Hughes headlines local All-State honors

RICH FOWLER

Batesville junior James Hughes headlines a group of five coverage area basketball players receiving All-State honors for the 2025-2026 season. Hughes wrapped up with nearly 500 points for the year and was also named EIAC MVP.

Several saw their name mentioned but Batesville junior James Hughes received an even bigger honor this past week, being named to the Indiana Underclassmen All-State First Team with regards to large schools across Indiana.
The list was released by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association. Large school and small school All-State squads were announced as were Supreme 15 teams for seniors and underclassmen.

Hughes earned his honor after averaging 19.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game for a 20-5 Batesville squad that finished as Class 3A regional runner-up. The Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference MVP is just 32 points shy of 800 career points and is expected to surpass the 1000-point career mark next season. He put up 488 points for his junior campaign.

South Ripley’s Eli Gilpin and Drew Volz were named IBCA Underclassmen All-State Honorable Mention as was South Dearborn’s Wyatt Adams and Scout Gray and Austin’s Traycen Roush. Freshman Micah Mohler of Austin was an Underclass Small School All-State First Team selection.

Hauser’s Stryker Gill was an IBCA Senior Small School All-State First Team pick. Those receiving honorable mention honors at the senior level were Milan’s Micah Norman and Gabe Riehle, Kameron Blair and Gavin Keller of Hauser, Brady Cook of Southwestern (Hanover) and South Decatur’s Drake Scaggs and Cayden Drake.