IHSAA boys basketball preview: 25 potential breakout players from Central Indiana

The high school boys basketball season gets started next week. Here are 25 players from Central Indiana I think are flying a bit under the radar and could be on the brink of a breakout season:

Myles Baker, Lawrence North

On a team with a lot of offensive weapons, the 5-10 senior might get overlooked. He shouldn’t. Baker averaged 7.5 points as a junior and shot an impressive 40.1% from the 3-point line. He can heat up in a hurry.

Indiana high school basketball preview: Everything you need to know for 2023-24 season

Jaxson Bell, North Central

The 6-3 Bell, who has an offer from Army, is the leading returning scorer (12.0 ppg, 4.5 rebounds, 61% field goals) for a North Central team coming off a 13-win season. Bell is an efficient and well-rounded player.

Max Booher, Greenwood Christian

The 6-2 senior is the top returning scorer (15.4 ppg, 2.5 rebounds) for a team that finished 19-7 last season and came within four points in the sectional championship against Lutheran, which went on to win the Class A state championship.

Peyton Byrd, Center Grove

The 6-7 senior did not have a big statistical season last year (1.8 ppg, 1.9 rebounds) but has the athleticism and ability to shoot from the perimeter to make a big jump this season in a starting role.

Reis Butcher, Brebeuf Jesuit

The 6-3 senior is an athletic guard who should thrive as a senior playing alongside Butler recruit Evan Haywood in the Braves’ backcourt. He averaged 7.9 points, 3.0 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game as a junior.

Clem Butler, Washington

The 6-11 senior averaged 7.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.2 blocked shots as a junior for the Continentals. Butler shot 54% from the field and 68% from the free-throw line last season.

Jack Cherry, Guerin Catholic

Unfortunately, the 6-2 senior point guard will miss the early part of the season as he recovers from an injury suffered during football. Guerin Catholic coach Bobby Allen hopes to get Cherry back by late December. The four-year starter is a key player Guerin, last year’s 3A runner-up. He averaged 4.8 points, 3.8 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals last season.

Caden Claxton, Shelbyville

The 5-10 guard emerged as one of Shelbyville’s most reliable players last year as a freshman, averaging 9.2 points and 3.2 rebounds and shooting 32.7% from the 3-point line.

Caden Collins, Danville

The 6-2 Collins is an outstanding athlete, a state qualifier in the high jump and a wide receiver on the football team. He fills the stat sheet for the Warriors, averaging 12.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.4 steals as a junior.

Alex Couto, Carmel

The 5-9 junior will be a pest to opponents for the next two seasons. Couto is Carmel’s top returning scorer (8.1 ppg, 1.7 assists). Couto was Carmel’s leader in 3-pointers made last season (35), shooting 38.5% from the arc.

Melakih Cunningham, Decatur Central

The 6-5 Cunningham is a tantalizing talent who should improve on his numbers (8.5 ppg, 6.0 rebounds, 33.7% 3-pointers) from his sophomore season. Cunningham is long and athletic.

Kendrick Dunmore, Avon

The 6-5 junior will be a key to the Orioles success as an interior presence. Dunmore averaged 6.1 points and is the team’s leading returning rebounder (4.4). He shot a team-high 51% from the field.

Ethan Edwards, Whiteland

The 6-5 junior guard is a player to watch this season alongside senior teammate Wiatt McLaughlin. Edwards averaged 4.9 points and 2.8 rebounds as junior and should be poised to make a big jump this season.

Eli Ellis, Plainfield

The 5-11 Ellis (14.1 ppg, 3.2 assists, 2.7 rebounds) is one of the toughest guards around and comes back as the Quakers’ leading scorer and 3-point shooter (37.5%).

Charles Farrell, Westfield

The 6-3 senior looked this summer like he was on the cusp of playing a bigger role for the Shamrocks after averaging 4.8 points and 2.6 rebounds as a junior. Farrell is a high-energy player who can make plays on both ends of the floor.

Anthony Fields, Cathedral

The 6-2 guard was not a big statistical producer last season (2.5 ppg, 2.0 assists, 1.5 rebounds) on a veteran team but Fields possesses a lot of skills that should translate to him having important role for Cathedral as a senior starter.

Albert Gooden III, Lawrence Central

The grandson of former Lawrence Central coach Al Gooden is a physical 6-2 sophomore who knows how to play. Gooden averaged 4.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals as a freshman and will play a big role on an inexperienced team.

Chris Hurt, Crispus Attucks

The 5-10 junior point guard was a major contributor last year for the 18-8 City tournament champions, averaging 7.2 points, 5.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds. Hurt does not score as much as teammates Ron Rutland or Dezmon Briscoe but his role is just as important.

Drew Kegerreis, Roncalli

The 6-3 junior had a breakout year last year as a junior (13.6 ppg, 3.8 rebounds, 43.9% 3-point shooter) but it is reasonable to wonder what his senior year might bring. Kegerreis is an outstanding outside shooter but plays hard and make an impact on both ends of the court.

Cayden Loescher, Lutheran

The 6-4 junior was a key player during Lutheran’s run to a Class A state championship as he averaged 9.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Loescher is more of a slasher than a shooter but is a quality all-round player and leader.

Josh Moriarty, Franklin Central

The 5-11 senior was a bright spot last year in a tough season for the Flashes, averaging 8.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Moriarty shot 40.6% from the 3-point line (39-for-96).

Ben Slagley, New Palestine

The 6-4 Slagley is the top returning scorer and rebounder (10.0 ppg, 6.7 rebounds) for a New Palestine team that lost some key pieces from last year’s record-setting 23-win sectional title team. Slagley has a nice shooting touch and should continue to improve as a junior.

Coryell Spates, Pike

The 5-10 senior guard averaged 6.4 points last season and shot an impressive 46.6% from the 3-point line. He will be an important part of a Pike backcourt that also includes junior Damon Howard and sophomore Dezhon Hall.

Braeden Totton, Hamilton Southeastern

The 6-2 Totton, a three-sport athlete, averaged 7.5 points and 1.7 assists as a sophomore. He hit 26 3-pointers for the Royals and will provide an outside shooting threat. Totton had 31 points in a loss to Anderson last season.

Mark White, Ben Davis

The 6-4 White, who recently committed to IU-South Bend, averaged 4.7 points and 2.1 rebounds as a key player off the bench as a junior for the undefeated Class 4A state champions. White is in position for a big senior year.

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana high school basketball: 25 potential breakout players