For the eighth 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 2026-2027 season.
Want to know how we come up with our rankings? Click here.
A few insights into Bounce’s protocol:
- This is based on high school impact, not college potential. We get it, there are D1 athletes here lower than non-D1 athletes. This isn’t a recruiting database, this is based purely off of high school output.
- No newbies. Players with previous varsity playing time only
Today, we continue the countdown on the boys hoops side with positions No. 35-31
No. 35: Gavin Grieser, Bluffton
Gavin Grieser enters his junior season as a key interior presence for Bluffton after averaging 11.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game last winter. The 6-foot-4 forward earned second-team All-ACAC honors, pairing steady scoring with the rebounding production to threaten a double-double every night as he is unorthodox to defend around the rim. With Bluffton replacing graduated leaders Declan Grieser and Marshall Gerber, his production and experience position him to shoulder a larger role this season.
COACH’S QUOTE ON GRIESER
“Gavin Grieser is physical, tough, skilled and coachable. He brings maximum effort every day with a passion for basketball and a great attitude. He can defend all 5 positions on the floor.” – Bluffton coach Craig Teagle
No. 34: Lavell Ledbetter, New Haven
Lavell Ledbetter gives New Haven a versatile, physical presence heading into his senior season after averaging 8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game during the Bulldogs’ historic Class 3A state runner-up campaign. A first-team All-NE8 selection, Ledbetter contributed well beyond scoring, entering the state finals as New Haven’s leader in both rebounds and assists. His combination of strength, rebounding and passing allows him to connect the Bulldogs’ offense while providing an interior presence, making him a valuable complement to Tarvar Baskerville and Shane Rogers-Smith. With championship-game experience and the ability to fill several roles, Ledbetter should remain central to New Haven’s pursuit of another deep postseason run.
COACH’S QUOTE ON LEDBETTER
“Lavell Ledbetter iss our workhorse competitor. He is our unquestioned leader and the voice of our team. He commands the respect of the other guys and makes sure they are competing daily in practices to get better and not going through the motions. Lavell showed us a huge jump in his game from sophomore to junior seasons and now as a senior is going to do his best to will us back to state.” – New Haven coach Brandon Appleton
No. 34: Jack VanOrder, Carroll
Jack VanOrder enters his senior season as a proven backcourt leader for Carroll after averaging 12.2 points, 1.5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.3 steals per game last winter, earning second-team All-SAC honors. The 6-foot-2 guard knocked down 39 three-pointers, giving the Chargers a reliable perimeter threat while contributing as a facilitator and defender. His scoring ability showed in Carroll’s 69-63 victory over Snider, when he delivered 20 points on 89 percent shooting from the field. With two varsity seasons behind him and additional experience enhanced over the summer, VanOrder brings the shooting and experience to take on greater offensive responsibility this winter.
COACH’S QUOTE ON VANORDER
“Jack returns as a 2-year starter and has improved his game each year. Jack is a talented offensive player that can score on multiple levels. He is our leading returning scorer at 12.2 ppg and will be called upon again this year to score. Jack has added strength this year which will allow him to be a more aggressive and consistent defender. We will look to Jack to lead by example and be a major contributor to our team this season.” – Carroll coach Chris Benedict
No. 32: Chance Derossett, Snider
Chance DeRossett enters his junior season as an intriguing perimeter talent for Snider after averaging 8.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game last winter. The 6-foot-5 left-handed guard knocked down 52 three-pointers at a 40 percent clip, combining size and shooting with the ability to contribute across the stat sheet and spread the floor for a Panthers team with repeat title hopes. With the athleticism to attack the rim and the range to stretch defenses, DeRossett looks ready for greater scoring responsibility this season as his non-high school season efforts have him starting to garner solid Division 1 interest.
COACH’S QUOTE ON DEROSSETT
“Chance is a little bit under the radar going into his junior season. We are expecting him to continue his fantastic spring and summer and quickly emerge as one of the best players not only in Northeast Indiana but across the state. He is an athletic scorer that can score it in a variety of ways but has the ability to be one of the best shooters in Indiana.” – Snider coach Josh Riikonen
No. 31: Ryder Imel, Homestead
Ryder Imel enters his junior season as one of the area’s most dangerous perimeter shooters after averaging 9.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game for Homestead last winter. An All-SAC honorable mention selection, Imel knocked down 59 of 138 three-point attempts—nearly 43 percent—giving the Spartans an efficient threat who forces defenses to respect his range. He delivered on the postseason stage with 17 points in Homestead’s 80-48 sectional championship victory over Wayne. With that experience and a strong summer behind him, the 6-foot-2 guard should remain a valuable floor spacer
COACH’S QUOTE ON IMEL
“Offers from NAIA schools. A knock down 3-point shooter and defender.” – Homestead coach Chris Johnson
These opinions represent those of Bounce and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow Bounce on Twitter at Bounce_OTH
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