It is always a joy to start a new season by talking about all of the players who are back. Some may be big time returners, some may have had a great summer and others may just be ready to break out.
But through a summer and all of basketball, Fort Wayne and area fans also get the chance to see some really talented players who don’t fall in our traditional coverage area of the SAC, NE8, ACAC, NECC and a smattering of local schools who are independent or part of a fringe to us in the 260 conference.
So today, yours truly is looking at some more regional guys who aren’t in our “area,” but you should know because one, they are fun to watch and two, they may just have an impact on your favorite team at some point as an opposing presence.
MASON PEARSON, NORTHWOOD
This junior from NorthWood has shown flashes of being an absolute force; a big body who can throw around his size but also is a quality shooter that can handle pressure on the perimeter offensively. Pearson can guard four to five spots on the floor and is one of NorthWood’s most multi-faceted players who will be able to play a chameleon like role this season wherever the Panthers need him most.
WHEN TO WATCH HIM: February 21 vs. Blackhawk Christian
GAVIN REYNOLDS, FORT WAYNE HAWKS
The homeschool season has already tipped off and this senior has started as strong as expected. Through his first six games of the season, Reynolds was averaging 22.5 points per game to go with 5.8 assists; all of this up from his 2023-24 averages of 14.6 and 5.1. Through those six games, he was shooting 68 percent from the field with four games of 20 or more points and also a seven steal game to his name.
WHEN TO WATCH HIM: December 3 vs. Noble-Whitley Warriors
OWEN PRATER, ROCHESTER
We take a trip to the Three Rivers Conference where are teams Manchester and Wabash shared the title last season and Whitko finished third. In the middle of that pack was Rochester, who return the physical and feisty Prater for this season. Prater is a capable scorer around the rim, but his big help comes in his ball hawk mentality. Last season, he averaged 11.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
WHEN TO WATCH HIM: January 24 at Manchester
STEPHEN AKASE, TIPPECANOE VALLEY
Akase is an absolute force for the Vikings and averaged 13.6 points and 8.2 rebounds per game last season. Last season, he had five games of 20 or more points, including 28 against South Bend Washington. He had nine double doubles including two 18 rebound games. While the Indiana Northern State Conference doesn’t feature any area teams as the Vikings move from an independent, they still factor in against the area with games against Homestead, South Side, Manchester, Garrett, Huntington North and Warsaw.
WHEN TO WATCH HIM: November 27 at Homestead
MADDUX EVERINGHAM, NORTHWOOD
The move of the Everingham brothers from Wawasee to NorthWood is a big one for them and for the Panthers, who just keep getting deeper. It puts NorthWood right at the front of the battle in the NLC. He is a terrific defender that really knows how to handle himself in tense on ball situations. He is also massive on the perimeter on the other side of the court and is known as a quality knock down shooter.
WHEN TO WATCH HIM: December 12 vs. Westview
GAVIN ELDRIDGE, PERU
We venture back into the TRC with this senior who will be the Tigers’ top returner. Eldridge is a really strong point guard who averaged 5.1 assists to go with 13.3 points per game last season. He had four games with 8 or 9 assists, including 9 in a loss to South Side and 8 in a win over Southwood. Eldridge also had five steals in two of Peru’s first three games last season.
WHEN TO WATCH HIM: December 17 vs. South Side
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