Southern Indiana Basketball Allstars
With Indiana boys’ basketball sectionals kicking off tonight, we figured it was time to announce our very own Southern Indiana Allstar list for the 2021/2022 IHSAA basketball season. We have chosen 14 players we feel are best in our area. We’re defining that area as we go, but generally within an hour of Bedford, Indiana. We’ll put all 14 players on 2 teams and have a small blurb for each player.
Following all that, there will be a poll to vote for “Southern Indiana Player of the Year” based on the 14 chosen players. The winner will receive a plaque from us and be crowned the first ever “Player of the Year” for Southern Indiana Sports Network.
We know that we may have missed some really great players, so we apologize ahead of time if you feel someone was snubbed from this list. These are strictly our opinions based on what we’ve been able to watch or from stats and reports from other fans.
We did make some rules though. Only 2 players from one team. Team must have a winning record.
These 14 basketball players are the ones we would choose if we were fielding teams for AAU. Or Southern Indiana super teams. And I would put them up against any team in Indiana. So, without further ado, here are our Southern Indiana Sports Network Allstars for 2021/2022.
Team 1
Hagen Knepp, Senior Guard, Barr-Reeve
Jack Benter, Sophomore Guard, Brownstown Central
Jaqualon Roberts, Junior Forward, Bloomington North
Jaylen Mullen, Junior Guard, North Daviess
Joey Hart, Junior Guard, Linton
Nick Klaiber, Senior Guard, Bloomington North
Peyton Bledsoe, Junior Guard, Loogootee
Team 2
Baylin Graff, Senior Forward, Bloomfield
Carter Crews, Senior Guard, Springs Valley
Fletcher Cole, Freshman Guard, Paoli
Ian Hall, Sophomore Forward, Orleans
Kannon Chase, Senior Guard, Springs Valley
Trey Rominger, Sophomore Forward, Paoli
Xavier Alston, Sophomore Center, Orleans
Player Blurbs
Baylin Graff, Senior Forward, Bloomfield
Baylin Graff has led Bloomfield to a great record and contention in 1A. Honestly, I haven’t been able to watch Baylin Graff this season, or had even heard much about him until a couple weeks ago, but after I did a little research, I knew this dude needed to be on the All-Star list. The word is out, and his stock will grow!
Carter Crews, Senior Guard, Springs Valley
Springs Valley is loaded with talent, and it was hard to pick just two players from their team. Carter Crews is one of the leaders on a team that just isn’t getting talked about enough. Carter is putting up 16 points a game and leading his team to 19-3 record. I think Carter Crews and Blackhawks are going to surprise some folks in the Sectional, and probably take it.
Fletcher Cole, Freshman Guard, Paoli
Fletcher Cole is the youngest player on our list, but he’s ready for Varsity level basketball. This coach’s son can do about anything with the ball, drive, shoot and pass. He can get some hangtime while driving it into 2 defenders downlow and laying it up under them. We’re just seeing the beginning of this young talent.
Hagen Knepp, Senior Guard, Barr-Reeve
If you’ve ever had the chance to see Hagen Knepp play, then you know this defending champion is a great shooter. We’ve seen him a couple times this season, at the Bobcat Classic in North Daviess and at the Buggy Bowl. This dude is solid, and pretty much going to nail the three any time he steps up to take them. Knepp has scored 20 points per game this season, with 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.5 steals a game and led the Barr-Reeve Vikings to a 16-7 record.
Ian Hall, Sophomore Forward, Orleans
Ian Hall has come into his own his Sophomore season at Orleans. Hall is a lengthy guard/forward hybrid who plays with a veracity, much like the entire Tom Bradley coached Orleans Bulldogs. They fight hard and know how to hustle, and I think everyone on the team knows how to shoot, and I know Ian can. He’s nailed a few threes in my face a few times.
Jack Benter, Sophomore Guard, Brownstown Central
Jack Benter is probably the best player I’ve seen play this season. Every player on this list is really good, but Jack Benter is a Blue Chip. And we’re not the only ones who think so. Indiana University coach Dan Fife visited a Brownstown Central practice a couple weeks ago to watch the young Mr. Benter. He is the highest scorer in 3A and probably close to the highest scorer in the state. His shot is pure, but he also has all the other intangibles. He gets his team involved, but also knows when its his turn to take over, which is generally in the fourth if it’s a close game, then there’s really no way I’ve seen to stop him. We’ve watched him 3 times this season, and the loss to Fort Wayne came to a very, very good Fort Wayne team who I think will win 2A State Title. Jack Benter is putting up 27 ppg, 6 rbg, 3.5 apg, 1.8 spg.
Jaqualon Roberts, Junior Forward, Bloomington North
Jaqualon Roberts has already signed with Indiana University and still has another year to go with Bloomington North. He’s a solid big man for a school that is dominating right now. He’s nearly averaging a double-double with 14 points and 8 rebounds a game.
Jaylen Mullen, Junior Guard, North Daviess
Jaylen Mullen from North Daviess does not get enough mention in the area. This guy has led a new era in North Daviess basketball, and doing it in a quiet fashion. Jaylen Mullen is another player from Southern Indiana that can shoot lights out. In the couple games we’ve watched, he couldn’t miss, and if isn’t wasn’t for certain floor rag cleaner antics, he would of led his team to a win at the Buggy Bowl. Jaylen Mullen is also nearing a double-double, but this time with Points and Assists. His numbers are: 16.4 ppgs, 6 rpg, 9.1 apg, 2 spg, .2 bpg. Those numbers are probably some of the best all around stats in the state. Early prediction, I think North Daviess wins the sectional, under Jaylen’s leadership.
Joey Hart, Junior Guard, Linton
We have not had the chance to watch Joey Hart this season, so everything we know about him has been just from word of mouth and from Linton’s very strong regular season record of 18-3. Even though Linton doesn’t release their stats, others have been hearing about Joey Hart as well. Just yesterday he received an offer from Northwestern, and also has offers on the table from Indiana State University and New Orleans. Looks like we’ll have to make sure to watch him before he’s off to D1.
Kannon Chase, Senior Guard, Springs Valley
Kannon Chase is another beast from the power loaded Springs Valley team. Kannon is also putting up 16 points a game and offering solid supporting stats. Look for surprising things from this quick and in your face team with many options.
Nick Klaiber, Senior Guard, Bloomington North
Our second player from 4A, Nick Klaiber is of course, another shooter. This guy is one of the leaders in state in 4A, and has helped lead Bloomington North to its most wins in a season since 2004. Looking at his Twitter profile, it looks like he’s being recruited by a few teams in the NCAA. His numbers are 18.7 ppg, 5.1 rpgs, 4.5 apg, 1.3 spg.
Peyton Bledsoe, Junior Guard, Loogootee
Peyton Bledsoe is ice cold from about anywhere. I might be saying that every player on this list is a scorer, but it wouldn’t story about Indiana Basketball if weren’t talking about solid jump shots. Peyton Bledsoe has solid jump shots all day. This is probably the guy you want to take that last second shot, and he has hit a few of them this season. His numbers 20 ppg, 5 rpg, .8 apg, .9 spg, 1.2 bpg.
Trey Rominger, Sophomore Forward, Paoli
Trey Rominger is a power horse of a player. He’s a man for his team, but could easily go off for 18 points, as some teams have felt this season. Trey will find his consistency next year and will be averaging close to 20 points a game. He’s more a football player, but don’t let this Mack Truck fool you, he we’ll break those ankles and drop a dime in a second.
Xavier Alston, Sophomore Center, Orleans
Xavier Alston, our January 2022 Player of the Month, and also second player on this list from Orleans. In my opinion, Xavier has the most upside potential of any player on this list, and he’s probably the most athletic. This dunking sensation is finding his confidence and helping lead the Orleans Bulldog to a potential upset in the sectional. If they played liked they did against Brownstown the other night, Orleans can beat anyone in 1A.
Vote for Southern Indiana Player of the Year (2021/2022)
The 14 Indiana Basketball players above are all great players, but only one can win Southern Indiana’s Player of the Year. Vote now for your favorite player! Only one vote per person!
This poll is no longer accepting votes
Voting ends March 6th, 12 AM.
