After the first full week of the boys’ season, Bounce has some changes to his preseason top 10.
It is still quite early, meaning some of these teams will end up a far cry from their current positioning, both higher or lower.
As for now, here is where Bounce sees the top boys teams in early December.
1. BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN (2-0)
WHY #1?
The first two tests of the year have been anything but for the Braves. Blackhawk Christian beat North Side and New Haven by a combined 72 points, although the Bulldogs at least put up somewhat of a fight as the game was tied at half.
This team, at least right now, lacks the depth that last year’s 1A state champions had, but developing the bench will be one of Coach Marc Davidson’s top priorities as the season progresses.
Junior stud Caleb Furst is averaging 26 points and 13.5 rebounds through two games.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
No. 1 reigns supreme.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 1-0
2. SNIDER PANTHERS (1-0)
WHY #2?
Coach Jeremy Rauch’s team has only played a single game, but it was an impressive 25-point victory on the road at Merrillville. In that contest, senior Dillon Duff dropped 30 points in what could be the first of many huge games for the forward.
As was the case last year, this team has the talent to be the best in the area. Will it live up to its potential? A date at Wayne this weekend is next.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
There isn’t much in the way of evidence to go on that the Panthers are a step above where they were last year, at least not yet. In fact, we may be waiting awhile for that as the pre-SAC Holiday Tournament schedule is fairly weak.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 0-0
3. HOMESTEAD (2-1)
WHY #3?
Bounce’s preseason No. 1 looked sensational in victories over Huntington North and Warsaw to begin the season, but the Spartans were inexplicably trounced by Marion 62-47 at Homestead last Saturday.
Was it a blip on the radar? Probably, but it was definitely concerning considering that the Giants are good but by no means thought of as an elite 4A team.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Luke Goode was held to 13 points on 3-of-10 shooting for the Spartans in the loss to Marion and later fouled out, which begs the question – does Homestead have enough offense behind the junior star?
Alec Grinsfelder has been solid and Zak Krueger has a proven track record, but the Spartans have some secondary scoring to develop as the season progresses.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 0-0
4. CARROLL CHARGERS (1-0)
WHY #4?
Much like the football team, Penn’s boys hoops program is down this year by traditional standards, but that should take nothing away from Carroll going on the road and beating the Kingsmen to open the year.
Coach Marty Beasley’s junior class is deep and talented, evidenced by the fact that the top four scorers for the Chargers at Penn were from the class, led by Jalen Jackson’s 18 points.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
We await evidence of just how good Carroll is, with the schedule lacking anyone on Bounce’s top 10 until a Dec. 21 date with Norwell on the road.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 0-0
5. LEO LIONS (3-0)
WHY #5?
Arguably no team has more impressive to begin the season than the Lions, who already hold victories over the likes of South Side (65-61) and Churubusco (73-63).
We all knew Blake Davison was going to be solid, but Zack Troyer’s 27-point, 17-rebound effort against Churubusco truly turned some heads. That is why Leo not only makes the jump into the Top 10, but they make a significant pass of some very good teams.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
It is tempting to launch Leo even higher on this list, but let’s temper the enthusiasm just a tad. The Eagles are still without Landen Jordan, who will fill a role in the post for Churubusco. That said, the Lions are projecting up.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 2-0
6. SOUTH SIDE ARCHERS (1-1)
WHY #6?
The Archers had a hiccup to begin the season with the loss at Leo, but rebounded with a rout of West Noble. Kamron Mitchell is averaging 20 points per game while shooting 63 percent from the field.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The loss to Leo. South Side also does not have much opportunity to prove their worth before the SAC Holiday Tournament, with games against North Side and Northrop left on the schedule before the start of the event.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 0-1
7. CHURUBUSCO EAGLES (1-1)
WHY #7?
The defeat to Leo raised some eyebrows, but the Eagles bounced back with a quality road win over Westview last weekend.
This team is still rolling shorthanded without Landen Jordan, and will do so until January, but there is still plenty of firepower. The trio of Noah Wolfe, Jackson Paul and Hunter Perlich are averaging a collective 49.5 points per game.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Losing against Leo is nothing to be ashamed of, but it does force Churubusco a bit lower in this poll. This could be the lowest we see the Eagles all year.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 0-1
8. NEW HAVEN BULLDOGS (2-1)
WHY #8?
New Haven picked up a pair of wins over decent teams Woodlan and Northrop before falling to Blackhawk Christian hard last week. While the loss to the Braves appeared lopsided by the final score, the Bulldogs had the game tied at 31 at the break.
The up-tempo style that New Haven employs, coupled with its physicality, is going to make things difficult for teams in the NE8 this year.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
A date with Homestead this weekend will be another tough test for the Bulldogs. Perhaps Coach Bruce Stephens’ team is underrated at this point? Time will tell.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 0-1
9. NORWELL KNIGHTS (2-0)
WHY #9?
Coach Mike McBride’s squad has opened with a pair of road victories that have impressed – a 37-point blowout of Concordia Lutheran and a victory over Mississinewa, a team that beat Marion to open the year.
Will Geiger has been stout for the Knights and has plenty of help with some talented underclassmen.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The Knights have yet to beat a team ranked in Bounce’s power poll, but a four-game stretch of home games that includes visits from Bishop Dwenger and Carroll will be telling.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 0-1
10. CENTRAL NOBLE (2-0)
WHY #10?
The Cougars dropped from No. 7 in the preseason rankings to No. 10 here, but to no fault of their own. Other teams have notched impressive wins out of the gate, while Central Noble has picked up wins over Canterbury and Angola, two squads in rebuilding mode.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Should they be higher? Some smart people at Outside the Huddle think so, but Bounce is rewarding teams that have picked up some impressive wins early on. Central Noble can do just that this week against Westview.
Other teams in the conversation (in no particular order): Prairie Heights (4-0), Bishop Dwenger (0-0), Bishop Luers (2-1).
These opinions represent those of Bounce and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow Bounce on Twitter at Bounce_OTH
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