Wednesday's Finest: Games for 2/11

Games are being scheduled and played at odd times due to the Girls Sectionals that are currently underway. Thanks to that, there are several great games getting underway tonight, Wednesday the eleventh. Let's take a look at pregame capsules of four of the best games from across the state.

Evansville Mater Dei (9-5) vs. Evansville Memorial (12-3) - The Memorial Tigers desperately want some revenge against the Wildcats of Mater Dei after losing to them 61-50 in the championship game of the Southern Indiana Conference Tournament in mid-January. Mater Dei was a highly ranked 2A team at the time, but has since lost two games in a row and fallen out of the top-15 in their class. Memorial has also had relative struggles since the tournament, winning two overtime games directly after, and then dropping two of their last three to Princeton and Evansville Harrison. Memorial, the number six ranked team in 3A, should be able to scratch out a hard fought win in this one.

Forest Park (11-4) vs. Southridge (12-2) - This game features a match-up of two teams on a hot streak. The Rangers of Forest Park, led by 6'8 senior and Southern Illinois recruit Jordan Myers, have won four in a row and seven of their last eight, moving them up to the number fourteen ranking in 2A. Southridge has won three in a row since a loss to Princeton, and they are the number three ranked team in 3A. This is a neutral court game, which I think plays to the advantage of Southridge, who I expect to win in another tight one.

Northwest (9-8) vs. Hamilton Southeastern (10-6) - The Royals will be playing their second game in consecutive days as the face the Space Pioneers at home. HSE is getting solid play right now from 6'7 senior forward Charlie Duffy, who has led them on a string of four wins in a row. Northwest is coming off a great overtime upset win against Howe in which 6'4 junior wing Ronald Ross had an amazing triple-double of 17 points, 21 rebounds, and 15 assists. The Space Pioneers are very up-and-down, however, losing three straight before that win. I expect the Royals to get number five in a row tonight.

Jay County (11-3) vs. Anderson Highland (11-5) - The Patriots were once a top ten, undefeated team in 4A, but they have since lost three of their last six, two to 3A schools and one to 2A number eight ranked Winchester, led by Wright State commit Tyler Koch. The Scots are just the opposite, riding a major wave of positive momentum to eight wins in nine games. They feature 6'10 senior center Asauhn Tatum in the middle, which poses a problem for many teams. I expect Highland to make it nine of ten tonight.

There are other top teams in action tonight as well, including Plainfield and 4A number two ranked new Albany, one of the few remaining undefeateds at 14-0. Check back tomorrow morning to see the results from these wonderful Wednesday games!