Mid-Season All Indianapolis Teams

With it being Christmas break and the end of first semester for many area teams, I thought it would be an apt time to take a look at some of the top individual performers in the Indianapolis area and hand out some mid-season awards. Many local players are having outstanding seasons, putting up ridiculous stats and leading their teams to success and statewide acclaim. Without further delay, here are the first, second, and third all-area teams for Indianapolis schools at midyear.

First Team All-Area

G- Matt Kenney - Mooresville (Sr.) - Kenney is literally doing it all for Mooresville. The Valparaiso recruit is leading the area in scoring at 25.2 points per game, shooting an astoundind 11 of 15 from three point range. He also grabs a staggering amount of rebounds for a point guard, ripping down 9.8 a game. Add on 5.8 assists and 2.4 steals, and you have the makings of a first team point guard.

G- Terone Johnson - North Central (Jr.) - The Purdue-bound shooting guard is not only leading his Panther squad to the number two ranking in 4A, but he's also compiling some amazing stats along the way. The 6'3" deadeye is scoring 24.5 points a game to go long with 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists each contest. He is shooting 57% from the field on 14 of 27 from three point range, and has knocked down an amazing 22 of 25 free throw attempts (88%). Coach Matt Painter has to be looking forward to seeing Terone in the black and gold.

C- Travis Carroll - Danville (Jr.) - Another Purdue recruit is on the first team, a trend as you will see. Carroll is a 6'9" behemoth with talent and desire to spare. He is averaging a double-double with 22 points and 12.7 rebounds per game. He is relatively automatic from the field, scoring on two-thirds of all his shots (67% FG). Couple those stats with his impressive two blocks each contest, and you have your first team man in the middle.

F - Patrick Bade - Franklin Central (Sr.) - Yet another future-Boiler, Bade is getting it done for the Flashes, the number three-ranked team in 4A. The 6'8" bouncy forward is averaging 18.2 points (50% FG) and 6.2 rebounds, both tops on the team. He also leads a stingy defense, adding 2.2 blocks per game. His numbers are not inflated due to Franklin Central's defensive focus, but he is still completely worthy of first team honors.

F - Dominique Ferguson - Lawrence North (Jr.) - Playing with as many potential D1 recruits as Ferguson (pictured) does has many advantages, but one "disadvntage" is the lack of gaudy, puffed-up statistics. The Wildcats have up to eight division one recruits on their squad, some barely seeing the floor, like sophomore center Michael Chandler, a top-25 recruit who rides the pine for LN. Despite all these factors, the 6'9" future Kentucky Wildcat is having an amazing season, averaging over 15 points per game, leading the charge for the loaded Wildcats. He has had multiple games of over ten rebounds as well. His highlight of the season so far was scoring 19 points against Ft. Wayne Bishop Luers in the Circle City Classic, earning MVP honors. Despite the seemingly pedestrian stats, with all things considered, Dominique belongs on the first team.



Second Team All-Area

G - D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera - North Central (Fr.) - One might think a ninth grader has no place on an all-area team of any kind, and often, that is the correct perspective. But just as former freshman standouts like Greg Oden and Eric Gordon played at a level better than their age, so does Smith-Rivera. The 6'3" muscle-bound guard not only looks older than the roster states, he plays that way as well, stuffing the stat sheet on a nightly basis. His outside shot is in need of improvement, and it will be in time. But for the here and now, there's still no denying his game. D'Vauntes is averaging 15.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists while running the show for the undefeated, second-ranked Panthers. He is also shooting 48% from the field and 82% from the free throw line (27/33). Smith-Rivera already has many scholarship offers, including one from Tom Crean and his Hoosiers, who would love to continue thier North Central pipeline. This freshman will no doubt be on award watch lists for seasons to come.

G - Kendall Griffin - Avon (So.) - Another youngster finds is way onto the second team, and he is well-deserving. Griffin leads the resurgent Orioles in many statistical categories as they continue their impressive turnaround from last year's disappointing team. The 6'5" sophomore is scoring 17.5 points and securing 7.6 rebounds per game. Griffin is also an improving deep threat, hitting on 35% of his three point attempts (14/40). He is starting to receive some big-time interest from college coaches, with many local and Big Ten schools checking him out this winter.

C- Andrew Smith - Covenant Christian (Sr.) - The 6'9" big man deserves a spot on this list despite the foot injury that has sidelined him since the second game of the season. He is due back in January, and watch out when the future Butler Bulldog returns. He has averaging an astounding 24.5 points (65% FG) and 22 rebounds a game to go with two blocks before he went down in practice. This late bloomer is proving he is worth of the hype he began to receive this summer on the AAU circuit.

F - Stephan Van Treese - Lawrence North (Sr.) - Another one whose stats are affected by the quality of his teammates, SVT is having his best season to date according to his coach, Jack Keefer. Van Treese (pictured blocking the shot) is averaging 13.3 points per game, and had had multiple games with double digit rebounds. His athleticism and bounce are finally back, and it seems his illnesses and injuries may be a thing of the past. Headed to Louisville, the 6'9" senior will be a solid four-year playing in the Big East.

F - Blake Beasley - Decatur Central (Sr.) - Beasley is the least well-known of the top ten, but he may be one of the most well-rounded. The 6'6" forward is a true glue guy, contributing in every wayfor his 5-0 DC squad. Beasley is putting up 18.4 points and pulling down 9.2 boards each game. He makes 59% of his field goal attempts and also plays great defense, averaging 2.4 steals and 2.2 blocks per game. A great teammate, Beasley is a welcome addition to the second team.



Third Team All-Area

G - Marquis Teague - Pike (So.) - Teague would likely be higher on the list if not for the struggles of the Red Devils, who are 3-2 so far. The super-soph, ranked in the top-25 of his class nationally, is averaging 21.6 points per game for first year Pike head coach Phil Spoljaric. He uses his amazing speed and agility to spilt defenders, driving to the hoop to finish or set his teammates up for easy buckets. Teague has offers from everywhere, including IU, Louisville, and Ohio State. Once his teammates, such as fellow sophomore Chandler Thomas, begin playing up to par, expect the Red Devils to be an exciting team.

G- Andre Hampton - Howe (Jr.) - The 6'2" junior sniper is the scoring leader of this tough, highly ranked 3A squad. His great proficiency from deep spreads out defenses and makes the game much easier for his talented teammates, such as 6'9" wing Jordan Manuel, who will likely be on this list at the end of the year, but has missed most of the season so far after a transfer from Pike. Hampton is averaging 19.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. In the first game of the season, Andre knocked down ten threes, and he has had other games with multiple makes from deep.

C - Ed Hazelett - Warren Central (Sr.) - The 6'9" mountain is having as good a season on the hardwood as he did on the gridiron. The Western Kentucky football recruit is using his size and superior strength to overpower defenders to the delight of first year coach, Warren Central and Indiana Hoosier legend, Greg Graham. Big Ed is averaging 17 points and 12.3 rebounds per game while leadng the area with an amazing 82% field goal percentage. Hazelett could have a future as a Hilltopper hoopster, should he choose to pursue that option.

F - Justin Reid - North Central (Sr.) - Reid, the third and not final Panther on the list, is a 6'9" long, lanky post player with a big upside. There is some talk that he may go the JUCO route before ending up at a D1 school, but there is no denying that he has the talent to do so. Reid is averaging 13.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game for the undefeated Panthers. He is shooting 54 % from the field and is a terror on defense, swatting two shots a game.

F - Morgan Newton - Carmel (Sr.) - Newton is one of the most balanced, all-around players in the area, playing for a balanced Greyhound team who does not rely on one star, but rather on a total team effort. The Kentucky football recruit and Indiana Mr. Football award winner is a defensiv standout who has the ability to shut down opposing teams best players. He is averaging almost twelve points per game to go along with 8.6 boards, 4.2 assists, and multiple steals each contest. He is another one that could be a two-sport college star, should he choose to try.



Honorable Mention All-Area


G - Aaron Evans - Roncalli (Sr.) - 20 ppg, 5/12 3FG
G- Tommy Eggleston - Heritage Christian - 15.6 ppg, 4 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.2 bpg, 39% 3FG
G- Ryan Nowicki - Guerin Catholic (Sr.) - 22.2 ppg, 47% FG, 10/27 3FG
G- Leland Brown - Noblesville (Jr.) - 12.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.2 spg
G- Taylor Wayer - Bishop Chatard (Jr.) - 17 ppg, 6.3 apg
G- Damon Ellison - North Central (Sr.) - 16.8 ppg, 53% FG
G- Torrey Nibbs - Brownsburg (So.) - 12.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg
G- JuJuan Sarver - Avon (So.) - 12.4 ppg
G- Casey Coons - Franklin Central (Sr.) - 12.2 ppg, 5.8 apg, 100% FT (22/22)
G- Chandler Guion - Lapel (So.) - 16.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.0 apg
G- Alvin "PJ" Boutte - Howe (So.) - 15.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.7 apg, 3.3 spg
G-Brian Mucho - Plainfield (Sr.) - 20.4 ppg, 16/41 3FG
G- Pat Kennedy - Bishop Chatard (Sr.) - 11.0 ppg, 5.3 apg, 53% FG
G- Ronald Patterson - Broad Ripple (Fr.) - 12 ppg
G- Matt Lenz - Fishers - 16.2 ppg, 18/54 3FG, 94% FT
G- John Arak - Park Tudor - 20.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 15/38 3FG, 3.0 spg
F- Kelsey Barlow - Cathedral (Sr.) - 11.8 ppg
F- Damone Eubank - Howe - 17 ppg
F- Mike McMahon - Guerin Catholic - 17 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 8/12 3FG
F- Zac Carver - Beech Grove - 18.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 53% FG
F- Marcus Jackson - Lawrence Central (Sr.) -18 ppg, high game of 32
F- Steven Jamison - Broad Ripple (So.) - 17.4 ppg
F- Kyle Bradley - Indian Creek (Sr.) - 23.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 24/27 FT
F- Brett Brunson - Indian Creek (Sr.) - 20.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.8 bpg
C- Blake Metcalf - Plainfield (Sr.) - 13.1 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 67% FG
C- Logan Ingle - Lapel (Jr.) - 16.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 56% FG
C- Errick Peck - Cathedral (Sr.) - 18 ppg

So there you have it! This is the comprehnsive mid-season all-area award winning team! Check back later for my list of the best freshman in the area.