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!