IndyStar Super 25 Power Poll: Early-Season Shakeups and Statement Wins

The final whistle on the football season has blown, and the rhythmic squeak of sneakers on hardwood now fills gymnasiums across the Hoosier State. While the sample size is small, the opening week of the Indiana high school boys basketball season delivered enough drama, statement victories, and top-tier performances to warrant a significant refresh of the IndyStar Super 25 power poll. From defending champions asserting their dominance to ambitious contenders announcing their arrival, the landscape is already shifting. Let’s dive into the teams trending up, holding steady, and facing the first major tests of a long winter campaign.

Unwavering at the Top: Fishers Passes Early Test

The Fishers Tigers entered the season as the hunted, wearing the crown of defending Class 4A state champions. The early returns suggest they are more than ready for the target on their backs. Holding steady at No. 1, the Tigers navigated a tricky opening week that included a battle-tested Ben Davis squad. Their 65-57 victory was a testament to composure and star power.

Key to their success was the dynamic duo of Jason Gardner Jr. and Kai McGrew. Gardner Jr.’s 23 points provided the offensive firepower, while McGrew’s astonishing six blocked shots anchored the defense and altered countless others. A comfortable win over Tech rounded out a 2-0 start. However, the Tigers’ mettle will be tested immediately with a massive week ahead:

• Friday Showdown: A rivalry game against a talented Noblesville team.
• Sneakers for Santa Shootout: A Saturday clash with Luke Ertel and a formidable Mt. Vernon squad.

This back-to-back challenge will reveal if Fishers has the depth and stamina to maintain its pole position.

Major Movers: Plainfield’s Resounding Statement

If one team made the loudest noise in Week 1, it was the Plainfield Quakers. Soaring from No. 12 to No. 4 in our poll, the Quakers didn’t just win; they made a declaration. Their 60-53 victory over then-highly-ranked Noblesville is arguably the most significant win of the young season. This wasn’t a fluke; it was a systematic, tough-minded performance led by Harper Baker-Lands (19 points) and the inside-outside threat of Noah Smith (18 points, 8 rebounds).

Following that up with a decisive 79-64 win over Avon confirmed this team’s readiness. The Quakers have immediately shifted from a potential dark horse to a bona fide contender. Their schedule remains unforgiving, with a Mid-State Conference test against Whiteland and a Saturday matchup against always-dangerous New Albany at the Sneakers for Santa event. Plainfield’s rise is the early-season story, proving that pre-season rankings are made to be rewritten.

Steady Hands: Crown Point’s Anticipated Debut and Pike’s Quality Week

While some teams were in action, the No. 2 Crown Point Bulldogs remain a fascinating mystery. At 0-0, their ranking is based on returning talent and expectations, led by standout sophomore Caleb Coolman. All eyes will be on their Saturday opener against Penn, a game that will finally provide data points for one of the state’s most talked-about squads. The pressure of a high ranking without a game played is unique, making their debut one of the weekend’s most anticipated events.

Meanwhile, the Pike Red Devils at No. 3 showcased both high-ceiling potential and the razor-thin margins at the elite level. Their week was a rollercoaster of quality:

• A dominant 86-58 win over Franklin Central, fueled by Jahari Miller’s 21 points.
• A narrow, 68-65 overtime loss to nationally-ranked Wisconsin Lutheran on a neutral court in Illinois—a loss that arguably boosts their resume.
• A bounce-back, balanced 65-46 victory over Hamilton Southeastern.

This sequence demonstrates Pike’s resilience and national-caliber capability. The overtime loss to a top-20 team is more a badge of honor than a setback, and their response showed maturity. Pike looks every bit the part of a team that will be in the mix come March.

Weekend Forecast: Marquee Matchups and Proving Grounds

The second weekend of the season is stacked with games that will further clarify the Super 25 hierarchy. Beyond the heavyweight bouts involving Fishers, several storylines demand attention.

The Sneakers for Santa Shootout at Brownsburg serves as a premier early-season showcase. The Saturday slate is a treasure trove for scouts and fans alike, featuring not only Fishers-Mt. Vernon and Plainfield-New Albany but other ranked teams battling for position. These neutral-floor, high-intensity environments separate contenders from pretenders.

For teams like Crown Point, it’s about validating the hype. For squads like Plainfield, it’s about proving their meteoric rise is sustainable. And for those just outside the Top 5 looking in, this weekend presents a golden opportunity to score a season-defining win and crash the party.

Conclusion: The Marathon Begins with a Sprint

The opening week of the Indiana high school basketball season has set a thrilling tone. The IndyStar Super 25 has already seen a dramatic leap from Plainfield, witnessed the champion Tigers hold serve under pressure, and watched Pike battle on a national stage. Yet, with Crown Point still waiting in the wings and a weekend of blockbuster matchups ahead, this poll remains incredibly fluid.

What Week 1 confirmed is that the path to Gainbridge Fieldhouse will be grueling. Statement wins, like Plainfield’s over Noblesville, immediately reshape the conversation. Near-misses against national foes, like Pike’s, reveal the depth of talent in the state. And for the top teams, every night is a challenge to their throne. The data points are still accumulating, but one thing is clear: Indiana high school basketball is back, and the race for supremacy is already at a full sprint.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.

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