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2008-2009 Boys BasketballWeek-9, Top-10 PollA USA-365.com Special Report by Mark Smith(02-04-2009) |
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2008-2009 Boys BasketballWeek-9, Top-10 PollA USA-365.com Special Report by Mark Smith(02-04-2009) |
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MUNSTER (2-4-2009) Munster
came through all the mid-season confrontations with an undefeated record, while
everybody in the DAC showed vulnerability before 'Super Sunday'. These
mid-season showdowns rarely have any impact if these teams are not sectional
rivals, which Munster and Valpo are not.
One mid-season note that will have an impact is the eligibility of Bishop Noll
guard Kendall Coleman, who transferred from East Chicago last year and waited
out the prescribed 365 days to EARN his eligibility. Coleman scored 18 in
his debut for Noll (10-5), a 74-58 win at Calumet and the word is that he takes
Noll from a sectional title contender to the sectional favorite even with
Wheeler (12-2), which defeated Noll by 27 points last month.
In an era of ballplayers suing the IHSAA for eligibility, it's good to see a quality player accept the rules that have been in place for decades, and sit out a year after transferring for whatever reason. There may be hard feelings between Hammond and Noll, but that's what a kid and his family buy into when they transfer. Few transfers are ever totally harmonious and friendly for everyone. But Noll did it the right way. It's not good news for up-and-coming Lake Station, improved River Forest and struggling Hanover Central (3-9), who will see Noll and Wheeler in 2A Sectional 33.
Meanwhile the transfer of the 6-foot-7 sophomore guard from Bowman to Gary West Side was blocked by the IHSAA. It won't hurt him to wait until next season. If you are transferring for honorable reasons and you are not a senior, it never hurts to sit out the 365 day penalty prescribed by the IHSAA. We are in the grim days of the boys basketball season. They are only one of two more significant games and all league tournaments have been played. It's just tune up time for the playoffs.
1. (4A) Munster (13-0)
2008 (16-6), 2007 (21-4), 2006
(20-4), 2005 (16-8), 2004 (20-2)
MUNSTER: Munster is rolling. They averaged 65 points over the first half of the year and allowed 40. I thought the Mustangs played poorly in a 49-45 win over DAC leader Valparaiso (10-2) last Saturday. The Mustangs have won 11 games by 10 or more points and the next game of note is Feb. 12 with Gary West Side (10-3). The only wonder about them now is how they would fare outside Northwest Indiana, which is in a down cycle talent-wise. We won't know until March.
2. (4A) Valparaiso
(11-2)
2008 (11-14), 2007 (23-3), 2006
(21-3), 22-3 (2005)
VALAPRAISO: The Vikings have stayed strong behind Hayden Humes (14.1 pg.) and 6-foot-3 junior Brad Karp (10.1 ppg.). Valpo has held nine teams to 45 points or less and a lot of that is controlling the pace and running defenders through screens. Word is the Vikes are an annoying team to play and they like it like that. With guard Matt Hittinger out for the year, junior Andy Martin took over at the point and hit key foul shots in the Vikings' 47-42 win over Crown Point the night before Valpo lost at Munster 47-43. I would put no value in the loss to Munster in a non-league Saturday night tilt. A rematch would be at the Michigan City Regional.
3. (4A) Gary West
Side (10-3)
2008 (18-5), 2007
(14-7), 2006 (7-14), 2005 (19-5),
2004 (12-7)
GARY: Xavier Jones scored 22 in the 63-54 win over East Chicago on Jan. 29. It's hard to put Bowman Academy ahead of West Side (as some have) when Bowman truthfully doesn't play Northwest Indiana teams. West Side has defeated Lowell, East Chicago, Lew Wallace and Lake Central. They play in this area while Bowman truthfully doesn't. West Side vs. Munster on Feb. 12. Most teams don't match up with the Mustangs, but the Cougars do. One of the questions of the year is: Can Munster's pressing defense trap and turn over West Side's Xavier Jones? I think West Side will eventually move ahead of Valpo in this poll.
4. (4A) Lake Central (12-4)
2008 (9-12), 2007 (13-9), 2006
(7-14), 2005 (11-10)
ST. JOHN: LC has won nine consecutive games after a two-game sweep of Merrillville (10-4) and a 47-36 triumph over Chesterton. This is the best LC team since they were 17-6 in 2004 and it's all based on 6-foot-8 Eric Summers (15 ppg.), the kind of low post center that no one else in guard-oriented Class 4A Sectional One has. Summers had 12 points and 10 rebounds against Chesterton's 6-foot-9 Mitch McGary (13 ppg.) in last week's win.
5. (4A)
Merrillville (10-4)
2008 (16-5), 2007 (13-9),
2006 (17-4), 2005 (18-4), 2004
(9-12)
MERRILLVILLE: The Pirates may not have been great in any games, but they also are three baskets away from being 13-1. Teams without experienced guards (like Merrillville) tend to have more success in slow play situations and almost everybody in 4A Sectional 2 plays that way. Again, it's strange to hear the 2009 Merrillville Pirates being called a disappointment. Disappointing to who? Based on what? Most of the DAC would kill to be 10-4. It's hard to call 10-4 a disappointment and the Feb. 6-7 weekend where the Pirates host Crown Point and Munster back-to-back will be a good playoff prep.
6. (4A) East Chicago (9-5)
2008 (20-4), 2007 (23-3), 2006
(19-5), 2005 (13-8)
EAST CHICAGO: Strength of schedule is paying off for EC. The losses to West Side (10-3), Lawrence North (15-2), Warren Central (8-7), Munster (13-0) and North Central (16-1) are noted as the teams EC has lost to, although Warren isn't proving to be that good. EC survived a tough road game at Crown Point (8-7), a game they lost last year, and was competitive against West Side, a sectional foe. The Feb. 24 game with much-hyped Bowman Academy (11-2) is a highlight, but EC also plays at Lake Central on Feb. 2. It's all about the guards and as long as EC has Bryce Walker at the point, they can win the regional. But if they draw Munster, they're toast.
7. (4A) Lew Wallace (10-5)
2008 (13-11), 2007 (5-17), 2006
(4-17), 2005 (5-17)
GARY: Wallace was crushed 95-61 by Chicago powerhouse North Lawndale (19-4) last Friday, but I don't think that tells the story. 6-foot-7 forward Damion McGee did not play for reasons that are not clear. It's hard to explain away a 34-point loss, but McGee is a D-1 player and North Lawndale is a better team even if he plays. The Hornets aren't that good without him. Assuming he is OK, the Feb. 27 home game with Munster (13-0) is still a highlight, although it should be noted: Wallace is not the style of team that will do well against Munster.
8. (1A) Bowman Academy (13-2)
2008 (7-7)
GARY: The NW Indiana rush to award Bowman the 1A state title a month before the tournament intensified when the Eagles beat 4A South Bend Washington (11-3) by 11 points last week. That is impressive, but an 81-70 shootout is NOT the kind of game Bowman will see in the upcoming 1A playoffs. Last time I checked, defending state champ Triton (13-0) was still No. 1 and Lafayette Catholic (9-6), which plays a tougher schedule than Bowman (Catholic plays six 4A schools) had not left the IHSAA. Bowman's biggest problem right now is everyone telling them how awesome they are. They have to remember that regular season wins over city teams mean nothing.
9. (4A) Chesterton (9-5)
2008 (19-3), 2007 (15-7), 2006
(14-9), 2005 (9-12)
CHESTERTON: The Trojans' 4-game winning streak was stopped in a 47-36 loss to Lake Central on Jan. 30. This is the surprise team of the year. I'd never head of 6-foot-9 Mitch McGary (15 ppg.) prior to this season and I didn't think Tommy Peller would average 17 points a game. Now comes the mental test for the Trojans. Can they take a couple of late losses and still be ready to go in March? Because they will take a couple of late-season losses. The Trojans play Valparaiso and Merrillville back-to-back and they still have Boone Grove and Crown Point to play on the road. I wish they didn't have two road games the final week of the season.
10. (4A) CROWN POINT (8-7)
2008 (17-7), 2007 (12-9), 2006
(9-13), 2005 (13-9)
CROWN POINT: CP reached the 15-game mark with a 69-48 win over Boone Grove (10-3) behind 23 points from Michael Lipton. The Bulldogs had lost 47-42 to Valparaiso the night before. CP has lost twice each to Valpo (11-2) and Lake Central (12-4) but I don't know how bad that is. The Bulldogs defeated Chesterton (9-5) and Boone Grove (9-3). This is probably the record they should have. Crown Point lost 76-74 to East Chicago on Jan. 25, a night when Michael Albrecht scored 32 points. Albrecht gives CP a chance in every game because you cant press him. But the front court is still a work in progress. I would hope that center Nate Akers can avoid fouls and stay on the floor. I would also hope they don't draw Chesterton in the 4A Michigan City Sectional. Those teams have met far too many times in recent years.
On the outside looking in...
(1A) South Central (12-3)
2008 (13-10), 2007 (10-11), 2006
(15-7), 2005 (5-16)
UNION MILLS: South Central took advantage of an upset loss by Boone Grove and SC won its first PCC championship in January. The Satellites have a makeup game with Boone Grove yet to play, but it may not mean as much now. 6-foot-8 junior Jake Kitchell (24.2 ppg.) has been joined by 6-foot-4 guard John Fagan (13.4 ppg.). 6-foot-6 senior Jack Kammrath (9.4 ppg.) will be asked to get into double figures as teams double and triple team Kitchell. This team is not going to make anyone's Top-10 because they don't play any 4A schools except LaPorte (Feb. 7) but SC and Triton (13-0) are still on a collision course at the Triton Sectional in March.
(2A) BOONE GROVE (9-3)
2008 (12-10), 2007 (11-12), 2006
(18-6), 2005 (19-7)
PORTER TOWNSHIP: Two tough losses. Boone fell 42-39 to Washington Township (6-9) in the PCC quarterfinals and the Wolves then got bombed 68-49 at home against Crown Point. Now comes Wheeler (11-2) on Feb. 6 and, eventually, a makeup game with South Central (12-3). I don't know what's wrong here. The shooters have lost some confidence, but they should know they're quality players. This team should be averaging more than 56 points a game and this is one NW Indiana squad which does not lack experience. I have to believe they will rebound in time to battle the hosts at the Class 2A North Judson Sectional next month.