Wow.
We finally had a crazy week of basketball last week among the top 5 teams in Bounce’s poll, leading to quite the shakeup throughout the top 10.
What did Bounce make of last week’s chaos? Let’s take a look.
1. NORWELL (12-1, 3-0 NE8)
WHY #1?
While it is true that the Knights have not played the type of teams that some of the SAC’s best have taken on, Coach Mike McBride’s team has handled its business thus far including their impressive home wins over Carroll and Leo.
A pair of road wins over Wayne and Bellmont last week has helped up Norwell’s winning streak to four, with the lone loss coming to Mishawaka Marian. The next two games should be telling, with home games against New Haven and Bishop Luers over the next seven days.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
No. 1 rules over all.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 3-0
2. SNIDER (10-3, 3-1 SAC)
WHY #2?
Jon Barnes Jr.’s miracle shut at the buzzer last Friday gave the Panthers their second victory over Homestead this season. The final 30 seconds of the game, which saw four lead changes, will likely not be surpassed by any other contest this year.
The Panthers played well and found a way to make plays down the stretch even when Dillon Duff fouled out with a few minutes left.
A Friday home game with Concordia Lutheran is the lone game this week for Snider.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Losses to Wayne and Carroll still weigh heavily on Bounce’s mind. The Panthers will have a chance to avenge the loss to the Chargers on Jan. 31.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 3-1
3. HOMESTEAD (9-4, 3-1 SAC)
WHY #3?
Some will wonder how the Spartans jumped up a few spots in the poll despite losing to Snider last Friday.
Well first off, Coach Chris Johnson’s team handled Blackhawk Christian by 14 points earlier last week, and without Jon Barnes Jr.’s heroic shot at the buzzer, Homestead is still undefeated in the conference.
Luke Goode commands a lot of the media attention, but guys like Grant Simmons and Alec Grinsfelder have been huge on both ends for this team.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Two losses to Snider means Sparty cannot possibly be above the Panthers.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 2-2
4. BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN (12-2)
WHY #4?
The loss at home to Homestead last week was disappointing. Not that the Braves should have won, but that the contest didn’t live up to the hype that was a sold-out gym and coaches like Roy Williams, Tom Izzo and Matt Painter on hand.
What last Tuesday proved is that Caleb Furst cannot do it all. Guys like Zane Burke, Marcus Davidson and Callan Wood must be on their games offensively to take the pressure off Furst. It is too easy for defenses to collapse on Furst if no one else is making shots.
Blackhawk Christian got this week started off right with a win in Illinois over Chicago Westinghouse on Monday.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Well, they lost to Homestead by 14 last week so…
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 2-1
5. BISHOP LUERS (7-4, 3-1 SAC)
WHY #5?
The last 14 days has seen the Knights go 4-1, with wins over the likes of Marion, Hamilton Heights and Carroll, all on the road. The lone defeat was a four-point loss last Saturday to Blackhawk Christian in a game that saw Bounce more impressed with the Knights than he was with the Braves.
All of a sudden, Coach Fonso White’s team has emerged as a real factor in the SAC.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Three of Bishop Luers’ four losses have come to Blackhawk Christian and Homestead, two programs higher than the Knights in this poll.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 1-3
6. CARROLL (11-2, 3-1 SAC)
WHY #6?
The Chargers had been rolling with six straight victories before last Friday’s surprising loss at home to Bishop Luers.
Despite the setback, Carroll remains in the thick of the SAC race and its 11 wins cannot be overlooked.
Coach Marty Beasley’s team plays just twice over the next two weeks, league games against South Side this Friday and Snider next Friday.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The defeat to Bishop Luers had Bounce scrambling on where to place Carroll this week. No. 6 appears fair, a drop of three spots from a week ago.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 2-2
7. NEW HAVEN (9-4, 3-0 NE8)
WHY #7?
New Haven set up a huge showdown this Saturday at Norwell when it knocked off Leo last week. It will be a battle of the final two undefeated teams in the NE8.
Overall, the Bulldogs have won three straight and continue to be one of the more underappreciated teams in the area. A victory over the Knights on Saturday would change that.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Losses to Blackhawk Christian, Homestead and Snider all came by double digits.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 1-3
8. CENTRAL NOBLE (12-2, 4-1 NECC)
WHY #8?
An NECC Tournament championship for the first time in almost 50 years is a good reason to rise the Cougars up a spot in this week’s poll. The title was won in impressive fashion, beating Churubusco and Prairie Heights on consecutive nights.
Connor Essegian and Sawyer Yoder continue to showcase their skills as one of the best duos in the area.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Central Noble’s lack of common opponents with many teams in this poll makes it difficult to compare. Bounce feels like No. 8 is a solid spot.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 1-1
9. LEO (8-5, 1-2 NE8)
WHY #9?
The Lions have lost two straight league games and three of four overall over the past few weeks, yet Bounce still cannot drop Coach Cary Cogdell’s team out of the rankings because he is finding it difficult to find anyone else who deserves it.
Leo can get right over the next few weeks with a lot of winnable games on the schedule, beginning Friday against East Noble.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Did you not read the part about Leo being losers of three of its last four games?
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 0-2
10. PRAIRIE HEIGHTS (12-2, 5-1 NECC)
WHY #10?
The Panthers cling to the No. 10 spot in this week’s poll despite a six-point loss to Central Noble in the NECC Tournament championship.
Luckily, Prairie Heights will get a second shot at Central Noble come Feb. 6 in a game that could very well decide the regular season title in the league.
A tricky home matchup with Woodlan looms on Tuesday evening.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Two losses over the last few weeks has Bounce teetering on which way to go with Heights, especially the loss to Angola in which the Panthers scored just 28 points.
RECORD VS. OTH TOP 10: 0-1
OTHER TEAMS IN CONTENTION: Westview (9-3), Churubusco (5-5), Woodlan (7-5).
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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