Games of the Day: 12/3

Following up from the theme yesterday, P-Hoops will again look at the top games in the state for this Saturday, December 3rd. There are big plenty of big showdowns full of the highest talent level and competition you'll find on a Saturday night in Indiana. Here's a look at the top five games, as I see them, with a brief look at another five with the potential to be good ones as well.

1. LaPorte LaLumiere vs. Oak Hill (VA) Academy

What a game this will be! While not specifically IHSAA Indiana hoops, this game squares off a bevy of talented players, many of whom have Indiana roots or connections. The LaLu Lakers, led by coach Alan Huss, roll into this prep school throwdown at 6-0 with some very impressive wins. They are headlined by a surplus of D1 commits and talent: seniors Obij Aget (New Mexico), Rapheal Davis (Purdue), Antonio Drummond (Southern Illinois), Hanner Mosquera-Perea (IU), Jay Simpson (Purdue), and sophomore Johnnie Vassar, to name a few. Oak Hill is a long time prep power, boasting such alumni as Carmelo Anthony and Brandon Jennings. They are of particluar note since two of their stars have Indiana roots, specifically D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera (via North Central - Georgetown commit) and AJ Hammons (via Carmel - Purdue commit). This game obviously features more than a dozen D1 recruits, many of whom are potential NBA first rounders in a few short years. Oak Hill has a much more national flavor to their roster, including seniors Tyler Lewis (NC State), Jordan Adams (UCLA) Damien Williams (Memphis), and Darian Clark (Charlotte), as well as juniors Ikenna Iroegbu and RJ Curington. LaLu will have their hands full in this one and big time names will have a chance to show out well in front of a national audience.

2. Pendleton Heights (3-0) vs. Hamilton Southeastern (1-0)

Can Pendleton Height's one-man show continue and upset a top 4A team? Butler signee Kellen Dunham has been on a tear so far this season, averaging 38.3 points a game and accounting for nearly two-thirds of the Arabians total points. He may to do that and more on Saturday with the likelihood that teammate Brogan Gary may miss the game with an injury he recently sustained. The Royals will likely be a bit tired as they will be playing their second game in consecutive days, and Friday's test against Mt. Vernon is sure to be a test. Can the trio of Gary Harris, Jaccobby Bledsoe, and Zakarie Irvin overcome dead legs to chase Dunham off screens all the way to an expected victory? Or will Dunham continue his eyebrow-raising output against his best opponent so far and solidify himself as a legitimate Mr. Basketball contender? My guess is a win for the Royals, but not without some serious exploits by KD.

3. Broad Ripple (1-0) vs. Cathedral (0-0)

The reclassified 2A Rockets get a major early season test by visiting a 4A contender in the Cathedral Irish. The headliner for Broad Ripple is 6'3 senior shooting guard and IU signee Ron "Buss" Patterson, who scored 17 points in the Rockets opening blowout win against Muncie South. Ripple also boasts 6'3 forward Mo Cross, likely a mid to low-major prospect. He also scored 17 points in their first game. Hindering the Rockets' chance is the fact that they will be playing without dynamic point guard Aaron Payne due to an injury. Patterson, Cross and company will have to pick up the scoring slack with him out. The Irish come to play with several studs, including 6'6 senior wing Jared Drew, 6'6 junior wing Collin Hartman, sophomore guard Mo Evans, and perhaps the best freshman in the state in point guard Jalen Coleman. Coleman already claims an offer from IU. Cathedral will be tested by Warren Central on Friday, and this is also a revenge game for Rockets' coach Scott Hicks who formerly coached Cathedral. All things considered, I give Broad Ripple a high chance to pull off the upset.

4. Mishawaka Marian (2-0) at Ft. Wayne Luers (0-0)

Two Knights enter the battleground, and only one will emerge victorious. Marian is the #8 ranked team in 3A and are led by 6'1 junior point guard Demetrius Jackson, who holds a bevy of D1 offers including Butler, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Xavier. Luers is the #2 team in 2A, led by outstanding sophomore guard James Blackmon, Jr., who verbally committed to IU as a freshman. Marian will be coming off a Friday night game against New Prarie, so they may be a bit winded. Combine that with the travel to Ft. Wayne, and I see Luers winning this matchup of two of the best non-senior guards in the state of Indiana.

5. Kokomo (2-0) vs. Fishers (1-0)

The WildKats are off and running in an effort to repeat last season's run to the State Championship. Led by Evansville signee DJ Balentine, Kokomo has proven to be one of the toughest outs in all of thr 4A class. Senior forward LaBradford Seabree is one to keep and eye on. He is super athletic and has tons of skill. Fishers dominated Greenfield-Central in their opener, but that doesn't say too much about one of the more mysterious teams in 4A. They seem like they have potential to be a great squad, but can they excel like never before? Three seniors lead the way for the Tigers, starting with 6'9 center and Jacksonville recruit Tyler Alderman, who is finally healthy this season and looking for a breakout year. Fishers' returning leading scorer is shooting guard JP Pena, and Joe Retic is another experienced senior. Their difference maker may be junior point guard Jaylon Brown, who is receiving a lot of D1 interest. I think Alderman's size will be a lot for the Kats to overcome, but their experience from last season may be the difference.

Five Other Great Games

6. Avon vs. Pike
7. Carmel vs. Arsenal Tech
8. Brebeuf Jesuit vs. Culver Adademy
9. Lawrence North vs. Marion

and the 1A battle of the week...

10. Morristown vs. Lutheran