3A Preview 2013-2014

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Count them…TWO defending champs this year.  Yes, two, thanks to the IHSAA’s shiny new “success factor”.  If you’ve read my Twitter, you know I’m not a fan.  How many different ways can we define “fair”?  Still, it makes for a compelling potential 3A championship.

  1. Hamilton Heights
  2. Heritage Hills
  3. Fort Wayne Concordia
  4. Vincennes Lincoln
  5. Evansville Memorial
  6. FrankfortIn 1995, the Hot Dogs won 24 games.  Last year’s 21 wins was the highest win total since then.  That 1995 team came in the middle of a great stretch of basketball hosted by Case Arena.  Those teams could never get over the Regional hump.  Likewise, Coach Tom Weeks has had Frankfort to two straight regional finals, only to get clipped.  This year he’ll have three tested seniors to lead the way, Christian Smith, 6’3″ forward, Brody Kirby, 6’0″ point guard, and Isaac Rudd, 6’1″ guard.  All three posted double digit scoring averages, while Smith is among the state’s best rebounders.
  7. New Haven - Steve McElvene was a one man wrecking crew at the Marion Regional last year, taking down FW Northrop and almost ousting eventual state champ, Carmel.  New Haven moves to 3A, but the 6’11″ Dayton signee returns to help Coach Al Gooden secure another state title (Harding).  Guard play and replacing VJ Beachem will be tall tasks (no pun intended), but McElvene came out of the summer with better conditioning than a year ago.
  8. Corydon Central - The two knowns are impressive.  Bronson Kessinger, 6’8″ junior forward, is returning after a strong sophomore season, when he led the team in scoring and rebounding.  Brayden Lander, 6’2″ senior guard, is a versatile perimeter threat and was second on the team in scoring.  Timothy Wiseman, 6’0″ junior guard, was pressed into the starting point guard spot after the incumbent transferred out.  This year Wiseman comes in knowing it’s his job.  He could be an X-factor to Corydon getting through to the Regional.
  9. Batesville - Returning six of their top seven bodes well for a Bulldog team that gave Greensburg their only loss of the season.  With one exception, Batesville is balanced.  The one exception is Bryan Hoeing.  Committed to Louisville for baseball (pitcher), he’s likely to get drafted out of high school.  However, if he had chosen, his basketball recruitment would’ve been interesting.  The 6’6″ junior forward has already posted a 40+ point game.  The problem he and his teammates have is they’re rolling through at a time when Greensburg is having some of their best teams in history.  (Sort of like how the rest of the area felt when Batesville was led by Michael Menser.)
  10. Evansville BosseI’m not going to say, “No JaQuan, no problem,” but the cupboard isn’t bare.  The Bulldogs will miss the do everything incoming senior, as he transferred to Huntington Prep in West Virginia, but they return three very capable offensive players in seniors Perry Fairow, 6’3″ guard, Bo Burkhart, 6’0″ point guard, and Bryson Johnson, 6’4″ forward.  Sophomore Erik Bell, a 5’11″ point guard, has a chance too to help.
  11. NorthWoodDynamic Duo might be a bit strong, but Jonathon Wilkinson and Zach Zurcher, both seniors, return after averaging over 16+ ppg.  Seniors Will Stueve and Tanner Farmwald also return.
  12. Brebeuf - PJ Thompson is one of the most competitive kids in the state.  Undecided in his college choice, it’s not for a lack of options.  Adam Kroot, 6’4″ senior wing, does a little bit of everything on the court, and he’s a great compliment to Thompson.  Kroot can hit the open shot, and he can handle the ball when Thompson needs to get free.  Andrew Terrell, a 6’2″ junior point guard, plays nicely along side Thompson too, and the Braves will benefit from the addition of Aaron Banks, 6’4″ junior forward, who transferred over from North Central.
  13. Guerin CatholicSpeaking of transfers, Christmas came early.  As news trickled out that Matt Holba was leaving Chesterton for Central Indiana, the guessing game began where the 6’7″ junior forward would end up.  Possessing mid and high major offers, Holba settled in Noblesville and enrolled in Guerin.  He joins a great cast of seniors, headlined by Aaron Brennan.  The 6’6″ senior, IUPUI recruit, is joined by long time teammate Whit Rapp, 6’1″ point guard, and 6’5″ Chris Burroughs.
  14. Bowman Academy - Due to the IHSAA’s new “success factor”, Bowman moves up to 3A.  Last year Bowman made history, being the first school to win a boys’ basketball title in two separate classes.  They can make history again with a 3A title.  Harding was the first team to reach the state finals in two different classes.  Justin King, a 6’6″ senior wing returns, as does Devon Dillard, a 6’4″ junior wing.  Dillard is extremely athletic, and his skills and shot mechanics are improved, while King kind of floats a bit but has a nice mix of skills that makes him a very tough cover when he’s motivated.  Seniors D’Mario Smith and Arthur Haggard make up a very talented back court.
  15. Greensburg - One last go around for the class of 2014.  It started with Sean Sellers and Macy Holdsclaw, both started as freshmen.  Bryant McIntosh moved over from New Castle his sophomore year, and as a trio they are 49-2 with one 3A title.  Part of that mix is 6’8″ junior forward Ryan Welage.  Sellers is committed to Ball State.  McIntosh is committed to Northwestern.  Welage is being recruited at the D1 level as well.

 

First Team:

Second Team:

Third Team:

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