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What to know about the 11th annual Bosse Winter Classic this weekend

kyle sokeland, evansville courier & press
·5 min read

EVANSVILLE — A staple on the high school boys basketball schedule could prove to be a top event once again.

The Tri-State Orthopaedics Bosse Winter Classic returns Saturday involving many of the best teams and players in Evansville. Following back-to-back years affected by the pandemic, this installment features a full slate of seven games.

There may be no blue chip recruit this year – think Caleb Love, KyKy Tandy, Keion Brooks or James Wiseman in recent editions – but the 11th annual Classic should still feature quality matchups. That was the intent when putting together the schedule.

“I think all matchups are as equal as it can be," said Bosse coach Shane Burkhart. "We kind of strategically placed them with the hopes that the game is what we're here to see. We have really good players but not James Wiseman or KyKy Tandy. We really wanted the matchups to be right so the games were competitive."

That’s not to say there isn’t talent worth watching. There will be future Division I players at Bosse this weekend. Here is a brief look at each game and one or two players from each team to keep an eye on.

Henderson’s Gerard Thomas (11) drives the ball past North’s Sam McKinney (3) as the Henderson County Colonels play the North Huskies during the 2022 Evansville North Showcase at North High School in Evansville, Ind., Saturday evening, Dec. 3, 2022.
Henderson’s Gerard Thomas (11) drives the ball past North’s Sam McKinney (3) as the Henderson County Colonels play the North Huskies during the 2022 Evansville North Showcase at North High School in Evansville, Ind., Saturday evening, Dec. 3, 2022.

Princeton vs. Henderson County, 11 a.m.

LaMar Brown should have Princeton on an upswing in his fourth year with a bunch of young talent. The Tigers (3-2) have a trio in double figures led by sophomore guard Jace Jenkins (13.5 ppg, 36 percent from three).

Henderson has sights on a tournament run to Rupp Arena this March. Its success starts with senior guard Gerard Thomas (20.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg) and sophomore guard Cooper Davenport (18.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg). The Colonels (3-3) are the defending Sixth District champions.

Evansville Christian’s Josiah Dunham, in action in Westfield, Saturday, May 14, 2022, at the AAU basketball Adidas May Classic.
Evansville Christian’s Josiah Dunham, in action in Westfield, Saturday, May 14, 2022, at the AAU basketball Adidas May Classic.

Evansville Christian vs. Jeffersonville, 12:30 p.m.

An intriguing matchup. The Eagles (4-2, ranked No. 4 in Class A) have the potential to make a tournament run in their first year as official IHSAA members. A win at Loogootee and a double-overtime loss to North Daviess stand out. So does junior guard Josiah Dunham (26.5 ppg, 5.7 apg, 5.5 rpg). As he goes, so does ECS.

Jeffersonville is usually long and athletic. The Red Devils (3-2) have been competitive, a season-opening loss to No. 4 Cathedral notwithstanding. Tre Singleton, a 6-7 sophomore forward, leads the team with 15.8 points and 9.8 rebounds.

Reitz’s Isaac Higgs (32) looks to pass the ball as the Reitz Panthers play the Central Bears during the first round of the IHSAA Class 4A boys basketball sectional held at North High School in Evansville, Ind., Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
Reitz’s Isaac Higgs (32) looks to pass the ball as the Reitz Panthers play the Central Bears during the first round of the IHSAA Class 4A boys basketball sectional held at North High School in Evansville, Ind., Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

Reitz vs. Althoff Catholic (Ill.), 2 p.m.

It's been a successful start in Austin Brooks' first season. Three conference victories in as many tries including a 63-58 triumph Tuesday at North. Isaac Higgs (22.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg) has lived up to the billing as a SIAC Player of the Year candidate. The Panthers (3-0) have a deep lineup capable of winning a lot this winter.

Althhoff will bring a similar style as Reitz highlighted by its pressing defense. The Crusaders are 5-4 this season.

North’s Brayden Huebner (10) drives past Henderson’s Cooper Davenport (3) during the 2022 Evansville North Showcase at North High School in Evansville, Ind., Saturday evening, Dec. 3, 2022.
North’s Brayden Huebner (10) drives past Henderson’s Cooper Davenport (3) during the 2022 Evansville North Showcase at North High School in Evansville, Ind., Saturday evening, Dec. 3, 2022.

North vs. Springfield Southeast (Ill.), 3:30 p.m.

The Huskies have been exactly what coach Jason Roach predicted: A young but talented team that will go through ups and downs. North (2-3) has wins over Princeton and Gibson Southern but also a pair of double-digit losses. Juniors Brayden Huebner (20.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and Cayden Gehlhausen (12.8 ppg, 11.0 rpg) have shown breakout potential.

Springfield Southeast (3-5) isn't a stranger to the Classic. Seth Doss has received a handful of Division III offers this fall. The 6-5 senior forward had 31 points and 16 rebounds against Lanphier on Dec. 6.

Castle's Weston Aigner (24) dribbles the ball during the basketball game between the Castle Knights and the Harrison Warriors at Castle High School in Newburgh, Ind., Friday evening, Dec. 10, 2021.
Castle's Weston Aigner (24) dribbles the ball during the basketball game between the Castle Knights and the Harrison Warriors at Castle High School in Newburgh, Ind., Friday evening, Dec. 10, 2021.

Castle vs. Collinsville (Ill.), 5 p.m.

A matchup of strength vs strength. The Knights (1-2) will win with toughness and size this season. The centerpiece thus far has been 6-3 senior Weston Aigner (25.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg) on the wing. His stat line in a win over Floyd Central last weekend: 30 points (career high), nine rebounds, eight steals and six assists.

Guess what Collinsville will bring? The Kahoks have four players listed at 6-6 or taller. Senior guard Jake Wilkinson (15.8 ppg) and junior guard Jamorie Wysinger (13.0 ppg) lead a solid team that is already 7-2 this season.

Bosse's Taray Howell (11) brings the ball up the court against Memorial during their Class 3A sectional championship at Boonville High School Saturday night, March 5, 2022.
Bosse's Taray Howell (11) brings the ball up the court against Memorial during their Class 3A sectional championship at Boonville High School Saturday night, March 5, 2022.

Bosse vs. Danville (Ill.), 6:30 p.m.

Bosse (4-2) had been playing well until a 56-49 loss at Memorial on Tuesday. That run included four straight victories, topped by a 10-point win against Pocket Athletic Conference leader Boonville. Taray Howell is one of the top guards in Evansville with multiple 20-point games thus far.

Long and athletic, Danville (3-5) should play a lot like Bosse. Ja'Vaughn Robinson (28 points against St. Joseph-Ogden) and O'Shawn Jones-Winslow (28 points vs Ogden International) can both score.

Junior All-Star Joey Hart (30) runs up the court during the game against the Indiana All-Stars on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville.
Junior All-Star Joey Hart (30) runs up the court during the game against the Indiana All-Stars on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville.

Linton-Stockton vs. Harrison, 8 p.m.

The finale features two athletic teams. Harrison has three losses by a combined 15 points sandwiched around quality wins over Boonville and Castle. Shane Sims was averaging 16.3 points prior to a trip to Owensboro, while Malachi McNair (12.3 ppg, 11.3 rpg) is posting a double-double.

Linton features the top individual player in senior Joey Hart. The Junior All-Star signed with Central Florida amidst several Division I offers. A threat to score at all three levels. The No. 3 Miners (4-1) were the top-ranked team in Class 2A prior to a loss to Cooper (Ky.).

Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on Twitter @kylesokeland.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA basketball: What to know about 11th annual Bosse Winter Classic