The jockeying for position to be Bounce’s most-loved team in the area continues to be fast and furious.
Yes, Bounce shows favoritism. Yes, Bounce hates your team.
And yes, Bounce knows more than you.
To this week’s top 10 we go.
No. 1 – Blackhawk Christian Braves
Records: 4-0
Previous rank: 1
Why #1?: After two hard-fought wins over North Side and New Haven to open the season, Blackhawk Christian breezed to a pair of dubs this past week.
The Braves have four players averaging in double figures led by a pair of seniors – Gage Sefton (16.8 ppg) and Josh Furst (14.8).
A two-game weekend is on tap for BC with Canterbury on Friday and a good matchup with Chesterton at Grace College on Saturday.
Why not higher?: It doesn’t get better.
Best win: North Side
No. 2 – Homestead Spartans
Records: 4-0, 1-0 SAC
Previous rank: 2
Why #2?: Last weekend was impressive for Homestead in that it won two games in two days against vastly different styles. On Friday, the Spartans were able to escape with a two-point victory over Bishop Dwenger in a game that barely cleared the 40s in points.
On Saturday, Homestead slowed down New Haven’s upstart to its season low in points in a rout. And that came without Grant Leeper on the floor.
The Spartans defense is its calling card right now, and it has led to an undefeated start.
Why not higher?: Bounce thinks Blackhawk Christian is better. Is that OK with you? Well, too bad.
Best win: Warsaw
No. 3 – North Side Legends
Records: 3-2, 1-0 SAC
Previous rank: 4
Why #3?: Three straight dubs for the Legends has Coach Gary Andrews’ team trending back upward this week. What has been so impressive is that North has won up-tempo games (South Side) and matchups against squads that slow things down in the half court (DeKalb, Warsaw).
Jordan Green is one of the more underrated players in the area. The senior leads the Legends in scoring after dropping 30 (on 12-of-17 shooting) on Warsaw last Saturday.
Why not higher?: Two losses.
Best win: Warsaw
No. 4 – Concordia Lutheran Cadets
Records: 3-1, 1-0 SAC
Previous rank: 5
Why #4?: It was a fun night in ‘The Cage’ last Friday. Not only did Concordia Lutheran dedicate Eugene Parker Court, it also knocked off Carroll when sophomore Avery Cook knocked down three free throws with zero time left on the clock for the win.
Cook is averaging just two points per game so far this year, but was a perfect 5-of-5 from the line against the Chargers, none bigger than at the end of regulation.
Concordia has a Friday-Saturday doubleheader this weekend with Bishop Dwenger on the road on Friday followed by New Haven at home on Saturday.
Why not higher?: That 39-point loss to NorthWood is still on Bounce’s mind.
Best win: Carroll
No. 5 – Warsaw Tigers
Records: 2-2, 0-0 NLC
Previous rank: 8
Why #5?: Jumping up three spots after a loss? Well, that’s where we are at at this point as Bounce tries to make sense of what has gone down in the area thus far.
Coach Matt Moore’s squad has had a very difficult schedule to start the season. It has had just one home game – a win over a solid Columbia City team. Wawasee and South Bend St. Joseph’s are on tap this weekend – both on the road.
Let’s give credit where credit is due. This team is probably better than its record.
Why not higher?: Warsaw has lost to two of the four teams above it in this poll.
Best win: Columbia City
No. 6 – Columbia City Eagles
Records: 4-1, 0-0 NE8
Previous rank: 9
Why #6?: Stratton Fuller’s off-balance heave from three-quarters court to beat Carroll last Saturday was one of the best endings to a game that Bounce has ever seen. Seriously, this kid was the difference maker for Columbia City countless times on the gridiron, now he is doing the same thing on the court.
Up to the win over the Chargers, Bounce wasn’t buying into CC too much. But now? With not many teams impressing early on, the Eagles have Bounce’s attention, Fuller especially.
Why not higher?: Wins are against teams a combined 5-13.
Best win: Carroll
No. 7 – Carroll Chargers
Records: 2-2, 0-1 SAC
Previous rank: 6
Why #7?: Did Coach Ryan Abbott get ANY sleep last weekend?
Seriously, first the Chargers lose on three free throws with no time on the clock on Friday. One night later, they fall to Columbia City on a prayer thrown up by Stratton Fuller of Columbia City.
Woof.
Despite the two losses, there is still a lot to like about this Carroll team. The next three games will be telling with a road trip to Wayne this Friday followed by games against Hamilton Southeastern and Fishers next weekend.
Why not higher?: Two losses, coupled with the fact that only three teams in the SAC are giving up more points per game than Carroll (60.3).
Best win: Norwell
No. 8 – Norwell Knights
Records: 5-1, 0-0 NE8
Previous rank: 7
Why #8?: Five straight dubs after a season-opening loss to Carroll has the folks in Ossian feeling pretty good. The rout of Oak Hill is particularly impressive considering the Golden Eagles have just one loss.
A visit to winless DeKalb is Norwell’s lone game this weekend.
Why not higher?: The loss to Carroll.
Best win: Oak Hill
No. 9 – Fremont Eagles
Records: 5-1, 1-1 NECC
Previous rank: N/A
Why #9?: This may be a tad high for Fremont considering they were routed by Lakeland in their lone loss, but hitting 13 threes and beating Wayne earlier this week definitely got Bounce’s attention.
Fremont likel doesn’t have the staying power in the top 10, but kudos to Coach Josh Stuckey’s squad for four straight wins.
Why not higher?: They have one of the best wins in the current top 10 but also maybe one of the worst losses with a big one to Lake
Best win: Canterbury
No. 10 – Wayne Generals
Records: 3-1, 1-0 SAC
Previous rank: No. 3
Why #10?: We will chalk it up to an off night, but Bounce still has to drop Wayne from the top three all the way to No. 10 after the Fremont loss. Mid-week game sandwiched between a dub to open SAC play and a spicy matchup with New Haven meant that the young Generals came out flat, particularly defensively.
A New Haven win was a good bounce back Wednesday but the Bulldogs haven’t lit up the area this season so it’s a so-so win.
Wayne can erase the bad vibes with a win over Carroll in a few days.
Why not higher?: Loss to Fremont at home.
Best win: Leo
In the Conversation
Bishop Luers (4-2)
Leo (3-4)
Woodlan (5-1)
Heritage (3-1)
Prairie Heights (5-0)
West Noble (5-0)
Westview (4-2)
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