Is Carmel #1? Prep Ball Stars Boys Top 10 – Week 1

Lawrence North about ran the table during the regular season last year and was on fire most of the season.  Carmel started off slow but finished strong.  Those two teams looked like they were headed to the state finals last year.  Who is #1 to start the season?  Could they meet there in 2021?  Here is Prep Ball Stars Top 10 to begin the season:

10. Pike

This may be a surprise to some but Pike has the talent.  Returning starters JJ Louden (junior Point Guard), sharpshooting junior Ryan Conwell and 6’6″ senior Eddie Jones give them a great nucleus. Junior guard Omari Ferguson could be a top defender, especially paired with Louden.  Watch out also for sophomore Point Guard Devon Woods.  The Red Devils could move up if they play to their potential.

9. Fort Wayne Blackhawk (2A)

Blackhawk is 2A but the Caleb Furst in the middle, they have a chance to beat anyone and be in every game.  Junior Luke Lagrange and senior Zane Burke give the Braves a lot of depth.

8. Homestead

Is senior guard and Illinois committee Luke Goode and Purdue commit Fletcher Loyer the best duo in the state?  They have a chance to be and to take Homestead a long way come March depending on how these two jell.

7. Crispus Attucks

While Attucks loses 25+ scorer Sincere McMahon from last year, they have talent left in seniors Jaylen Carson and Donavon Barnett with tons of varsity experience.  And they add sophomore Jalen Hooks from Franklin Central and junior BJ Smith from Lawrence Central.  They also get Quashawn Ware back returning from prep school.  This could be the team to beat in March.

6. Gary West

There is too much talent here to not have this group in the Top 10 led by Top 20 national 2022 player Jalen Washington and D1 talents Quimari Peterson (junior Point Guard) and Chrishawn Christmas (senior wing).  Will they jell and play up to the talent?

5. Silver Creek (3A)

My pre-season pick for Mr. Basketball is Purdue commit Trey Kaufman, and paired with Toledo commit Kooper Jacobi, this tandem has been tough to beat at any level.  They are the defending champs for class 3A.

4. Cathedral

Cathedral is loaded with depth this year and is strong at every position.  They are led by junior Point Guard Tayshawn Comer, who is as good as any Point Guard in the state, and Air Force commit Vincent Brady.  They also have great size in 6’8″ junior Jeff Moe and 6’11” sophomore Xavier Booker.  Keep an eye on freshman Point Guard Dhani Flannigan, who could make an impact this season.

3.  Warren Central

Warren may have the most talent top to bottom in the state and have 21.0 points averaging senior Malik Stanley returning, along with part time returning starters in junior Chandler Jackson and senior Sean Black.  Add to that a new coach in D’Andre Davis from Lawrence Central and also his 6’6″ junior son D’Ante and it makes for a tough out all year and in March.  Keep an eye on 6’7″ Illinois transfer Donald Coats.

2.  Carmel

I am struggling right now with choosing between Carmel and Lawrence North for #1.  My mind says the Greyhounds, by my gut says LN after now getting to finish last year.  We’ll see.  But Carmel is worthy with their two leading scores returning in junior guard Peter Suder and senior Brian Waddell.  6’9″ junior Charlie Williams is also tough.

1. Lawrence North

Will the Wildcats start off hot again and get to close the show this year?  They have the talent to do it in Mr. Basketball candidate Shamar Avance  and Butler commit DJ Hughes.  CJ Gunn may be the best junior in the state.  There is no better trio of players in the state.  And they get strong contributions from football players junior Omar Cooper and senior Donavon McCauley.