2007-2008 Girls BasketballWeek-3 PollA USA-365.com Special Report by Mark Smith(12-04-2007) |
MICHIGAN CITY, IN - (12-04-2007)- No shockers in the early going as favorites Michigan City (DAC), Highland (Northwest Crossroads), West Side (Gary) and Boone Grove (PCC) lead their leagues. Across the state, the top teams seem so formidable, though. How is poor, little Northwest Indiana going to have anybody who can compete with anybody?
Don't believe me: Class 2A No. 1 Heritage Christian (5-0), the two-time 2A
state champ, just demolished Chicago suburban superpower Fenwick 82-68. That
does not happen to Fenwick, a three-time Illinois big school state champ.
If somebody feels like they want to step up and take out defending 4A champ
South Bend Washington (6-0), we're waiting. They are averaging 77 points a
game. Only Michigan City (4-1), among NW Indiana teams, even plays Washington.
In 1A, Oregon-Davis (7-0) is throwing dirt on everyone in sight, and even with a
beefed-up schedule, they could realistically be 17-0 going to the Chicagoland
Classic in January.
In 3A, No. 1 Wawasee (5-0) does not play that tough a schedule as of yet, but No. 2 Brebuef Jesuit (5-0) has already defeated four 4A schools.
I know we live in an ESPN sports world where anybody who wins six in a row 'demands respect', and everybody who scores 20 points is 'incredible' and 'unbelievable'. But teams that have won titles and keep on winning are better than teams that beat weak sisters and talk about how they don't get enough credit.
1. (4A) Michigan City (3-1)
2007 (22-2), 2006 (14-11), 2005 (6-15), 2004
(6-16)
MICHIGAN CITY: Michigan City got hosed against Valparaiso 75-64 when the Vikings got 55 free throws, but the Wolves came back to beat Portage 71-63 Friday night with 24 from TaKenya Nixon. The Wolves won even though they gagged on 10 of 20 free throws. There's no excuse for a team this good to shoot 50% from the line in a big game. The Wolves are probably tired of hearing how Portage, a team that didn't beat Michigan City last year at all, is suddenly the DAC league favorite as has been written in both NW Indiana newspapers. Did you know that Michigan City has beaten Portage 10 times in a row in girls basketball? The pairings are out for the Riley Holiday Classic in South Bend and if Riley and Clay (6-0) sweep three preliminary games, they will meet in the first major confrontation of the season the night of Dec. 28. But the Wolves never forget for long about that game against South Bend Washington on Jan. 4.
2. (4A) Portage (5-1)
2007 (16-9), 2006 (4-17), 2005 (4-17), 2004
(10-12)
PORTAGE: Portage had a five-game winning streak broken 71-63 against Michigan City, but again, they aren't quite at that level right now. Portage will get two more shots at MC and the one in February is the one that counts. The Indians did sink 14-of-19 against MC and made seven three-pointers. Portage gets the most of out their ability. The 5-1 record is possibly one game better than they should have at this point. They should be reasonably happy and this team could easily be 10-1 when they play 1A No. 10 power Attica (5-1) on New Year's Day. The Indians are senior-dominated and one loss should mean nothing to them.
3. (4A) MERRILLVILLE (5-1)
2007 (16-6), 2006 (19-3), 2005 (12-10),
2004 (12-8)
MERRILLVILLE: Merrillville bounced back from the narrow loss to Portage to shut down Chesterton 61-49. The Pirates had four players in double figures. If you aren't looking at foul shooting, you don't really want to win that badly. Merrillville was an impressive 18-of-21 from the line. That's how you beat a taller, slower team. Take it to them. Get fouled. Make the free ones. The Pirates should have defeated Portage and they know it. But they'll get two more chances. Merrillville travels to Michigan City on Tuesday, Dec. 11 for a pivotal early DAC match. The Pirates can't back down even if MC beats the press.
4. (4A) Gary West Side (5-0)
2007 (16-6), 2006 (16-7), 2005 (23-5),
2004 (22-3)
GARY: Gary West Side won 51-40 over a good team, Maria (6-2) of Chicago, but then they beat 1A LaPorte LaLumiere by the score of 52-5. Come on. That game is embarrassing to both sides. Y'all cant call Oregon-Davis? I have to believe that West Side didn't know anything about LaLumiere, which is a very small non-IHSAA school that most folks can't even find. I also know that West Side would like to play Crown Point, Merrillville or Michigan City, but the DAC double round-robin leaves few nonconference games for DAC schools. But come on West Side. Heritage Christian. Two-time Class 2A state champs. They'll play you. Make the call. But don't play LaLumiere again. Please. Ever. So embarrassing.
5. (4A) Chesterton (4-2)
2007 (7-14), 2006 (16-8), 2005 (11-11), 2004
(14-8)
CHESTERTON: The Trojans got jolted 61-49 by Merrillville, but that's not a shock. Chesterton is not gong to beat speed teams like Merrillville and Michigan City. They are not equipped for that. The 5-foot-11 twin forwards Abbe Skube and Morgan Palombizio combined for 22 against Merrillville. This is a solid defensive team, but they need to use the regular season as a classroom on how to beat Merrillville and Michigan City, both sectional foes. Class is in session for the Trojans at Michigan City Friday night. Chesterton drew St. Joseph's in the four-team Huntington North Classic on Dec. 29.
6. (4A) Highland (6-1)
2007 (20-6), 2006 (12-11), 2005 (19-5), 2004
(17-6)
HIGHLAND: The Trojans came from behind to beat Valpo 58-54 for their sixth consecutive win. Highland hit nine three-point baskets, which is something they usually don't do. Most years Highland can't shoot. But Rebecca Arredondo can. She sank five three-pointers and scored 19 points. But the Trojans were just 14 of 24 from the foul line, so you know it's really Highland. This team does not play that tough a schedule. Gary West Side, Michigan City and Portage are not scheduled to play Highland and the Trojans play in no tournaments. Watch the win total rise.
7. (4A) Valparaiso (4-4)
2007 (8-14), 2006 (13-8), 2005 (21-2), 2004
(23-3)
VALPARAISO: The Vikings did lose to Highland but they should. Highland is better. Valpo has beaten Michigan City, Munster and Plymouth. After a 1-3 start they have come on strong. Guard Tara Villareal scored a career-best 21 against Highland, but the Vikings were just 16 of 25 from the line. With the slow pace they must play, that's got to get better. The Vikes must shoot well. I don't like the points they are giving up. This team is going to make losing a lifestyle if they continue to give up 51 points a game. But that win over Michigan City, even with the gift-wrapping of 55 free throws, is going to be a gold star on their bulletin board for a while. You need to beat Valpo now, because by the end of the season it may be very difficult.
8. (1A) Oregon-Davis (7-0)
2007 (25-3), 2006 (14-8), 2005 (11-11), 2004
(7-14)
HAMLET: Little "Hickory" is still rolling. They blew out 3A Culver Academy 80-44 last week, embarrassing a larger private school. Guard Aubrey Minix scored 22, including seven three-point goals for O-D, which led 31-6 after one quarter. Class 2A North Judson, 3A Knox and 4A Plainfield have been lined up against the Bobcats as they continue to search the state for someone they can't beat. I'll say it again. It says a lot about Northwest Indiana teams (Washington Township was always on the schedule) that none of them scheduled Oregon-Davis when they were looking for tough foes. There's no 1A team in NW Indiana that can take them out unless Minix takes up swimming. I'd love to see O-D come to Hanover Central for next year's Hanover Holiday Tournament. I think that's possible and if Gary West Side had the phone number, they might call, too. But no DAC team is going to play Oregon-Davis.
9. (3A) Hammond (5-1)
2007 (17-9), 2006 (15-8), 2005 (15-7), 2004
(8-12)
HAMMOND: The Wildcats have ripped off five wins in a row wrapped around a 56-53 loss to Gary West Side (5-0). But nobody cares until they beat somebody good (No, Gary Roosevelt is not a good team) and that opportunity arises Thursday night at Highland (6-1). The Wildcats have been attacking people defensively, holding some low-rent foes to 31 points a game. Hammond does not have the half court defense and rebounding to beat good teams, so they have to assault the opposition in the backcourt. They can't forget that.
10. (3A) Griffith (7-1)
2007 (15-7), 2006 (14-8), 2005 (15-8), 2004
(13-9)
GRIFFITH: I know the schedule isn't overwhelming, but the Panthers are well on their way to the program's sixth consecutive winning season. Only two of the victims have winning records, but Rensselaer is pretty athletic and Hobart is a solid, although truthfully a 3A team. The Panthers have a lot of depth, but it won't matter if they don't shoot better than 17 of 28 from the line. This team is 7-1 and they should be 8-0. Andrean (1-6) and Munster (3-4) come up in the next 10 days and they have to beware because those teams have played much tougher schedules than Griffith has so far. I doubt if Griffith is excited about playing Hanover Central in the first Hanover Holiday tournament on Dec. 28-29 but Hanover (5-1) will be looking forward to hosting the Panthers.
HEY, WHAT ABOUT US?????
(2A) Hanover Central (5-1)
2007 (8-12), 2006 (9-12), 2005 (10-11), 2004
(11-11)
CEDAR LAKE: The Lady Cats improved to 5-1 when junior Jordan Kramer was 8-of-8 from the line Saturday (12-01-2007) in a 45-41 win on the road at Hebron in the Porter County Conference (PCC) opener. They did get rejected 62-57 by 3A Calumet (5-2), but HC probably doesn't much mind getting beat by bigger schools. Chrissy Homolka scored 18 against Calumet and the Wildcats play well together. The Lady Cats play LaCrosse (0-5) and North Newton (2-5) in the next 10 days and those are going to be two wins. Hanover needs to develop more depth. As small as they are (no one over 5-8), they need more than eight players in the rotation to beat the teams they face in the second half of the season. If the Lady Cats can't go 10 deep consistently, they need to understand the physical condition they are going to have to be in to survive their holiday tournament, the PCC tourney in January and the Wheeler 2A Sectional in February.
(3A) Calumet (5-2)
2007 (13-8), 2006 (5-16), 2005 (7-15), 2004
(16-10)
GARY: Calumet won at Hanover 62-57, and truthfully, they should have beaten Hobart and Morton, too. The Warriors should be 7-0. They led Whiting 13-2 and barely held on to win 34-28. In the 62-57 win in Cedar Lake, Cal also had to fight off a late rally. This is another team that is just way too small. Only two girls taller than 5-6, although one is 5-9 starter Justine Jones. Sophomore Juaniece Jackson appears to becoming a very good offensive player. She had 17 against Whiting and 26 against HC. Why are they not in the Top-10? They can't shoot free throws to save their lives. Only 15 of 29 against Hanover and just 7-of-16 against Whiting. A low-caliber 5 of 12 against Bishop Noll. I know they're probably working on it as you are reading this.