The 2026 Sneakers for Santa high school basketball matchups are set.
The girls’ event will be played on Nov. 21 at Brownsburg High School, followed by the boys’ showcase on Dec. 5.
A closer look at the boys’ matchups:
Gibson Southern vs. Cathedral, 10 a.m.
Cathedral is coming off a state championship in Class 3A and while the Irish will be looking to overcome the graduation of leading scorers Keaton Aldridge and Julien Smith, this team should again be one of the best in 3A with seniors Braylon Pippins and Skylar Rodgers among those returning for coach Jason Delaney. Gibson Southern, 17-7 last year, returns leading scorers and seniors Kolton Schmitt (14.7 ppg, 5.5 rebounds), Reece Runyan (13.0 ppg) and Knoxx Lamb (9.1 ppg).
Houston (Tenn.) vs. Fishers, 11:30 a.m.
Fishers will be one of the top teams in Class 4A with the backcourt of seniors Jason Gardner Jr. and Cooper Zachary returning, along with senior Levi Walker, sophomore Max Hopkins and others from a 24-1 team. The Houston Mustangs, out of Germantown, typically play in big regional events and won a state championship in 2021. Houston, a 19-9 team last year, returns 6-7 senior Jordan Myles (offers from Miami of Ohio, Chattanooga, Murray State and others) and 5-11 senior Justin Frison (offers from Memphis, Ole Miss, West Virginia, Xavier and others).
South Bend Riley vs. Liberty Christian, 1 p.m.
South Bend Riley was a 21-5 team last year under Alex Daniel and return key players in seniors Da’Kori Parker (13.3 ppg, 3.6 assists), and Kelin Webster (8.2 ppg). Liberty Christian is coming off a 19-8 season and Class 1A regional championship. The Lions have quite a bit coming back, including senior Kendrick Martin (17.8 ppg, 4.5 rebounds).
South Bend St. Joseph vs. Silver Creek, 2:30 p.m.
South Bend St. Joseph, the Class 3A state champions two years ago, finished 21-5 last year and won a Class 4A sectional title before falling to Northridge in the regional. The Huskies return seniors Elijah King (19.1 ppg) and Petyon Miamba (13.0 ppg, 4.6 rebounds). Silver Creek, ranked No. 1 almost the entirety of last season, brings back senior point guard and Belmont commit Brandon Hunter (12.0 ppg, 10.5 assists) and senior Lucas Linderman (5.4 ppg), among others.
Tri Cities (Ga.) vs. Brownsburg, 4:45 p.m.
Brownsburg has a strong senior class coming off a 15-10 season with Chase Wilson (6.2 ppg), Brandon Day (5.2 ppg) and Jackson Gordon (5.1 ppg) returning, along with junior Billo Diallo and Pike transfer Bo Washington, a senior point guard. Tri Cities won state championships in Georgia in 2019, 2022 and 2025. Tre Keith, is a top-75 national recruit. The 6-3 point guard has offers from several high-major programs, including Cincinnati, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Xavier, Tennessee and more.
New Albany vs. Carmel, 6:30 p.m.
New Albany brings back a ton of talent from last year’s 23-6 team that came one game from making a Class 4A state finals appearance, including junior Noah Washington, sophomore Karson Stoudemire and seniors Reece McKee and Ashton McKee. The Bulldogs were one of the more impressive teams at the Charlie Hughes Showcase, even playing without the injured Washington. Carmel is coming off an 18-6 sectional title season and brings back senior point guard Cash Daniels and several other key players, including Vince Nover, Aiden Dickerson, Adler Cole, University transfer Josh Henderson and Park Tudor transfer Griffyn Robisch.
Lakota West vs. Pike, 8:15 p.m.
Pike will be one of the top teams in Class 4A after going 23-4 last year and winning a sectional title. The Red Devils bring back Purdue recruit Isaiah Hill, a senior, along with senior Kenneth Lampley, junior Landon Lampley, junior Tim Smith and have some incoming talent in Cathedral transfer Ryan Gold Jr. and Crispus Attucks transfer Bless’ed Thomas. Lakota West is coming off a 25-2 season. West did lose a key player in four-star guard Josh Tyson to La Lumiere. Tyson is a top-60 ranked player in the class. Bryce Curry, a 6-4 senior guard, is a Toledo commit.
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: Stacked lineup set for Sneakers for Santa high school basketball event
Reporting by Kyle Neddenriep, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kyle Neddenriep, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
