As much as Bounce loves the holiday season and the one-day shootouts and multi-day tournaments that dominate the schedule, there is something about getting back to the normal routine that feels right.
It is tough to make judgments about teams when they are taking on schools out of the area or have long layoffs.
Now that we have returned to normalcy, let’s check out who ranks where in Bounce’s mind.
1. BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN (10-1)
WHY #1?
The Braves’ lone loss came against Silver Creek on a neutral site. Last week, Coach Marc Davidson’s team rolled over Adams Central and Concordia Lutheran. Now winners of seven in a row, Blackhawk Christian will put its top ranking on the line on Tuesday night against Homestead.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
No one can be higher than No. 1. NO ONE.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 1-0
2. NORWELL (10-1, 2-0 NE8)
WHY #2?
The Knights were challenged in their first league game of the season last Saturday against Leo, but emerged with a five-point win at home. Two road games at Wayne and Bellmont highlight the schedule this week.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
A lopsided 19-point loss to Mishawaka Marian is the only blemish on the season thus far for Norwell. That said, the Knights have not played Blackhawk Christian or Homestead. They will get a chance against the Spartans, but not until the season finale on Feb. 28.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 3-0
3. CARROLL (10-1, 3-0 SAC)
WHY #3?
A 19-0 run to begin the second quarter last Friday against Bishop Dwenger turned a tie game into a rout pretty quickly for the Chargers. It was another weekend of balanced offensive efforts with Jalen Jackson, Sam Strycker, Ryan Preston and a host of others sharing the basketball in wins over the Saints and East Noble.
Carroll is at DeKalb on Tuesday before hosting Bishop Luers on Friday.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Carroll’s last loss was a two-point setback to Norwell, which must stay ahead in this poll, for now.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 2-1
4. SNIDER (9-3, 2-1 SAC)
WHY #4?
The Panthers were smashed by 16 points by Lawrence North on Saturday, but it is fair to say that many teams are going to smashed by the Wildcats, who are ranked No. 1 in Class 4A.
But Snider took care of business otherwise last week, beating New Haven and Northrop in a pair of high-scoring games.
The next game for the Panthers? A Friday showdown with Homestead.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The 11-point loss to Carroll in the SAC Holiday Tournament continues to loom large in Bounce’s mind.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 2-1
5. HOMESTEAD (7-3, 3-0 SAC)
WHY #5?
The Spartans got their first victory of 2020 with a dominant win over South Side on the road last Friday. The Archers were shorthanded, but it was still pretty impressive that Homestead held them to 35 points.
It is a huge week with Homestead, with games against Blackhawk Christian and Snider as well as a visit to East Noble on Saturday.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Coach Chris Johnson’s team has lost to just one area team thus far, a two-point setback to Snider in the SAC Holiday Tournament. Maybe we are undervaluing Sparty? We will find out this week.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 1-1
6. LEO (8-4, 1-1 NE8)
WHY #6?
Leo stays at No. 6 despite falling on the road to Norwell last weekend. But that game was a back-and-forth affair that had the Lions in contention late to beat the NE8 favorite at their place.
A visit to New Haven this weekend will be telling for the Lions, who are one of the more underappreciated teams in the area.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Four losses overall, including a sketchy loss to Concordia Lutheran early in the season, has Leo still on the lower end of this poll in Bounce’s mind. It is fair.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 0-1
7. BISHOP LUERS (6-3, 2-1 SAC)
WHY #7?
What a week for Bishop Luers last week. First, the Knights went down to Marion and beat the Giants (who played without Jalen Blackmon, but still). Then, Luers defeated Concordia Lutheran on Friday before beating an eight-win Hamilton Heights squad on the road on Saturday.
Coach Fonso White’s team is starting to turn some heads in the area. Bounce is intrigued by what this team can do in the second half of the year.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Two of the Knights’ three losses came to Homestead. The other came to Warren Central. In other words, no bad losses yet. We could see the Knights jump up higher in this poll soon.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 0-2
8. NEW HAVEN (7-4, 2-0 NE8)
WHY #8?
OK, we are getting into the iffy part of this poll. This is to take nothing away from what the Bulldogs have done, but they have not been overly impressive either.
However, the three area losses have come to Snider, Blackhawk Christian and Homestead. New Haven is a team that can play fast and physical and could still be the best squad in the NE8 when it is all said and done.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Four losses. Lack of a true “marquee” win.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 0-3
9. WESTVIEW (7-2, 4-1 NECC)
WHY #9?
The NECC has been a dog-eat-done type scenario for most of the season, with a team getting hot only to lose to a team that is playing better.
You can argue that no one in the league is playing better than the Warriors right now. Their two losses came back in early December and wins over the likes of Angola (which beat Prairie Heights) and a 10-win University team has gotten Bounce’s attention.
With the NECC Tournament beginning this week, we will see if Westview is deserving of this spot.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Consider your pal Bounce still highly skeptical of Westview.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 1-0
10. CENTRAL NOBLE (8-2, 4-1 NECC)
WHY #10?
Put the Cougars in a similar spot as Westview is in, other than the fact that the Warriors knocked them off in a head-to-head matchup already.
Central Noble has won four straight since losing to Wawasee on the road and has played some inspired basketball in OT victories over Bluffton and Bremen.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Refer to the explanation for Westview on why it isn’t higher…
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 0-1
OTHER TEAMS IN CONTENTION: Prairie Heights (10-1), Churubusco (4-4), Angola (5-3), Bluffton (7-3).
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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