Snow is wreaking havoc on the schedule this week, particularly early on, but there is still plenty to analyze from the last several days.
Let’s jump right into it.
No. 1 – HOMESTEAD
Records: 21-0 overall; 8-0 SAC; 3-0 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 1
Homestead’s final game of the regular season comes this Friday, the showdown with rival Carroll with the SAC championship on the line.
The Spartans are facing a stretch of at least 10 days without a game between the Chargers this week and the start of the playoffs. That can go one of two ways – Homestead will be well-rested or a tad rusty to start sectional play. Either way, Homestead will be the clear favorite in Sectional 6.
Best win: Lawrence North
No. 2 – BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN
Records: 17-3 overall; 2-1 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 2
Back-to-back losses to Cathedral and Elevation Prep have some souring on Blackhawk Christian, but not Bounce.
Look, the schedule constructed by Coach Marc Davidson is to challenge his team far and above what it may see in the Class 2A playoffs. All three of the Braves’ losses have come to squads that will or could compete for 4A titles.
Blackhawk Christian will be fine, and the schedule has given Davidson ammunition in which to coach up his team down the stretch.
It doesn’t get any easier this week. The Braves travel to Marion on Wednesday before going to 16-win Attucks on Saturday.
Best win: Shenandoah
No. 3 – LEO
Records: 17-1 overall; 7-0 NE8; 4-0 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 3
The Lions are NE8 champs for the first time since 2016 and outright league champions for the first time since 2015, their final year in the ACAC.
Leo’s lone loss remains North Side in a game in which it led by as many as 16 points. But Coach Cary Cogdell has done a phenomenal job at using the lessons of that loss to make his team better.
The Lions have four games left before the playoffs – with two being potential sectional opponents (Bishop Dwenger and Woodlan) and another being a showdown with Blackhawk Christian.
Best win: Carroll
No. 4 – CARROLL
Records: 15-4 overall; 8-0 SAC; 1-2 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 4
With all the hype and love surrounding Homestead this year, Carroll would like nothing better than to knock off their rival and hand the final undefeated team in the state its first defeat of the season.
You can bet that over this week, the Chargers and Coach Marty Beasley are preparing accordingly, game planning to attempt to limit the Spartans’ strengths.
Beasley v. Coach Chris Johnson of Homestead as always been one of the great chess matches in the area over the years, two masters of their craft trying to get the better of the other, typically with a lot on the line.
Carroll has dropped games recently to Leo and Carmel. Those defeats have surely been used as learning experiences to be ready for Homestead and the postseason.
Best win: Yorktown
No. 5 – CENTRAL NOBLE
Records: 16-1 overall; 6-1 NECC; 3-1 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 5
The Cougars were supposed to be back in action on Tuesday against South Side, ending a 15-day break, but the winter weather prevented that game from coming to fruition.
While the two-week hiatus has been nice, the rest of February is a frenzy for Central Noble, beginning with a trip to Whitko on Wednesday. The Cougars’ 22 victories last season could be eclipsed by the end of the regular season, contingent on Coach John Bodey’s squad running the table.
Best win: Churubusco (twice)
No. 6 – WESTVIEW
Records: 14-4 overall; 10-0 NECC; 2-1 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 6
Westview has surpassed the 17-win mark in each of the last four seasons, and has won 20 or more games the last three years, so status quo with the Warriors as we venture into the closing weeks of the regular season.
While an NECC title seems all but assured, the sectional will be up for grabs with quality from top to bottom. Coach Ed Bentley will surely focus on getting his team to play its best ball over the next two weeks to peak at the right time.
Best win: Central Noble
No. 7 – CHURUBUSCO
Records: 13-3 overall; 5-2 NECC; 1-3 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 7
The Eagles continue to score at a high rate, entering this week averaging 79 points per contest, which is tops in the NECC by a good 16 points.
If the defense can continue to show signs of stringing together consecutive stops, as it was able to do consistently during the team’s current three-game winning streak, the Eagles will be tough to contain in sectional play.
Best win: Snider
No. 8 – WARSAW
Records: 14-7 overall; 6-1 NLC; 0-2 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 8
Warsaw has now won seven straight games, the longest streak for the program in two years.
Coach Matt Moore’s team has wrapped up the NLC championship, the team’s first since 2019, and has just one regular-season contest remaining.
Warsaw and Northridge will be the teams to watch in Sectional 4, with the hope that the schedule sets up to have the two league foes meet in the sectional final.
Best win: Mishawaka
No. 9 – NEW HAVEN
Records: 12-5 overall; 6-1 NE8; 2-3 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: Not ranked
The Bulldogs have three SAC teams scheduled to end the season, making things tough for New Haven down the stretch. But this team continues to fly under the radar despite its better play of late.
Winnings of six of their last seven, New Haven is showing moxie and the ability to move past disappointing efforts, in particular the 14-point loss to Concordia Lutheran in late January.
The Bulldogs have a home doubleheader this weekend, with Heritage on Friday and Bishop Dwenger on Saturday.
Best win: Carroll
No. 10 – SNIDER
Records: 9-9 overall; 5-3 SAC; 0-6 vs. current Top 10
Previous Rank: 10
Snider continues to hold on to the last spot in Bounce’s top 10. Why? Well, they continue to beat teams below them in this poll. That’s pretty much why.
The Panthers could very well finish under .500 and still stay where they are here, considering their final two games of the regular season are against Cathedral and Marion.
Best win: Elkhart
IN THE ARGUMENT (in no particular order)
North Side 9-9
Huntington North 9-6
Bellmont 10-6
South Adams 13-5
Heritage 9-7
Eastside 13-4
Angola 10-9
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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