Friday's Finest Faceoffs - 2/6

Wow! There are some amazing games tipping off tonight on the first Friday of February. There are plenty of highly ranked teams in action, many individual stars showcasing their skills, and underrated squads looking for the respect they rightly deserve. Let's take a gander at a lucky thirteen games that are the best from across the state. There is also a glance some of the top players playing tonight who are not featured in the previewed games.

Avon (7-8) vs. Lafayette Jeff (11-7) - The Orioles, after starting the season relatively hot, are reeling a bit as of late. They are losers of four straight games, but there's no doubt coach Jason Young's team has the ability. They are led by two underclassmen in 6'4 sophomore shooting guard Kendall Griffin and 6'7 freshman forward Austin Burgett, both of whom have been recent visitors to the IU campus. Jeff has righted the ship, winning four of their last five games, overcoming some early season ups-and-downs. They are led by high scoring junior guard Jesse Berry, known for his 50-plus point outbursts. I'll take the home Bronchos in this match-up.

Carmel (9-4) vs. Lawrence North (15-2) - P-Hoops featured this game earlier in the week as a "revenge game," due to the whooping the Greyhounds put on the Wildcats last season. Carmel is picking up their play as of late, winning big games of teams like Terre Haute South, but LN is a big mountain to climb, figuratively and literally. Carmel will rely on the strong play of senior wing Morgan Newton, and the presence of 6'10 freshman AJ Hammons could play a big role in countering the size of the Wildcats. Lawrence North, the number two team in 4A, features a roster full of D1 talent, including seniors Stephan Van Treese and Jeff Robinson, juniors Dominique Ferguson and Justin Martin, and sophomores Ryan Taylor and Michael Chandler. I'll take the Wildcats at home.

Chesterton (9-5) vs. Valparaiso (12-2) - Chesterton started the season slow, but they are rounding into expected form, winning four of their last five. They are led by 6'8 sophomore big man Mitch McGary, a player who Purdue coach Matt Painter has made a priority, already extending a scholarship offer to the youngster. Valpo is having another solid season and have been in and out of the rankings in 4A. They are currently not in the top fifteen, but a win here would go a long way in the voters' minds. The Vikings are led by senior forward Hayden Humes, who will be playing college ball at Toledo. My take? Vikings by six.

Danville (10-3) vs. Frankfort (10-4) - Danville, the number six team in 3A, has struggled a bit, losing three of six, after starting the season 7-0. They will always be a tough match, however, having one of the best big men in the state in 6'10 junior center Travis Carroll, a Purdue recruit. Under coach Jason Good's direction, the Hot Dogs have recently broken into the 3A rankings since winning six straight games. Despite the hot streak and home court advantage, i think Carroll's size will prove to be too much to handle for the Hot Dogs. I expect a nail-biting win for the Warriors on the road.

Evansville Mater Dei (9-4) vs. Forest Park (9-4) - Mater Dei, the eleventh ranked team in 2A, will take on the Rangers, another top ranked 2A squad. The Wildcats just lost a one-point squeaker at Castle, 56-55, and look to rebound with a road win. It won't be easy against Forest Park, who has won three in a row behind the solid play of 6'8 senior forward Jordan Myers, a Southern Illinois signee. I like the Rangers to make it four straight.

Evansville Memorial (11-2) vs. Evansville Harrison (9-4) - In another match-up of Southern Indiana squads, Memorial looks to rebound with a win against the class 4A Harrison Warriors. The Tigers are coming off a 77-63 loss to undefeated class 3A number one ranked Princeton on the road, but they are still the number two team in 3A. I like the visitors to get back in the win column in this one.

Fort Wayne Wayne (9-4) vs. Bishop Luers (13-3) - The Generals will have their hands full in this match-up, trying to contain the state's best player in junior forward Deshaun Thomas, an Ohio State recruit. Wayne has some nice players, but keeping up with a team that gave Lawrence North all they could handle is a tough pill to swallow. Luers is the number one team and the favorite to win the 2A State Championship for a reason, and I like them to win big at home.

Heritage Christian (11-2) vs. Triton Central (8-6) - The home team, the Tigers of Triton Central, are reeling a bit after cracking the rankings earlier this season, as they have lost three of their last four games. They are solid, however, and are led by 6'4 strong post presence Garrett Pritt. Heritage, the number three team in the 2A class, have won six of seven, losing only to 4A power Cathedral by seven in the City Tournament. The Eagles are led by 6'5 senior guard Tommy Eggleston, who has become a recruit of interest to schools such as IUPUI and Wisconsin-Milwaukee with his strong play of late. He is averaging 15.3 points a game and has three games this season in which he has five three-pointers. The Eagles also get strong post play from 6'4 senior Morgan Cook (12 ppg). I'll take Heritage to get a statement win on the road against a Sectional opponent.

Howe (9-4) vs. Northwest (8-8) - This game of two of the best teams in the IPSCA should be a good one. The Hornets, a top-15 team in 3A, are loaded with D1 talent, including juniors Jordan Manuel and Andre Hampton and sophomores PJ Boutte and Isaiah Hill. The Space Pioneers feature senior guard Eric Prather and 6'4 junior wing Ronald Ross. I think the Hornets will get a big conference road win in this one.

Ritter (9-3) vs. Guerin Catholic (9-7) - Ritter has broken into the rankings of the 2A class this year, but are currently on the outside looking in. Since starting 9-1, they have lost two straight to Broad Ripple and Roncalli. The Rebels have a ton of athletic guards and forwards who love to pressure and get up and down in transition. Guerin has lost three in a row in heartbreaking fashion by a combined eleven points. That included a double overtime loss to Brebeuf and a loss to Heritage Christian in which they led by double digits well into the third quarter. The Golden Eagles have one of the best shooters in the state in Ryan Nowicki and a great glue guy in Michael McMahon. I like Guerin to get back on track at home.

North Central (16-1) vs. Terre Haute North (7-8) - North Central, the number three team in 4A, recently got their first loss in decisive fashion in a rematch against Lawrence North. Since that time, they have gotten two impressive wins over Muncie Central and Warren Central. The Panthers feature 6'3 junior guard Terone Johnson, one of the top scorers in the state and a Purdue recruit. They also have one of, if not the best freshmen in the state in 6'3 guard D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera, who recently had a career-high 27 points. The Patriots, who recently took Terre Haute South to the wire, feature 6'8 sophomore forward Justin Gant, a recruit of high interest to schools like IU, Purdue, and Iowa, who has offered him a scholarship. I like the Panthers big on the road.

Pike (8-5) vs. Bloomington North (8-6) - This is a big Conference Indiana game, as both squads try to keep pace with Bloomington South. Pike, coming off the big loss to South, features one of the best sophomores in the nation in Marquis Teague. The Cougars also have a great guard in junior Julian Boatner, a likely D1 level recruit. I think the Red Devils will get a road win and move to 5-1 in conference.

South Bend Clay (12-4) vs. South Bend Riley (11-3) - This match-up of two the the city's best will be a great one. Clay features high-scoring senior guard George Jones, and Indiana Wesleyan recruit. They have won four of their last five. Riley is on a major tear, winning six straight games. The home team should triumph here in a tight one.

Other teams and players of note playing tonight:

Broad Ripple: Ron Patterson and Steven Jamison
Roncalli: Aaron Evans
Gary Lew Wallace: Branden Dawson
Muncie Central: Jauwan Scaife and Jeremiah Davis
Marion: Scott Wood
Winchester: Tyler Koch
Lapel: Logan Ingle and Chandler Guion
North Montgomery: DJ Byrd
Princeton: Jalen Packer and Chavis twins
New Albany: Donnie Hale
Rockville: RJ Mahurin
Batesville: Colt Ryan
Terre Haute South: Jake Odum and John Michael Jarvis
Tipton: Derek Elston
Washington: Cody Zeller
Gary West: Xavier Jones and DeShawn Clay
Snider: Jon Sims and Brad Sneary
Blackhawk: Russell Byrd
Decatur Central: Blake Beasley

So obviously, a whole lot of action is taking place tonight! Check back tomorrow for the results of the featured games, and what players had big nights. Get out, see a game, and support your local team, hoops fans!