For the fifth season in a row, Bounce and Outside the Huddle are counting down who they feel are the top 50 individual players in northeast Indiana heading into the 2023-2024 season.
Today, we continue on the boys hoops side with positions No. 15-11.
No. 15 – Trey Hiteshew, Leo
Hiteshew has a style all of his own on the court, a high level finisher who plays at sometimes calming pace but can really ramp things up when the tempo calls for it. Hiteshew is feisty on both ends of the court, but offensively he is able to use it to get into contact and make it troubling for opposing defenses to stop when he gets a full head of steam. One underrated part of Hiteshew’s game may be his timely passing ability, where last year he often made a great last second pass to lead to a teammate basket; he is Leo’s leading returner in assists with 3.3 per game while also averaging 13.4 points per game last season.
COACH’S QUOTE ON HITESHEW
“Trey is an aggressive, competitor, who attacks the basket well. He has played a significant role for us the last two years on both ends of the floor. Trey often has the ball in his hands, so we rely on him to make quality decisions. For us to be successful, we will need him to make the right decisions and be a great leader.” – Leo coach Cary Cogdell
No. 14 – Cadell Wallace, South Side
The craftiest of guards, Wallace sets a frenetic pace that is a great first wave of keeping a defense off balance. Wallace averaged 14.3 points and 3.9 assists per game last season at Bishop Luers but is now back at South Side, where he started his high school career. Wallace is extremely evasive offensively and his three point shot has become incredibly clean and quick. Wallace is a very intelligent player that competes hard each and every possession.
No. 13 – Braden Smith, Woodlan
Lights out shooter with a major clutch gene? That has been the Braden Smith special over his career. Last season, Smith led Woodlan to a 19-win season and hit 53 three pointers including four games where he hit 5 or more from long range. Smith averaged 13.7 points per game, adding 3.2 rebounds per contest last season. Smith has a quick trigger when the ball is swung his way and his range is as deep as anyone in the area, but as he has improved athletically he has shown that he can score from all three levels in the last year.
COACH’S QUOTE ON SMITH:
“Braden has developed into an extremely versatile player that can not only score the basketball in bunches, but can also do a little bit of everything on the court. Above all else, Braden is a great competitor and has proven to be a winner. We will look for him to lead our team on and off the court in his final high school season.” – Woodlan coach John Baker
No. 12 – Eugene Young, North Side
Young runs the floor like a gazelle and is a firerstaarter for a North Side offense that likes to get out on the break. He is a high effort kid who battles for rebounds and intangible stats, getting after loose balls or into passing lanes to create chaos. Last season for North Side, Young averaged 11.3 points, a team second best 6.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per contest. Young’s offensive creativity and shot have improved from a year ago, but he really shines as a defensive player that brings pressure all of the time.
COACH’S QUOTE ON YOUNG:
“Really good shooter who has gotten stronger. Gene plays really good defense and works really hard. We need Gene to put the ball in the basket for us this year.” – North Side coach Gary Andrews
No. 11 – Trey Dillard, Wayne
When Dillard is on his game, he is the biggest double double threat in the area and one of the best big men in the north half of the state. Dillard averaged 9.2 points and 9 rebounds per game last season as he helped Wayne to the semi state round. Dillard is intelligent about filling his lanes and his positioning around the basket that leads him to be such a high level rebounder and also positions himself for big moments like a winning bucket in OT last season against Carroll when Dillard had his positioned cleanly sealed at the rim.
COACH’S QUOTE ON DILLARD:
“Trey is one of the best rebounders in the conference. His work this offseason has been most impressive. He wants to add to the double-double he averaged last season. He has put in extensive work this summer to extend his shooting range and improve his ballhandling. Trey has also shown considerable growth in his pick and roll game.” – Wayne coach Anthony Brewer
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