Way Too Early Class 1A State Title Favorites
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This week we will continue on with our early preview of the upcoming Indiana High School Basketball season. Last week we broke down the new IHSAA Sectional alignments and highlighted the top players in each class. Now, today, we will…
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Continue ReadingThis week we will continue on with our early preview of the upcoming Indiana High School Basketball season. Last week we broke down the new IHSAA Sectional alignments and highlighted the top players in each class. Now, today, we will dive into the state title favorites in each class beginning with Class 1A. These are the five teams we believe have the best chance to cut down the nets at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Teams are listed in alphabetical order.
Class 1A
It feels like Class 1A is absolutely wide open heading into the 2022-2023 season. Defending state champion North Daviess has moved up and elected to compete in Class 3A this season. State runner-up Lafayette Central Catholic was also bumped up to 2A. Another one of the state’s most talented teams, Gary 21st Century, will compete in Class 2A as well leaving the door wide open for small schools across the state. Here are the current “Way Too Early” favorites in Class 1A.
- Edinburgh: Caleb Dewey Caleb Dewey 6'3" | SF Edinburgh | 2023 State IN is back as one of the more well-rounded players in Class 1A. The 6’3″ guard averaged 21.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game as a junior for the Lancers who went 22-4 and lost by one point to eventual state champion North Daviess in the regional. Look for Edinburgh to be a real contender out of the south once again this coming season.
- Evansville Christian: This might seem like an off the wall pick as it will be Evansville Christian’s first season as an eligible IHSAA member. However, the talent is there and last season they proved their ability to play with the best of the best. At point guard, they will feature Division I prospect Josiah Dunham Josiah Dunham 6'0" | PG Evansville Christian | 2024 State IN who is fresh off of averaging 26.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game as a sophomore. He is a Top 10 prospect in the Class of 2024. In total, three of the Eagles four top scorers return from a team that took both Loogootee and North Daviess to overtime on the road last season.
- Liberty Christian: No stranger to being among the favorites in Class 1A, the 2016 state champion Lions will be a contender once again. Despite the loss of leading scorers Adonis House and Zack Jeffers, there is still plenty of firepower to go around. 6’7″ forward Kobe Watson Kobe Watson 6'7" | PF Liberty Christian | 2023 State IN will look to make a leap for his senior season as a dominant interior presence. In the backcourt, Eric Troutman Eric Troutman 6'1" | PG Liberty Christian | 2023 State IN , Cedric Anderson Cedric Anderson 6'2" | SG Liberty Christian | 2023 IN , and Ethan Troutman return as a three-headed senior guard presence. This will be a veteran group with a winning tradition that should win their sectional and be the favorite in regional action as well.
- Loogootee: The Lions lost in the first round of sectional last season in overtime to Orleans. They will be searching for a lot more this time around. Orleans will be very good once again, but with North Daviess out of the way it will be Loogootee who is the favorite in Sectional 63. Peyton Bledsoe Peyton Bledsoe 6'4" | SF Loogootee | 2023 State IN averaged 20.2 points per game on impressive 55/44/92 shooting splits. He will give the Lions a chance to win every time out on the floor. Second leading scorer Parker Arvin is back as well after averaging double figures a year ago.
- Marquette Catholic: After a 13-11 season came to an end with a sectional loss to Gary 21st Century, the Blazers return two of their top three scorers from a year ago. You can actually expand that to include five of their top six scorers. 6’6″ wing Lukas Balling Lukas Balling 6'5" | PF Marquette Catholic | 2023 State IN returns his 16.6 points and 7.7 rebounds as one of the best players in the area. Guard Jason Kobe Jason Kobe 6'1" | SG Marquette Catholic | 2023 State IN averaged 11.5 points a year ago and is poised for a big senior season. They will have to get by J.J. Morris J.J. Morris 6'6" | SF Argos | 2023 State IN and his Argos squad, along with an always solid Triton team, but Marquette Catholic should be the Sectional 50 favorite and the most likely to reach semi-state from their regional grouping.
Other Early Potential Contenders: Greenwood Christian, Indianapolis Lutheran, Rock Creek Academy