Fans,
Shown below are my annual pre-season rankings for the 2017-18 season for Class 1A. Also included are a few brief comments about many of the higher-ranked squads.
These rankings are based on a formula I've developed over the years that places emphasis on each team's record for the past year combined with the number of key players they have returning along with the actual number of points returning. Strength of schedule is also a strong consideration. One aspect that is NOT considered is attempting to evaluate players who rarely played at the varsity level during this past season.
This formula usually works in a majority of cases but occasionally “misses the boat” on some others. I developed it so that my own personal biases do not enter into the final rankings. These rankings are usually more indicative of a team’s strength at the start of the season as opposed to how they might finish.
Most of the info used for this analysis was derived from the following sources:
* Coaches from 116 schools
* www.maxpreps.com, the IHSAA-endorsed statistical service, provided
usable data for 250 schools.
* E.T.Pearl’s excellent website which provides complete statistical info for
62 schools in North Central Indiana. See etpearl.homestead.com./
* subscribing to five different newspapers
* researching the websites of several other papers and basketball websites.
A big Thank You to everyone who provided information.
For each school, the info below shows this past year's record along with the number of key players and points returning. Where a + is shown, that means that a key player is returning for whom I do not have statistical information.
The “Power Rating” is shown for each school so that readers can see how each of the ranked schools compared with each other. If two or more teams have the same power rating, the number of points returning is used as a “tie breaker.”
One additional note. Unless otherwise known, these evaluations assume all players stay at the school they were at last year. In this day and age, that’s not a very safe assumption anymore, but I don’t’ know of any other way to deal with it, especially at this early date.
If you know of a team that you feel should be ranked, don’t hesitate to let me know (Dan.Wantz@yahoo.com). It’s possible that I did not have enough information to properly consider them.
And lastly, a big Thank You as always to John Harrell’s great website for all of the easily accessible historical info that I often reference in these write-ups.
Enjoy,
Daniel Wantz
CLASS 1A
7___________________2017____#Key Players &___Power
Rank___Team_______Record__PPG Returning___Rating
01_Indianapolis Tindley____ 23-5_____6______69____163
02_Southwood___________ 21-5_____4______60____113
03_Gary 21st Century______19-9_____ 3_____ 38____111
04_Morristown___________ 17-9_____5______68____107
05_University____________ 13-11____6______43____104
06_Wood Memorial________22-6____ 3______38_____96
07_Tri-County____________23-3____ 5______48_____92
08_Lafayette Cent.Catholic__21-7_____1______10____ 92
09_Central Christian_______ 18-7_____3______48____88
10_Ft.Wayne Blackhawk____17-10____3______0+++__86
11_Elkhart Christian_______ 11-11___ 5______45____ 84
12_Bethesda Christian______21-5_____7______52____82
13_Oregon-Davis__________21-7_____3______32____ 78
14_Lakewood Park_________17-9_____6______28____78
15_Westville______________19-7_____6______36____73
16_Lanesville_____________11-13____ 6______42____65
17_Indiana Math & Sci.____ 15-9_____ 3______0+++_ 65
18_Greenwood Christian____7-17_____ 5_____ 45____64
19_Liberty Christian_______13-15_____4_____ 23____ 63
20_International__________ 11-12_____4_____ 45____62
Projecting ahead, let’s take a look at the tournament trail for the teams shown above—starting in the far North part of the state.
03__Gary 21st Century____Sect. 49/Far North Reg./North Semi-State
15__Westville__________ Sect. 49/Far North Reg./North Semi-State
07__Tri-County_________ Sect. 50/Far North Reg./North Semi-State
11__Elkhart Christian____ Sect. 51/Far North Reg./North Semi-State
13__Oregon-Davis______ Sect. 51/Far North Reg./North Semi-State
10__Ft.Wayne Blackhawk_ Sect. 52/Far North Reg./North Semi-State
14__Lakewood Park_____ Sect. 52/Far North Reg./North Semi-State
02__Southwood_________Sect. 54/No.Cent.Reg./North Semi-State
08__Lafayette CC_______ Sect. 54/No.Cent.Reg./North Semi-State
19__Liberty Christian_____Sect. 55/No.Cent.Reg./North Semi-State
05__University_________ Sect. 58/South Cent.Reg./South Semi-State
12__Bethesda Christian__Sect. 58/South Cent.Reg./South Semi-State
17__Indiana Math/Sci.___Sect. 58/South Cent.Reg./South Semi-State
20__International_______ Sect. 58/South Cent.Reg./South Semi-State
01__Indpls.Tindley______Sect. 59/South Cent.Reg./South Semi-State
09__Central Christian____Sect. 59/South Cent.Reg./South Semi-State
18__Greenwood Christian__Sect. 59/South Cent.Reg./South Semi-State
04__Morristown_________Sect. 60/South Cent.Reg./South Semi-State
16__Lanesville_________ Sect. 61/Southwest Reg./South Semi-State
06__Wood Memorial_____Sect. 64/Southwest Reg./South Semi-State
Now, here’s a look at the key performers for the Top 20 teams in 1A. 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_Indianapolis Tindley: 6'3 Eric Hunter (26.1 ppg, 7 rpg), 6'3 Hunter White (17.4, 6 rpg), and K.J.Coleman (11.3). Hunter is a Junior All-State selection for this past year.
2_Southwood: Carson Blair (20.7), Peyton Trexler (14.8), 6'4 Matthew Nose (14.7, 7 rrpg), and 6'4 junior Dallas Holmes (10.3, 7 rpg). Blair is a Junior All-State selection for this past year.
3_Gary 21st Century: 6'4 DeAndre Gholston (21.6, 11 rpg), soph Johnell Davis (12.9, 5 rpg), and a 16-3 JV team.. Gholston is a Junior All-State selection for this past year.
4_Morristown: Hayden Langkabel (27.0, 6 rpg), junior Logan Laster (15.5, 5 rpg, 5 apg) and Eli Streeval (14.7). Langkabel is a Junior All-State selection for this past year.
5_University: 6'5 David Howard (11.6, 5 rpg) and 6'6 Emerson Halbleib (10.9, 6 rpg).
6_Wood Memorial: Junior Paxon Bartley(13.9, 5 rpg), 6'4 Lathan Falls (13.1, 5 rpg), and Walker Nurrenbern (11.1).
7_Tri-County: Bennie Patterson (18.1, 5 rpg), 6'3 Bryce Cook (12.1, 6 rpg), Riley Ewen (11.9), and a 17-4 JV squad.
8_Lafayette Central Catholic: 6'3 soph Carson Barrett (10.3, 7 rpg, 5 apg).
9_Central Christian: Mikey Robertson (27.5, 6 rpg), 6'3 junior Zeke Brown (12.4, 5 rpg), and junior Kobe Simmons (8.4).
10_Ft.Wayne Blackhawk: 6'7 Drake Thompson.
11_Elkhart Christian: 6'3 Weston Sage (16.4) and junior Ryan Charles (10.5).
12_Bethesda Christian: Deon Stewart (13.4) and Wes Rischar (13.0).
13_Oregon-Davis: Jonathan Clark (11.4), Trevor Risner (11.2), and Lance Campbell (9.7).
14_Lakewood Park: Carter Gonzales (7.5) and 6'5 Isaac Schlotterback (6.4).
15_Westville: Cade Albers (19.0, 7 rpg) and Tyrese Walker (13.1)
16_Lanesville: 6'4 Riley Cook (14.1) and Jalien Stewart (7.0).
17_Indiana Math & Science: Darrius Coffy, Jeremyah Mundy, and 6'4 Teriyon Carter.
18_Greenwood Christian: Juniors Payton Modlin (15.7) and Quentin Steele (12.1).
19_Liberty Christian: 6'3 Joshua Tufts (8.0) and Dallas Burko (6.6).
20_International: 6'10 junior Mawich Kachjaani (23.0, 11 rpg) and Jonathan Sanyon (13.4, 5 rpg).
Shown below are my annual pre-season rankings for the 2017-18 season for Class 1A. Also included are a few brief comments about many of the higher-ranked squads.
These rankings are based on a formula I've developed over the years that places emphasis on each team's record for the past year combined with the number of key players they have returning along with the actual number of points returning. Strength of schedule is also a strong consideration. One aspect that is NOT considered is attempting to evaluate players who rarely played at the varsity level during this past season.
This formula usually works in a majority of cases but occasionally “misses the boat” on some others. I developed it so that my own personal biases do not enter into the final rankings. These rankings are usually more indicative of a team’s strength at the start of the season as opposed to how they might finish.
Most of the info used for this analysis was derived from the following sources:
* Coaches from 116 schools
* www.maxpreps.com, the IHSAA-endorsed statistical service, provided
usable data for 250 schools.
* E.T.Pearl’s excellent website which provides complete statistical info for
62 schools in North Central Indiana. See etpearl.homestead.com./
* subscribing to five different newspapers
* researching the websites of several other papers and basketball websites.
A big Thank You to everyone who provided information.
For each school, the info below shows this past year's record along with the number of key players and points returning. Where a + is shown, that means that a key player is returning for whom I do not have statistical information.
The “Power Rating” is shown for each school so that readers can see how each of the ranked schools compared with each other. If two or more teams have the same power rating, the number of points returning is used as a “tie breaker.”
One additional note. Unless otherwise known, these evaluations assume all players stay at the school they were at last year. In this day and age, that’s not a very safe assumption anymore, but I don’t’ know of any other way to deal with it, especially at this early date.
If you know of a team that you feel should be ranked, don’t hesitate to let me know (Dan.Wantz@yahoo.com). It’s possible that I did not have enough information to properly consider them.
And lastly, a big Thank You as always to John Harrell’s great website for all of the easily accessible historical info that I often reference in these write-ups.
Enjoy,
Daniel Wantz
CLASS 1A
7___________________2017____#Key Players &___Power
Rank___Team_______Record__PPG Returning___Rating
01_Indianapolis Tindley____ 23-5_____6______69____163
02_Southwood___________ 21-5_____4______60____113
03_Gary 21st Century______19-9_____ 3_____ 38____111
04_Morristown___________ 17-9_____5______68____107
05_University____________ 13-11____6______43____104
06_Wood Memorial________22-6____ 3______38_____96
07_Tri-County____________23-3____ 5______48_____92
08_Lafayette Cent.Catholic__21-7_____1______10____ 92
09_Central Christian_______ 18-7_____3______48____88
10_Ft.Wayne Blackhawk____17-10____3______0+++__86
11_Elkhart Christian_______ 11-11___ 5______45____ 84
12_Bethesda Christian______21-5_____7______52____82
13_Oregon-Davis__________21-7_____3______32____ 78
14_Lakewood Park_________17-9_____6______28____78
15_Westville______________19-7_____6______36____73
16_Lanesville_____________11-13____ 6______42____65
17_Indiana Math & Sci.____ 15-9_____ 3______0+++_ 65
18_Greenwood Christian____7-17_____ 5_____ 45____64
19_Liberty Christian_______13-15_____4_____ 23____ 63
20_International__________ 11-12_____4_____ 45____62
Projecting ahead, let’s take a look at the tournament trail for the teams shown above—starting in the far North part of the state.
03__Gary 21st Century____Sect. 49/Far North Reg./North Semi-State
15__Westville__________ Sect. 49/Far North Reg./North Semi-State
07__Tri-County_________ Sect. 50/Far North Reg./North Semi-State
11__Elkhart Christian____ Sect. 51/Far North Reg./North Semi-State
13__Oregon-Davis______ Sect. 51/Far North Reg./North Semi-State
10__Ft.Wayne Blackhawk_ Sect. 52/Far North Reg./North Semi-State
14__Lakewood Park_____ Sect. 52/Far North Reg./North Semi-State
02__Southwood_________Sect. 54/No.Cent.Reg./North Semi-State
08__Lafayette CC_______ Sect. 54/No.Cent.Reg./North Semi-State
19__Liberty Christian_____Sect. 55/No.Cent.Reg./North Semi-State
05__University_________ Sect. 58/South Cent.Reg./South Semi-State
12__Bethesda Christian__Sect. 58/South Cent.Reg./South Semi-State
17__Indiana Math/Sci.___Sect. 58/South Cent.Reg./South Semi-State
20__International_______ Sect. 58/South Cent.Reg./South Semi-State
01__Indpls.Tindley______Sect. 59/South Cent.Reg./South Semi-State
09__Central Christian____Sect. 59/South Cent.Reg./South Semi-State
18__Greenwood Christian__Sect. 59/South Cent.Reg./South Semi-State
04__Morristown_________Sect. 60/South Cent.Reg./South Semi-State
16__Lanesville_________ Sect. 61/Southwest Reg./South Semi-State
06__Wood Memorial_____Sect. 64/Southwest Reg./South Semi-State
Now, here’s a look at the key performers for the Top 20 teams in 1A. 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_Indianapolis Tindley: 6'3 Eric Hunter (26.1 ppg, 7 rpg), 6'3 Hunter White (17.4, 6 rpg), and K.J.Coleman (11.3). Hunter is a Junior All-State selection for this past year.
2_Southwood: Carson Blair (20.7), Peyton Trexler (14.8), 6'4 Matthew Nose (14.7, 7 rrpg), and 6'4 junior Dallas Holmes (10.3, 7 rpg). Blair is a Junior All-State selection for this past year.
3_Gary 21st Century: 6'4 DeAndre Gholston (21.6, 11 rpg), soph Johnell Davis (12.9, 5 rpg), and a 16-3 JV team.. Gholston is a Junior All-State selection for this past year.
4_Morristown: Hayden Langkabel (27.0, 6 rpg), junior Logan Laster (15.5, 5 rpg, 5 apg) and Eli Streeval (14.7). Langkabel is a Junior All-State selection for this past year.
5_University: 6'5 David Howard (11.6, 5 rpg) and 6'6 Emerson Halbleib (10.9, 6 rpg).
6_Wood Memorial: Junior Paxon Bartley(13.9, 5 rpg), 6'4 Lathan Falls (13.1, 5 rpg), and Walker Nurrenbern (11.1).
7_Tri-County: Bennie Patterson (18.1, 5 rpg), 6'3 Bryce Cook (12.1, 6 rpg), Riley Ewen (11.9), and a 17-4 JV squad.
8_Lafayette Central Catholic: 6'3 soph Carson Barrett (10.3, 7 rpg, 5 apg).
9_Central Christian: Mikey Robertson (27.5, 6 rpg), 6'3 junior Zeke Brown (12.4, 5 rpg), and junior Kobe Simmons (8.4).
10_Ft.Wayne Blackhawk: 6'7 Drake Thompson.
11_Elkhart Christian: 6'3 Weston Sage (16.4) and junior Ryan Charles (10.5).
12_Bethesda Christian: Deon Stewart (13.4) and Wes Rischar (13.0).
13_Oregon-Davis: Jonathan Clark (11.4), Trevor Risner (11.2), and Lance Campbell (9.7).
14_Lakewood Park: Carter Gonzales (7.5) and 6'5 Isaac Schlotterback (6.4).
15_Westville: Cade Albers (19.0, 7 rpg) and Tyrese Walker (13.1)
16_Lanesville: 6'4 Riley Cook (14.1) and Jalien Stewart (7.0).
17_Indiana Math & Science: Darrius Coffy, Jeremyah Mundy, and 6'4 Teriyon Carter.
18_Greenwood Christian: Juniors Payton Modlin (15.7) and Quentin Steele (12.1).
19_Liberty Christian: 6'3 Joshua Tufts (8.0) and Dallas Burko (6.6).
20_International: 6'10 junior Mawich Kachjaani (23.0, 11 rpg) and Jonathan Sanyon (13.4, 5 rpg).
