We have reached the top 5 in our countdown of Outside the Huddle’s Top 50 boys basketball player countdown. This is No. 2 in our annual preseason crowning of the top 5 players in northeast Indiana that we call the ‘First Five;’ our highest individual preseason honor.
The ‘First Five’ was started in 2018, following in the 35-plus year tradition of naming the top five area basketball players, started by a now defunct prep sports department in Fort Wayne. It is our honor to pick up and carry on that tradition with the ‘First Five,’ including our third group of honorees coming this season at the top of our Top 50 countdown.
No. 2 – Luke Goode, Homestead
For the second straight season, Goode sits as the #2 player in our Top 50 countdown and is essentially untouchable at that spot. The recent Illinois signee will head into his senior season with that worry off his back and look to land Homestead back in the championship picture on the local and state levels. Goode was an Indiana Junior All-Star last season and has pushed himself into consideration in the tight Mr. Basketball race during this season. Goode averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game last season as he developed more into a Mr. Everything for the Spartans. When Goode came into his freshman season, he was more of a spot up shooter, but one that wow’d area fans and media immediately. Since then, he has done nothing but work to come more well rounded, especially on the offensive end where his length and unique motion getting to the rim make him especially tough to defend.
Goode is a high level shot creator. He can absolutely spot up and stretch out defenses, but has become tremendous in taking his offensive fortunes into his own hands. He has a quick pull up and release that makes it so hard for opposing defenders to ever get comfortable in how they decide to play him. Goode’s feel for every aspect of the game makes him a guy that Homestead has a lot of room and ability to create around. His teammate core this season will only be to his benefit; if you watch his work with Indy Heat, you know that Goode is at this best when he has teammates that draw defenses and he can work in space. Luckily for him, even when the defense doesn’t spread for him, Luke has worked tirelessly to improve athletically and it has helped him be able to create and attack spacing against even the best area defenders.
COACH’S QUOTE ON LUKE GOODE
“Fantastic outside shooter who can also, with his size, get easy buckets around the basket.” – Homestead coach Chris Johnson
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