Thursday Throwdowns: 2/12

Thursday games are aplenty this time of year with postseason play underway for the ladies. Many teams are trying to make a statement, continue a hot streak, or get back on track with less than three weeks to play before Boys Sectionals begin. P-Hoops has selected a dynamic dozen games to preview, including players to watch from these top teams. There is also a big list of other teams and players to watch out for on this evening full of hoops. Let's look at the twelve best from across the state!


Anderson (12-3) vs. Muncie Central (8-8) - The Bearcats are reeling a bit, but they would love nothing more than to get back on track against one of their conference foes and Sectional opponents, the Class 4A number-14 ranked Indians. Muncie Central features a tremendous backcourt in senior and Ball State recruit Jauwan Scaife and talented and highly-sought sophomore Jeremiah Davis, who has offers from IU, Purdue, and Kentucky. Anderson has won four in a row, including two hard fought overtime games. They are looking to improve their standings in the North Central conference, and a win would move them into a tie for second with the Bearcats at 4-1, trailing only Marion. I expect a big road win for the streaking Indians.


Brownsburg (11-5) vs. Bloomington South (15-0) - The 4A State Champs from last year will have their hands full with this years' number one team, the Panthers of Bloomington South. The Bulldogs have won five of six behind great guard play from the likes of JD Cosby, Austin Fish, and Torrey Nibbs. They also have 6'10 junior Enique Mason patrolling the paint, swatting shots, and intimidating drivers. This South group is as well-disciplined and talented a team as coach JR Holmes has had in his 27th year at the school. They are led by senior point guard, IU recruit Jordan Hulls, who is a top candidate for Mr. Basketball. They also have two outstanding sophomore guards in Dee Davis and Spencer Turner, as well as junior forward Eric Fromm controlling the middle. I see South moving on to 16-0 in this one, and it may not be close.


Carroll-Flora (13-1) vs. Tipton (16-2) - The Blue Devils from Tipton will get one of their biggest tests of the year from visiting 2A number-nine ranked Carroll, who has won three in a row since losing to Northwestern. Tipton's only losses are by a combined three points to 4A schools Franklin Central and Kokomo. They are obviously led by 6'9 senior forward and IU recruit Derek Elston, another candidate for Mr. Basketball. He is averaging over 20 points and ten boards a game. The Blue Devils get strong play from the point guard position in sophomore Greg Dickey, and junior 7-footer Ethan Jacobs comes off the bench to provide size and depth. Look for Tipton to make a statement at home with a win.


Ft. Wayne North Side (11-4) at Ft. Wayne Dwenger (11-4) - These two teams share identical records, but vastly differing styles. North has split their last four games coming into this big Summit Conference match-up, but they hope high-scoring senior guard Justin Jordan can lead them to a win. Dwenger is on a roll, winning five of six, with their only loss to 4A power Snider. The Saints have size to spare in Tyler Eifert and 6'8 sophomore Tony Springmann, and that advantage may lead them to a home win, which is what P-Hoops is picking. Dwenger by five.


Ft. Wayne Snider (16-1) vs. Ft. Wayne Blackhawk Christian (8-6) - Snider, already the Summit Conference Champs, look to continue their impressive regular season run against the best 1A squad in the Ft. Wayne area. Snider appears to have a decided talent advantage with players like Brad Sneary and Jonathon Sims, but Blackhawk has a big gun too in 6'7 junior shooting guard, Michigan State recruit Russell Byrd. Despite the home court advantage and a real superstar, in P-Hoops' opinion, the 4A team just has too much size and athleticism for the smaller school to handle. Snider should roll in this one.


Franklin Central (16-3) vs. Decatur Central (14-3) - This is one of the more interesting match-ups of the night. The Flashes are a top-15 team in 4A, and the Hawks are having their best season in a long time, already securing the Mid-State Conference title, and have won five of their last six. Purdue recruit Patrick Bade is the man for the Flashes, using his athleticism and his 6'8 frame to dominate smaller opponents. The gear that makes the engine go, however, is 5'10 Taylor recruit Casey Coons, a sharp-shooting floor general who rarely makes mistakes. The Hawks are led by double-double machine, 6'5 senior forward Blake Beasley, one of the top stat-stuffers in the Indianapolis area. I'll take the relative "upset" in this one, taking DC at home to get one of the biggest wins in school history.


Gary West (12-3) vs. Munster (14-1) - Led by the duo of DeShawn Clay and Xavier Jones, West Side is having a great season so far up the the northeastern part of the state. They have won two in a row since their recent loss to Gary Lew Wallace and Brandon Dawson. Munster was a remaining undefeated until their last game in which they fell at the hands of Jonathon Nwannunu and Merrillville, 58-49. P-Hoops pick? Munster at home in a tight one.

Arlington (10-8) vs. Howe (10-5) - This is a rematch of a quarterfinal game from the Indianapolis City Tournamnet in which the Golden Knights upset the Hornets on their way to a run to the finals, where they lost to Cathedral. Arlington features some of the most disciplined play in the IPSAC, which makes them competitive against more athletic and talented teams. They have a great senior leader in guard Phillip Freeman. Howe is bursting at the seams with talent, including juniors Jordan Manuel and Andre Hampton and sophomore PJ Boutte and 6'11 Isaiah Hill. Howe should get the revenge they desire in this one, winning in a close one at home.

Broad Ripple (7-8) vs. Southport (9-6) - This is a featured game because it features two of the top freshmen in the state in Broad Ripple's Ron Patterson and Southport's Kellon Thomas. Both have been unofficial visitors to IU, and Patterson has early offers from both IU and Purdue (where he also has visited). Broad Ripple also features high-scoring sophomore guard Steven Jamison, who is a definite D1 player. The Rockets season still holds promise, but they are heading south right now, losing three in a row. Southport is just the opposite, on the rise, winning three of four. This would be a huge road win for Ripple, and could turn their season around. I'll take the Rockets to get a season-saving win.

Leo (12-3) vs. Bluffton (16-2) - This match-up of Ft. Wayne area schools should be a good one. Leo, one of the best 3A teams up north, has won five of their last six, but lost ugly to 4A powerhouse Carroll. The Lions have a great 6'7 senior forward in Jordan Bowerman, who averages over 20 points and nearly ten rebounds a game. Bluffton is one of the best team in the 2A class, trailing only Luers and Tipton in the rankings. They have won two in a row since a surprising loss to Garrett, and have won nine of ten. The home team will prevail in a tight one; Bluffton by three.

Merillville (11-5) vs. Chesterton (9-6) - Freah off their big upset win over Munster, the Pirates of Merillville will face another of the Region's top teams in Chesterton. Merrillville has a great big man in Jonathon Nwannunu, a potential late D1 pick-up. Chesterton features a 2011 standout in 6'9 forward Mitch McGary, a highly coveted sophomore who already holds a Purdue offer. The Trojans have lost two in a row, however, and with the Pirates playing well, P-Hoops predicts a road win for Merrillville.

South Bend Riley (11-4) vs. South Bend Washington (13-3) - Riley is coming off a loss to cross-town rival Clay, but before that, they had won six in a row. Washington, led by guard Kennis White, is on a roll, winning three straight games and eight of nine overall. In this throwdown of evenly matched South Bend powers, P-Hoops will take the home team to win it close.

Other Notables in Action

Batesville (Colt Ryan)
Winchester (Tyler Koch)
Ft. Wayne South (Raphael Davis)
Cathedral (Kelsey Barlow and Errick Peck)
Pike (Marquis Teague)
Lafayette Jeff (Jesse Berry)
Lafayette Central Catholic (Dru Anthrop)
Valparaiso (Hayden Humes)
Lawrence North
Zionsville (Jack Isenbarger and Chris Welker)
Marion (Scott Wood)
Warsaw (Nic Moore)
Washington (Cody Zeller)

Check back tomorrow morning to see the results of the top dozen Thursday Throwdowns, including highlights of other games!