Friday's Finest Faceoffs (Part 2)

As promised in yesterday's post, here is Part Two of the top area games for today, December 12th, 2008. There are many highly ranked and undefeated teams going head to head, including some intense rivalry games. Let's take a gander at seven of the top matchups, plus one bonus rivalry game. Here are tonight's top throwdowns!

3A #4 Indianapolis Howe (4-0) at Manual (0-6) - This should not be much of a contest, attested to by the teams' rankings and records, but this game is interesting because of all of the prospects Howe has on their squad, and because some of the confusion surrounding their players. Howe has built their program up from the ground, being a relative bottom-feeder in IPS until recent years. With recent grads like Larry Stone, now at IUPUI, Howe has made a name for themselves. The Hornets are athletic up and down the roster. They feature 5'7" sophomore jitterbug guard Alvin "PJ" Boutte, who has hit double digits in all their games, including a 20 point outburst. Their top shooter is 6'2" junior Andre Hampton who had 35 points on ten threes in their season opener. Joining them are two ultra-athletic guards, the Eubank twins, Damone and Ramone. Damone is the more skilled, with high games of 26 and 17 points. The interesting thing about Howe is that their top two college prospects have not yet played a game this year. Absent so far have been 6'9" junior wing Jordan Manuel and 6'11" sophomore center Isaiah Hill. If and when the Hornets get these players back, they could take down any team in the state with their in-your-face, thirty-two minutes of hell style of play. Expect a blowout in this one, and hope to see Manuel and Hill on the floor.

Indianapolis Tech (1-2) at 4A #2 Cathedral (2-0) - The Tech Titans have fallen on tough times in recent years after being a top team in the IPS for several years. The rise of city schools like Howe and Broad Ripple are contributing factors. Their road get tougher tonight as they face the Cathedral Irish on the road. The Titans seem to be building for the future, with four freshman on the varsity roster, the best seemingly being Muhammed Cross. However, that does not bode well against an experienced team like coach Scott Hicks' Irish, who are coming off a one-point win over Warren Central and a two-point win over Broad Ripple. Cathedral is led by 6'6" Purdue-bound wing Kelsey Barlow. Barlow is an athletic slasher, superior defender, and a capable outside shooter. On the inside, the Irish have 6'6" manchild Errek Peck, a bouncy banger with lots of D1 interest. He can own the boards when inspired, and has an array of athletic post moves. Cathedral is playing below expectations right now, despite the tough early competition, but expect a big win in this one.

Pike (1-2) at Lawrence Central (2-2) - Pike, under first year head coach Phil Spoljaric, are going through some early growing pains while playing a tough schedule. They are coming off a two-point loss to a tough Avon squad. Pike is led by sophomore sensation, point guard Marquis Teague, who is averaging a whopping 26.7 points per game. He is a dynamic slasher and penetrator, able to get his own shot and set his teammates up for theirs. He is a top 20 recruit nationally in the 2011 class. The Red Devils main problem so far has been a lack of a consistent second scoring option. The prime candidate is another sophomore guard, 6'4" Chandler Thomas. He is a good shooter and a matchup problem for many defenders because of his size. The Bears are led by Lawrence North senior transfer Marcus Jackson, with a high game of 32 points this year. Even on the road, Pike should get back to .500 in this one.

Southport (2-2) at 4A #1 Bloomington South (2-0) - Southport interim coach Mark Eccles stepped into a tough situation this season. His team has experience, but the strange circumstances of the transition to coach have been a trial. Facing the number one team in the state, and the number twelve team in the nation, shouldn't help the Cardinals cause any. Despite ten seniors and juniors on the roster, Southport's best player is probably 5'10" freshman standout Kellon Thomas, a shifty point guard with a knack for scoring. He is averaging 11.5 points per game, with a high af 17 so far in his ninth grade campaign. Putting up solid numbers against the stellar guards from Bloomington South will be a tall order, however. The Panthers feature a trio of outstanding backcourt mates in senior point guard Jordan Hulls, and sophomores Darwin Davis and Spencer Turner. Hulls is a Mr. Basketball candidate headed to IU, potentially as Tom Crean's most important recruit. He's not flashy, but he gets it done on every level: shooting, passing, ball handling, driving, defense, all while making his teammates better. He is averaging 13 points per game, but stats will never tell the full story with Hulls. Davis is a lightening-fast guard who uses his speed to get to the rim. He can shoot outside (2 of 4), but he is more adept as a slasher, to the tune of 14 ppg. Turner is the sharpshooter (7 for 16 from three), also putting up 14 ppg. He has been an unofficial visitor to IU on several occasions, and if his all-around game can develop, he may be looking at a Hoosier offer down the road. In this one, the Panthers just have too many options. Look for a big win for coach JR Holmes' nationally ranked team.

Muncie Central (1-2) at 4A #10 Kokomo (2-0) - The Bearcats two losses so far have come to some tough opposition in Broad Ripple and Ft. Wayne Snider, but the have the talent and ability to rebound with a win over a ranked opponent. The big name player for Central is sophomore sensation, guard Jeremiah Davis, a nationally regarded recruit with early offers from IU, Kentucky, Purdue, and local team Ball State, and interest from schools like Ohio State. He is putting up 16 points and six assists a game. Also leading the Bearcats is 6'2" senior guard and Ball State recruit Jauwan Scaife, averaging 18 and five boards a game. Kokomo is led in scoring by Colton Summers and Tyrone Brown (13.5 and 13 ppg), but their heart and soul is 6'7" senior forward Patrick Hopkins, and Indiana Wesleyan recruit averaging nearly a double-double. Despite the disparity in record and rank, expect this one to be a knockdown, drag-out fight, with the home team prevailing at the end.

Southmont (1-1) at 3A #8 Danville (3-0) - The attraction in this game is Purdue-bound 6'9" junior center Travis Carroll of Danville. He is one of the most underrated players in the nation. His array of size, post moves, soft touch, and ability to rebound and eat of space make him a nightmare for opposing teams. Through three games, he is averaging a jaw-dropping 26.3 points and 14 rebounds a game. Giving him some help is 6'2" sophomore guard Tyler Hall, averaging almost 11 ppg, with his best game including 18 point and 11 boards. Expect a big home win for the Warriors.

2A #5 Lawrenceburg (2-0) at 3A #1 Batesville (3-0) - Tigers coach Mike Pratt has a lot of expectations for this year's team. Losing in the regional finals to State Runner-up Winchester last year has inspired this year's team to reach new heights. The Tigers will have to keep track of the state's most prolific scorer so far this season, Mr. Basketball candidate 6'4" senior guard Colt Ryan. Ryan, an Evansville recruit, has exploded for games of 42 and 36 points so far this year. He is a dead-eye from the outside, but is developing the ability to slash to the bucket and create for himself. Lawrenceburg will have their hands full in this matchup of unbeatens, and expect the Bulldogs to be on top in the end.

Bonus Rivalry Game

3A #4 Edgewood (2-0) at 3A #2 Washington (2-0) - There's no love lost between these bitter rivals, even though last year's Indiana All-Stars, Edgewood's Garrett Butcher (Butler) and Washington's Tyler Zeller (North Carolina) are away at their new college homes. This matchup may have lost some of it's appeal, as it appears that 6'8" Washington sophomore Cody Zeller, the youngest brother, is out up to three weeks with a broken hand. The Washington newspapers have not confirmed this yet, but I have good sources claiming its' truth. Zeller is a big loss, and a big time prospect who is receiving early interest from the Hoosiers and other D1 teams. The Hatchets will have to rely on the outside shooting of Cody Osmon (37 threes last season) to cover for Zeller's absence. Edgewood boasts a solid trio of scorers in JT Finch (18 ppg; 6 for 18 threes), Ryan Baugh (16.5 ppg; 4 for 9 threes), and big man Levi Garner (12 ppg; 64% FG). Without the services of Zeller, this will be a tough one for the Hatchets to pull out. Expect the road win for the visiting Mustangs in this one.

****UPDATE- 12:17: The Zeller thing may yet be a rumor. If he can play, this again will be a marquee matchup. With the serivices of Cody, I expect to see the Hatchets on top.****


There will be some outstanding showdowns in the area and across the state this Friday. Look for an update on these games later on this weekend, as well as a write-up on the North Central vs. Lafayette Jeff and the Lawrence North vs. Bishop Luers games from Saturday's Circle City Classic. Get out and watch some hoops, basketball fans!