2021-22: CLASS 2A’s TOP 20 TEAMS
(For each ranked team, their 2021 record is shown along with the number of
key players returning and the cumulative ppg represented by those players.)
__________________________2021___#Key Players &_______Power
Rank____Team __________W-L____PPG Returning_______Rating
01_Eastside_________________17-8______5________57___________116
02_Linton__________________ 23-5_____ 4________30___________116
03_Heritage Christian_____11-9______3________27+__________113
04_Fort Wayne Blackhawk____ 28-3____3____18___________ 111
05_Covenant Christian (Indy)__ 22-5___3____18__________ _111
06_Andrean_________________12-6______3_______ 22___________108
07_Central Noble__________ 24-2______5________44___________107
08_North Putnam__________ 17-8______3________31__________ 105
09_Monroe Central_________13-9______5________55___________104
10_South Decatur__________15-8______3________38___________100
11_University________________14-7______4________31___________100
12_Wapahani________________18-8______ 3_______ 35____________97
13_Bowman Academy_____12-13_____2________15____________96
14_Eastern Hancock_______19-6______6________55___________ 95
15_South Spencer__________18-6______3________20___________ 94
16_Cass_____________________ 13-12_____4________34____________93
17_South Ripley___________ _21-2______3________26___________ 92
18_Westview_______________ 16-7_____ 2________27____________91
19_Bremen_________________ 9-14_____4________34____________ 90
20_Parke Heritage____________27-3_____3________25____________ 90
Projecting ahead, let’s take a look at the tournament trail for the
teams shown above—grouped by the four regional areas:
Northwest Regional:
Sectional 33 would include #6 Andrean and #13 Bowman Academy.
Sectional 35 is potentially loaded with #1 Eastside, #7 Central Noble, #18 Westview and #19 Bremen. #4 Blackhawk looks like the class of Sectional 36.
Northeast Regional:
#16 Cass is the only ranked team in Sectional 37. The class of Sectional 40 would appear to be #9 Monroe Central and #12 Wapahani.
Southeast Regional:
#14 Eastern Hancock is the only ranked team for Sectional 41. Sectional 42 brings together #3 Heritage Christian, #5 Covenant Christian, and #11 University. Sectional 43 will feature #8 North Putnam and #20 Parke Heritage. Sectional 44 will likely be a battle
between #10 South Decatur and #17 South Ripley.
Southwest Regional:
Slim pickings in this regional area. Only #2 Linton (Sectional 47) and #15 South Spencer (Sectional 48) feed through this regional.
Now, here’s a closer look at the Top 5 teams in 2A. Unless stated otherwise, all players are seniors. Those 6’ 3 or taller have their height mentioned, if known. Scoring average is shown in parentheses. Rebound and/or assist average is also shown where known and relevant.
1_Eastside:
Eastside?? Yep, the Eastside Blazers are not exactly a household word when it comes to discussing traditional powerhouses in Indiana basketball. Last year was their first winning season is four years. And they haven't won a sectional title since 2010. BUT,
the field in 2A looks fairly weak at this point in time. And the Blazers have just as much experienced firepower returning as anyone else. So, this year is their big chance to make a name for themselves.
Returning for Eastside is Gabe Trevino (15.8, 6-r), Owen Willard (10.9, 7-r, 4-a), Hugh Henderson (9.8), and junior Santino Brewer (9.8). The key to their success might be the return of 6'3 Logan Fry. Fry was injured last year and missed the entire season. He averaged 10.3 ppg in 2020. And at 6'3, he will be the tallest of their core group of returnees.
Eastside plays in sectional 35 which will include three other schools ranked in my Top Twenty. If they get through there, watch out!
2_Linton:
Unlike Eastside, the Linton Miners in recent years have been a constant contender for post-season honors. In the last 9 years the Miners have won 7 sectionals, 3 regionals, and 2 semi-states. And they should be in the mix again next year to claim even more titles.
Returning for Linton should be 6'5 junior Joey Hart (14.0)--a Soph All-State selection last year. Also joining him will be 6'3 junior Logan Webb (7.7), Drew Smith (4.0), and 6'5 soph Braden Walters (3.5, 5-r). Only one other ranked team is in Linton's regional area, so they have solid chance of another long-run in next year's tourney.
3_Heritage Christian:
Last year the Eagles had a bad spell in mid-year when they lost five straight games. Then they won five of their next six prior to heading into the sectional championship game against rival Covenant Christian. They suffered a heartbreaking 3 OT loss to CC. It was their fifth straight loss to CC over the last two years--including two in sectional play. These two teams will be outstanding again, so meeting in the sectional again is quite likely.
Leading Heritage is 6'4 junior Myles Colvin (18.5, 6-r)--a Soph All-State selection last year. Helping him again should be John McLimore (9.0) and 6'5 Mason Kay.
4_Ft.Wayne Blackhawk:
The Caleb Furst era has ended at Blackhawk. But the Braves have had a long period of success before Caleb and I don't have much doubt that it will continue for the foreseeable future. While they lost their three top scorers from last year, they have a solid core of returnees' to build with. Leading the way should be 6'3 Jake Boyer (8.0, 6-r). Boyer was a great role player last year who should play a much bigger role next season. Same can be said about 6'3 junior Gage Sefton (6.5). Sefton shined in a limited role last year. He may be Blackhawks next big star. Also back should be experienced 6'5 Lewis Jones (3.9). And two juniors with recognizable names should also be ready for bigger roles: 6'6 Josh Furst and Jimmy Davidson. If these two are anywhere close to their brothers in talent, that will be a big boost for Blackhawk.
5_Covenant Christian (Indy):
As mentioned earlier, CC will have to likely duel with #3 Heritage Christian and #11 University in next year's sectional. CC will be going for their third straight sectional crown. And while they lost a lot of scorers due to graduation, they've got a solid core returning to build around next year.
Their main guy should be 6'3 Brock Buckley (12.6, 6-r). Joining him again is junior Tony Flatt (3.0) and Jack Fulbright (2.5).
Now here are the major players for the other Top 20 squads:
6_Andrean: 6'4 Gabe Gillespie (16.0, 6-r)
7_Central Noble: 6'4 Connor Essegian (24.0, 7-r) and 6'7 Logan Gard (6.9, 6-r). Essegian was a Junior All-State selection this past year. Also, JV squad was 16-2 last year.
8_North Putnam: 6'3 Aaron Pickel (14.9, 6-r) and Ellis Lyons (9.4).
9_Monroe Central: Jackson Ullom (19.3, 5-a), 6'3 Gavin Smithson-Burciaga
(12.0, 9-r), and junior Luke Jones (10.7).
10_South Decatur: Hunter Johnson (21.7, 6-r) and soph Jacob Scruggs (9.2). Johnson was a Junior All-State selection from this past year.
11_University: 6'4 Larry Pierce (15.4, 5-r) and Mitchell Martin (7.6).
12_Wapahani: Soph Isaac Andrews (16.8, 5-r, 4-a) and junior Aidan Franks (15.8). Also, last year's JV squad was 20-2.
13_Bowman Academy: Jevon France (8.7) and junior Leon Grimes (5.9).
14_Eastern Hancock: Landon O'Neal (15.8) and juniors Jacob Spaulding (12.0) and Silas Spaulding (11.6).
15_South Spencer: 6'5 Holton Compton (9.0)
16_Cass: Tristin Miller (12.6, 6-r) and 6'6 junior Tyson Good (12.4).
17_South Ripley: 6'4 Nick Schwarte (12.1, 5-r) and Zach Gentile (9.2, 4-a).
18_Westview: Mason Yoder (14.9) and junior Brady Yoder (12.2).
19_Bremen: Carson Miller (16.6) and 6'4 Tony Hardin (11.5).
20_Parke Heritage: Junior Christian Johnson (15.9, 7-r). Johnson was a Soph All-State selection for last year.
(For each ranked team, their 2021 record is shown along with the number of
key players returning and the cumulative ppg represented by those players.)
__________________________2021___#Key Players &_______Power
Rank____Team __________W-L____PPG Returning_______Rating
01_Eastside_________________17-8______5________57___________116
02_Linton__________________ 23-5_____ 4________30___________116
03_Heritage Christian_____11-9______3________27+__________113
04_Fort Wayne Blackhawk____ 28-3____3____18___________ 111
05_Covenant Christian (Indy)__ 22-5___3____18__________ _111
06_Andrean_________________12-6______3_______ 22___________108
07_Central Noble__________ 24-2______5________44___________107
08_North Putnam__________ 17-8______3________31__________ 105
09_Monroe Central_________13-9______5________55___________104
10_South Decatur__________15-8______3________38___________100
11_University________________14-7______4________31___________100
12_Wapahani________________18-8______ 3_______ 35____________97
13_Bowman Academy_____12-13_____2________15____________96
14_Eastern Hancock_______19-6______6________55___________ 95
15_South Spencer__________18-6______3________20___________ 94
16_Cass_____________________ 13-12_____4________34____________93
17_South Ripley___________ _21-2______3________26___________ 92
18_Westview_______________ 16-7_____ 2________27____________91
19_Bremen_________________ 9-14_____4________34____________ 90
20_Parke Heritage____________27-3_____3________25____________ 90
Projecting ahead, let’s take a look at the tournament trail for the
teams shown above—grouped by the four regional areas:
Northwest Regional:
Sectional 33 would include #6 Andrean and #13 Bowman Academy.
Sectional 35 is potentially loaded with #1 Eastside, #7 Central Noble, #18 Westview and #19 Bremen. #4 Blackhawk looks like the class of Sectional 36.
Northeast Regional:
#16 Cass is the only ranked team in Sectional 37. The class of Sectional 40 would appear to be #9 Monroe Central and #12 Wapahani.
Southeast Regional:
#14 Eastern Hancock is the only ranked team for Sectional 41. Sectional 42 brings together #3 Heritage Christian, #5 Covenant Christian, and #11 University. Sectional 43 will feature #8 North Putnam and #20 Parke Heritage. Sectional 44 will likely be a battle
between #10 South Decatur and #17 South Ripley.
Southwest Regional:
Slim pickings in this regional area. Only #2 Linton (Sectional 47) and #15 South Spencer (Sectional 48) feed through this regional.
Now, here’s a closer look at the Top 5 teams in 2A. Unless stated otherwise, all players are seniors. Those 6’ 3 or taller have their height mentioned, if known. Scoring average is shown in parentheses. Rebound and/or assist average is also shown where known and relevant.
1_Eastside:
Eastside?? Yep, the Eastside Blazers are not exactly a household word when it comes to discussing traditional powerhouses in Indiana basketball. Last year was their first winning season is four years. And they haven't won a sectional title since 2010. BUT,
the field in 2A looks fairly weak at this point in time. And the Blazers have just as much experienced firepower returning as anyone else. So, this year is their big chance to make a name for themselves.
Returning for Eastside is Gabe Trevino (15.8, 6-r), Owen Willard (10.9, 7-r, 4-a), Hugh Henderson (9.8), and junior Santino Brewer (9.8). The key to their success might be the return of 6'3 Logan Fry. Fry was injured last year and missed the entire season. He averaged 10.3 ppg in 2020. And at 6'3, he will be the tallest of their core group of returnees.
Eastside plays in sectional 35 which will include three other schools ranked in my Top Twenty. If they get through there, watch out!
2_Linton:
Unlike Eastside, the Linton Miners in recent years have been a constant contender for post-season honors. In the last 9 years the Miners have won 7 sectionals, 3 regionals, and 2 semi-states. And they should be in the mix again next year to claim even more titles.
Returning for Linton should be 6'5 junior Joey Hart (14.0)--a Soph All-State selection last year. Also joining him will be 6'3 junior Logan Webb (7.7), Drew Smith (4.0), and 6'5 soph Braden Walters (3.5, 5-r). Only one other ranked team is in Linton's regional area, so they have solid chance of another long-run in next year's tourney.
3_Heritage Christian:
Last year the Eagles had a bad spell in mid-year when they lost five straight games. Then they won five of their next six prior to heading into the sectional championship game against rival Covenant Christian. They suffered a heartbreaking 3 OT loss to CC. It was their fifth straight loss to CC over the last two years--including two in sectional play. These two teams will be outstanding again, so meeting in the sectional again is quite likely.
Leading Heritage is 6'4 junior Myles Colvin (18.5, 6-r)--a Soph All-State selection last year. Helping him again should be John McLimore (9.0) and 6'5 Mason Kay.
4_Ft.Wayne Blackhawk:
The Caleb Furst era has ended at Blackhawk. But the Braves have had a long period of success before Caleb and I don't have much doubt that it will continue for the foreseeable future. While they lost their three top scorers from last year, they have a solid core of returnees' to build with. Leading the way should be 6'3 Jake Boyer (8.0, 6-r). Boyer was a great role player last year who should play a much bigger role next season. Same can be said about 6'3 junior Gage Sefton (6.5). Sefton shined in a limited role last year. He may be Blackhawks next big star. Also back should be experienced 6'5 Lewis Jones (3.9). And two juniors with recognizable names should also be ready for bigger roles: 6'6 Josh Furst and Jimmy Davidson. If these two are anywhere close to their brothers in talent, that will be a big boost for Blackhawk.
5_Covenant Christian (Indy):
As mentioned earlier, CC will have to likely duel with #3 Heritage Christian and #11 University in next year's sectional. CC will be going for their third straight sectional crown. And while they lost a lot of scorers due to graduation, they've got a solid core returning to build around next year.
Their main guy should be 6'3 Brock Buckley (12.6, 6-r). Joining him again is junior Tony Flatt (3.0) and Jack Fulbright (2.5).
Now here are the major players for the other Top 20 squads:
6_Andrean: 6'4 Gabe Gillespie (16.0, 6-r)
7_Central Noble: 6'4 Connor Essegian (24.0, 7-r) and 6'7 Logan Gard (6.9, 6-r). Essegian was a Junior All-State selection this past year. Also, JV squad was 16-2 last year.
8_North Putnam: 6'3 Aaron Pickel (14.9, 6-r) and Ellis Lyons (9.4).
9_Monroe Central: Jackson Ullom (19.3, 5-a), 6'3 Gavin Smithson-Burciaga
(12.0, 9-r), and junior Luke Jones (10.7).
10_South Decatur: Hunter Johnson (21.7, 6-r) and soph Jacob Scruggs (9.2). Johnson was a Junior All-State selection from this past year.
11_University: 6'4 Larry Pierce (15.4, 5-r) and Mitchell Martin (7.6).
12_Wapahani: Soph Isaac Andrews (16.8, 5-r, 4-a) and junior Aidan Franks (15.8). Also, last year's JV squad was 20-2.
13_Bowman Academy: Jevon France (8.7) and junior Leon Grimes (5.9).
14_Eastern Hancock: Landon O'Neal (15.8) and juniors Jacob Spaulding (12.0) and Silas Spaulding (11.6).
15_South Spencer: 6'5 Holton Compton (9.0)
16_Cass: Tristin Miller (12.6, 6-r) and 6'6 junior Tyson Good (12.4).
17_South Ripley: 6'4 Nick Schwarte (12.1, 5-r) and Zach Gentile (9.2, 4-a).
18_Westview: Mason Yoder (14.9) and junior Brady Yoder (12.2).
19_Bremen: Carson Miller (16.6) and 6'4 Tony Hardin (11.5).
20_Parke Heritage: Junior Christian Johnson (15.9, 7-r). Johnson was a Soph All-State selection for last year.
