Indiana high school basketball Class 4A preview: What to know about Indy-area teams

Here is a look at the local Class 4A boys basketball sectional fields (teams ranked in order of finish, by sectional):

Defending state champion: Cathedral

Local sectional winners in 2021-22: Westfield, Ben Davis, Mt. Vernon, Cathedral, Franklin

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Sectional 8

Zionsville (14-8) – The Eagles were 8-0 to start last season and ranked No. 1 in the state before suffering some key injuries. Coach J.R. Howell has a mix of experience and youth, led by 6-4 senior and Penn State commit Logan Imes (17.8 ppg, 5.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists), 6-9 senior and UNC-Charlotte commit Nick Richart (9.5 ppg, 6.1 rebounds), 6-3 senior Edward Thomas (5.2 ppg, 3.6 rebounds) and 6-3 senior Matthew Wleklinski (3.2 ppg, 3.8 rebounds). The fifth starter will likely be 6-5 sophomore Maguire Mitchell. Others expected to contribute are 6-2 sophomore Drew Snively, 6-1 sophomore Eugene Hilton, 6-1 senior Lucas Louiso, 6-foot sophomore Jackson Tielker and 6-5 junior Luke Reasoner.

Carmel (18-6) – Coach Ryan Osborn will have one of his more inexperienced teams in recent years, though 6-8 senior and Belmont commit Sam Orme (11.9 ppg, 5.5) is one of the top players in the state. He will be joined in the starting lineup by 6-4 senior Spencer White (2.2 ppg, 1.7 rebounds), 6-1 senior Jake Griffin, 5-9 junior Ryan Clevenger and 5-9 sophomore Alex Couto. Jared Bonds, a 6-5 senior, averaged 5.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per game last season. Others in the rotation are 6-4 junior Owen Huber, 5-11 senior Logan Reinhart, 6-4 junior Mitch Mulloy and 5-8 junior Cooper Inskeep. The Greyhounds saw their seven-year sectional title streak end last season.

Fishers (21-3) – There is a lot to replace here for third-year coach Garrett Winegar, who loses nine of his 12 players. But standout 6-7 sophomore Jalen Haralson (16.0 ppg, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists) returns and will be joined by a talented group in 6-2 sophomore JonAnthony Hall, 6-2 junior Taden Metzger (15.3 ppg at Marion last season) and 6-6 junior Keenen Garner. Others competing in the rotation are 6-9 senior James Stasey, 6-6 sophomore Nathan Baker, 6-3 junior Grant Haworth, 6-3 junior Parker Perdue, 6-2 senior Aidan Zimmer, 6-5 senior Grant Ables, 6-2 sophomore Millen McCartney and 6-2 junior Bryson Seymour.

Noblesville (13-11) – Coach Scott McClelland believes he has a team that can build off last year’s momentum with experienced players returning in 6-3 senior Luke Almodovar (12.6 ppg, 4.2 rebounds), 6-3 senior Cooper Bean (9.2 ppg, 1.7 rebounds), 6-5 senior Preston Roberts (10.1 ppg, 5.7 rebounds), 6-3 junior Aaron Fine (13.7 ppg, 2.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists) and 6-6 junior Hunter Walston (2.4 ppg, 2.8 rebounds). The Millers will look to develop depth beyond that group starting with 6-4 sophomore Aidan Brewer, 5-10 sophomore T.J. Davidson and 6-2 freshman Justin Curry. Noblesville is looking to win its first sectional since 2010.

Westfield (22-7) – Coach Shane Sumpter has a lot to replace from last year’s first sectional championship team in program history, including Mr. Basketball Braden Smith and standout Cam Haffner. But the Shamrocks have several talented pieces returning, including 6-6 senior Alex Romack (13.1 ppg, 7.0 rebounds, 61% field goals), 6-foot junior Trey Buchanan (6.3 ppg, 2.1 rebounds, 44% 3-pointers), 6-1 senior Sam Bishop (3.0 ppg, 1.9 rebounds), 6-3 junior Armani Middlebrooks and 6-1 junior Charles Farrell. Others in the mix for playing time are 6-1 sophomore Max McComb, 6-2 junior Caleb Wise, 6-5 junior Seth Laravia, 5-7 sophomore Will Harvey, 6-1 sophomore Rylan Rauch, 6-2 sophomore Ian Wilson and 6-foot senior Mathew Naas.

Hamilton Southeastern (9-14) – John Ashworth goes into his second season with a strong core of experienced players, led by 6-7 senior Reph Stevenson (11.0 ppg, 6.0 rebounds, 59% field goals) and 6-4 junior Donovan Hamilton (8.0 ppg, 4.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists). Other projected starters are 6-foot junior Deion Miles (2.2 ppg, 2.8 assists), 6-2 senior Christian Pfeifer and 6-4 junior Eli Robinson. Others in the rotation are 6-2 junior Michael Griffith (2.3 ppg, 3.0 rebounds), 6-3 junior Myles Holman, 6-1 sophomore Braeden Totton and 6-5 senior Joe Karwowski. HSE dipped under .500 last year for the first time since 2014-15.

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Sectional 9

Anderson (20-5)

New Palestine (19-7) – Three starters return for coach Trent Whitaker from a team that played for a sectional championship last season. Blaine Nunnally, a 5-10 senior, averaged 13.8 points, 4.4 assists and 2.3 rebounds last season and is joined by 6-5 senior Ian Stephens (12.5 ppg, 9.7 rebounds, 1.9 steals) and 6-4 sophomore Ben Slagley (6.6 ppg, 3.9 rebounds) as returning starters. Joining them in the lineup will be 5-11 senior Bryant Nunnally (2.2 ppg, 1.4 rebounds) and 6-2 sophomore Julius Gizzi. Others in the mix for playing time are 6-2 senior Eian Roudebush (2.2 ppg, 1.6 rebounds), 6-foot senior Kendall Hill and 5-10 sophomore Moses Haynes. New Palestine has five consecutive winning seasons under Whitaker.

Mt. Vernon (22-3) – Coach Ben Rhoades will have a much different looking team after the graduation of Armon and Amhad Jarrard and other seniors from last year’s sectional championship team that won 16 consecutive games before losing by two points to Ben Davis in the regional. This team is talented, just young. Rhoades will start 6-2 senior Eli Bridenthal (6.7 ppg, 3.9 rebounds, 40% 3-pointers) with 6-2 sophomore Tanner Teschendorf, 6-foot freshman Julien Smith and 6-1 freshman Luke Ertel. Competing for the fifth starting spot and also contributing will be 6-foot senior Daylon King, 6-foot senior Connor Schank, 6-3 junior Brady Fitzgerald, 6-4 freshman R’Mani Wells and 6-6 senior Adam Hackett.

Greenfield-Central (15-8) – Fourth-year coach Luke Meredith has the Cougars coming off back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in 18 years. This team will be led by 1,000-point scorer and 6-3 guard Dylan Moles (19.2 ppg, 3.6 rebounds, 2.1 steals, 41% 3-point shooter), a four-year starter. Also returning as starters are 6-4 sophomore Braylon Mullins (11.2 ppg, 3.3 rebounds, 38% 3-pointers) and 6-1 senior Tyler Kerkhof (4.4 ppg, 1.4 rebounds, 38% 3-pointers). Other projected starters are 6-3 senior Will DeJarnett and 6-1 senior Owen Anderson (1.7 ppg in 17 games). Ohers competing in the rotation are 6-3 junior Jake Hinton, 6-4 sophomore Dallas Freeman, 5-9 sophomore Boston Willard, 6-3 junior Braden Robertson, 6-4 sophomore Cameron Stump, 6-foot senior Nathan Gasparrini and 6-2 senior Ian Jack.

Richmond (10-15)

Pendleton Heights (8-16) – Adam Ballard goes into his third season as coach led by a pair of juniors in 6-8 forward Josiah Gustin (10.8 ppg, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 blocked shots) and 6-3 forward Brayden Kanitz (6.3 ppg, 2.5 rebounds). Other projected starters are 6-foot junior Aaron Cookston (1.9 ppg), 6-2 sophomore Evan Mozingo and 5-9 junior Isaac Wilson. Other contributors will be 5-10 junior Caden Sims (2.4 ppg), 5-8 junior Dontrez Braxton, 6-2 junior Reese Caplinger and 5-11 junior Canon Cook. The Arabians have won eight games each of the past three seasons.

Muncie Central (4-19)

Sectional 10

Cathedral (26-6) – Coach Jason Delaney has quite a bit of talent returning from last year’s state championship team, including 6-11 senior and Michigan State recruit Xavier Booker (12.5 ppg, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 blocked shots), 6-5 senior and Purdue football recruit Jaron Tibbs (13.2 ppg, 7.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists) and 6-7 senior and Mercer recruit Jake Davis (10.2 ppg, 4.7 rebounds, 46% 3-point shooter). The other projected starters are 6-2 senior Sincere Germany (4.7 ppg, 51% 3-point shooter) and 5-10 sophomore Lebron Gough (2.1 ppg, 1.2 assists). Kamari Slaughter, a 6-3 senior, averaged 15.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game last year at Portage. Other contributors will be 5-11 sophomore Deric Cannady, 6-7 sophomore Brady Koehler, 6-3 junior Anthony Fields, 6-5 sophomore Albren Johnson and 6-3 freshman Keaton Aldridge.

North Central (16-8) – Kevin Gant led North Central to a Marion County tournament championship in his first season as coach, though the Panthers were knocked out in first round of the sectional by eventual state champion Cathedral. Expected starters going into this season are 6-7 senior Joey Brown (13.2 ppg, 6.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 52% field goals), 6-4 senior Charlie Baker (1.5 ppg, 2.0 rebounds, 50% 3-pointers), 5-9 junior Mason Lewis (6.4 ppg, 2.0 assists), 5-10 junior Christian Woodson (5.0 ppg, 1.0 rebounds) and 6-3 junior Jaxson Bell. Others in the mix as contributors will be 6-1 sophomore Nijah Jewell, 6-1 sophomore Papi Rivera and 6-2 junior Tim Williams.

Lawrence North (17-7) – It is officially a new era for Lawrence North after the retirement of Jack Keefer, the only coach in program history. New coach Chris Giffin, a former assistant under Keefer who had been coaching the girls’ program, has a group led by 6-1 junior Kobi Bowles (7.8 ppg, 3.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds), 6-foot sophomore Azavier Robinson (8.7 ppg, 4.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists), 5-10 junior Miles Good (2.3 ppg in 15 games) and 6-3 sophomore Davion Hampton. The Wildcats should soon find out if 6-9 senior David Meriwether will be eligible after his transfer from Metropolitan, where he earned Junior All-Star honors. Others in the mix for playing time will be 6-4 senior Mase Hughes (2.8 ppg, 1.7 rebounds), 5-10 junior Myles Baker, 6-5 freshman Brennan Miller, 5-8 freshman Cameron Webster and 6-1 senior Ty Cunningham.

Crispus Attucks (13-11) – Coach Chris Hawkins has high expectations for the Tigers, who will still be relatively young with projected starting lineup of 6-2 junior Ron Rutland III (8.5 ppg, 3.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists), 6-8 sophomore Dezmon Briscoe (6.5 ppg, 10.3 rebounds, 3.4 blocked shots), 6-2 junior Jacson Payton (5.0 ppg, 2.2 rebounds), 6-foot sophomore Chris Hurt (2.0 ppg, 4.3 assists) and 6-4 sophomore DeAndre Lott. Other contributors will be 6-5 senior Damointe Bush, 6-4 senior Devin Briscoe, 6-3 senior Sincere Floyd (2.8 ppg, 1.4 rebounds), 6-4 junior Demetrius Jenkins (5.0 ppg, 3.0 rebounds), 5-8 junior Rishon Butts, 6-3 sophomore Julian Norwood, 6-5 sophomore Travon Davis and 6-3 sophomore Ronisone Thomas.

Lawrence Central (6-16) – Coach Al Gooden goes into his ninth season with a solid group of returners led by 6-4 senior and Western Carolina commit Kamari Jones (15.3 ppg, 2.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists), 6-2 senior DaJohn Craig (14.5 ppg, 3.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists) and 6-5 senior and LSU football commit Joshua Mickens (13.0 ppg, 7.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists). The other two projected starters are 6-3 senior Braylon Russell (4.0 ppg) and 6-foot junior Bryson Luter (3.0 ppg, 1.8 assists). Other contributors will be 6-3 senior William Watts, 6-3 senior Jake Franklin (8.2 ppg in 11 games) and 6-5 sophomore Nizyi Davis.

Warren Central (15-8) – D’Andre Davis goes into his third season as coach with a team that will be learning how to play together early in the year. The top returner is 5-10 senior Devaon Holman (5.7 ppg, 2.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists), who will be joined in the starting lineup by 6-6 senior Jalen Hooks, who is transferring in from prep school after previous stops at Crispus Attucks and Franklin Central. Other projected starters are 5-11 senior Brandon Snodgrass, 6-1 senior Caleb Green and 6-4 junior Akin Smith. Others in the rotation are 5-9 sophomore Ezekiel Kirby (5.5 ppg), 6-3 sophomore Jevon Guess (6.6 ppg, 4.5 rebounds) and 6-7 senior Tyler Horton. The graduation of Tae Davis, now a freshman at Seton Hall, leaves a major void.

Tech (18-8) – Coach Damon Turner will have a young and inexperienced team, but one that should grow through the season and into future years. The Titans expect to start 6-5 senior Tyler Shelton (1.0 ppg), 6-foot freshman Elexandar Harris, 6-5 junior Sharobie Kelly, 6-5 junior Ananias Evans and 6-foot sophomore Brandon Rogers. Others expected to contribute are 6-foot senior Darius King, 6-foot senior Jayveon Brooks, 5-9 freshman Malik Sims and 6-6 junior Jayden Ford.

Sectional 11

Ben Davis (22-7) – Coach Don Carlisle has a team that should be able to compete with anyone on the schedule. The Giants will start 6-3 junior K.J. Windham (11.6 ppg, 40% 3-point shooter), 6-8 senior Zane Doughty (11.3 ppg, 11.0 rebounds, 3.0 blocked shots), 6-2 senior Sheridan Sharp (10.1 ppg, 5.7 assists, 4.0 rebounds), 6-foot senior Clay Butler (9.7 ppg, 3.0 rebounds, 39% 3-pointers) and 6-5 senior Shaun Arnold (8.0 ppg, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals). Others in the main rotation will be 6-1 sophomore Mark Zachery (6.0 ppg), 6-6 senior Jesse Faires (4.0 ppg, 2.0 rebounds), 6-4 junior Mark White Jr. (2.0 ppg) and 6-5 senior Jamir Carnell (2.0 ppg, 2.0 rebounds). Ben Davis will play a high-octane tempo this season.

Southport (14-12) – The Cardinals are built to win this season for coach Eric Brand, who has eight seniors on the roster. Brand expect to start five seniors – 6-2 guard Anthony Dancler Jr. (17.8 ppg, 3.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists), 6-foot senior Keyon Miller (13.4 ppg, 3.9 assists, 3.1 rebounds), 6-6 senior Nickens Lemba (13.9 ppg, 9.0 rebounds, 2.8 blocked shots), 6-5 senior Jayden Pinkston (12.0 ppg, 4.6 rebounds, 2.6 steals as a junior at Tindley) and 6-4 senior Jeff Pinkston (6.1 ppg, 3.9 rebounds) – and will have 6-1 senior Tanner Percifield (2.1 ppg), 5-9 senior Terrion Washington, 6-4 Shane Handlon (3.2 ppg, 2.3 rebounds), 5-10 junior Jye Rudolph, 6-foot sophomore Michael Johnson, 5-11 sophomore Imon Cousins, 6-4 sophomore Jack Turner and 6-5 sophomore Donovan Brewer coming off the bench.

Pike (14-9) – The Red Devils lose a lot of scoring and leadership with Indiana All-Star Ryan Conwell and four other seniors gone to graduation. Coach Bill Zych expects the depth to be improved, though, and has three starters returning in 5-11 senior Devon Woods (12.7 ppg, 4.7 assists), 6-4 junior Cam Casky (8.3 ppg, 3.4 rebounds, 39% 3-pointers) and 6-5 senior Joseph Annan (3.3 ppg, 3.4 rebounds, 56% shooter). The other starters and contributors will come from a group of 5-11 senior Keyshon Meredith, 6-foot sophomore Damon Howard, 5-11 junior Coryall Spates, 6-5 sophomore Titus Hunter, 6-4 sophomore Jalen Ashley, 6-2 senior Avery Douglas (transfer from Purdue Poly), 6-foot senior Josh Woods (1.3 ppg) and 6-6 senior Keith Ingram.

Franklin Central (9-14) – Coach Criss Beyers will have a team that is still relatively young and will have two freshman in the main rotation in 6-2 guard Marr Nicholson and 6-6 forward EJ Hazelett. There is some experience also with 6-foot senior guard Bryce Hoover and seniors Tushawn Tiwana and Elijah Crockett. Others in the rotation will be junior guard Dhani Flannigan, junior Josh Moriarty and sophomore Darius Helm. The Flashes are coming off back-to-back nine-win seasons.

Decatur Central (13-10) – Second-year coach Bryan Surber loses four of his five scorers from last season, but does bring back 6-foot junior KC Berry (10.7 ppg, 2.5 rebounds) and 6-2 sophomore Eric Hopson (4.2 ppg, 2.3 rebounds) from the starting lineup. The Hawks should also get a significant boost with the transfer of 6-6 senior Anthony Ball, who averaged 15.2 points and 8.9 rebounds last season for Class 3A state champion Beech Grove. Other projected starters are 6-3 sophomore Ty’reese Burnett and 6-7 senior Steven Rogers. Other contributors will be 5-11 freshman Fa’Rel Carter, 6-6 junior Ayden Lawson, 6-4 sophomore Malekih Cunningham, 6-2 senior Raekwon Cunningham, 5-10 junior Elijah Tramil, 5-11 senior Tyrese Carney and 6-5 senior Aycen Stevens.

Perry Meridian (8-14) – Mark James goes into his fifth season as coach at Perry Meridian with a team that lacks experience. The Falcons will return two of their top three scorers in 6-4 senior Richard Dube (8.3 ppg, 3.9 rebounds, 65% shooter) and 6-6 senior Patrick Schott (11.0 ppg, 5.7 rebounds, 54% shooter). Six others – 6-foot senior Parker Huntsman, 6-foot senior Brayden Jones, 5-10 junior B.J. Sibanda, 6-2 junior Joseph Brewer, 6-foot junior John Mercer and 6-5 junior Ryan Terrell – will either start or be a part of the main rotation.

Roncalli (7-15) – First-year coach Jamin Wernke will have a veteran team with multi-sport athletes. Returning starters are 6-4 senior Luke Kegerreis (13.0 ppg, 5.0 rebounds, 40% 3-pointers) and 6-2 senior Nolan Tunny (9.0 ppg, 4.0 rebounds). Others expected to start are 6-3 junior Drew Kegerreis, 6-foot senior Shaun Byrne and 6-5 senior Trevor Lauck, the latter two who did not play last season. Other contributors are expected to be 6-3 senior Luke Skartvedt, 6-foot sophomore Judd Selke, 6-5 senior Arik Moyers and 5-10 senior Eli Miller. The Royals have not had a winning season since 2017-18.

Sectional 12

Brownsburg (15-9) – The Bulldogs have 11 lettermen returning for coach Steve Lynch from a team that played for a sectional title last year against Terre Haute North. The two top returners are 6-3 senior Elhadj Diallo (13.4 ppg, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 steals) and 6-7 junior and Purdue recruit Kanon Catchings (11.6 ppg, 3.0 rebounds, 42% 3-pointers), along with projected starters in 6-2 junior Grant Porath (8.3 ppg, 2.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists) and 5-10 junior Drew Thompson (3.6 ppg, 4.5 assists, 1.4 steals). Other contributors will be 6-2 junior Spencer Porath (2.7 ppg, 1.5 rebounds), 6-2 junior Camren Reich (4.0 ppg, 1.2 rebounds), 6-7 junior Brendan Lattimer, 5-8 junior JD Lynch, 6-5 sophomore Kayden English and 6-2 senior Bishop Bambo.

Terre Haute North (23-5)

Avon (9-16) – Second-year coach Drew Schauss lost his top scorer, Chrishon McCray, from last year’s team, but returns four starters in 6-4 senior Daniel Eck (8.4 ppg, 4.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists), 6-2 junior Jordan Lomax (10.3 ppg, 3.6 rebounds, 1.3 steals), 6-1 senior Keilyn Moore (6.0 ppg, 2.5 rebounds, 39% 3-pointers) and 6-4 senior Elijah Collier (3.9 ppg, 1.8 rebounds). Rashon Bethley, a 5-8 sophomore, is the fifth projected starter. Others in the mix as contributors are 6-5 sophomore Kendrick Dunmore, 6-4 junior Kerbe Cottrell, 6-1 sophomore Isaac Kramer (1.2 ppg), 5-8 junior Miguel Correa, 6-foot sophomore Terrell Irons and 6-foot senior Jack Keith.

Plainfield (13-11) – Coach Andy Weaver had an inexperienced team last year after graduating most of the 24-win sectional championship team from 2020-21. The Quakers have much more seasoning this year with 5-10 junior Eli Ellis (8.3 ppg, 42% 3-point shooter), 6-6 junior Collin Schmidt (7.8 ppg, 4.6 rebounds, 40% 3-point shooter), 6-1 senior Garrett Irwin (7.5 ppg, 2.3 assists), 6-2 senior Cooper Martin (6.6 ppg, 3.0 rebounds) and 6-2 senior Cameron Young (3.5 ppg, 43% 3-point shooter) as projected starters. Others in the rotation are 6-1 senior Grant Irwin (3.0 ppg, 2.9 assists), 6-4 junior Caden Vanderbush (3.2 ppg, 2.0 rebounds), 6-3 sophomore Chris Arvanitis (1.7 ppg), 6-4 junior Isaiah Miller, 6-4 freshman Noah Smith and 6-foot freshman Landon Gilliatt.

Terre Haute South (4-20)

Sectional 13

Bloomington North (24-4)

Bloomington South (19-8)

Center Grove (11-13) – Zach Hahn goes into his ninth season as Center Grove coach with a team that he believes will be his best offensive group. Projected starters are 6-3 senior Marcus Ankney (14.3 ppg, 3.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 40% 3-pointers), 6-2 senior Ethan McComb (6.3 ppg, 2.8 rebounds), 6-1 junior Joey Schmitz (4.6 ppg, 1.8 rebounds), 6-foot junior Jalen Bundy (4.2 ppg, 2.9 assists) and 6-5 junior Will Spellman. Other projected contributors are 5-10 senior Owen Baker, 5-10 junior Dylan Meador, 6-6 junior Peyton Byrd and 6-6 senior Garrett Messer. Center Grove lost to Franklin last year in the sectional championship.

Mooresville (13-8) – The Pioneers move from Sectional 12 to 13 in coach Shabaz Khaliq’s second season. There is experience in the starting lineup with 6-2 senior Nick Patterson (10.8 ppg, 6.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists), 6-4 senior Wesley Reeves (7.0 ppg, 3.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists), 6-4 senior Jaxon Nielsen (3.3 ppg, 1.2 rebounds, 34% 3-pointers) and 6-4 sophomore AJ Defur (2.6 ppg, 1.8 rebounds). Brenton Williams, a 6-4 junior, moves up from junior varsity. Others projected to provide depth are 6-1 junior Hogan Denny (7.8 ppg, 2.8 rebounds), 6-foot senior Matt Danielson, 6-4 sophomore Bradley Robbins, 5-9 senior Gavin Rogers and 6-5 sophomore Brevon Burns.

Martinsville (7-17) – Coach Kip Staggs has four starters returning in 6-2 senior Brody Staggs (12.0 ppg, 4.0 rebounds, 44% 3-pointers), 6-foot senior Will Bastin (8.0 ppg, 2.0 rebounds), 5-11 senior Skylar Pruett (10.0 ppg, 3.0 rebounds, 35% 3-pointers) and 6-2 senior Jack Wolff (4.0 ppg, 3.0 rebounds). Also returning from injury is 6-2 senior Caleb Cheatham. Other potential contributors will be 6-2 freshman Rhys Wolf and 6-foot freshman Grady Gardner.

Greenwood (9-14) – Coach Joe Bradburn has starters returning in 6-5 senior Carter Campbell (9.0 ppg, 3.0 rebounds) and 6-foot Jake Mosemann (9.6 ppg, 2.3 rebounds). Other returning letterwinners are 5-10 junior Jakeb Hornbeak (2.3 ppg), 6-1 junior Cade Kelly (2.9 ppg), 6-foot senior Nash Peterson and 6-foot senior Jackson Kidwell. Other potential contributors are seniors Jabar Elemikan and Nathan Kremer, sophomores Ethan King and Wyatt Peterson and freshman Jase Bennett.

Sectional 14

Columbus North (16-8)

Franklin (12-15) – Coach Adrian Moss goes into his second season on the heels of a surprising run to the program’s first sectional title since 2006 and nearly a regional title. There are four players who played major minutes back from that squad, including 6-2 junior Micah Davis (14.8 ppg, 5.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.9 steals). The others are 5-11 junior Wyatt Nickleson (7.8 ppg, 1.5 assists), 6-6 senior Drew Beverly (7.4 ppg, 3.5 rebounds) and 6-6 junior Ryder Street (3.6 ppg). The fifth starter will be 5-10 junior Grant Hunter. Other projected contributors are 6-3 junior Jaden Razor, 6-3 senior John Shepard, 6-6 sophomore Kolt Nelson, 6-foot sophomore Jayce Nielsen and 5-10 junior Nate Corley.

Whiteland (14-10) – Coach Nate Cangany’s team is coming off a Johnson County tournament championship and Mid-State Conference championship and returns two all-conference players in 6-4 senior Austin Willoughby (11.3 ppg, 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 39.1% 3-pointers) and 6-1 junior Wiatt McLaughlin (10.7 ppg, 4.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals). Other projected starters are 6-foot junior Jazz Banwait, 6-6 senior Brayden Roy and 6-3 senior DJ Helm. Others moving up from the junior varsity are 6-foot senior Avery Scifres, 6-4 sophomore Gavin Stubbe, 6-4 sophomore Ethan Edwards and 5-9 senior Maalik Perkins.

Columbus East (7-15)

East Central (15-8)

Shelbyville (5-18) – Fourth-year coach John Hartnett returns two starters on a team that he expects to be improved from a year ago with the 3-pointer as a strength on offense and ball pressure a strength on defense. Leading the way will be 6-2 senior Ollie Sandman (20.5 ppg, 40% 3-point shooter), along with 5-10 junior Luke Brinkman (4.5 ppg, 3.1 rebounds). Other projected starters are 6-2 sophomore Damon Badgley, 5-11 senior Aidan Asher (2.5 ppg, 1.5 rebounds) and 6-3 senior Jackson Parker (3.9 ppg, 3.8 rebounds). Others in the main rotation will be 6-3 junior Ethan Lambert, 6-3 junior Kohen Myers and 5-9 freshman Caden Claxton.

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA boys basketball 4A preview: Teams, players to watch, predictions