Each Sunday, yours truly will take a look at some of the bigger stories and important notes of the week with a wrap up column.
So what caught Bounce’s eye this week after the holiday in some various games, tournaments and shootouts?
HOLIDAY TOURNAMENTS
In a week of Holidays, it is always fun to see some area teams take on those out of area or even out of conference. The tournaments and shootouts are always a blast to see because it makes teams dig deep and in some cases, really better themselves.
Betterment comes in a lot of ways. Take for instance a team like the Fremont boys, who traveled to a tough event at LaPorte, by far the smallest school in the field. The Eagles fell thrice this week there, with losses to LaPorte, Munster and Logansport. But what Fremont gained in those losses to two 4A schools and one 3A school could really help their growth before a hopeful Class 1A postseason run.
Betterment was key too at East Noble‘s annual Max Platt Holiday Tournament. The Garrett boys fell to Anderson in the championship game but it was a quality showing for the Railroaders against the #10 team in Class 4A, including 19 points from Isaiah King. Anderson’s Indiana All-Star Damien King was held to just six total points however while being defended by Garrett’s Gabe Armstrong and Lucas Collins. In the morning game, the Railroaders topped host East Noble behind King and Carter Coffman‘s 19 points each, while Nathan Bowker led East Noble with 18.
On the girls side of the Max Platt, it was the host Knights getting it done with wins over Garrett and Bishop Luers. Luers advanced to the title game with a win over John Glenn, led by Brooklyn Gray‘s 12 points. East Noble beat Luers 53-35 in the title game.
This year, there were teams on both the girls and boys sides of the annual Hall of Fame Classic in New Castle. On Friday, the Homestead girls split their games, losing 66-42 to Lawrence Central before topping South Knox in the consolation game. In the consolation game, a 73-70 win for Homestead, Whitney Ankenbruck had 28 points to lead all scorers and was named to the All-Tournament Team.
On Saturday in the boys Hall of Fame Classic, Warsaw fell twice but their opening 54-51 loss to Fishers really was important overall. Robbie Finlinson played a terrific game and got off a shot at the end to try and tie it that fell short. Finlinson finished with a game high 21 points for Warsaw as Carson Gould had four steals as part of 15 turnovers the Tigers forced Fishers into. Later in the day, Warsaw dropped a 51-44 game to Jeffersonville behind 18 points from Brandt Martin.
Columbia City girls, who have been the stars of the area as of late, took home a title in the Twin Lakes Invitational. Earlier in the day on Saturday, the Eagles beat Bishop Chatard 66-60 behind 33 points from Addison Baxter, while Laney Ziliak hit five three pointers. Baxter had 26 in the championship game and her, Anisa Tonkel and Alivia Kidd were all named to the all-tournament team.
At Homestead, the Spartans hosted the BSN Classic, also involving the Carroll boys. Homestead had some good showings as they picked up wins over East Chicago Central, Penn and Valparaiso to finish fifth overall. Their only loss was by six to eventual champion Zionsville. Mack Welker had 18 points and 10 rebounds in the event opening win over East Chicago Central.
Carroll boys finished 0-4 in the event, but challenged Valpo and then had a good final game with East Chicago Central.
In the Wabash County girls tournament, it was Wabash coming out on top after beating Northfield Friday behind 20 points from Kaitlynn Honeycutt. On Saturday, Manchester took the Apaches to overtime, but Wabash still prevailed 61-55 despite Manchester hitting a half court buzzer beater to force overtime. This was the third straight championship for the Apaches. Brookelynn Buzzard lead Wabash with 25 points.
ADAMS CENTRAL’S GO TO
Trace Maller has been on a tear this season and it probably isn’t getting enough attention. After all, AC isn’t supposed to be a “basketball school,” right? But the reality is that they are at this point. They were the class of the ACAC the last two seasons.
Leading in the minds of fans hasn’t been so easy this season but the Flying Jets are still 4-2 as they work to replace a lot lost to graduation. But one thing they haven’t replaced is Trace Maller, who has been sensational through their wins over Southern Wells, Whitko, Canterbury and Woodlan. And all of that does have the Flying Jets at 2-0 in the conference, right back in that conversation.
Maller has become one of the area’s top scorers and double double threats through this all. This week, the Flying Jets played just once, a Friday loss to a heavily surging Norwell program. Still, Maller scored 27 points in the loss, knocking down six three pointers and adding eight rebounds.
As we approach the ACAC Tournament, set your sights on Maller because he has been pretty extraordinary so far this season.
OTHER NOTES
Wayne‘s Chase Barnes surpassed 1,000 career points Saturday in an 81-32 win over Woodlan, while Trey Dillard led the Generals in the game with 18 points….Blackhawk Christian‘s Kellen Pickett scored 32 Saturday in a win over Bloomington South and was named to the All-Tournament team at the Lawrenceburg Tournament.
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