The final month of the regular season is upon us, and with that some scintillating non-conference matchups on tap over the next few weeks. While we will crown some league champions, some of the showdowns out of conference will definitely affect Bounce’s rankings heading into March.
However, there is not much change at the top, nor is Bounce expecting much for the rest of the season.
No. 1 – HOMESTEAD
Records: 20-0 overall; 7-0 SAC; 3-0 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 1
Ho hum, just another week for the Spartans.
On Saturday, Luke Goode’s off-balance three-pointer from the corner secured a victory over Hamilton Southeastern and thrust Goode and Homestead to No. 1 in the day’s Top 10 plays on SportsCenter.
On Tuesday, Andrew Leeper forced a change of venues during the rout of Wayne when he cracked the rim on a dunk attempt. The remainder of the game was played in the auxiliary gym.
Goode sat out Tuesday’s contest due to a slight injury, but it is not expected to affect him long-term.
Homestead is the lone undefeated team left in the state of Indiana, and the favorite right now in Class 4A.
Best win: Lawrence North
No. 2 – BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN
Records: 17-1 overall; 2-1 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 2
The Braves got quite the scare on Tuesday night at Snider when they trailed by as many as 18 points in the first half. But some halftime adjustments defensively, coupled with the heating up of the outside shooting, eventually saw Blackhawk Christian pick up the victory.
While the second half was impressive, the first half inconsistency was a concern, and something Coach Marc Davidson will surely address as Blackhawk Christian faces further regular-season tests ahead, including Friday at home against Class 4A No. 4 Cathedral.
Best win: Shenandoah
No. 3 – LEO
Records: 16-1 overall; 6-0 NE8; 4-0 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 3
Since falling to North Side last month, Leo has won five straight – three of which have come by four points or less.
The oft-ignored team outside of the “Big 2” of Homestead and Blackhawk Christian, the Lions will get a chance they have what it takes to crash that party when it hosts Blackhawk Christian on Feb. 23.
Win or lose in that one, the Lions are the clear-cut favorite in Sectional 22 at this point.
Best win: Carroll
No. 4 – CARROLL
Records: 14-3 overall; 7-0 SAC; 1-2 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 3
It has been a busy stretch for the Chargers with five games over the last 12 days. Two of those games were narrow wins over Snider and North Side, showing that Carroll has what it takes to hold off competent league opponents in the clutch. The comeback against Snider was particularly impressive, with the Chargers finding themselves trailing by as many as 14 points in that game.
The 39-37 setback at Leo last weekend was a tough one to drop, but it was the fourth of four straight on the road against solid foes. Bounce feels that game deserves more of a tip of the hat to Leo than any disparaging of Carroll.
Best win: Yorktown
No. 5 – CENTRAL NOBLE
Records: 16-1 overall; 6-1 NECC; 3-1 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 5
An 11-day break between games is a rarity at this point in the season, but the Cougars are taking it in stride.
A home game on Friday against Lakeland gives way to four straight road games over the course of five days next week.
Best win: Churubusco
No. 6 – WESTVIEW
Records: 13-4 overall; 9-0 NECC; 2-1 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 6
A loss on the road at a 12-win Mishawaka team on Tuesday is nothing to get worked up about. Taking on a strong Class 4A foe on the road in February is exactly the test that Coach Ed Bentley wanted when Mishawaka was added to the schedule. Games at Wawasee and Concord as well this month will further test this team.
The NECC title is all but secured, but Sectional 35 is loaded with pitfalls in Central Noble, Churubusco and even Eastside.
Best win: Central Noble
No. 7 – CHURUBUSCO
Records: 11-3 overall; 4-2 NECC; 1-3 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 7
Churubusco played the first of nine games in 17 days on Tuesday night and will be plenty busy up until the end of the season.
While the Eagles have stars in Jackson Paul and Landen Jordan, this team will go as far as its youngsters will take them. Guys like Andrew Pliett, Ayden White and Gavin Huelsenbeck have had to grow up quickly.
Best win: Snider
No. 8 – WARSAW
Records: 12-7 overall; 5-1 NLC; 0-2 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 8
Coach Matt Moore’s team has hit its stride in the first season under his tutelage, having won five straight, including a 14-point win over Mishawaka to take over the top spot in the Northern Lakes Conference.
Warsaw has just three games left on the schedule, all highly winnable. If victorious in all three, the Tigers will reach the 15-win mark in the regular season for the first time since 2015-16.
Not too bad in Moore’s first year, with his top two scorers underclassmen.
Best win: Mishawaka
No. 9 – NEW HAVEN
Records: 11-5 overall; 5-1 NE8; 2-3 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: Not ranked
Welcome back to the party Bulldogs!
Three straight wins over NE8 opponents has thrust New Haven back into Bounce’s good graces.
Thomas Latham has scored 13 or more points in five straight games, the senior lynchpin of a group that has the potential to make some noise in the postseason.
New Haven’s busy February continues with road games at East Noble on Friday and Canterbury on Tuesday.
Best win: Carroll
No. 10 – SNIDER
Records: 8-8 overall; 4-3 SAC; 0-6 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 9
Snider is the toughest area team to figure out. Through the first two quarters of its game against Blackhawk Christian on Tuesday, the Panthers looked the part of one of the most complete teams around. But the second half saw a complete collapse and seeing Snider fall back to .500.
Bounce feels like the Panthers deserve to be in the top 10 based on the potential, something we have seen time and again. But we have not seen this team play a full 32 minutes, which has to drive Coach Jeremy Rauch nuts.
Best win: Elkhart
IN THE ARGUMENT (in no particular order)
North Side 8-9
Bishop Dwenger 6-7
Huntington North 8-5
Bellmont 10-6
South Adams 11-5
Eastside 10-4
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