We are down to just two weeks of high school basketball left for the 2024-25 season, and we have an exciting range of matchups across the state of Indiana. Here is a look at the top players to watch in each class as they get set to play in the Elite 8.
Class 4A
Jason Gardner Sophomore Combo Guard Fishers
One of the top players in the state for his class is also one of the rising stars as Gardner is averaging 14.6 points and 5.3 assists per game on 59% shooting and 42% from downtown. Fishers drew an intriguing Semi-State matchup with South Bend Riley at Elkhart’s North Side Gymnasium. The winner of this game would play the Homestead-Crown Point winner with a trip to the state finals on the line. Fishers, who is undefeated entering this weekend, won the 4A state title last season looking to repeat that title this season.
Class 3A
Josiah Ball Senior Forward Maconaquah
A Bethel signee, Ball has become of the state’s exceptional scorers averaging 28.3 points and 2.5 steals per game on 47% shooting and 34% from the three-point line. Ball had 32 points and 11 rebounds in the 78-72 win over Marion to win their first regional title in 26 years. Maconaquah plays the state favorites, South Bend St. Joseph, at the Berry Bowl in Logansport. The winner faces the East Chicago Central-Delta winner. Saint Joe reached the state finals a season ago, while Maconaquah has never won a state title.
Chase Konieczny Senior Shooting Guard South Bend St. Joseph
Saint Joe has had a nice run of success in recent memory compiling a roster filled with exceptional basketball talent and a championship-level mentality. Konieczny’s play does a lot of the talking for the Huskies averaging 23 points and 9 rebounds per game on 50% shooting and 38% from downtown. As mentioned earlier, they will face a tough Maconaquah squad in the Semi-State semifinals at Logansport. Saint Joe has reached this round in consecutive seasons for the first time in over 30 years. Saint Joe is two wins away from their second trip to the state finals.
Class 2A
Gavin Betten Senior Combo Forward Manchester
Betten is a future Grace Lancer as the Squires are playing in their first Semi-State game in 31 years when they face Jimtown at Michigan City. The winner will face the winner of Gary 21st Century and Wapahani. Betten is Wabash County’s all-time leading scorer as he currently has 2,077 career points (averaging 26.1 points per game this season). Manchester has never reached the state finals in basketball, despite a history of making deep playoff runs over the years.
Class 1A
Collin Buck Senior Forward Hauser
Hauser is seen by many as one of the favorites on paper to win the 1A state championship. Buck is the straw that stirs the drink for the Jets averaging 14 points and 5.7 rebounds per game as a senior. He had a double-double two weeks ago to lead Hauser to a sectional championship. They will face Rylan Crocker and the Orleans Bulldogs in the Semi-State semifinals at Seymour. The winner will face Liberty Christian or Clay City in the championship game. This Hauser program has only reached the state finals once, which that came in 2006 when they were crowned state champions.