Preview: Sneakers For Santa
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The annual Sneakers For Santa showcase event has quickly become one of the best days of basketball on the calendar. Presented by Ryan Owens Allstate Insurance, Sneakers For Santa features seven excellent matchups, eight teams ranked inside the Prep Hoops…
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Continue ReadingThe annual Sneakers For Santa showcase event has quickly become one of the best days of basketball on the calendar. Presented by Ryan Owens Allstate Insurance, Sneakers For Santa features seven excellent matchups, eight teams ranked inside the Prep Hoops Indiana Top 10 of their respective classes, and several of the best prospects in the state. Let’s go game-by-game and preview each contest. Also, you can still buy tickets following THIS LINK.
10:00 a.m. – North Central (1-1) vs. Bloomfield (2-0)
Prospects to Watch: Joey Brown Joey Brown 6'6" | SG North Central | 2023 State #280 Nation IN (North Central H.S. 2023), Mason Lewis Mason Lewis 5'9" | PG Crispus Attucks | 2024 State IN (North Central H.S. 2024), Papi Rivera Papi Rivera 6'1" | PG North Central | 2025 State IN (North Central H.S. 2025), Peter Combs Peter Combs 6'6" | PF Bloomfield | 2023 State IN (Bloomfield H.S. 2023), Blake Neill Blake Neill 6'4" | SG Bloomfield | 2026 State IN (Brownsburg H.S. 2026)
Storyline: This is certainly the most unique matchup of the day as you have a storied Class 4A program from Indianapolis taking on Class 1A Bloomfield. However, the Cardinals have a great basketball tradition of their own including trips to the state finals in 1998 and 2016. Bloomfield is coming off of a 20 win season and a Sectional 57 championship. North Central went 16-8 last season and returns Division I prospect Joey Brown Joey Brown 6'6" | SG North Central | 2023 State #280 Nation IN as one of the states top uncommitted prospects. Look for 6’6″ forward Peter Combs Peter Combs 6'6" | PF Bloomfield | 2023 State IN to make a difference inside for Bloomfield as well. This game will likely feature a contrast of styles, but it’ll be two well-coached teams tipping off a great day of basketball at Brownsburg High School.
Prediction: The athleticism of North Central will likely be too much for Bloomfield. The Panthers can get up and down the court with excellent guard play led by the versatile 6’6″ Brown on the wing. 70-52 Panthers.
11:30 a.m. – NorthWood (2-0) vs. Beech Grove (1-1)
Prospects to Watch: Cade Brenner Cade Brenner 6'3" | SG NorthWood | 2023 State IN (NorthWood H.S. 2023 – Huntington), Ian Raasch Ian Raasch 6'6" | PF NorthWood | 2023 State IN (NorthWood H.S. 2023 – Grace) Ethan Wolfe Ethan Wolfe 5'11" | PG NorthWood | 2024 IN (NorthWood H.S. 2024), Tyler Raasch Tyler Raasch 6'8" | C NorthWood | 2025 State IN (NorthWood H.S. 2025), Jeremiah Alexander Jeremiah Alexander 6'3" | PG Beech Grove | 2023 State IN (Beech Grove H.S. 2023), Jeremiah Tate Jeremiah Tate 6'0" | PG Beech Grove | 2023 State IN (Beech Grove H.S. 2023)
Storyline: This matchup features the current Prep Hoops Indiana Class 3A #1 ranked team in NorthWood against the defending Class 3A state champions in Beech Grove. The Panthers are led by 6’3″ guard Cade Brenner Cade Brenner 6'3" | SG NorthWood | 2023 State IN who was named an Indiana Junior All-Star, is committed to Huntington, and will likely reach the 1,000 point milestone during Saturday’s game. Meanwhile, the Hornets are trying to prove that they still belong in the conversation as 3A contenders despite what they have lost from last season’s team. Senior guards Jeremiah Alexander Jeremiah Alexander 6'3" | PG Beech Grove | 2023 State IN and Jeremiah Tate Jeremiah Tate 6'0" | PG Beech Grove | 2023 State IN were both starters on that squad.
Prediction: NorthWood isn’t just the best in Class 3A, they are one of the more complete teams in the state. They are the only non-4A team currently ranked in the Prep Hoops Indiana Super Poll. Expect to see the Panthers flex those muscles in this one against the defending state championship. 67-54 NorthWood.
1:15 p.m. – Zionsville (0-2) vs. Gary 21st Century (2-0)
Prospects to Watch: Logan Imes Logan Imes 6'4" | PG Zionsville | 2023 State #202 Nation IN (Zionsville H.S. 2023 – Penn State), Nick Richart Nick Richart 6'9" | PF Zionsville | 2023 State IN (Zionsville H.S. 2023 – Charlotte), Ashton Williamson Ashton Williamson 6'2" | PG Gary 21st Century | 2023 State #287 Nation IN (Gary 21st Century 2023), D.J. Moss D.J. Moss 6'4" | SF Gary 21st Century | 2023 State IN (Gary 21st Century 2023), Quintin Floyd Quintin Floyd 6'4" | SG Gary 21st Century | 2023 State IN (Gary 21st Century 2023)
Storyline: It has been a tough start to the season for Zionsville as they sit at 0-2 after losses to Carmel and Ben Davis. However, the Eagles are still ranked #6 in 4A by Prep Hoops Indiana and feature as good of a one-two punch as you’ll find in the state. Penn State bound guard Logan Imes Logan Imes 6'4" | PG Zionsville | 2023 State #202 Nation IN and 6’9″ Charlotte bound Nick Richart Nick Richart 6'9" | PF Zionsville | 2023 State IN make up an excellent inside-out duo for Coach J.R. Howell. On the other side, Gary 21st Century has a ton of firepower in their senior class. The Cougars are ranked #3 in Class 2A led by constant triple-double threat Ashton Williamson Ashton Williamson 6'2" | PG Gary 21st Century | 2023 State #287 Nation IN in the backcourt. Division I programs need to be keeping a close eye on the dynamic point guard.
Prediction: This one will likely come down to style of play. A half court game will favor the Eagles while a higher-scoring affair likely means Gary 21st Century is controlling the tempo. Imes and Richart won’t be thrown off by the athleticism of the Cougars though. 67-62 Zionsville.
3:00 p.m. – Heritage Christian (1-1) vs. Linton-Stockton (1-0)
Prospects to Watch: Myles Colvin Myles Colvin 6'5" | SG Heritage Christian | 2023 State #51 Nation IN (Heritage Christian 2023 – Purdue), Dylan Doss Dylan Doss 5'10" | PG Heritage Christian | 2023 State IN (Heritage Christian 2023), Joey Hart Joey Hart 6'5" | SG Linton-Stockton | 2023 State #214 Nation IN (Linton-Stockton H.S. 2023 – Central Florida), Logan Webb Logan Webb 6'3" | SG Linton-Stockton | 2023 State IN (Linton-Stockton H.S. 2023), Braden Walters Braden Walters 6'6" | PF Terre Haute North | 2024 State IN (Linton-Stockton H.S. 2024)
Storyline: The matchup between two Indiana Mr. Basketball candidates is the draw in this one. Future Purdue Boilermaker Myles Colvin Myles Colvin 6'5" | SG Heritage Christian | 2023 State #51 Nation IN is one of the most exciting players in the state. He is a high-flyer at the rim and an excellent shooter from beyond the arc. Joey Hart Joey Hart 6'5" | SG Linton-Stockton | 2023 State #214 Nation IN , who is signed to play at Central Florida, is an elite shooter as well with some above-the-rim abilities in his own right. Linton-Stockton comes in as the #2 ranked team in Class 2A and likely has the advantage in terms of overall talent. However, Colvin can be the game changer.
Prediction: The “Big 3” formed by Hart, Webb, and Walters will be too much for the Eagles in this one. Colvin is an exceptional talent, but the Miners have more depth. 57-51 Linton-Stockton.
4:45 p.m. – Brownsburg (2-0) vs. Heritage Hills (2-0)
Prospects to Watch: Kanon Catchings Kanon Catchings 6'8" | PF Overtime Elite (GA) | 2024 #31 Nation GA (Brownsburg H.S. 2024 – Purdue), Elhadj Diallo Elhadj Diallo 6'2" | SG Brownsburg | 2023 State IN (Brownsburg H.S. 2023), Trent Sisley Trent Sisley 6'8" | PF Heritage Hills | 2025 State #47 Nation IN (Heritage Hills H.S. 2025), Jake Prior Jake Prior 6'5" | SG Heritage Hills | 2026 State IN (Heritage Hills H.S. 2026)
Storyline: The host Bulldogs, featuring Purdue commit Kanon Catchings Kanon Catchings 6'8" | PF Overtime Elite (GA) | 2024 #31 Nation GA , face-off with 4-star sophomore forward Trent Sisley Trent Sisley 6'8" | PF Heritage Hills | 2025 State #47 Nation IN . Sisley is a highly sought after Big Ten recruit who could potentially play with, or against, Catchings down the road in college. Brownsburg has been one of the more impressive teams in the young season having beaten North Central on opening night and then defeating a talented Lakota West (OH) team.
Prediction: Brownsburg will be the more veteran team and certainly possesses more overall talent. However, Sisley could be the X-Factor that keeps the Patriots in the game. 65-48 Brownsburg.
6:30 p.m. – Ben Davis (3-0) vs. Kokomo (0-1)
Prospects to Watch: Zane Doughty Zane Doughty 6'8" | C Ben Davis | 2023 State IN (Ben Davis H.S. 2023 – Valparaiso), K.J. Windham K.J. Windham 6'3" | PG Ben Davis | 2024 State #137 Nation IN (Ben Davis H.S. 2024), Sheridan Sharp Sheridan Sharp 6'2" | PG Ben Davis | 2023 State IN (Ben Davis H.S. 2023), Clay Butler Clay Butler 6'1" | PG Ben Davis | 2023 State IN (Ben Davis H.S. 2023 – Lincoln), Shaun Arnold Shaun Arnold 6'5" | PF Ben Davis | 2023 State IN (Ben Davis H.S. 2023 – St. Thomas Aquinas), Flory Bidunga Flory Bidunga 6'9" | C Kokomo | 2024 State #7 Nation IN (Kokomo H.S. 2024), Zavion Bellamy Zavion Bellamy 5'10" | PG Kokomo | 2023 IN (Kokomo H.S. 2023)
Storyline: Anyone who even remotely follows Indiana High School Basketball knows the draw in this game. 6’9″ 5-star center Flory Bidunga Flory Bidunga 6'9" | C Kokomo | 2024 State #7 Nation IN versus 6’9″ Valparaiso commit Zane Doughty Zane Doughty 6'8" | C Ben Davis | 2023 State IN . Anytime Bidunga takes the floor it is appointment viewing. One of the very best prospects in the entire country regardless of class.
Prediction: Flory Bidunga Flory Bidunga 6'9" | C Kokomo | 2024 State #7 Nation IN is the best player in the state, but Ben Davis just has too many pieces. 66-55 Giants.
8:15 p.m. – Cathedral (2-0) vs. Centerville (OH) (0-0)
Prospects to Watch: Xavier Booker Xavier Booker 6'11" | PF Cathedral | 2023 State #4 Nation IN (Cathedral H.S. 2023 – Michigan State), Jaron Tibbs Jaron Tibbs 6'4" | SF Cathedral | 2023 State IN (Cathedral H.S. 2023 – Purdue Football), Jake Davis Jake Davis 6'6" | SF Cathedral | 2023 State IN (Cathedral H.S. 2023 – Mercer), Kamari Slaughter Kamari Slaughter 6'2" | SG Cathedral | 2023 State IN (Cathedral H.S. 2023), Gabe Cupps Gabe Cupps 6'1" | PG Centerville | 2023 State #80 Nation OH (Centerville H.S. 2023 – Indiana)
Storyline: Two of the best teams in the midwest meet up for the Sneakers For Santa nightcap. This game might feature two Mr. Basketball award winners as Michigan State commit Xavier Booker Xavier Booker 6'11" | PF Cathedral | 2023 State #4 Nation IN , the #1 player in the country according to Rivals, is a front-runner in Indiana while Indiana signee Gabe Cupps Gabe Cupps 6'1" | PG Centerville | 2023 State #80 Nation OH won the award last season in Ohio.
Prediction: Both of these teams have state championship aspirations. The Irish went 26-6 and won the Indiana Class 4A title while Centerville went 29-1 a year ago. Cathedral should have a little bit more depth and Booker’s size can be the difference. 73-66 Cathedral.