1. Bloomington South 84 - Decatur Central 72 - The Panthers put the finishing touches on a perfect regular season by beating the Hawks and all comers, rolling to a 20-0 record heading into Sectional play. IU signee Jordan Hulls once again played a spectacular game, controlling the tempo and scoring a game-high 21 points, including four treys. Sophomore guard Spencer Turner was also hot from outside, knocking in five three pointers on his way to 18 points. The Hawks (16-4) played admirably and competed hard, as they have done all season long, but it wasn't enough in the end. They were led by Alex Dye with 19 points, and Blake Beasley scored 16 points, hitting four threes.
2. Lafayette Jeff 56 - Hamilton Southeastern 54 - A three-pointer from Roddy Richardson with only seconds remaining gave the Bronchos (16-7) the win and a hope of sharing the conference title, if McCutcheon is able to beat Zionsville tonight. The Royals (13-7) jumped on Jeff early, leading 15-2 and by as many as 17 points in the first half, but the Bronchos chipped away until finally pulling it out. Richardson led Jeff with 19 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Big bruiser Shane Wyant added eight points and 14 boards, and junior Jesse Berry scored 11 points. Royals forward Charlie Duffy had a double-double with 20 points and 16 rebounds.
3. Anderson 95 - Chatard 61 - The Indians (17-4) gave coach Ron Hecklinski his first season going undefeated at the Wigwam with a blowout win over the Trojans (9-10). In his 16 years as head coach, this was the first time that the Indians were able to hold serve in all their home games in the legendary arena. Daniel Froedge led Anderson with 34 points, going 13 for 15 from the field, attacking aggressively the entire night. Troy Taylor notched a double-double from the Indians with 22 points and 12 rebounds.
4. Roncalli 61 - Speedway 53 - The Rebels (15-5) got 27 points from senior guard Aaron Evans with 13 of them coming in the decisive third quarter, in which Roncalli outscored Speedway (10-9) by a 19-11 margin. That eight points was the total difference in the game. The Sparkplugs, the West Central Conference champions, were led by Michael Hubbard, who had 16 points with four treys.
5. Evansville Harrison 78 - Evansville Mater Dei 53 - In front of Southern Illinois head coach Chris Lowery, a Harrison alumni, the Warriors (15-5) put on a show and secured the Southern Indiana Conference title. Led by senior guard Kendal Brown, himself an SIU recruit and Lowery's cousin, Harrison was able to hand Mater Dei (11-10) their seventh loss in their last nine games. Brown led the charge with 19 points on the night, moving him past Warrior and Hoosier legend Calbert Cheaney into third place all-time on Harrison's scoring list. Brown was already the school's career leader in assists, and he set the unofficial mark for steals in a season last night as well. Not a bad night!
6. South Central (Union Mills) 50 - Boone Grove 46 - Still searching for individual scoring on this one.
Other Highlights
* Wapahani, the number five team in 2A, beat Shenandoah behind 19 points from Drake Hendricks and 17 points from Cory Thomas.
* South Bend Washington beat Penn to secure a share of the Northern Indiana Conference title, getting 16 big points from Kennis White.
* New Albany had their perfect season in jeopardy, trailing Jasper by five at half before pulling out a 58-54 victory. Junior forward Donnie Hale had 11 points and eight rebounds while TeNale Roland led New Albany with 15 points.
* Muncie Central beat Ben Davis 68-53 behind 19 points from sophomore Jeremiah Davis and 17 points from Ball State recruit Jauwan Scaife.
* And for those who didn't already see the story two below, Colt Ryan of Batesville went off on Senior Night, scoring 52 points on seven threes to beat Shelbyville.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Update on Thursday Six Pack: Results!
Another DJ Byrd Update
On the heels of injuring his knee in North Montgomery's recent game against Carmel, the Chargers star 6'4 shooting guard DJ Byrd, a Purdue recruit, went under the knife on Thursday morning to repair a partially torn meniscus. The good news? The original timetable for his recovery may be shorter than first expected, giving the scoring machine a chance, albeit a remote one, to play in Sectionals next week, where the Chargers have a bye and will play the winner of the Danville-Crawfordsville game. Here is link to a Lafayette newspaper with quotes from the doctor who performed the surgery.
http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=PluckPersona&U=913d1f453f424e93b840156ca4ae1f04&plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckUserId=913d1f453f424e93b840156ca4ae1f04&plckPostId=Blog%3a913d1f453f424e93b840156ca4ae1f04Post%3a73f6265c-5717-4f78-bc73-1f5920eae097&plckController=PersonaBlog&plckScript=personaScript&plckElementId=personaDest
Colt Ryan Scores 52!
The Batesville Bulldogs are one of the top teams in 3A, and their best player looks to be getting extra-toasty at just the right time: the postseason. The 18-2 Bulldogs top dog is Colt Ryan, a 6'4 shooting guard who is known for his scoring exploits. Well, the Evansville signee took it to a new high last night when he went for 52 points against Shelbyville! On Ryan's senior night, the future Purple Ace poured in seven three pointers on his way to exceeding the half-century mark, with the 52 points being a new career high. A statement game for sure for the player and the team. Maybe Ryan wants more consideration for the Indiana Mr. Basketball award? If he wasn't in the top running before, he certainly is now! Way to go, Colt! Congrats on the big game!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Southwood Scores Eleven Points in 46 Seconds to Beat Northfield!
In case you haven't seen the highlights, read the story, or heard about this amazing feat, Southwood High School in Wabash came back from nine points down in the final 46 seconds of the game to beat rival Northfield on a buzzer-beating shot. Southwood's Spencer Krhin led the comeback, which took place last Friday, as he either scored or set up all of the final eleven points. After three consecutive treys and a final running fifteen footer amidst three defenders, Southwood walked away victorious. Check the link below to watch the final 46 seconds. Props to my boy Kiel "K-Dizzle" Atkinson for scrounging up the link for me.
http://deadspin.com/5160247/how-to-score-11-game+winning-points-in-46-seconds?skyline=true&s=x
Thursday Six Pack: Top Games
There are a handful of games going on tonight, Thursday the 26th, and many of them are meaningful and should be highly competitive. Some teams are trying to get back on track before postseason play tips off, others are trying to keep it rolling, and one team is trying to put the finishing touches on a perfect regular season. Let's take a look at a six pack of games for Thursday!
1. Bloomington South (19-0) at Decatur Central (16-3) - The Panthers, fresh off prevailing over national power Detroit Country Day, are looking to finish the season at a perfect 20-0. It won't be easy, as they take on one of the more surprising success stories in all of Indiana, Decatur Central, the Mid-State Conference champions. South has a trio of awesome guards led by 6'1 senior Jordan Hulls, an IU recruit who is a top-100 player and the likely Indiana Mr. Basketball. Two super sophomores fill out the back court in Dee Davis and Spencer Turner. Davis played an outstanding game against Country Day, scoring 18 in what could be viewed as his coming out party. Turner is a sharpshooter already being recruited by the entire Big 10, most aggressively by IU and Wisconsin. The Hawks feature 6'5 senior Blake Beasley, a stat sheet stuffer who could get a nod as an Indiana All-Star is he finishes the year strong. The Panthers look to have too much firepower and should finish off their magical regular season with a win.
2. Hamilton Southeastern (13-6) at Lafayette Jeff (15-7) - Both teams once had a season heading south quickly, but they have both turned things around and are currently having stellar years. The Royals, once 6-6, have racked off seven in a row with big wins over Avon and Pike. They are led by forward Charlie Duffy, a great rebounder and consistent scorer. Jeff was struggling with team chemistry issues and suspensions, and things looked bleak at 8-7. They also have rattled off seven in a row behind the scoring exploits of junior Jesse Berry, scoring nearly 30 points per game, and the strong play of Roddy Richardson and big man Shane Wyant. With Jeff at home, P-Hoops likes the Bronchos in a tight one.
3. Bishop Chatard (9-9) at Anderson (16-4) - This game is of note mainly due to the potential closing of Anderson's famed gymnasium, the Wigwam. The cost of upkeep and maintaining the huge gym, second in size only to New Castle Chrysler Fieldhouse, has been a drain on the community, and local activists are calling for its closure. Expect Anderson to play with passion and come away with a win over the guard-oriented Trojans.
4. Roncalli (14-5) at Speedway (10-8) - The Rebels were rolling along, winning seven in a row, before an unexpected loss on a buzzer-beating lay in at the hands of Southport. Roncalli, and independent team without a conference, wants this one to build momentum before Sectionals, where they have a bye. They feature senior point guard Aaron Evans who averages around 18 points per game. Speedway is the winner of the West Central Conference and have won five out of their last six games. Keenan Lewis and Michael Hubbard lead the Sparkplugs, and average about 12 and 11 points, respectively. Look for the Rebels to finish with a win before the postseason.
5. Evansville Harrison (14-5) at Evansville Mater Dei (11-9) - Harrison could make a solid case for being the best team in Evansville at the current time, winning four games in a row and eight of their last nine outings. Mater Dei, once a top ranked team in 2A, has fallen on harder times, losing three of their last four, and four of their last six overall. The Wildcats would love to get this big SIAC win and build momentum before playing North Posey (8-11) in their Sectional game on Tuesday. I think the Wildcats have inspiration to win, and will do so at home against the Warriors.
6. Boone Grove (13-5) at South Central-Union Mills (14-4) - The Wolves are having a solid season under coach Matt McKay. They lost their last game to Chesterton and big man Mitch McGary, who holds a Purdue offer, but they had won their previous three games. South Central is a good 1A squad that features 6'8 big man Jake Kitchell, distant cousin/nephew of former IU star Ted Kitchell. He is scoring right at 20 points per game, as well as pulling down about 14 rebounds, dishing out almost six assists, and swatting almost six shots a night. The Satellites are on a roll, winning eight of their last nine games. They look to continue that winning trend tonight before they take on Marquette Catholic (6-13) next Tuesday in a Sectional match-up. P-Hoops thinks the home crowd will push the smaller school to a statement win tonight before the Satellites launch into postseason play.
Other top teams playing tonight include Muncie Central, Wapahani, New Albany, South Bend Washington, and Batesville. Check back tomorrow for updates on these games!
Game Highlights: 2/25
A few games of note went down on Wednesday, including one huge upset bid of a ranked 4A team that was spoiled in overtime. Let's take a quick look at what happened and who did what on Wednesday, February 25th!
* Avon beat Martinsville 58-53 behind 12 points and 13 rebounds from sophomore Kendall Griffin. Freshman Austin Burgett, a 6'7 forward, contributed 11 points in the win.
* Danville got an easy win over Northview, 61-29. Sophomore Tyler Hall led the Warriors with 19 points, while 6'10 junior Purdue recruit Travis Carroll had 15 points and 13 rebounds.
* Covenant Christian continues to improve their record, notching an 82-47 win over Indiana Deaf. Butler-bound center Andrew Smith, the newly crowned Indianapolis POY, scored 21 points in the win. Gabriel Paulone had a game-high 22 points for the Deaf Hoosiers.
* South Bend Riley prevented South Bend Adams from sharing the conference title with Clay thanks to a big comeback win in which they prevailed 59-48. Marcus Pittman led Riley with 19 points on five treys and Larry King had 18 points, including 12 of them in the decisive fourth quarter.
* Gary Roosevelt guard Demonte Walker nailed the game-winning three with four seconds to play, giving them the win over South Bend Washington. Stephan Jenkins led Roosevelt with 26 points, and Walker added nine. Kennis White led Washington with 22 points in the loss.
* Winchester looks primed for postseason play, winning 80-48 over Shenandoah. Wright State recruit Tyler Koch scored 20 points for the Golden Falcons.
* Harding beat Ft. Wayne South Side 58-55, getting 19 points from Roderick Smith. Freshman phenom Raphael Davis scored 20 points in the loss.
* And finally, class 4A number nine ranked Warsaw (19-1) needed overtime to pull away and beat Elkhart Central (6-16). Free throws were the key in the extra frame, as the Tigers were 8 for nine, but Elkhart could not convert, going only 1 for 7, and finally losing 58-51. Ryne Robinson scored 19 points and grabbed seven boards for Warsaw, while super soph Nic Moore had 14 points, five assists, and three steals. Elkhart was led by Jamar Johnson, who scored 14 points, and Josh Riikan who had 13 points and a game-high nine boards.
There are plenty more great games tonight, Thursday the 26th. Check back tomorrow morning for updates on those games, as well as a look at what Friday has in store!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
DJ Byrd and Jordan Manuel Updates
One of the P-Hoops Top Ten games from yesterday featured Carmel unexpectedly trouncing North Montgomery 80-45. Purdue signee DJ Byrd was limited to five points on 1 for 11 shooting, and there was more bad news. On the lone shot Byrd hit, the 6'5 senior star apparently tweaked a sore knee, injuring it to an unknown extent. He left in the second quarter after hitting a three over Morgan Newton and falling into a heap on the ground in obvious pain. It is unknown how long Byrd will be out, but with Sectional play starting on next Friday for the Chargers, when they take on the winner of Danville and Crawfordsville, the team hopes he will be able to return. Without him, it's clear that they are prone to struggle, as seen by their struggles with the Greyhounds in his absence. Below is an article from the local newspaper about the game and injury.
http://www.thepaper24-7.com/main.asp?SectionID=24&SubSectionID=23&ArticleID=19248
The injury bug is out in full force elsewhere. Earlier today, we saw that Terre Haute South's Jake Odum will likely miss the entire postseason, and now there is news that Howe's Jordan Manuel will likely do the same. The broken hand Manuel suffered in practice will keep the 6'9 junior, who boasts offers from schools like Dayton and St. Bonaventure, at least another three weeks. He may be able to return should Howe, a 3A contender, make it past Regional play. The Hornets open next Friday, receiving the bye, and will play the winner of Northwest and Brebeuf Jesuit. Below is the story from the IndyStar detailed the injury.
http://blogs.indystar.com/preps/archives/2009/02/howes_manuel_ou.html
Tuesday Top Ten: Recaps!
On this final Tuesday of the regular season, there were some unbelievable games, including the tilt that P-Hoops picked at the number one game of the day. Without further delay, let's dive deep into these top tips for Tuesday the 24th!
1. Bowman Academy 94 - East Chicago Central 93 (2OT) - This game had everything for the basketball fan: scoring in bunches, lead changes, timely defensive stops, and a raucous environment that, momentarily, got well out of hand. This game was marked by huge scoring swings, as seen by the stretch between the second and third quarter. At halftime, Bowman (15-2), the number one team in 1A, led by twelve points, but at the end of the third, the Cardinals (13-7) led by ten. A twenty-two point swing in eight minutes! Following that stretch in the second half, a fight broke out between the student sections, delaying the game several minutes while police escorted several fans off the premises. At that point, it looked like ECC was going to get a big win on senior night, as they led 73-58 with just over three minutes to play in regulation. But that's when freshman phenom DeJuan Marrero took over. "Rico," as he is nicknamed, scored several buckets in that span, a 16-0 run, giving the Eagles a one point lead. With only seconds remaining, Cardinal senior Tremel Cooley split a pair of free throws to send it to overtime. It looked like Bowman had it won in the first extra frame until Jerrick Ware, who finished with 21 points, drilled a three for ECC to send it to double overtime. The Eagles never trailed again, although the Cardinals did tie it up, but free throws won it in the end for Bowman. Marrero had a triple-double for the Eagles in their fifteenth consecutive win, scoring 20 points, grabbing 17 boards, and swatting ten shots before fouling out. Cylk Joseph and Bryce Walker each had 16 for Bowman, while KeVan Ford and Christopher Bond added 15 apiece. Ware and Michael Harris each had 21 points for ECC, while Mattew Julkes scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the loss.
2. Carmel 80 - North Montgomery 45 - The Greyhounds (14-5) ran away with this one thanks to some stellar defense, especially on the Chargers (14-5) star, Purdue signee DJ Byrd. Byrd finished with only five points on the night, twenty below his season average. Reports are that Byrd hurt his knee in this game. Carmel spread the wealth, with five players finishing in double figures. Morgan Newton led the way with 17 points, John Michael Polley had 15 points, Robert Kitzinger had 13, Scott Laskowski scored 12, and 6'10 freshman prospect AJ Hammons chipped in with ten. The win gives Carmel their fifth win in a row.
3. Delta 50 - Wapahani 43 - Outstanding defense was the key for Delta (16-4) in this one, which turned out to be their 13th win in their last 14 tries, the only loss coming to 3A number six ranked Mt. Vernon. Wapahani (15-3), the number five team in 2A, played much better this time around, as opposed to the blowout loss they suffered to Delta earlier in the year. Delta was led by Skyler Case with 16 points, and Wapahani also got 16 from Drake Hendricks.
4. Carroll 70 - Ft. Wayne North 64 - North (13-6) was, for an unknown reason, playing without star senior guard Justin Jordan, but they battled on the road nonetheless. The Chargers (16-3) got their first win in their last three tries with several players contributing. Four players scored in double figures for Carroll, while Ray Odom scored a game-high 36 points for the Redskins. **UPDATE** Earlier reports were incorrect, as Jordan did play and was the high scorer, not Odom. Jordan's 36 boosts his already impressive season average.
5. West Vigo 73 - Vincennes Rivet 64 - Despite ridiculously hot first half shooting from Rivet (15-5), the home team was able to recover in the second half to secure a win over the number seven team in 1A. Rivet, who has now lost three straight, shot 17 for 23 in the first half, but cooled off just enough after half to let West Vigo (16-5) come back for the win. Tyler Wampler led the winners with 22 points and Jeremy Lucas added 16 points. Kendall Vieke led Rivet with 22 points.
6. Rochester 66 - North Judson 47 - The Zebras (16-3), the number three team in 3A, got a huge lift on senior night from Evan Hoffman, who knocked in five treys on the way to a career high of 18 points on his final home game. Seniors Austin Lowe, Brady Schoen, and Bruce Grimm, Jr. all scored in double figures. The Blue Jays (14-5) were led by Myles Theis, who scored 14 points.
7. Lawrenceburg 63 - Greensburg 60 - The Tigers (15-3), a top ten team in 2A, got a big, momentum-building win over a bigger school. They have now won eight of nine and a looking to make waves in the postseason. Greensburg (12-7) have now lot three of five and must hope to get a win Friday to get back some confidence before Sectionals.
8. Whitko 55 - Blackhawk Christian 52 - The Wildcats (15-4) got 20 points from Logan Irwin and 13 points from sophomore Zac Van De Water and used some tight defense on Blackhawk star Russell Byrd to get the win over a top 1A team. Wes Deason scored a game high 22 points in the loss, and Byrd, a Michigan State recruit, scored twelve, well below his average.
9. Chesterton 57 - Boone Grove 42 - Leading 18-14 midway through the second quarter, Boone Grove (13-5) went ice cold, going scoreless for six minutes, well into the third quarter. In that span, the Trojans (11-8) went on a 15-0 run, the exact margin of defeat. Sophomore Mitch McGary scored 13 points, grabbed seven boards, and blocked four shots in the game, while Tommy Peller was the high man with 20 points, including five threes. Michael Eleftheri led the losing side with ten points.
10. Souhport 40 - Roncalli 38 - The Cardinals (11-8) pulled off the road upset over the 3A top-ten ranked Rebels (14-5) thanks to a put-back layup by Alex Kriese as time expired. It was his only basket to go along with one free throw. Freshman Kellon Thomas scored nine points for Southport. Roncalli's two big guns, Aaron Evans and Michael Mislan, were held to a combined eight points in the stunning loss.
So there you have it! The Tuesday Top Ten results for the final Tuesday of the regular season. Be sure to get out there and see your team this week and next week when postseason play opens up.
Game Highlights: 2/24
Before P-Hoops delves into recapping the Top Ten, let's take a quick look at some of the other great action that went down across the state last night. Two fantastic coaches reached milestones last night, while many star players had monstrous games. Here are some of the other notable results from the last regular season Tuesday night!
* Lawrence Central beat the up-and-down Rockets of Broad Ripple. Geoff Davis led the Bears with 28 points, while Marcus Jackson added twenty. All-City first teamer Steven Jamison scored 18 points for Ripple, while freshman Ron Patterson (pictured) struggled to seven points, his low game in quite a while.
* Lawrence North beat up on Pike 70-52 behind 24 points from Kentucky-bound junior Dominique Ferguson (pictured) and 18 points from 6'10 sophomore Michael Chandler, a Louisville recruit. Khristian Smith scored 15 for Pike, while another super-soph, Marquis Teague, added ten.Jake Odum Update
One of the best seniors in the state in Terre Haute South's Jake Odum, and Indiana State recruit. Odum has been putting up serious numbers for a team that has been ranked inside the top ten in 4A for most of the season and is one of only two teams to knock off Lawrence North this year. Well, things are looking pretty bad for Odum and for South's postseason hopes right now, as an ankle injury in practice on Monday has shelved the stellar guard for at least the next month, and up to six weeks. P-Hoops' thoughts and prayers go out to Odum and the team during this tough time. No one likes to see a kid, especially a senior and a star player, lose the end of his career to injury. Here's hoping for a misdiagnosis or a speedy recovery that shocks the docs. There is a link provided for more on Odum's injury and its' effects on South.
http://www.tribstar.com/highschoolsports/local_story_056000654.html
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Mr. Basketball Nominee Profiles
Per the request of a new reader of P-Hoops, I've decided to include a comprehensive write-up on each of the seven candidates listed on the poll, citing their statistics, team accomplishments, and other information. Check out these write-ups to further educate yourselves before making your pick on the 2009 Indiana Mr. Basketball!
Patrick Bade - F - Franklin Central - Bade was a relative newcomer to the Indiana basketball scene last season, reportedly focusing of football until it became apparent that his future was in hoops. He is a versatile left-handed 6'8 combo forward who is very productive for the Flashes (16-5), who were long ranked in the top ten of 4A. Recent struggles by the team have dropped them out of the polls, as they have lost three of their last six games, including a 77-45 blowout loss to Bloomington South and another Mr. Basketball candidate, Jordan Hulls. On the season, this future-Boilermaker is averaging 16.8 points per game, 7.1 rebounds per game, and just a shade under two blocks per game. He shoots 56% from the field overall, but has struggled from deep, going eight for forty (20%). He is consistent from the charity stripe, shooting right at seventy percent.
DJ Byrd - G - North Montgomery - Byrd is a 6'4, strong-built scoring machine, oftentimes the only player on this Chargers squad (14-4) who is in double digits. Behind Byrd's exploits, North Mont has climbed in the polls, winning eight of their last nine, on their way to the number eleven ranking in 3A. Another future-Boiler, Byrd is averaging 25.3 points per game this year to go along with 9.1 rebounds per contest and 3.2 assists. He shoots 49% from the field, including 37% from deep, and is a high-volume shooter. He is also shooting 72% from the free throw line for the Chargers, a contender for the 3A crown.
Derek Elston - F - Tipton - Elston is a 6'9 bouncy forward who stuffs the stat sheet for coach Travis Daugherty's Blue Devils (18-2), the number one ranked team in 2A. They are a favorite to win the State Championship in their class, thanks in great measure to Elston, an Indiana Hoosier signee. As a team, Tipton has rattled off eight consecutive wins since a loss to Kokomo. The big man is putting up a double-double on average, notching 20.1 points and 11.1 rebounds each game. Throw in 2.7 assists and a pair of blocks and steals per game, and it's easy to see how much he affects a game. His size, strength, and supreme athleticism is something IU coach Tom Crean has to be looking forward to next season in Bloomington.
Jordan Hulls - G - Bloomington South - Hulls doesn't put up the most gaudy numbers, but he is the best player on the best team in the best class in the state. His squad is also a top-five nationally ranked team. He is the glue that holds South together, the engine that makes the Panthers (19-0) go. They meet Decatur Central later this week to try to finish a perfect regular season, an accomplishment of enormous proportions. On the year, Hulls, who is another IU signee, is averaging 16.6 points per game on 51% shooting (41-80) from deep. Hulls contributes much more than points, averaging 5.3 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game. Many consider Hulls the odds on favorite, and with a solid run in the postseason, it might be hard to give the award to anyone else.
Colt Ryan - G - Batesville - Ryan, an Evansville recruit, is a true scorer, who has filled up the bucket all through his high school career. He is the clear leader for Batesville (16-2), the number three ranked team in 3A. The Bulldogs have won ten in a row since starting the year 4-2, and Ryan's numbers are the main reason. He is scoring 24.3 points per game to go along with 7.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists. He shoots at a 56% clip, including 39% from three point range. He is less consistent than expected from the line, shooting only 69%, but there is little doubt that he deserves to be mentioned in this discussion.
Stephan Van Treese - F - Lawrence North - Van Treese has been on the Indiana and national radar for so long, it's hard to believe he's still in high school. Playing on varsity since his freshman year with Greg Oden and Mike Conley, SVT has a wealth of experience to go along with his great talent, which he is taking to Louisville in the fall. Van Treese's stats are not as high as they could be, since he plays every night alongside six or so other high major D1 talent, so spreading the wealth is inevitable. He is averaging 14.4 points and 9.2 rebounds to go along with 2.2 blocks and 1.8 steals a game. He is also very effective with his shot, shooting nearly sixty percent from the field, and about the same percentage from the free throw line. LN will be a 4A title favorite along with Bloomington South, as they are currently ranked number three in the largest class.
Scott Wood - G/F - Marion - Wood is one of the top scorers in the state and the high man on this list, pouring in 26 points a game. He is one of two outstanding seniors on the Giants (17-2), with the other being JaRob McCallum, a Wisconsin Milwaukee recruit. Marion is currently the number seven ranked team in 4A, winning four in a row and fourteen of their last fifteen. Their only losses have come to Lawrence North and Warsaw, both highly ranked 4A teams. Wood, a 6'6 NC State recruit, also averages 3.9 rebounds, one assist, and one block a game. He shoots 57% from the field and 38% from deep, and is one of the most prolific free throw shooters in state history, knocking down 92% from the stripe.
So these are the choices, each one worth in their own way. Make your choice and vote on the P-Hoops Poll of the Week!
Indianapolis All-City Team
The Indianapolis City Coaches meeting was last night, and one of the main topics of discussion was picking the All-City team. P-Hoops has the scoop on who the award winners were. Congrats to the kids selected for this prestigious accolade!
First Team
Andrew Smith - Covenant Christian (also voted City Player of the Year)
Errick Peck - Cathedral
Phillip Freeman - Arlington
Steven Jamison - Broad Ripple
Tommy Eggleston - Heritage Christian
Second Team
Brandon Demmings - Washington
Ronald Ross - Northwest
PJ Boutte - Howe
Jarrett Hamilton - Cathedral
Andre Hampton - Howe
Ron Patterson - Broad Ripple
Kelsey Barlow - Cathedral
Coach of the Year
Scott Hicks - Cathedral
Congrats to the award winners for the 2008-2009 basketball season in Indianapolis!
Poll Results: Who Will Win the 1A State Championship?
With 133 total votes in this week's outcome, the P-Hoops Poll of the Week was as close as could be. Only a single vote separated the winner from the second place finisher in the 1A State Champ poll. Coming out on top, in their first year of IHSAA eligibility, were the Bowman Academy Eagles, who received 33 votes, or 24% of the total vote. Led by 6'6 freshman phenom DeJuan Marrero, Bowman is a legit contender for certain. With 32 votes and the same percentage, Lafayette Central Catholic found themselves as a close runner-up. Senior guard Dru Anthrop is a huge reason for their success this season. In third place was Jac-Cen-Del, receiving 19 votes for 14% of the total. Triton received eleven votes and Rockville received ten, while Vincennes Rivet, Barr-Reeve, and Monroe Central all finished with seven votes. Congrats to Bowman for their win in the P-Hoops Poll!
This week, we will revisit a former poll question which can now be answered with more clarity, since we are in the final week of the regular season: Who will be the 2009 Indiana Mr. Basketball? The choices? See below....
Patrick Bade - Franklin Central
DJ Byrd - North Montgomery
Derek Elston - Tipton
Jordan Hulls - Bloomington South
Colt Ryan - Batesville
Stephan Van Treese - Lawrence North
Scott Wood - Marion
Pick your winner, and leave a comment as to why!
Tuesday's Top Tips: 2/24
The final Tuesday of the regular season tips off tonight, and there are several outstanding match-ups all across the state as teams prepare for Sectional play. Most of these top squads are trying to keep their success rolling along through the tournament, while a few others are trying to use tonight and Friday to regroup and regain momentum before playing for their postseason lives. Let's take a look at P-Hoops' Tuesday Top Ten Games for the final Tuesday in February!
1. Bowman Academy (14-2) vs. East Chicago Central (13-6) - Bowman, a new team in the Indiana, has had unbelievable success in their first season of IHSAA eligibility. Since losing their first two games (one by forfeit), the Eagles have rattled off fourteen consecutive wins, including impressive ones against South Bend Washington, Northwest, and Huntington North. They sit on top of the 1A rankings, thanks in large part to the outstanding play of 6'6 freshman phenom DeJuan Marrero, a definite D1 recruit. The Cardinals, a 4A squad, should provide a nice test for Bowman before Sectionals. They have won three games in a row and four out of their last five, while playing a very competitive schedule. P-Hoops likes the big school in this one to hand the Eagles their first loss in two and a half months.
2. Carmel (13-5) vs. North Montgomery (14-4) - This game will feature two of the strongest built wing players in the state in Carmel's Morgan Newton and North Mont's DJ Byrd. Newton is heading to Kentucky to play football, while Byrd is one of Purdue's highly regarded in state recruits for Matt Painter's Boilermakers. The visiting Greyhounds have been hot as of late, winning four in a row, with two of them coming in double-overtime. The Chargers have won eight of their last nine, losing only to Travis Carroll's Danville team. They have climbed into the top fifteen of the 3A rankings, but despite that accolade, P-Hoops thinks the Greyhounds will make it five in a row in a tight one.
3. Delta (15-4) vs. Wapahani (15-2) - Coach Paul Keller's team is looking like a force to be reckoned with come Sectionals, winning twelve of their last thirteen games, with their only loss coming at Mount Vernon, the number six ranked team in 3A. Wapahani has won seven games in a row, and they check in at number five in the 2A polls. Delta won the previous match-up between the two by a large margin, but Wapahani has improved. With both teams on a hot streak, with a combined 14-1 record since January 18th, Delta, as the bigger school, should still come out on top by ten.
4. Ft. Wayne North (13-5) vs. Carroll (15-3) - The Redskins have won three of their last four games, suffering a big loss at the hands of Bishop Dwenger. They feature senior guard Justin Jordan, a big time scorer averaging well over 20 points per game. Carroll was sitting pretty at 15-1, but has since lost their last two games to a powerful Snider team and a surging Muncie South squad that has won six in a row. P-Hoops sees Carroll getting back on track in this one, building some steam for Sectional play. Carroll by four.
5. Vincennes Rivet (15-4) vs. West Vigo (15-5) - This game features ranked team from 1A and 3A that are heading in opposite directions. Rivet was ranked as high and number four in 1A, but they have since lost two in a row to South Knox and Barr-Reeve. They now find themselves down to number seven in the class. West Vigo has won three of four, losing one close one to Terre Haute North, 46-41. They have risen to number thirteen in the 3A class. The home court and the class difference will spell defeat for the Patriots in this one, giving the Vikings their fourth in five.
6. North Judson (14-4) vs. Rochester (15-3) - Both of these teams are on a major run, winning a combined 16 of 18 games. The Blue Jays had won seven in a row before losing their last game to a stellar North Miami squad, and the Zebras had won nine in a row before dropping their last to Peru. North Judson is a top twenty 2A squad, while Rochester comes in at number eight in 3A. I think the Zebras will "earn their stripes" in this one, winning big at home over a quality opponent.
7. Lawrenceburg (14-3) vs. Greensburg (12-6) - The Lawrenceburg Tigers are a top 2A squad, winning seven of their last eight with an unexpected overtime loss at South Ripley. That loss dropped them to number six in the class, but they are a formidable team to face, on the road or at home. The Pirates do have home court in their favor, but they are playing up-and-down as of late, splitting their last four games. Prior to that stretch, they had won eight of nine after opening the season 2-3. Despite being on the road against a quality team, P-Hoops believes the Tigers will down sink the Pirates in a nip and tuck affair.
8. Whitko (14-4) vs. Blackhawk Christian (9-9) - The Wildcats have won four games in a row behind the superb play of 6'5 sophomore shooting guard Zac Van De Water. Three of those four wins were highly competitive, quality road wins over Tippecanoe Valley, Fort Wayne Wayne, and Churubusco. Blackhawk, despite their seemingly pedestrian record, are a favorite to compete for the 1A State Championship. They play a tough schedule, including games against Snider, Luers, and Dwenger, and they have one of the best players in the state in 6'6 junior sharpshooter Russell Byrd, a Michigan State recruit.
9. Chesterton (10-8) vs. Boone Grove (13-4) - The Trojans have been slumping as of late, losing four out of five before a big win against LaPorte recently stopped the bleeding. The big name on Chesterton is 6'9 sophomore Mitch McGary, a prospect who is being watched by high major division one schools and already holds a scholarship offer from Purdue. The Wolves are a competitive 2A squad who are just outside of the rankings. They have won three in a row, but it will be hard to match up with the size and athleticism of the much bigger Trojans. Chesterton should win a tough one on the road.
10. Southport (10-8) vs. Roncalli (14-4) - The Cardinals were surging before losing their last two games on the road to Greenwood and Lawrence Central. They feature some great, young talent, most notably freshman Kellon Thomas, a recent visitor to IU. The Rebels are how, winning seven in a row, thanks in large part to one of the best uncommitted seniors in the Indianapolis area, Aaron Evans. He is putting up nearly twenty points a game and controls everything for the defensive minded Rebels, the number nine ranked team in 3A. With this being senior night, the last time Evans and others will play on their home floor, P-Hoops expects a statement win from the Rebels.
Other top teams are in action tonight as well, including Anderson, Batesville, Barr-Reeve, Covenant Christian, North Central, Zionsville, Ritter, Cathedral, Muncie Central, Bluffton, Winchester, and Tipton. Check back tomorrow for the results of these games and the performances of note!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Highlights of the Day: Saturday 2/21
A few big games went on Saturday between the morning and evening Girls Regional games. Here are some highlights of a few of the best games and performances from the second-to-last weekend of the regular season.
* Lawrence North beat Howe 95-65 behind 17 points from sophomore Ryan Taylor. Juniors Dominique Ferguson and Justin Martin added 16 and 15, respectively, and 6'10 sophomore Michael Chandler added ten of his own. Sharpshooting junior Andre Hampton had a game high 30 points for the Hornets.
* Cathedral beat Terre Haute North 62-52, getting 18 points from senior Jarrett Hamilton. Purdue signee Kelsey Barlow returned to the lineup and scored 12 points. Zach Harrison scored 18 for the Patriots, while 6'8 sophomore forward Justin Gant had nine points.
* New Albany got a game-high 31 points from junior Donnie Hale on their way to a 72-61 win over Arlington.
* Decatur Central topped Bloomington North 56-46. Senior wing Blake Beasley scored 17 points for DC, while junior Julian Boatner led the losing side with 18 points.
* Covenant Christian got a 66-64 overtime win against Scecina, led by 6'10 Butler signee Andrew Smith, who tallied 37 points for the Warriors.
* Broad Ripple beat IPSAC for Crispus Attucks, led by sophomore Steven Jamison, who had 18 points and eight boards. Freshman Ron Patterson, who was spotted visiting Ohio State this weekend, chipped in with 14 points.
* Princeton, the undefeated number one team in 3A, had to fend off a late rally by Evansville Central to escape with a 67-65 win. Sophomore Rontray Chavis led the Tigers with 22 points, while Trevor George scored 13, Jalen Packer scored 12, and twin brother Dontray Chavis scored 11 points. Central was led by Justin Ahlbrand, who scored a game-high 26 points.
This week is the final week in the regular season. Check back to see who is playing to finish strong, get a spark, or regain momentum before Sectionals! Enjoy the big week!
Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell Update
One of the most highly touted ninth graders in the state of Indiana is without a doubt Park Tudor freshman point guard Kevin Ferrell. At 5'9 and built with a slight frame, he looks every bit the underclassman, but his game is far beyond his years. So far in his first high school season, Yogi, as Ferrell is nicknamed, is putting up over 12 points and five assists per game, while shooting nearly eighty percent from the free throw line. His shot is struggling a bit, shooting less than forty percent on the year, but that is to be expected with the big jump from middle school to varsity ball. Yogi has a national name, as he was rated as the top fourth grader in the country five years ago, causing a stir about early rankings, and prompting several newspaper and magazine articles. He may not be the best in the USA, but he is a great player with a bright future, and will be a nightmare for opposing coaches to contain in the coming years. You'll find him rated among the top ten for 2012 on P-Hoops Class Rankings as well. Here is a link to the current Indy Star article about Ferrell. Enjoy!
http://www.indystar.com/article/20090223/SPORTS0203/902230352/1160/SPORTS0203
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Bloomington South Upsets Detroit Country Day
The Bloomington South Panthers are currently rated as the number five team in the nation, according to the respected rankings done by the USA Today. That rating is about to rise, as the Panthers knocked off current national number four ranked Detroit Country Day today in Bloomington. Before a packed, sold-out gymnasium, South used superior disciple and shooting to knock of a team that many, even those inside the state, expected to win with relative ease. In fact, the local Bloomington newspaper, the Herald Times, stated that the Panthers would have to shoot between sixty and seventy percent from the field in order to have a chance against Country Day, which features such nationally ranked players as Ray McCallum Jr., DaShonte Riley, Donovan Kirk, and Jordan Dumars, all either division one commits or holding high major D1 offers. In the end, as sophomore guard Spencer Turner ended the days' scoring by pumping in two free throws, South walked away with a 73-67 victory. Panther point guard and Indiana University signee Jordan Hulls excelled on the big-time stage, possibly propelling himself up the national rankings and closer to the coveted Indiana Mr. Basketball award. Hulls finished the day with 27 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Super-sophs Turner and Dee Davis also had outstanding games. Davis finished with 18 points, and Turner contributed 14 points, including those final two freebies. Junior forward Eric Fromm had six points and six boards, and Chaz Cooper chipped in with four points and four rebounds.
Congrats to the Panthers on their big win. And many thanks for once again proving that Indiana high school hoops is KING!
Friday's Top Ten: Recaps!
There were many great games last night, but only ten were picked for P-Hoops Top Ten for Friday, February 20th. Let's take a look at the Top Ten, which include several top ranked teams, players, and some surprising upsets.
1. Warsaw 59 - Bishop Luers 54 - In front of their home crowd, Warsaw (17-1) handed the Knights their fourth loss of the year in a true Indiana barn-burner. Before the watchful eyes of Purdue head coach Matt Painter (pictured), sophomore point guard Nic Moore scored 25 points, including shooting 13 for 16 from the line. As a team, Warsaw was lights out from the charity stripe, going 18 for 21 for the game. The star for Luers (16-4), junior Deshaun Thomas, scored 21 points, well below his gaudy average, and pulled down 21 rebounds. Ryne Robinson chipped in 15 points in the win.
2. Barr-Reeve 61 - Vincennes Rivet 52 - The Vikings (16-3), the number six team in 1A, secured the Blue Chip Conference title last night with a big win over Rivet (15-4), the number four team in 1A. Rivet led by as much as 11, at 28-17 in the second quarter, but B-R used a 10-0 run to close the half and never looked back. Christian Duncheon and Ethan Knepp both scored 16 points in the win, and Tyler Vieke had 14 for the losing side.
3. Tipton 60 - Frankfort 47 - On senior night, one of the greatest Tipton Blue Devils of all time stole the show. IU recruit Derek Elston scored 21 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and blocked three shots for the Blue Devils (18-2). Elston sat a large part of the third quarter after picking up a technical foul call, apparently for talking to an official about a non-call. The stud for the Hot Dogs (13-6), Stevie Loveless, was held in check by Elston most of the night. He finished with 15 points on 4 of 15 shooting, scoring his final seven points on free throws. He also grabbed 13 boards. Greg Dickey had 11 points and five boards for Tipton, and senior Jake Hoffman added 12 points. The Blue Devils owned the boards, by a margin of 26 to 17.
4. Jac-Cen-Del 74 - Switzerland County 68 - Jac-Cen-Del (17-2) won on the road against a bigger school to grab their tenth consecutive win. They are the number two team in 1A for a reason, and proved it against the Pacers (16-4). Switzerland County got their second loss in the last nine games; the other loss was to 2A powerhouse Lawrenceburg by twenty points.
5. Merrillville 53 - Valparaiso 42 - The Pirates (13-5) aren't going to sneak up on anyone anymore after their recent stretch of five wins in six games, including a big win over Munster. Merrillville's defense forced the Vikings (15-3) into 21 turnovers. The sophomores led the way for the winners, as Brandon Clark had 16 points and Jeremiah Jones finished with 15 of his own. Jerrick Suter led Valpo with 11 points and seven rebounds, and Hayden Humes added ten.
6. Ritter 65 - Covenant Christian 59 - The Raiders (14-4) got a huge win as they head closer to Sectionals, winning over a team with a big-time D1 talent. Justin Reed led Ritter with 20 points, and Erick Gray and Tyrone Walker had 4 each. Butler-bound 6'10 center Andrew Smith finished with 26 points in the loss.
7. Pike 60 - Franklin Central 49 - The Red Devils (11-6) got a big upset win over the Flashes (16-5). Junior wing Khristian Smith led Pike with 19 points, and super-soph Marquis Teague had 18 points and five assists. Pike's defense forced 19 turnovers against the Flashes, who were led by Purdue-bound forward Patrick Bade with 28 points on 10 of 14 shooting.
8. Muncie South 87 - Howe 71 - Playing without 6'9 star junior Jordan Manuel, the Hornets (13-6) lost for the first time in five games, as they could not keep pace on the road against South (12-6). A 24-10 run in the second quarter spelled defeat for Howe, who got 17 and 15 points respectively from Andre Hampton and PJ Boutte. The Wolfe brothers, Rondell and Jamal combined for sixty points, with 26 and 24 respectively.
9. Snider 67 - Homestead 54 - The Panthers (19-1) got 25 points from Jon Sims and 18 points from Reggie Hearn in a scrappy win over Homestead (12-7). The losing side got 12 points apiece from Drew Sery and Chris Ray.
10. Carmel 71 - Terre Haute North 67 (2OT) - A three pointer by John Michael Polley sent the game to a second overtime, propelling the Greyhounds (13-5) to a big win over the Patriots (8-12). Morgan Newton led Carmel with 31 points, and 6'10 freshman AJ Hammons contributed a pair of buckets. North was led by Zach Harrison with 19 points, while 6'8 sophomore Justin Gant chipped in with 17 points.
Another great night of hoops in the Hoosier state! Next week is it before Sectional play, so check back to see who's playing meaningful games before the postseason. Many teams will be trying to keep it going, while others will try to regroup before they play for their postseason lives!
Highlights from Friday 2/20
P-Hoops will get to the Top Ten recap later today, but there were several other outstanding performances of note that demand attention. Let's take a look at what some of the other top teams and individual performers did on Friday night!
* Broad Ripple beat Tech behind 21 points from freshman Ron Patterson (pictured) and 18 points from Steven Jamison.
* Avon beat McCutcheon in overtime behind 16 points from soph Kendall Griffin (pictured). Friday, February 20, 2009
Tommy Eggleston Update: Commits!
One of the top uncommitted players in the Indianapolis is off the board. P-Hoops caught wind over the past few days that Heritage Christian senior 6'5 guard Tommy Eggleston was nearing a decision about his college future. Last night, I received a text message from Tommy about his decision, and this morning I was able to interview the standout player. Here's the transcript of the interview:
P-Hoops: Is it true you have made a college choice? If so, who is it, and what are the reasons behind your choice?
Tommy Eggleston: Yes. I just picked University of Wisconsin Milwaukee because of their great young coaching staff and the competitive league they're in. They get in the Tournament, and they're relatively close to home.
PH: Wow! Congrats. What was it like getting the offer from them?
TE: They offered me when I went up for a visit (during their victory over Butler), and by that time, I was almost positive I wanted to go there, so it was a great feeling to get the offer and it was somewhat of a relief.
PH: What did Coach Rob Jeter tell you about why they wanted you and how you'd help them and fit in?
TE: He said he really likes players who can do more than one thing, and liked my versatility. He said he also needed a knock-down shooter, so I hope I can help with that.
PH: Those are clearly some of your strengths. What things do you need to work on before you get to campus?
TE: I definitely need to hit the weight room hard this spring and summer. Also, my ball handling and off the ball movement and defense. I'm not nearly the player I want to be and I really think Coach Jeter can make me the best player I possibly can be.
PH: So when you called last night to commit, what did the coaches say?
TE: They just said they were real excited to have me.
PH: What personal and team goals do you have for the remainder of the season?
TE: Personally I would like to make the All-City Team. As a team, I think there's no limit on what we can do. I think if we get hot, we can make a run at State, and my goal would be to win State because I think this team can do big things.
PH: Heritage Christian is in the midst of a three game losing streak since being ranked as high as number three in 2A. What do you have to do to get a win against a tough Brebeuf team tonight?
TE: Execute. Whether it's offense or defense. We know what we have to do and we're capable. It's just a matter of going out and executing.
PH: Alright Tommy. Thanks for your time, and good luck the rest of the way.
TE: Alright, thanks!
Congratulations again to Tommy for this great achievement near the culmination of a great career as an Indiana high school basketball star. He joins another fellow Hoosier, Marion's JaRob McCallum as a future UWM Panther. P-Hoops will be keeping an eye on this Hoosier state hoopster and all the great things the future holds for him! Good luck!
Friday's Finest Faceoffs - 2/20
Once again, Friday night hoops in Indiana is upon us. This second-to-last Friday of the regular season is chock-full of great games, top teams, and outstanding individual performers of note. P-Hoops has picked a Top Ten to focus on, but there are about 25 other match-ups that were worthy of consideration on this great day of basketball across the Hoosier state. Let's take a look at the Top Ten!
1. Bishop Luers (16-3) vs. Warsaw (16-1) - This is one of the toughest tests of the year for Luers, led by junior Deshaun Thomas, the best player in the Hoosier state and an Ohio State recruit. Since losing to Snider, the Knights have rattled off seven consecutive wins, while Thomas went over the 2,000 point mark for his career. Before that, their only losses came to Lawrence North and a top Chicago area team, Curie. Warsaw, led by 5'10 sophomore point guard Nic Moore, will give Luers all they can handle. The Tigers only loss came to the 17-0 Northridge Raiders a month and a half ago, and they have since won eight straight, including an impressive win at Marion. In this game that features the number one team in 2A on the road against the number nine team in 4A, P-Hoops picks the Tigers in overtime. The home crowd, the excitement surrounding the game, and the recent outstanding play of Moore will be enough to put Warsaw over the top.
2. Barr-Reeve (15-3) vs. Vincennes Rivet (15-3) - The Barr-Reeve Vikings are a 1A stalwart who always seem to be in the mix for postseason glory in Indiana's smallest class. They are currently number six in 1A, and have won three games in a row since losing at North Daviess. Coach Brian Hughes, in his seventeenth year at the helm of the Viking ship, always has his boys primed for success. Rivet, the number four ranked team in 1A, have had two consecutive winning seasons, but both ended with losses to the Vikings in Sectional play. They would love nothing more than to get revenge against the team that game them early exits from the Tournament. They are coming off a loss to 2A standout South Knox, but had won four in a row prior to that. P-Hoops will stick with tradition, taking Barr-Reeve on the road, in honor of my friend and Viking alum Keith Wagler.
3. Frankfort (13-5) vs. Tipton (17-2) - Another great match-up of two ranked teams, with the visiting Hot Dogs as the fourteenth ranked team in 3A and the Blue Devils ranked number two in 2A. Frankfort features high-scoring senior forward Stevie Loveless, who is averaging well over twenty points a game. Tipton has a legitimate contender for Mr. Basketball in 6'9 Derek Elston, an IU signee who will likely play immediately upon his arrival in Bloomington. Tipton is almost unbeatable at home, losing only once there this season to Kokomo, so P-Hoops likes the Blue Devils on top.
4. Jac-Cen-Del (16-2) vs. Switzerland County (16-3) - Yet another match-up of smaller class highly ranked teams. The Eagles from Jac-Cen-Del have won nine straight games, rising to number two in the 1A class. They are coming off a forty point win against Rising Sun, a team that beat their opponent much earlier in the season, 53-51. Since then, the class 2A eleventh ranked Pacers from Switzerland County have turned things around, winning seven of their last eight, with their only loss coming to a tough Lawrenceburg squad. The Pacers are hot, and I like them to get a home win tonight.
5. Merrillville (12-5) vs. Valparaiso (15-2) - The Pirates are the only team to beat Munster this season, and are on a run, winning four of five. They are coming of a win in which they totally shut down Chesterton and their stud, sophomore Mitch McGary, holding the Trojans to only 38 points. Merillville has a good big man in 6'8 Jonathon Nwannunu. Valparaiso isn't getting much respect despite their record, finding themselves outside looking in on the 4A rankings. They have won three in a row since losing to Munster. The Vikings should get a big Duneland Conference win at home tonight.
6. Covenant Christian (8-7) vs. Ritter (13-4) - The record belies the reality concerning the Warriors from Covenant. They played most of their games without 6'10 big man, Butler-bound Andrew Smith, who is an absolute beast. He has had multiple games of 20+ points and 20+ rebounds, including a recent 30 point and 28 rebound outing against University. They have won three in a row, including a win over 2A number seven ranked Heritage Christian on the road. Ritter is having their best season in some time, coming off a win at Chatard on Wednesday. They have won four in a row since an embarrassing 35-point loss to Guerin Catholic two weeks ago. The Raiders are hot, but so is Smith, and Ritter does not have the size to counter what the big guy can do. I like Covenant in a tight one.
7. Franklin Central (16-4) vs. Pike (10-6) - The Flashes are having another outstanding season with Mark James at the helm, and they find themselves just outside of the 4A rankings, due to their recent up-and-down play. In their last five, they have three wins sandwiched between losses to Bloomington South and Decatur Central. They rely on the play of Purdue-bound forward Patrick Bade, who goes for around 16 points and seven rebounds a night. Pike has all the talent in the world, but lack of team chemistry and some attitude issues have really sidelined their potential so far. Having sophomore sensation Marquis Teague is always a cause for hope, as he is a top-25 national recruit in the 2011 class. Pike is at home, but they lost to the Flashes once there already in the Marion County Tournament. I like FC to win this one with ball control and patience to offset the Red Devils' athleticism.
8. Ft. Wayne Snider (18-1) vs. Homestead (12-6) - The Panther have only one loss, are ranked number six in 4A, and yet they receive very little talk as a true contender for a 4A State Championship. This lack of respect for Ft. Wayne area schools could prompt them to play with the chip on their shoulder they need to realize their postseason dreams. Snider is led by a trio of great players in Jon Sims, Brad Sneary, and Reggie Hearn, who is playing great of late. Their only loss came to Luers, but they avenged that with a win against the Knights later on. The Spartans have some impressive wins and home court advantage, but if the Panthers play their game, they should come away with a win in their final road game of the year.
9. Howe (13-5) vs. Munice South (11-6) - The Hornets have rebounded nicely since losing two games in two weeks, winning four in a row and clinching the IPSAC title. They may be playing once again without star junior Jordan Manuel, out recently with a hand injury, but they have plenty of firepower outside of the 6'9 standout including sharp-shooting Andre Hampton and point man PJ Boutte. The Rebels have won four in a row as well, with impressive wins over Noblesville and Jay County in that stretch. Overall, they have won eight of ten. Despite a long road trip to this game, I like the visiting team, the Hornets, to get another win as they head towards the Tournament.
10. Carmel (12-5) vs. Terre Haute North (8-11) - The Greyhounds are hot, winning three in a row and five out of six, with impressive wins over Terre Haute South and Zionsville. Carmel is led by 6'5 senior Morgan Newton, a do-it-all forward who is headed to Kentucky to play quarterback for the Wildcats. They also feature one of Indiana's top young prospects in 6'10 freshman AJ Hammons, a recent courtside visitor at IU. The Patriots finally got back in the win column after losing six in a row, prompting first-year head coach Todd Woelfle to bench a few starters, including 6'9 sophomore stud Justin Gant, a Purdue and IU target. North responded with a big win over West Vigo to snap the slide. But the Greyhounds have too much and are playing too well right now. Greyhounds by six on the road.
But the fun doesn't end there! Check out some of the other teams in action tonight that are worth keeping tabs on:
Batesville, Bloomington South, North Central, Danville, Dwenger, Lew Wallace, Mooresville, Heritage Christian, Broad Ripple, Cathedral, LCC, Jeff, Brownsburg, Gary West, Lapel, Leo, Marion, Muncie Central, Munster, New Albany, Anderson, Princeton, Southport, Terre Haute South, Washington, Winchester, and North Montgomery! Check back tomorrow for the finals and recaps of the Top Ten, as well as highlights from some of the notable teams listed here!
