Another week of games allowed Bounce to get a better idea of where teams stack up in the area in mid-December. while the top of the poll remains stable, there is plenty of movement on the back end.
No. 1 – BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN
Records: 4-0 overall; 1-0 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 1
The Braves continue to roll through its schedule, passing its most recent test against Silver Creek last Saturday, a 94-84 2OT win. But that Silver Creek squad was without Purdue verbal Trey Kaufman due to injury.
Both Caleb Furst and Zane Burke each continue to average double-doubles, while the team has a whole is averaging close to 84 points per game.
A visit to Canterbury is next on the schedule for the No. 1 team in Class 2A.
Best win: Silver Creek
No. 2 – HOMESTEAD
Records: 5-0 overall; 1-0 SAC; 1-0 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 2
Homestead dominated a pair of foes last weekend, pummeling Bishop Dwenger by 26 and New Haven by 30.
Opposing defenses are having serious problems slowing down the Spartans on the offensive end, with Coach Chris Johnson’s team running the break more effectively than many thought they would.
Homestead gets Bishop Luers this Friday before taking on South Bend Washington and Chris’ brother Mark on Saturday at Grace College.
Best win: Cathedral
No. 3 – CARROLL
Records: 4-0 overall; 1-0 SAC; 0-0 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 3
The Chargers continue to impress, almost flying a tad under the radar with a lot of the attention centering on Blackhawk Christian and Homestead.
While Jalen Jackson is the star, others continue to shoulder the scoring load. Cody Burkey is averaging double digits in points and has hit multiple threes in three of the first four games for the Chargers.
The schedule hasn’t been too tough as of yet, but Carroll has still looked the part of an SAC contender. The Chargers travel to Wayne this Friday.
Best win: Penn
No. 4 – LEO
Records: 3-0 overall; 0-0 NE8; 2-0 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 4
The Lions have had a bit of a break due to a game against Northrop being postponed due to Covid.
When Coach Cary Cogdell’s team takes to the floor this Friday at Huntington North, it will have gone 12 days between games, something that will likely be a trend this season due to coronavirus and contact tracing.
Leo gets back in action in a big way this weekend. The game with the Vikings is a pivotal NE8 showdown, while a matchup with undefeated Shenandoah at Grace College on Saturday looms.
Best win: Snider
No. 5 – SNIDER
Records: 3-1 overall; 1-0 SAC; 0-1 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 6
Karson Jenkins has already emerged as one of the top scorers in the SAC, a breakout player much needed for a team that lost a lot of production to graduation.
Snider’s best performance arguably came in its overtime loss to Leo, but they were impressive in pulling away from a solid and athletic Wayne squad last week.
The Panthers have a two-game weekend with a showdown with North Side on Friday followed by a tilt with undefeated South Bend Riley at Grace College on Saturday afternoon.
Best win: Wayne
No. 6 – BISHOP LUERS
Records: 1-1 overall; 0-0 SAC; 0-1 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 7
Yes, the Knights lost their opening game of the season, but it was a hard-fought six-point defeat against Leo, which was followed up by a defeat of Canterbury.
Naylon Thompson has been a stud, averaging 26 points per game through the first two games.
The Knights host Homestead on Friday in their final scheduled game before Christmas
Best win: Canterbury
No. 7 – WESTVIEW
Records: 4-1 overall; 2-0 NECC; 2-0 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 8
How about the start for Coach Ed Bentley? Westview has beaten its primary competition in the NECC already in Churubusco and Central Noble, and also earned a win over a very good NorthWood squad on the road by double digits.
This Friday’s fun game against Angola, Bentley’s former home, is off unfortunately.
Best win: Central Noble
No. 8 – CENTRAL NOBLE
Records: 3-1 overall; 2-1 NECC; 0-0 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 5
Sawyer Yoder, Connor Essegian and company have been stout, but let one get away at Westview last week.
Still, the Cougars have played well and look the part of a team that can flirt with the 20-win mark again this year.
A two-game weekend looms with West Noble on Friday followed by a game at Grace College against DeKalb on Saturday
Best win: Angola
No. 9 – CHURUBUSCO
Records: 3-1 overall; 1-1 NECC; 1-1 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 10
Boy, does ‘Busco like to make things hard on itself.
The Eagles had to come from behind to beat West Noble last weekend, then battled foul trouble at South Side on Wednesday before picking up an OT victory.
This team has two studs in Landen Jordan and Jackson Paul, but a lot of question marks after that. That is problematic when those two are in foul trouble.
Churubusco will host Prairie Heights on Friday.
Best win: South Side
No. 10 – HUNTINGTON NORTH
Records: 3-1 overall; 0-0 NE8; 0-1 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: N/A
For the first time this season, Coach Craig Teagle’s squad makes an appearance in Bounce’s top 10. While the wins have been solid, including dubs over Mississinewa and Warsaw, Bounce was really impressed by their performance against Homestead, the closest game that the Spartans have had thus far.
Junior Zach Hubartt leads the Vikings in points (17.8) and rebounds (5.8) per contest.
Huntington North hosts Leo and Heritage this weekend
Best win: Warsaw
IN THE ARGUMENT (in no particular order)
Columbia City 2-1
Wayne 2-3
North Side 3-4
New Haven 1-2
West Noble 2-2
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