The 2026 Sneakers for Santa high school basketball matchups are set, and seriously, this boys’ showcase on December 5 is gonna be WILD. Before the boys hit the court, the girls’ event kicks off on November 21, both at Brownsburg High School. But let’s be real, you’re here for the absolute BANGER of talent hitting the hardwood in December, and it’s stacked.
State Champs and Heavy Hitters Clash Early
First up, we’ve got Gibson Southern taking on Cathedral at 10 a.m. Cathedral just snagged a state championship in Class 3A, which is insane. They’re gonna be looking to keep that momentum rolling, even after losing leading scorers Keaton Aldridge and Julien Smith to graduation. But with seniors Braylon Pippins and Skylar Rodgers back, Coach Jason Delaney’s squad should still be one of 3A’s best. On the other side, Gibson Southern, a solid 17-7 team last year, is bringing back some firepower with seniors Kolton Schmitt, who dropped 14.7 points and 5.5 boards per game, Reece Runyan with 13.0 ppg, and Knoxx Lamb at 9.1 ppg. You know it’s gonna be a battle.
Then at 11:30 a.m., it’s Houston out of Tennessee versus Fishers. Fishers is coming off a ridiculous 24-1 season and is set to be one of the top teams in Class 4A. Their backcourt seniors Jason Gardner Jr. and Cooper Zachary are returning, plus senior Levi Walker and sophomore Max Hopkins. This team is legit. But Houston? They won a state championship in 2021 and are known for playing in big regional events. They were 19-9 last year, and they’re bringing back 6-7 senior Jordan Myles, who’s got offers from Miami of Ohio, Chattanooga, Murray State, and more. And don’t sleep on 5-11 senior Justin Frison either, with offers from Memphis, Ole Miss, West Virginia, and Xavier. That’s Division I talent everywhere you look.
D-I Talent and Rising Stars Take Center Stage
Moving into the afternoon, South Bend Riley battles Liberty Christian at 1 p.m. South Bend Riley, a 21-5 team last year under Alex Daniel, has seniors Da’Kori Parker, who put up 13.3 ppg and 3.6 assists, and Kelin Webster, who averaged 8.2 ppg, ready to lead. Liberty Christian is no slouch either, coming off a 19-8 season and a Class 1A regional championship. Senior Kendrick Martin is back after averaging 17.8 points and 4.5 rebounds, so expect some serious scoring.
Closing out the day at 2:30 p.m., South Bend St. Joseph faces Silver Creek. St. Joseph was a Class 3A state champion just two years ago, finished 21-5 last year, and grabbed a Class 4A sectional title. They’re returning seniors Elijah King, who was an absolute bucket at 19.1 ppg, and Peyton Miamba with 13.0 ppg and 4.6 boards. Silver Creek, though, was ranked No. 1 almost all last season. They’ve got senior point guard Brandon Hunter, a Belmont commit, back on the floor. The guy put up 12.0 ppg and an insane 10.5 assists. He makes everything happen! Plus, senior Lucas Linderman is returning with 5.4 ppg.
Make sure you clear your calendar for December 5. These aren’t just games; these are showcases for future college stars, and the talent hitting the court is going to be electric. You know we’ll be breaking down every dime, every dunk, and every clutch shot from this incredible lineup. Get ready to feast on some top-tier high school basketball!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply