Tuesday's Top Tips: 2/17

With the Girls Sectionals decided and headed toward Regional play, Tuesday games resume for the boys. And what a full docket we have today! There are a bevy of fantastic face-offs all across the state, matching up bitter rivals, uncommon foes, and small and large schools. There are a dynamic dozen games that P-Hoops will preview today and update the results tomorrow morning. Let's take a look at the Top Twelve for Tuesday, February 17th!

Carroll {Flora} (13-2) vs. Frontier (11-6) - Carroll was a top ten ranked team in 2A before suffering an embarrassing 65-34 blowout loss at the hands of 2A number two ranked Tipton and Derek Elston. Before that, they had won three games in a row, and their only other loss was in overtime to class 3A Northwestern. Frontier, a quality 1A team, has been up-and-down of late, winning three, then losing three, and now winning their last game heading into this match-up. P-Hoops gives the edge to the visitors in this one.

Ft. Wayne Wayne (10-6) vs. Ft. Wayne North Side (12-5) - The Generals of Wayne had been on a three-game slide before winning their last one against South Side and freshman phenom Raphael Davis. North Side, led by high-scoring senior guard Justin Jordan, has split their last six games, losing to the likes of Dwenger and South Bend Washington. With home court advantage and Jordan leading the way, expect North to come away with a win.

Heritage Christian (12-4) vs. Indian Creek (10-7) - This game matches up teams heading in opposite directions. The Eagles, a top ten 2A squad, have lost two in a row without the full services of leading scorer Tommy Eggleston (15 ppg). Creek has won six straight games behind the dynamic duo of Kyle Bradley (24.5 ppg) and Brett Brunson (21.5 ppg), who combine to take over 80% of the team's shots. If Heritage can put the clamps on those two, which, with their defensive prowess, P-Hoops expects them to do, the Eagles will get back in the win column against a tough Sectional opponent.

Lawrence North (17-2) vs. Plainfield (12-5) - The Wildcats just keep rolling along, winning five in a row since losing to North Central in the finals of the Marion County Tournament. Senior big man Stephan Van Treese has been playing excellent ball as of late, as have his cohorts including Dominique Ferguson and Ryan Taylor. Plainfield has won four in a row and nine of ten behind the play of 6'9 Albany signee Blake Metcalf and two stellar guards in Brian Mucho and Chris Page. Despite the hot streak, P-Hoops sees LN getting win number eighteen.

Mishawaka (13-5) vs. North Judson (13-3) - The Cavmen are coming off a big 74-58 loss at the hands of Carmel and are looking to get back on track against a very good 2A opponent in North Judson. Prior to the loss to the Greyhounds, Mishawaka had won five in a row and seven of eight. The Bluejays have won six in a row and have risen to number 17 in the 2A polls. Despite being the smaller school, P-Hoops sees North Judson pulling out a statement win in this one.

Monroe Central (14-3) vs. Marion (15-2) - The Golden Bears are on a run, winning seven of eight and rising to number eight in the 1A rankings. The class difference might spell the difference in this one, however. Marion is a top ten team in 4A and features two D1 signees in Scott Wood and JaRob McCallum. With the Giants at home and with their size and depth advantage and superior athleticism, P-Hoops foresees a big win for Marion.

Munster (15-1) vs. Chesterton (9-7) - These Region teams are two of the best the area has to offer. Munster had won their first fourteen games before losing to Merrillville. They came from behind to beat Gary West in their last game, 54-52. The Trojans have lost three in a row, and sophomore big man Mitch McGary has struggled a bit, but he is still a high-major prospect, garnering an offer from Purdue and interest from IU and others. Munster should get a road win to keep it rolling.

North Montgomery (13-3) vs. Danville (12-4) - This game should be of high interest to Purdue fans as two future Boilers face off in this one. North Montgomery features 6'4 shooting guard DJ Byrd, who is putting up around 25 points per game and is looking to take that output to West Lafayette next season. His Chargers squad has won seven in a row to rise in the 3A rankings. Danville had been faltering of late, losing four of their last nine games. The Warriors feature junior big man Travis Carroll, a Purdue commit, who is averaging a double-double on the year, scoring more than 22 points and grabbing more than 13 boards a game. Despite the size advantage, P-Hoops doesn't think Danville has the guard play to contain Byrd. North Mont by five on the road.

Pike (10-5) vs. Hamilton Southeastern (11-6) - Without the services of sophomore Marquis Teague, suspended for disciplinary reasons, Pike has fared well, winning in his absence. Overall, the Red Devils have won four of five and seven of their last nine. The Royals have won five in a row, including recent wins over Northwest and Lawrence Central. The athleticism and pressure of Pike may be too much, however, and the Red Devils should get their eighth in ten tries.

Rochester (14-2) vs. Triton (16-1) - The Zebras are a top 3A squad and have won eight games in a row since losing to Whitko all the way back on January 9th. They are currently ranked number four in the 3A class. Triton had held a grip on the number one ranking in 1A for weeks before dropping an overtime loss to Bremen, relinquishing the top spot to Bowman Academy for the time being. The Trojans rebounded with a 28-point win over 3A opponent New Prairie, and look to beat Rochester at home. P-Hoops doesn't see it. The Zebras over the Trojans by eight on the road.

South Bend Clay (14-4) vs. Warsaw (15-1) - Clay is one of the best in South Bend, recently beating Riley and St. Joe's, but losing to Washington by one. They have won four in a row and six of seven behind Indiana Wesleyan signee George Jones. The Tigers just keep rolling, winning seven in a row since their early-January loss to Northridge. They are led by sophomore sensation, point guard Nic Moore. Warsaw, with the home court advantage, should win this one handily.

Southridge (13-3) vs. Washington (15-2) - This match-up of two ranked teams should be dynamite. The Raiders are the number seven ranked team in 3A, while the Hatchets are at number two, behind only Princeton. Southridge has won four of five, losing only to 2A power Forest Park. Washington features 6'9 sophomore Cody Zeller, who has recently received a scholarship offer from IU coach Tom Crean. With the game at the famed "Hatchet House," P-Hoops sees Washington coming away with a hard fought win.

Other top teams are in action today, including Princeton, Bowman Academy, and Carmel. Check back tomorrow for the results of these previewed games as we inch ever-closer to Sectionals!