TSI Player Spotlight: Eli Gilpin of South Ripley

Friday night in Hope, Indiana delivered everything fans love about Indiana high school basketball — a packed gym, two powerhouse programs, and a game that felt like March in December. The state’s No. 2 ranked Class 2A South Ripley Raiders rolled into enemy territory to take on the No. 2 ranked Class 1A Hauser Jets in a highly anticipated Southern Indiana showdown.

Hauser wasted no time setting the tone. Using their impressive length along the front line, the Jets controlled the paint early and jumped out to a 15–10 lead. Defensively, Hauser made it clear their game plan revolved around slowing down South Ripley star Eli Gilpin — and for a half, it worked. The Jets threw multiple defenders at Gilpin, denying clean looks and forcing tough possessions. At the break, Gilpin was held scoreless, while Hauser’s 6'6" junior Joel Bechtel put on a clinic with 15 points and 7 rebounds, sending the Jets into the locker room with a 31–22 advantage.

But great players respond — and Eli Gilpin did exactly that.

Coming out of halftime, Gilpin flipped the switch. The sophomore guard attacked with confidence, found his rhythm, and refused to let the Raiders go quietly. Gilpin poured in 19 second-half points, showcasing his scoring ability at all three levels while battling through constant defensive pressure. He also hauled in 7 rebounds, proving once again that his impact extends far beyond the scoring column.

Every time South Ripley looked poised to make a run, Gilpin was at the center of it — pushing the pace, hitting timely shots, and energizing his teammates. Unfortunately for the Raiders, Hauser’s size inside and the energy of the home crowd proved too much to overcome down the stretch.

In the end, the Jets closed things out with a 71–55 victory, but make no mistake — this night belonged to Indiana high school basketball as a whole. Eli Gilpin’s second-half takeover against one of the state’s top defenses was a reminder of why he’s one of the most dangerous and exciting players in Southern Indiana.

Win or lose, performances like this are what the TSI Player Spotlight is all about.