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. 30-26
No. 30: Javonte Eldridge, Wayne
Javontae Eldridge gives Wayne a productive interior presence after averaging 8.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last winter, earning second-team All-SAC honors. His impact extended to protecting the basket, with 1.3 blocks per game alongside his scoring and rebounding production. That combination of rebounding, rim protection and developing scoring makes him an important piece of Wayne’s returning core.
COACH’S QUOTE ON ELDRIDGE
“Javontae is a physical, hard-nosed forward with a natural knack for rebounding. He embraces contact, competes on every possession, and never backs down from a challenge. He brings the toughness and consistent effort that make a difference on both ends of the floor.” – Wayne coach Nick Ankenbruck
No. 29: Omarion Waites, North Side
Omarion Waites gives North Side a strong, efficient interior presence heading into his senior season after averaging 11.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game last winter. He led the Legends in field-goal percentage at 61 percent while ranking second in both scoring and rebounding, providing dependable production around the basket. Waites also delivered during sectional play, scoring 17 points in a 65-63 semifinal victory over Northrop before adding 12 against Snider in the championship game. His strength, finishing and rebounding should make him a central piece of North Side’s returning core as the Legends pursue another postseason opportunity.
COACH’S QUOTE ON WAITES
“Omarion does such a great job for us on the inside with his presence as an offensive threat. He is able to even stretch the defense out to the 3-point line. I believe he has the best footwork of any big man in the area.” – North Side coach Shabaz Khaliq
No. 28: Kingston Galentine, Heritage
Kingston Galentine enters his junior season as a proven offensive leader for Heritage after averaging 14.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game last winter, earning first-team All-ACAC honors. The 6-foot-3 standout also averaged 1.3 steals, making a substantial jump from limited varsity minutes as a freshman to becoming the Patriots’ leading scorer. His ability to take over games showed during the ACAC Tournament, when he poured in 32 points to help Heritage reach the championship game. With that scoring production and a full season of varsity success behind him, Galentine should remain a focal point of the Patriots’ offense this winter.
COACH’S QUOTE ON GALENTINE
“Kingston is the type of player every coach wants in his program. He’s a hard-nosed competitor who works to get better every day and does whatever it takes to help his team win. After the breakout season he had last year, we’re excited to see him take another step forward, embrace a leadership role, and help lead our team to success.” – Heritage coach Kyle Sovine
No. 27: Max Goheen, North Side
Max Goheen enters his senior season as the engine of North Side’s backcourt after averaging 10.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.1 steals per game last winter. A second-team All-SAC selection, Goheen led the Legends in assists and steals while shooting 42 percent from three-point range, combining playmaking with dependable perimeter scoring. His ability to control a game showed in a 78-58 victory over Leo, when he delivered 14 points, 10 assists and five steals. With his passing, shooting and defensive activity, Goheen gives North Side an experienced lead guard capable of creating opportunities for a returning core.
COACH’S QUOTE ON GOHEEN
“Max Goheen is the floor general that has a vast amount of varsity playing experience. He averaged over 5 assists a game last year and shot over 40% from the 3-point line. For us, Max is the key that starts the engine and often times last year when he wasn’t on the floor our car didn’t run! This year, I expect Max to be even more of a scoring threat while continuing to make his teammates better. This should be his best year of basketball, and I am excited for him.” – North Side coach Shabaz Khaliq
No. 26: Parker Smith, Fairfield
Parker Smith enters his junior season as a versatile backcourt leader for Fairfield after averaging 10.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.1 steals per game while shooting 37 percent from three-point range last winter. The 6-foot-3 guard earned first-team All-NECC honors as the Falcons finished second in the conference, building on an honorable mention selection as a freshman. His combination of perimeter shooting, playmaking and defensive activity gives Fairfield a player who can influence possessions at both ends. With two seasons of varsity experience behind him, Smith looks positioned to shoulder greater responsibility following the graduation of other important Falcon players.
COACH’S QUOTE ON SMITH
“Parker Smith has put in the work to show he is without a doubt one of the best players and teammates in our area. Parker has all of the key traits of an elite player. He makes his teammates better, has high standards for himself and his teammates, and will do whatever it takes to be great. I am excited to watch Parker thrive in our program this season.” – Fairfield coach Brae Beadles
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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