Forum Tipoff Classic 2020-21 Schedule Release
In what many people refer to as the Greatest Single Day in regular-season basketball in the state of Indiana, the Forum Tipoff Classic has quickly emerged as a place for some of the top teams in the state to show…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIn what many people refer to as the Greatest Single Day in regular-season basketball in the state of Indiana, the Forum Tipoff Classic has quickly emerged as a place for some of the top teams in the state to show off their skills in top-level matchups. This year it will be no different. On December 12th, eleven of the best teams in the state and one of the best in Ohio will converge at Southport High School in Indianapolis to play what looks to be some very entertaining games. Here is the schedule and some need to know information about the event.
Game 1 – Carmel vs. Perry Meridian – 12:30
To start off the event, perennial power Carmel will take on the Perry Meridian Falcons. Carmel is loaded as always with Peter Suder Peter Suder 6'5" | SG Carmel | 2022 State #227 Nation IN and Charlie Williams Charlie Williams 6'10" | PF Carmel | 2022 State #220 Nation IN leading the way. Perry Meridian is led by Jayden Brewer Jayden Brewer 6'5" | SF Ben Davis | 2021 State IN , the Butler commit, who transferred from Avon in the offseason, and he is joined in the backcourt by point guard, Reggie McDonald Reggie McDonald 5'9" | PG Perry Meridian | 2021 State IN . I wouldn’t be surprised if some young players step up in this game and end up making the difference in the result.
Game 2 – Franklin Central vs. North Central – 2:00
Despite losing Jalen Hooks Jalen Hooks 6'6" | SF Warren Central | 2023 State #282 Nation IN , the top player in the 2023 class, Franklin Central remains loaded with talent. Between Mason Gonzales Mason Gonzales 6'0" | PG Franklin Central | 2021 State IN , Javon Small, and Bryan Marshall Bryan Marshall 6'2" | SG Franklin Central | 2022 State IN , they will be a small-ball team to watch this season. Meanwhile, North Central is led by the #2 PG in the 2022 class, Leland Walker Leland Walker 5'11" | PG North Central | 2022 VA . Walker currently holds nine D-1 offers including Purdue, Middle Tennessee, Winthrop, and Ball State among others. The Flashes will need to contain him if they want to keep this game close, but look for Walker to continue his potential dominant senior season with a great performance in Southport.
Game 3 – Barr-Reeve vs. North Harrison – 3:30
In a matchup of lesser-known teams, this has the potential to be one of the best. Curt Hopf Curt Hopf 6'8" | PF Barr-Reeve | 2021 State IN is primed for a breakout senior season to get himself noticed. He currently comes in at #42 in the 2021 class, and he holds one offer to Evansville. He will be joined on the court by Brycen Graber Brycen Graber 6'1" | PG Barr-Reeve | 2021 State IN and Hagen Knepp Hagen Knepp 6'4" | SF Barr-Reeve | 2022 State IN as the Vikings are one of the clear favorites for a state championship at the 1A level. North Harrison is led by Langdon Hatton Langdon Hatton 6'9" | C North Harrison | 2021 State IN , the top center in the 2021 class, who recently committed to William & Mary. Also, watch out for Ethan Oakley Ethan Oakley 6'7" | PF North Harrison | 2022 State IN and Logan McIntire Logan McIntire 6'4" | SG North Harrison | 2022 State IN who have the potential for big games. The matchup between Hopf and Hatton will be the first of three matchups between some of the best big men in the area.
Game 4 – Gary West Side vs. Southport – 5:00
Gary West Side may be one of the most talented teams in the state. Jalen Washington Jalen Washington 6'10" | PF Gary Westside | 2022 State #32 Nation IN , the top 2022 player in the state, currently holds offers from 9 high-major programs including Louisville, Michigan State, Indiana, and Purdue. Some of the other talent for the Cougars includes Quimari Peterson Quimari Peterson 6'0" | PG Gary West | 2021 State IN , Crishawn Christmas, and Paris Roberson Paris Roberson 5'10" | PG Gary West | 2021 State IN among others. Southport is loaded with young talent including four players in the top 35 of the 2023 class. Those players include Nickens Lemba Nickens Lemba 6'6" | PF Southport | 2023 State IN , Anthony Dancler Anthony Dancler 6'2" | SG Southport | 2023 State IN , Anthony Ball Anthony Ball 6'6" | PF Decatur Central | 2023 State IN , and Keyon Garrett-Miller Keyon Garrett-Miller 6'1" | PG Southport | 2023 State IN . Look for these guys to be big in a true matchup of experience vs. youth.
Game 5 – Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian vs. Silver Creek – 6:40
In a rematch of last year’s best game of the day, this one is destined for greatness. It will feature the top two seniors in the state with Trey Kaufman Trey Kaufman 6'8" | PF Silver Creek | 2021 State #39 Nation IN of Silver Creek and Caleb Furst Caleb Furst 6'9" | PF Blackhawk Christian | 2021 State #34 Nation IN of Fort Wayne Blackhawk. Kaufman will be releasing his top 5 schools today, September 8th, at 5:00 pm, while Furst committed to Purdue back in March. Furst, Marcus Davidson Marcus Davidson 6'0" | SG Blackhawk Christian | 2021 State IN , and Zane Burke Zane Burke 6'2" | SG Blackhawk Christian | 2021 State IN have led the senior class to a 77-8 record over three seasons, and they show no signs of slowing down. For Silver Creek, Kaufman is joined by Kooper Jacobi Kooper Jacobi 6'6" | PF Silver Creek | 2021 State IN and Branden Northern Branden Northern 5'11" | PG Silver Creek | 2022 State IN . Jacobi had one of the most memorable performances in the history of the event last year with 36 points on the way to the 78-74 victory for Silver Creek. He holds eleven mid to low-major offers at the moment. Look for this game to come down to the wire as these two teams look to continue their best four-year runs in school history.
Game 6 – Lawrence North vs. Cincinnati Moeller – 8:20
The final game of the day features what quite possibly could be the #1 team in the state of Indiana against the #1 team in the state of Ohio. Lawrence North put on a show last season with a 25-2 record and an impressive win in the best Sectional in the state. Despite losing Iowa commit, Tony Perkins Tony Perkins 6'4" | SG Lawrence North | 2020 State #259 Nation IN , the Wildcats are led by DJ Hughes DJ Hughes 6'8" | PF Lawrence North | 2021 State #219 Nation IN , Shamar Avance Shamar Avance 6'1" | PG Lawrence North | 2021 State IN , and CJ Gunn who all hold D1 offers. DJ Hughes DJ Hughes 6'8" | PF Lawrence North | 2021 State #219 Nation IN , who recently committed to Butler University, will be tasked with defending Indiana commit, Logan Duncomb Logan Duncomb 6'9" | C Moeller | 2021 State #74 Nation OH , in what will be our third top-level big men battle of the day. Along with Duncomb, Moeller also brings speed, strength, and D1 talent to the floor with Alex Williams Alex Williams 6'5" | SF Moeller | 2021 State OH (Furman commit), Will McCracken Will McCracken 6'4" | SG Hilton Head Island | 2021 State SC (UNC-Wilmington commit), and Aidan Noyes Aidan Noyes 6'6" | SF Moeller | 2021 State OH who holds nearly 15 D1 offers. This may be the most talent this event has seen on the floor at one time, so get ready to see some fireworks.