One of the top events on the high school basketball calendar is moving to Carmel High School this season.
The annual Hope Plumbing Tipoff Classic is set for Dec. 12 and will feature six games, including one state champion and a runner-up from last season and several teams that should be top contenders in their respective classes this season.
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A closer look at the six games:
Barr-Reeve is the reigning Class 1A state champion, coming off a 28-1 season last year in Heath Howington’s first year as coach. The Vikings have reason to believe they can repeat with several returners, including senior Kierson Lengacher (14.0 ppg, 2.4 assists) and juniors Jaylon Graber (10.8 ppg, 4.0 rebounds), and Braxton Neidigh (9.9 ppg, 3.3. rebounds). Blackford is coming off a 20-7 season and Class 2A sectional title and brings back one of the most talented players in the state in junior Amarian Leggett (26.3 ppg, 4.3 assists, 4.2 rebounds). Eli Petro, a 6-8 senior, will be a key player for the Bruins.
There are high expectations for both of these Class 2A programs. Oak Hill, which went 25-2 last year and won a regional title, had one of the highest-scoring teams in the state last year and should again be one of the state’s top teams. Senior Jace Tonagel (16.0 ppg, 6.0 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 2.6 steals) returns with sophomore younger brother Will Tonagel (14.4 ppg, 3.7 assists, 2.6 steals) and several other key players, including seniors Kevaunte Simmons (8.3 ppg, 3.3 rebounds) and Jayden Younce (6.1 ppg, 4.0 rebounds). Austin had a major breakthrough last year, winning a Class 2A regional title and finishing 17-9. Indiana recruit Micah Mohler is coming off an outstanding freshman season that saw him average 21.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists. Junior guard Tracen Roush (14.7 ppg, 3.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists) is another player to watch for Austin.
Crown Point loses a lot to graduation from last year’s Class 4A state runner-up team, but does bring back one of the top juniors in the state in 6-4 guard M.J. Wilson (8.5 ppg, 2.2 rebounds) and 6-8 senior Cooper Malaski (5.0 ppg, 4.0 rebounds). The Bulldogs finished 25-2 last season. Zionsville has a new coach as former Plainfield coach Andy Weaver moves over to lead a program that is coming off a 13-11 season and brings back seniors Camden Moore (13.5 ppg, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists), Rylon Gore (12.3 ppg) and Nick Snively (6.0 ppg, 4.0 rebounds) and junior Zach Green (4.6 ppg, 2.0 rebounds) among others.
Penn is coming off an 18-7 season and returns one of the top juniors in the state in guard Caleb Coolman (21.0 ppg, 8.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists), along with senior Makale Price (8.6 ppg, 4.7 rebounds), sophomore Mikell Burton (5.5 ppg, 2.6 assists) and incoming freshman guard Josh Sanderson. The Kingsmen lost to South Bend Riley last year in the sectional semifinal. Hamilton Southeastern also has one of the top juniors in the state in guard Varschon Clark (13.3 ppg, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists). The Royals graduated seven seniors who all contributed but Clark, sophomore guard K.J. Buckley (3.3 ppg) and junior guard Davis Baker (6.0 ppg, 40.4% 3-pointers) will give this group a solid core.
Both of these teams have Class 4A state title aspirations. Fishers brings back two of the top senior guards in the state in Jason Gardner Jr., an Auburn commit, and Cooper Zachary, a Florida Gulf Coast commit. Those two combined for more than 35 points per game last season in a 24-1 year. Senior Levi Walker also returns after averaging just under 10 points per game last season, along with senior Micaiah Baker and 6-8 sophomore Max Hopkins. Others in the mix will be senior Jalen Campbell, junior Maksim Rodavich and sophomores Tristan Breland and Jayden Bogan. New Albany is coming off a 23-6 season and was one step from the state finals, falling to Mt. Vernon in the semistate championship. Junior Noah Washington returns with sophomore Karson Stoudemire and Reece McKee, Seth Winslow, Ashton McKee, Xavier Harvey and Greyson Grubbs.
Carmel is coming off an 18-6 season and sectional championship and returns plenty of talent, including senior point guard Cash Daniels (12.8 ppg, 5.5 assists, 3.6 rebounds) and a core that will include seniors Vincent Nover, Josh Henderson, Griffyn Robisch, 6-11 junior Mark Shostak and junior guard Ty’eir Petty. Silver Creek was 29-2 last year and played in the Class 3A semistate championship, falling to state champion Cathedral. The Dragons lose a lot to graduation but bring back Belmont commit Brandon Hunter (12.0 ppg, 10.5 assists, 5.9 rebounds), seniors Lucas Linderman (5.4 ppg, 3.2 rebounds), Brody McLaughlin (5.9 ppg, 4.6 rebounds) and Donovan Whitehead (3.3 ppg, 2.7 rebounds) and juniors Evan Renn and Aiden Makun.
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Lineup set for high school basketball Tipoff Classic at Carmel in December
