Before you get too excited, allow Bounce to tell you that there isn’t much movement in this week’s power poll.
Despite some shootouts and tournaments last week, nothing much changed in terms of the hierarchy in northeast Indiana. But as we return to normalcy this week, this poll is a good indicator of where teams stand as enter the unofficial second half of the season.
1. BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN (8-1)
WHY #1?
The Braves have yet to play in 2020, but roll into the new year winners of five straight, including four consecutive against Class 4A opponents.
Junior stud Caleb Furst is averaging 23.6 points and 13.2 rebounds through nine games.
Blackhawk Christian returns to action Tuesday against Adams Central and will go to Concordia Lutheran on Saturday.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
No. 1 reigns supreme.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 1-0
2. NORWELL KNIGHTS (9-1, 1-0 NE8)
WHY #2?
Yes, the Knights dropped their first game of the season at Mishawaka Marian last week, but Coach Mike McBride’s team has been more than impressive enough locally to stay at No. 2.
The rebound victory over South Side hours after the loss to Mishawaka Marian was telling to Bounce in that the Knights can quickly move past a disappointing effort and pick up a win against a solid opponent.
Norwell hosts Leo on Saturday in a key NE8 clash.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The body of work is impressive, but not near enough to vault Norwell above Blackhawk Christian in Bounce’s opinion.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 2-0
3. CARROLL (8-1, 2-0 SAC)
WHY #3?
The Chargers have not played since they won the SAC Holiday Tournament for the first time in school history. That break will come to an end on Friday at Bishop Dwenger.
Six players for Carroll are averaging over 5 points per game, a typical balanced offensive attack for one of the best teams in the area.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The loss to Norwell on Dec. 21 precludes Bounce from putting the Chargers any higher, for now.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 2-1
4. SNIDER (7-2, 1-1 SAC)
WHY #4?
Coach Jeremy Rauch’s team bounced back from its loss to Carroll in the SAC Holiday Tournament championship with a victory over a solid Zionsville squad at the Marion Classic last weekend.
A three-game week highlights the schedule for the Panthers, with New Haven, Northrop and Lawrence North (at Bankers Life Fieldhouse) on the docket. A challenging stretch to be sure.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The loss to Wayne is a puzzler, particularly with how the Generals have played as of late. It is the worst loss among the top-tier teams in the area right now.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 1-1
5. HOMESTEAD (6-3, 2-0 SAC)
WHY #5?
Lost in the hubbub of the new year was the Spartans heading to Indianapolis to take on North Central. On the surface, a 12-point loss to a team that doesn’t even have a winning record looks concerning. However, the Panthers took Carmel to overtime and only lost by four to a one-loss Brownsburg team.
Homestead will try to shake a two-game losing skid at South Side on Friday.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The Spartans let one get away against Snider in the semis of the SAC Holiday Tournament. No. 5 right now feels like a good spot.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 1-1
6. LEO (7-3, 1-0 NE8)
WHY #6?
Also enjoying a significant layoff are the Lions, who last played on Dec. 28 but are back in action Tuesday against Canterbury.
The next few weeks will be pivotal for Leo, which plays Norwell and New Haven on the road.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Just one of Leo’s losses have come to a local team, but that was a to a three-win Concordia Lutheran squad on the road.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 1-0
7. PRAIRIE HEIGHTS (10-0, 4-0 NECC)
WHY #7?
A blowout win at Bronson in Michigan last weekend puts the Panthers in double digits for victories already. The 20 wins last year already looks in danger from being surpassed by this talented group.
A test against a solid Angola team looms on Friday.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Prairie Heights is rated No. 10 in Class 2A according to the Sagarin Ratings, but has a strength of schedule that is No. 311 in the entire state. That mark is the worst out of the top 24 teams in 2A.
We know Heights is good, but just how good are they without having seen them truly tested yet?
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 0-0
8. SOUTH SIDE (3-5, 2-0 SAC)
WHY #8?
Some will object that a five-loss team is in this position. Bounce understands that South Side has lost four straight, but just two of those were to local teams – a 10-point defeat against Carroll and a two-point loss against Norwell. Those aren’t bad losses by any means.
That said, the Archers need to get right in a hurry as they host Homestead on Friday.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The aforementioned four losses in a row are a good reason why.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 0-3
9. NEW HAVEN (6-3, 1-0 NE8)
WHY #9?
Coach Bruce Stephens’ team ends its hiatus Tuesday with a visit to Snider. The Bulldogs have not played since Dec. 28 at Huntington North.
New Haven has struggled against the elite teams in the area, losing to Blackhawk Christian and Homestead by a combined 42 points. Can it have a better showing against the Panthers?
WHY NOT HIGHER?
New Haven lacks that marquee victory locally.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 0-2
10. BISHOP LUERS (3-3, 1-1 SAC)
WHY #10?
The Knights looked dazed and confused in a lopsided loss to Homestead in the SAC Holiday Tournament, leading Bounce to question this position for Coach Fonso White’s squad. But seriously, who can you make a case for?
Bishop Luers needs a bounceback game in a big way. It travels to Marion on Tuesday before hosting Concordia on Friday and going to a good Hamilton Heights team on Saturday.
This week could go one of two ways for this team.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
It’s tough to put Bishop Luers here even. Let’s see how it survives the week.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 0-2
OTHER TEAMS IN CONTENTION: Bellmont (7-3), Bluffton (6-2), Angola (4-3), Central Noble (6-2).
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
If east noble beats westview at westview tonight they can mk a case for #10. Would be 4 in a row. The Knights r just learning how to play together. Due to lack of practice time for fball players got off to slow start