Week in Preview: February 23, 2015

 

Tuesday February 24

North Side at Leo 7:30pm

Both these teams took a tumble last week, with Leo losing unexpectedly to Bishop Dwenger and North Side losing to 21-2 Carroll. If you like up tempo basketball, this is the game for you. Each side is unafraid to shoot early in the possession. Sean McGee had 31 in the loss to Carroll, while Leo's David Hardin dropped 22 in the loss to Dwenger.

 

Howe at Lawrence North 7:30pm

Like the first game, if you enjoy up tempo basketball, be sure to plan to check this one out. Howe brings high scoring guards Harris Brown and Kip Warren to face Pat Bacon and crew. Howe averages 84 points a night, and Lawrence North isn't afraid to get in a Shootout, as evidenced by their games against Tech and Pike this year. An intriguing matchup inside pits Dre'On Lewis of Howe against Wesley Bender of LN.

 

Merrillville at Morgan Township 8:00pm

This is the equivalent of a Big Ten school going on the road to take on an OVC school. But don't be surprised if the 1A Cherokees pull off the upset against the 4A Pirates. Morgan Township is led by junior Jake Koselke and senior Chase Braden, who are both undersized frontcourt players. Merrillville, however, doesn't have the size to throw at those two. What they do have are solid guards in junior DJ Wilkins and freshman Zion Young.

 

North Central at Pendelton Heights 7:30pm

These two played a slow down affair last year, with North Central coming away with the win 39-34. Pendelton Heights will want a slow down game again. Guards Sean McDermott, Kenton Dunham, and Mark Albers will have to handle the pressure that North Central can put on opposing teams. Wes Stowers, Tyrie Johnson, and Kris Wilkes will be tough to contain in transition, but are easier to handle if they are kept in the halfcourt.

 

Mishawaka Marian at Penn 7:30pm

Marian puts its undefeated season on the line against Penn. The Kingsmen are coming off a loss to Plymouth. This game was supposed to be played last week but it was postponed due to weather. Devin Cannady will need a good game for Marian to stay unbeaten.

 

 

Friday February 27

Ben Davis at Arsenal Tech

Ben Davis is quietly having an excellent season on the west side, led by seniors DeShon Tate and Brennan Gillis. They head downtown to face Purdue commit CJ Walker and his Tech Titans. Ben Davis is coming off an overtime win against Cathedral, while Tech handled a very good Zionsville team on the road last week. Walker is averaging 24 points a game this season.

 

Bloomington North at New Albany 7:30

A rematch of a classic game in the regional round last year that saw Bloomington North prevail in overtime 46-45. But the two most interesting players in this year's contest did not play in last year's game. That's because both were in middle school, as freshmen Musa Jallow (Bloomington North) and Romeo Langford (New Albany) are two of the best 2018s in the state. New Albany's only losses have come to top 5 4A schools Carmel and Evansville Reitz.

 

FW Carroll at Warsaw 7:45pm

Carroll had a spectacular weekend, handling SAC champ North Side with ease then heading down to Indy and winning at North Central in a grind it out affair. Jeremy Kalonji was big in both games for the Chargers. They'll face one of the most disciplined teams in the state in Warsaw. Points will be at a premium in this one. Sophomore guard Kyle Mangas leads the Tigers.

 

Clinton Prairie at Rockville 8:00pm

Two talented 1A teams hook up in this one, as Kiontre Wilkey and Lance Hopkins welcome the Gophers of Clinton Prairie to the Rockadome. Prairie's 6'3 junior wing Kale Morris pours in just under 20 a night, and he's flanked by a pair of sophomore guards in Jared Stillwell and Drew Scott. Rockville won last year's contest by seven.

 

Hamilton Heights at Peru 7:30pm

Whatever team is able to establish their strengths should come away victorious in this matchup. Hamilton Heights has the guard play, with Purdue signee Grant Weatherford, senior shooter Jadon White, and junior guard Hunter Crist, while Peru features their frontcourt in 6'11 Belmont pledge Seth Adelsperger and 6'4 do everything forward Logan Primerano. The Primerano/Weatherford matchup should be exciting to watch.

 

Homestead at North Side 7:45pm

Conference champs battle for Fort Wayne supremacy as NHC front runner Homestead heads to SAC winner North Side. Both teams lost on Friday to the 2nd place team in the opposite conference, with McDonald's All American Caleb Swanigan dropping 30 in a loss to Snider, while Sean McGee had 31 in a loss to Carroll. Guards Jordan Geist and Tahj Curry need to handle the pressure that North Side's guards can apply.

 

Jimtown at LaVille 7:30pm

Jimtown caps off a three game week by traveling to 17-4 LaVille. Senior guard Blake Berger might not be huge in stature, but his game definitely walks the walk. Senior Kyle Kopetski and sophomore Adam Steinke each average 10 per game for the Lancers. Jimtown is under the direction of first year coach Marcus Moore.

 

Marion at Snider 7:45pm

Experience usually wins this time of year, and Snider's senior class is an example of that. In their upset of Homestead on Friday, seniors Jessie Bates, Logan Godfrey, and Devlyn Williams scored 60 of the Panthers' 80 points. Throw in elite sophomore Malik Williams, and it's no wonder no one wants to play Snider right now. Marion is up for the challenge with juniors Vijay Blackmon and Reggie Jones, both of whom are D1 prospects.

 

McCutcheon at Zionsville 7:30pm

Former HCC rivals square off in a battle of under the radar teams. Tre'Shon Heard and Darnell Butler form a potent 1-2 pounce for the Mavs, but they will have to contend with Zionville's 2-3 zone and the 7 footer Derrick Smits. Smits has really elevated his game during his senior season. Both teams start freshmen in the backcourt with Robert Phinisee for McCutcheon and Riley Bertram for Zionsville.

 

Winamac at Rensselaer Central 8:00pm

You could call this the battle of State Road 14. Winamac brings balance with four players averaging double figures with seniors Adam Greunig and Parker Fox, along with juniors Derek Dotlich and Colin McGee. Rensselaer brings toughness, following their state football championship in November. Seniors Bryce Deno and Jared Claussen lead the charge for the Bombers.

 

 

Saturday February 28

Evansville Reitz at Southport 3:30pm

In a rescheduled game from last Saturday night, two of the best in the state go head to head. Reitz looks to keep their undefeated season going against a talented Southport squad. This may be the most anticipated game in the state all year. Southport features Joey Brunk, Paul Scruggs, and Malik Bennett, white Reitz brings Jaelan Sanford, Alex Stein, and Jacob Norman. It should be rocking inside historic Southport Fieldhouse Saturday afternoon, so plan to get there early to get a good seat.