love his motor!  He can hunt steals defensively and lose track of his man a bit, but he plays hard, rebounds his position well and can make plays on the defensive end.
• As his shot continues to improve, Woods will have tighter close outs to attack.  He's pretty intent on getting to a shot, and while he isn't selfish (he'll move the ball and find the next pass) he misses stuff as he attacks.  He needs work on  creating his own shot.
• Woods is certainly effective scoring transition and when he does get downhill.  He's one of the stronger players in the class, certainly at a wing position. 
• Offers from IUPUI, Woods is a D1 prospect with an interesting ceiling.  Improving his ability to get his own shot, combined with improved shooting as a whole, he has a lot of untapped offensive potential.

Zak Tyler and Jim Reamer discuss what appears to be the final decision on Jayden Brewer's eligibility. CJ Gunn is set to decide Friday. Brian Waddell injured during the Ben Davis game.

Weekly Features:

Recruiting updates
Best Games, Teams, Players
Upcoming games
Hot Takes!!

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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.

Żak Tyler and Jim Reamer discuss the NCAA Tournament announcement that the entire field will be played in Indiana. They also touch on what college players getting an extra year of eligibility could mean for recruiting.

There could be a whole podcast about that and likely will.

Weekly Features:
Recruiting updates
Best Games, Best Teams, Best Player Performance
New Feature: Games we're looking forward to this week.
#HotTakeTheater!

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

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• From this morning’s Game Preview to the opening part of the game, Westfield’s biggest challenge was going to be Carmel’s length.  Carmel had several second chance opportunities throughout, converting on most of them. 
• Braden Smith, like most point guards, looks a lot better when he has a paint option to find.  He’s a brilliant passer with outstanding vision, which showed through, but Carmel took away his drift passing by cutting off the opposite corner and smothering his drop off guy after the catch.
  • Throw in that Smith didn’t shoot well this game, he was a bit stifled.
• Brian Waddell was excellent early and the driving force of their second quarter run.  He sat with three fouls in the 3rd with Carmel in control, and he returned into the 4th to put the final nails in the Shamrock coffin.
• Peter Suder was off his game scoring wise, and he sat the entire second quarter with two fouls.  He made up for it with is playmaking and being active on the glass.  Even if he didn’t get to a rebound, he made it possible for a teammate to get it.  Carmel own the glass on both ends. 
• Carmel won this with Suder sitting out the second and Waddell sitting out the third.  Hitting a couple of baskets each, were Sam Orme and Will “Viking Killer” Leary.  
• Doing an outstanding job on Smith, Carmel point guard Connor Goia scored a couple of baskets early, and with Waddell, he set the tone.  Goia is the proverbial “it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, rather the size of the fight in the dog”.  His mistakes are few and very far between.

• Carmel's Peter Suder has taken another step toward being a consistent shooter.  Not just knocking down mid-range jump shots, Suder is looking more comfortable and fluid from the 3pt line.
• Brian Waddell struggled in the first half to get much going, but he scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half, including a dunk in the half court.  Still his best asset is movement without the basketball, even  gainst Columbus North's zone.  
• Charlie Williams struggled with physicality, and he didn't take advantage of a decided height advantage.
• There was a point in the first half where it felt like Blake Barker was going to go on a scoring spurt.  As well as he played, he didn't have a big scoring stretch.  He can score in bunches.  Carmel made him work.
• Cooper Horn, 6'2" sophomore guard, was impressive for Columbus North.  He's a consistent from the 3pt line, works on the defensive end and even blocked a couple of shots.  He could also be a primary ball handler.

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With the fall signing period underway, several players came off this board this week. Zak Tyler and Jim Reamer gets you up to date on those commitments, as well as an update on offers.

Zak and Jim talk about the top players who are still available.

(See list of players below the sponsors)

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.

Evan Altman, Brebeuf
Shamarr Avance, Lawrence North
Andrew Bennett, Shenandoah
Jalen Blackmon, Marion
Brett Bosley, Paoli
Flynn Carlson, Victory Christian
Jaylen Carson, Crispus Attucks
Chrishawn Christmas, Gary West
Jalen Clark, North Central
Kyle Crim, Morristown
Koron Davis, Bowman Academy
Owen Dease, Evansville Reitz
Michael Eley, Elevate Academy
Noah Gordon, Mount Vernon
Connor Hickman, Bloomington South
Curt Hopf, Barr-Reeve
Ronald Johnson, Park Tudor
Eddie Jones, Pike
Thomas Latham, Leo
Chris Mantis, Lowell
Gabe McNary, Warren Central
Mason Nicholson, Gary West
Quimari Peterson, Gary West
Kyle Ross, Lake Central
Kyle Sanders, Western
Javon Small, Compass Prep (AZ)
Malik Stanley, Warren Central
Keon Thompson, National Top Sports (FL)
Jadon Thomas, International
Brian Waddell, Carmel
Blake Wesley, South Bend Riley
Harold Woods, Hammond

Every player who plays AAU has been impacted, as April is when most non-D1 schools get serious about recruiting the outgoing juniors/incoming seniors, so this could be an exhaustive list, but there are certain keyframes on the recruiting calendar that provide opportunity for players to raise their level of recruitment.

High Major Bubble 

April is a time when high major programs start to broaden their search, early targets have started to settle in or transfers have changed recruiting priorities.  It can also be a time when players push through into broader roles on the court, getting a chance how they have expanded their game.

DJ Hughes, Lawrence North - Recently receiving his first Power 6 scholarship when Butler extended an offer, Hughes' first six offers up to that point were from mid majors.  Anyone with history of his development knows he has expanded his game over time, and he plays with a great motor.  At 6'7", he's at that stage in his skill development, especially with basketball going "smaller", where he brings versatility to the power forward spot.  

Hughes is likely getting close to projecting the ability to guard three positions at the HM level, definitely the PF and SF spots, and he wouldn't get burned in short stints vs. SG or centers should teams switch a lot or have ball screen coverages that cause rotations to X out. 

Kooper Jacobi, Silver Creek - Another motor guy for sure, and another guy who can guard multiple positions.  There are times for Silver Creek when he is their primary ball handler, and certainly in transition he's more than capable of making plays for others.  The spring for him would've been about how consistent could he shoot from range.  

Michael Eley, Fort Wayne Snider => Elevation Prep - Eley can get buckets.  He is a high volume shooter, but he has to improve his 3pt consistency.  He's most effective when he can get downhill and to the rim.  There are still some questions with him defensively, but no one can question how he rebounds his position.

He's serving as a guinea pig by transferring to the newly opened Elevation Prep in Fort Wayne.  

Blake Sisley, Heritage Hills - Offensively, he has the shot and the passing to make the grade.  Sisley wouldn't be impactful at the HM in the low post as a center, more of a catch/shoot (36% from 3pt, 50 attempts) or drop off scorer at that level, so the question becomes is what can he guard.  The more comfortable staffs are projecting he can guard the PF spot (or the second big) in their league the more he would fit at the HM level.

Luke Brown, Blackford - Brown's situation has been covered a lot.  He's a HM shooter for sure, and he has excellent vision.  For a 6'1" point guard has to go a long way to show he can guard at the HM level, having two definite HM skills is a must.  No question, he is a willing defender, and that can go a long way.

The other aspect of this is can he produce vs. higher caliber of talent consistently.  He hasn't had the chance to show that consistently yet.  Some of it based on injuries in the spring.  Some of it not really sticking with a team throughout an entire summer.  He's not getting much D1 caliber competition on Blackford's schedule.

Division One Bubble

Shamar Avance, Lawrence North - With one D1 offer under his belt, IUPUI, as with anything, it only takes one.  His passing, motor and quickness/athleticism exceed requisite levels.  He is a terror on defense, adjoined with his quickness.  

Avance has a good mid-range game and has little issues getting to the paint.  He makes great decisions from that area.  Consistency from the 3pt line and how well he can finish at the rim through bigger players.  The latter isn't always easy to prove, even in the MIC, if there isn't a lot of true D1 size around.  

Naylon Thompson, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers - No reported offers yet, but the 6'4" junior had an outstanding junior year, helping Luers go from 4 wins as a sophomore to 15 as a junior.  Thompson shot 30% from the 3pt this past year at a pretty good sample size.  That has to improve, but his quickness and length on the defensive translated to 2.6 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.  

Brian Waddell, Carmel - Between an injury and mono, basketball for Waddell looked pretty rough before mid-January.  It started to turn around after the turn of the calendar, and by the time February rolled around, he was producing at a consistent level to an occasional huge level.  His best performance was his most timely, a 26 point performance vs. Westfield in the sectional final.  

His movement off the ball takes takes full advantage of his 6'6" frame and length, and as he got healthier, he was able to finish through contact more and improve his consistency from the 3pt line.  Questions will be is can guard the wing at the D1 level.  

Curt Hopf, Barr-Reeve - For obvious reasons, after having to sit the whole season due to a transfer eligibility ruling, Hopf was certainly looking to the spring to get his name back on social media feeds covering basketball.  A good catch/shoot guy with 3pt range, he will have to show he can do that consistently.  Hopf drives well for a kid his size, but who he can finish against is what has to be proven in the spring/summer.  

Jaylen Carson, Crispus Attucks - Super long prospect, who anchored Attucks inside.  He's effective in the low post, but it's probably not his best asset.  He's a rim run big, who is also good in ball screen action.  There were times in games last year when he would disappear, and he has to show he can finish vs other bigs.  Lots of ability on the defensive end of the floor.  As Attucks will look to spread their offensive production next year, he should be more engaged on both ends.

Malik Stanley, Warren Central - In the wake of guards graduating above him the last two years, Stanley showed last year he can run a team...still full of guards.  He's a pesky defender, and while his size might be an issue, he's not out there gambling to get it done.  Stanley is also one the true players in the class who can really shoot off the dribble from mid-range.  

Quimari Peterson, Gary West - Good outside shooter, who still needs to improve consistency from the 3pt line, and he is also one who can get downhill and score.  Peterson rebounds his position well.  Looking forward to him playing with a healthy Jalen Washington, as point guards who move the ball well seem to improve with  more options around them, and Washington will draw a lot of attention.

D2 / NAIA

This group is squarely in the scholarship worthy camp.  Just a question of which level. 

Blake Barker, Columbus North - Sneaky athletic.  Barker can put a guy on a poster.  D1 leaping and improved laterally over the last couple of years.  41% from 3pt and the ability to get to the basket and finish, it wouldn't be surprising if D1s started sniffing around.  

Jadon Thomas, International - Thomas can really score, and he's a motor guy.  He's competitive defensively, and offensively he's not afraid to take/make the big shot.  He never backs down from the moment.  His playmaking could improve, but that's really an issue when discussing if he can be a primary ball handler vs. a wing.

Lane Sparks, Greensburg - Look for his production and usage to go way up next year, not that he wasn't getting touches the last two years.  Sparks has gone from being the youngster playing alongside two D1 caliber perimeter players, to being the senior leader.  The crafty scorer is outstanding at all three levels, and his 3pt shot and mid-range game translate to college.  

Kyle Sanders, Western - One of the top shooters in the class.  Defensively projection is an issue at the D2 level, but he's a willing defender and pretty physical on the ball.  His vision is at a high level.

Eddie Jones, Pike - Jones has D1 physical tools, and he certainly is aggressive with the ball.  While he was second in scoring last year, all of his production was in the paint, mostly slashing or battling for offensive rebounds.  Right now, he's an undersized perimeter PF who can guard multiple positions.  As he develops as more of a scoring threat outside the paint, this would be a good one to revisit. 

Injury candidates

• Jalen Blackmon, Marion
• Koron Davis, Bowman Academy
• Chrishawn Christmas, Gary West

Presented by Metro Indy Basketball

1A

With 33 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals, Johnell Davis led Gary 21st Century over Kouts for the Sectional 49 championship!  The 6'3" senior guard also totaled 26 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in their semi-final win over Morgan Township.

Others Nominated

• Riley Duncan, 6'10" junior center; Cowan
• Brevin Hallett, 6'5" sophomore forward; Blue River Valley
• Keegan O'Neill, 6'8" senior center; Barr-Reeve
• Jaden Thomas, 6'2" junior guard; International

2A

His best game of the week was the opening game, when Luke Brown poured in 34 points with 9 assists Blackford.  The 6'1" junior guard followed that up with 33 points, 4 assists and 9 steals.  In the championship win, Brown totaled 25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. 

Others Nominated

• Mason Brooks, 6'5" junior forward; North Putnam
• Koron Davis, 6'5" junior guard; Bowman Academy
• Caleb Furst, 6'10" junior center; Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian
• Noah Hedrick, 6'4" senior guard; Covenant Christian
• Will Larkin, 6'0" senior guard; Winamac
• Josiah Ricketts, 6'0" senior guard; North Posey
• Kolden Vanlandingham, 6'2" junior guard; Northeastern

3A

One assist away from a triple double, Dillon Ware ended with 31 points, 16 rebounds and 9 assists in Danville's semi-final win over Crawfordsville.  He added 16 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in the opening round win over Monrovia, then he closed out in the championship win over North Montgomery with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

Others Nominated

• Jerry Bracey, 6'2" senior guard; Mishawaka Marian
• Keilyn Hill, 6'3" senior guard; Indianapolis Washington
• Trey Kaufman, 6'8" junior forward; Silver Creek
• Kiyron Powell, 6'10" senior forward; Evansville Bosse
• Simon Scherry, 6'2" senior guard; Heritage Hills
• Blake Sisley, 6'8" senior forward; Heritage Hills
• Lane Sparks, 6'2" junior guard; Greensburg

4A

Keeping up with the Dillons.  Ware in 3A, Duff in 4A.  This Dillon, pumped in 28 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists in the sectional win over Northrop.  The 6'5" senior forward for Fort Wayne Snider added 19 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals in the sectional semi-final win over East Noble.

Others Nominated

• Davion Bailey, 6'4" senior guard; Pike
• Chris Mantis, 6'7" junior guard; Lowell
• Tony Perkins, 6'4" senior guard; Lawrence North
• Peter Suder, 6'4" sophomore forward; Carmel
• Keon Thompson, 6'2" junior guard; Merrillville
• Brian Waddell, 6'6" junior forward; Carmel

Four Takes

• It's a myth that Carmel just like to slow the game down.  Carmel can play fast, and while they can also possess the ball without "holding it", they guard so well they slow down their opponent too.  Now that they're fully healthy it would open more opportunities for them.  Here's why:
  • It frees up shooters Jannsen and Brian Waddell more.  Jannsen is one the best shooters in the state.  Waddell, at 6'6", has more shots in his bag, but getting him free in transition or earlier in possessions has been more of an option as he's gotten back into game shape.
  • The tempo created more opportunities for Peter Suder to be that 'motor' guy like he was all of last year.  Suder had several offensive put backs last night.  It's not that he has lacked a motor this year.  He's just in a different role.  Last night he put everything on display.
    • BTW...more tempo gets him cleaner looks too with his new found 3pt shot.
  • Of course, Crispus Attucks tried to speed them up, which increased possessions, and Carmel over the last decade especially, has been very good at turning someone's defense into their offense. 
• While Crispus Attucks sped the game up, they couldn't really turn Carmel over.  Carmel has struggled vs. pressure in past games, but it's never been just about quickness.  It's been about physicality and quickness.  On the whole, Attucks has the quickness.  They could not displace Carmel in the half court.
• Carmel pressed and trapped, and Crispus Attucks dribbled into traps.  Other than the first couple of baskets in each half (Jaylen Carson, Tyran Rodgers), Crispus Attucks couldn't exploit it on the back end.  To beat Carmel you have to beat them at the rim.
• Carson battled foul trouble much of the game, but he was able to make enough plays to show off his talent.  Whether if it was fouls or frustration, he disappeared in stretches.  Crispus Attucks is better when he's getting more touches.  

• Peter Suder, 6'4" sophomore guard
• Charlie Williams, 6'9" sophomore center
• Bryan Waddell, 6'6" junior guard

• Mabor Majak, 7'2" senior center
• Vinny Buccilla, 6'2" junior point guard
• Kole Hornbuckle, 6'4" senior forward

Five Takes

• HSE was better in large stretches last night when Mabor Majak was off the floor.  However, the gravity he had on the floor for the Carmel's defense did put three players into foul trouble.
• Carmel still struggles with physicality.  Last night it created bad angles coming off screens and rushed passes.  
• HSE is better when Vinny Buccilla is looking to score.
  • Carmel is better when Brian Waddell is looking to score.  
• Charlie Williams is likely the most skilled big man in the state.  The 6'9" sophomore battled fouls all night, but last night he showed touch over Majak. He's shown it all year.  It was just most impressive last night.  His battle will be keeping weight on.  
• HSE getting production from DeAndre Rhodes, 6'4" senior forward, and John McCall, 6'4" junior forward, put them over the top.  Both were physically stronger matchups, and as HSE owned the paint, they did the most damage, as especially as the other bigs on both teams were battling fouls.