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!