Each season, the culmination of the Outside the Huddle Top 50 player countdown is the naming of our annual First Five, the highest preseason honor for OTH basketball coverage.
The First Five traces its lineage back to The News-Sentinel’s years of presenting “Fabulous Five” teams of the area’s best five players in both boys and girls basketball. This player is part of our seventh season of naming First Five players.
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No. 2 – Chase Barnes, Wayne
Barnes played a pivotal role in Wayne’s outstanding 2023-24 season, where they captured the SAC, Sectional, and Regional titles before falling just short in the semistate night game against eventual state champion Fishers. Averaging 14.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game, Barnes earned Indiana Junior All-Star honors, solidifying his status as one of the state’s premier combo guards. Known for his fiery passion and relentless drive, he had a standout summer, sharpening his skills and elevating his game. Always the quickest player on the court, Barnes blends a smooth shooting stroke with an uncanny ability to finish through contact at the rim, making him a constant threat offensively.
COACH’S QUOTE ON BARNES
“Chase Barnes is the definition of driven. His work ethic is extremely high-level. In addition to being a Mr. Basketball candidate this season, he is one of the most decorated individual players in the state (3 All-Conference selections, Junior All-Star and Junior All-State). Not only does he shine on the court, but he is set to graduate this spring with his Associates Degree in Business. The young fella knows his goals and consistently works to get to where he needs to be.” – Wayne coach Anthony Brewer
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