One full day of high school basketball is in the books with plenty more to go. Here are thoughts, takeaways and players that caught my attention from Friday’s action at the Charlie Hughes Showcase.
No. 1: Pike looks the part
Pike look like an SEC team when it puts a lineup of 7-foot, 6-8, 6-7 and 6-6 on the court at the same time. Sheesh.
Pike jumped out to a big lead on Penn and held on for a 72-62 win in its first game on Friday and followed it with a 64-57 win over Silver Creek. Balanced scoring for the Red Devils in both games. Landon Lampley, a star junior who is probably ranked a little low at No. 34 in the country by 247sports, had 16 in the first game and sophomore guard Ryan Gold Jr., a transfer from Cathedral, led the way with 17 in the second game.
There are not many (any?) high school teams that can match Pike’s size. Purdue recruit Isaiah Hill blocked his share of shots and knocked down a couple of 3-pointers in the win over Penn. I was impressed with Pike’s guard play as well. Bles’sed Thomas, a transfer from Crispus Attucks, ran the show against Penn, getting the ball where it needed to be. Pike was without senior guard Jahari Miller, who is not expected to play this weekend.
The addition of 6-8 junior Vanden Garner will be a big deal. Garner, who played last year with Overtime Elite, is a knockdown perimeter shooter with size.
Pike plays Homestead (10:10 a.m.) and Crown Point (12:30 p.m.) on Saturday at Carmel.
No. 2: Cooper Zachary goes crazy
How about nine 3-pointers and 32 points? How about seven more 3-pointers and 27 points?
Quite a day for Fishers’ senior guard Cooper Zachary as Fishers rolled to wins over Penn (87-58) and Silver Creek (76-52). You would think some more offers will be incoming for Zachary after the weekend. You leave him open from the 3-point line, it’s almost like a layup.
Zachary can really shoot it but does a lot of things to impact winning. One of the more intriguing storylines is where he will end up committing.
Fishers plays Crown Point (10:10 a.m.) and Homestead (12:30 p.m.) on Saturday at Carmel.
No. 3: Huge day for Mack Welker
Mack Welker, a 6-8 Homestead senior, had two monster games on Friday. Welker went for 37 points in a 79-69 win over Crown Point and then had 29 points in a 55-46 win over a Guerin Catholic team that beat Lawrence North in overtime earlier in the day.
I’ll have more coming on Welker, who said he’s playing with no pressure. It is paying off as he was offered by Wright State and Eastern Michigan after his performance on Friday.
No. 4: Oak Hill is legit
Some teams look like they are fully prepared to play a game in March right now … Oak Hill is one of those teams.
The Golden Eagles, coming off a 25-2 season and Class 2A regional title a year ago, rolled over East Chicago Central 68-42 in the first game on Friday, then defeated defending Class 4A state champion Mt. Vernon 59-53 in the second game. Senior Jace Tonagel had 26 points in the win over the Marauders and sophomore guard Will Tonagel added 16 points and several assists.
Oak Hill is not a very big team but I can’t imagine this group will not have something to say about the Class 2A race.
Some more thoughts and players who caught my eye:
∎ Jason Gardner Jr. played well in both wins for Fishers. Gardner had 22 points in the win over Penn and 28 against Silver Creek. So quick. He played a big part in helping Zachary get space for his 16 3-pointers on the day.
∎ It is interesting to see how the roles will change for players like Plainfield’s Harper-Baker-Lands and Mt. Vernon’s Max Vise. Two core Junior All-Stars who had a lot of help around them last year (Indiana All-Star Noah Smith for Plainfield and Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel for Mt. Vernon, notably). Baker-Lands and Vise are fully capable of taking on those bigger roles, it will just be a little different for both.
∎ Levi Walker had a nice game for Fishers against Penn. The 6-4 Walker can knock down the 3-pointer and guard multiple positions.
∎ Bishop Chatard senior guard Ari Sahm went 6-for-6 from the 3-point line in Bishop Chatard’s blowout 74-22 win over Concord. After watching the 6-3 Sahm the last couple weeks, I think he’s really got a chance to be a nice player at the next level. Good size and shooting ability. He’s going to have a big senior year.
∎ Crispus Attucks incoming freshman Tomarri Patterson went off for 28 points in the Tigers’ 73-66 win over Sullivan. Attucks also defeated Valparaiso 61-60. Patterson is the nephew of former Broad Ripple standout Ron “Buss” Patterson.
∎ Morristown senior guard Kellen Crim had 42 points in a 65-52 win over North Putnam and added 21 points in a 42-34 win over Northeast Dubois.
∎ Columbus East senior guard Judah Lewis had 42 points in a 66-63 win over Elkhart.
∎ Mt. Vernon guard Owen Daugherty drilled a last-second 3-pointer to give the Marauders a 57-54 overtime win over New Haven. Dominic Mulenga, a 6-5 transfer from Fishers, will give the Marauders some help inside.
∎ Decatur Central had a solid 2-0 day with wins over Kokomo and New Haven. The Hawks do not have much size, but the guards can go. Nash Sigmund had four 3-pointers vs. Kokomo.
Fun day of basketball … and two more to go.
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649. Get IndyStar’s high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter. And be sure to subscribe to our new IndyStarTV: Preps YouTube channel.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pike looks part, Cooper Zachary goes crazy, more from Day 1 of Charlie Hughes Showcase
Reporting by Kyle Neddenriep, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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By Kyle Neddenriep, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
