Top area Indiana high school boys basketball players to watch this season
Area Indiana high school boys basketball fans should find plenty of talent to take in during the 2022-23 season.
There's no shortage of top tier players, including one of the state's top talents, showcasing their skill sets this winter.
The list of top performers in the South Bend area this season is headlined by Penn's Markus Burton. Burton climbed the program's all-time scoring list last winter and was named The South Bend Tribune's player of the year nomination. He could be even better this winter.
Other Northern Indiana Conference teams, like Mishawaka Marian, South Bend Washington, South Bend Saint Joseph and South Bend Clay will also have players who can fill the basket with ease.
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Here are nine players to watch for this winter during the boys basketball season:
Markus Burton, Penn
High school gyms will be packed this winter to catch the area's best player, and one of the top scorers in Indiana, show off his skills before heading to Notre Dame. Burton, a senior point guard, will be the focal point of a Kingsmen team that will be loaded with talent. Last season he scored 26.9 points and added six rebounds and five assists per game.
Brycen Hannah, Glenn
There won't be a bigger mismatch in the post this winter than Glenn's Brycen Hannah. Hannah was a force for Glenn last year scoring a team-high 17 points per game and also adding 5.7 rebounds per contest. Hannah will have to take an even bigger role in Glenn's rotation this year after the Falcons lost three starters from a season ago.
Deaglan Sullivan, Mishawaka Marian
Deaglan Sullivan was the straw that stirred the drink for Marian's run to its first state title game last season and is back as one of the Northern Indiana Conference's top playmakers. Sullivan scored 17 points and added 4.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game last year. Those numbers could grow this winter without his backcourt running-mate, Richard Brook, now graduated.
Marcus Northern, South Bend Washington
One of South Bend's most underrated scorers is ready to open some eyes and turn some more heads this winter. Northern, now a senior, didn't get his full due for the Panthers last winter after scoring a team-high 15.4 points per game. He is no secret now and could be another scoring force this season.
Chase Konieczny, South Bend Saint Joseph
Chase Konieczny made his mark at South Bend Saint Joe last year as a freshman scoring 15.3 points per game and finishing seven games with over 20 points. His size and shooting ability made him a tough guard for an opponent. Konieczny, Saint Joe's leading returning player, could take the next step in his development this winter as a sophomore.
Ameer Harris, South Bend Clay
South Bend Clay quietly had its best season since 2015 and won a sectional game for the first time since 2012 largely because of Harris' scoring ability. Harris scored 14.9 points per game last season and added 2.4 assists and 4.6 rebounds per contest as well. He finished five of his last six games with over 20 points and is looking to bring that form into this winter.
Easton Strain, Plymouth
Heading into his fourth varsity season, Strain is looking to put one final stamp in the Northern Lakes Conference. Strain scored 13 points per game last season and also added seven rebounds and 1.1 assists per contest.
Cade Brenner, NorthWood
Brenner, one of the NLC's best players, is already off to a strong scoring start for NorthWood, finishing with 20 points in a season-opening win over Lakeland.
Joe Smith, Penn
Penn's senior sharpshooter Smith will be the perfect backcourt pairing for Burton to make the Kingsmen a scoring machine. Smith scored 12.7 points per game last year, shooting 40% from three-point range.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Indiana high school boys basketball: Top players to watch this season
