We take a little different approach to our Week In Preview article this week, as with high schools off for Christmas Break, it's tournament time all across the state. There are three big tournaments taking place this week, each in different parts of the state. We'll preview those three tournaments, as well as five regular season games. All times listed are eastern.
Marion Basketball Classic December 22
Teams: Columbus North, NorthWood, Danville, Tri-West, Covington, Warren Central, Liberty Christian, Lawrence North, Columbus East, WL Harrison, Gary Roosevelt, Southport, Arsenal Tech, Lawrence Central, Pike, Marion
Players:
Alex King, Dakiyron Fox,
Peyton Hendershot, Tyler Wilson, Bishop Smith,
Mack Smith, Franklin Nunn,
Kevin Easley,
Djimon Henson, Antwaun Cushingberry,
Parker Chitty, Paul Scruggs,
Joey Brunk, CJ Walker,
Chris King,
Kyle Guy,
Mekhi Biffle,
Justin Thomas,
Justin Roberts, Vijay Blackmon, Reggie Jones
This is simply a showcase event, not a true tournament. Still, Bill Green Arena will be the place to be on Tuesday as several of the state's top teams are on hand. Warren Central and Liberty Christian should be a great matchup in the afternoon, while the final two games of the day, pitting Southport against Tech and Pike against host Marion, should be thrillers as well. This event also gives fans a look at arguably three of the top candidates for Mr. Basketball in Tech's CJ Walker, Southport's
Joey Brunk, and Lawrence Central's
Kyle Guy.
SAC Tournament December 21-26
Teams: Carroll, Northrop, Dwenger, Concordia, Luers, North Side, South Side, Wayne, Homestead, Snider
Players: Kyle Mallers,
Jacob Redding, Jagger Surface, Reggie Tharp, Paxton Bergdoll,
JJ Foster,
Sydney Curry,
Davontae Kinnie,
Jaylen Butz,
Keion Brooks,
Austin Boucher,
Trejean Didier, Tahj Curry,
Malik Williams
Top seeded Carroll may be the team to beat, as the Chargers and
Ball State signee Kyle Mallers are undefeated so far. Don't count out the North Side Redskins, even though they lost to Snider last Friday. The have the area's best frontcourt with freshman
Keion Brooks and junior
Jaylen Butz. A darkhorse could be South Side, as sophomores
Austin Boucher and
Trejean Didier can score with anyone.
Gibson County Classic December 21-26
Teams: South Central (Elizabeth), Wood Memorial, Gibson Southern, Princeton, Mount Carmel, Castle,
Evansville Reitz, Lawrenceville
Players: Walker Nurrenburn, Paxon Bartley,
Jack Nunge, Payton Mills,
Dru Smith, Blake Ruckman, Dylan Volkman, Brandt Cochran, Harry Loeb, Justin Carpenter, Jackson Marcotte
This tournament is set up in a round robin format, with pool winners meeting to decide the placings on the final day. It seems as though whoever emerges from pool B could be the favorite in the title match, as Evansville Reitz, Castle, and undefeated Lawrenceville out of Illinois are all in that grouping. Reitz and Castle battled on Friday, with Reitz taking home a close victory. Don't overlook Lawrenceville, who has a quartet of seniors that all average in double figures, led by guard Dylan Volkman.
Monday December 21
Park Tudor at Hamilton Southeastern 7:30pm
Park Tudor was able to weather last week's storm with the surprising and sudden resignation of coach Kyle Cox by beating Triton Central. If interim coach Jim Melton wants to pick up his second victory, the competition will be much tougher. Hamilton Southeastern is 5-1 on the year and getting contributions from veterans Greg Miller and
Zach Gunn, as well as freshmen
Noah Smith and
Aaron Etherington.
Tuesday December 22
Chesterton at Bishop Noll 8:00pm
Senior guard
Rhyss Lewis, an
Indiana Junior All-Star selection last season, leads the Trojans westward to Hammond to take on Bishop Noll. Classmate and backcourt partner
Niles Dilosa gives Tom Peller versatility and experience he can count on. The Warriors of Noll have a veteran group of four senior starters, led by point guard Roman Penn. The other starter? Freshman
Corey Landers, an athletic, attack-minded guard who is one of the better 2019 prospects in the Region.
Crispus Attucks at East Chicago Central 6:00pm
We head just a few miles north for our other premier matchup Tuesday, as Crispus Attucks heads north from Indy to take on the Cardinals in an out of region game. Attucks is coming off a very successful season last year, and stands at 8-1, with their only blemish being a 47 point loss to 4A #1 North Central. Junior
Nike Sibande is averaging 19 and 12 on the season. East Chicago Central is under the leadership of Pete Trgovich, who lead ECC to a state title back in 2007 before departing and then coming back this year. New Mexico commit
Damien Jefferson is one of the best raw talents in the state, as the 6'4 senior wing can explode for 30 plus on any given night. Guard Jermaine Cousnard gives them a steady backcourt presence.
Wednesday December 23
Merrillville at East Chicago Central 8:00pm
We stay on the shore of Lake
Michigan as the Cardinals play host again, this time to Merrillville. You know about what ECC brings to the table. Merrillville, ranked #2 in 4A, has senior guard
DJ Wilkins and a trio of fantastic wings in
Cameron Wilbon,
Jonah Jackson, and Jarius Stevens. What the Pirates may lack in size, they make up for in shooting and athleticism.
Seton Catholic vs. University 12:30pm (Bankers Life Fieldhouse)
Two small schools get a chance to duke it out on the big stage when Seton Catholic and University clash at the home of the Pacers. Senior wing Desmond Bane is putting up ridiculous numbers so far for Seton Catholic, as he's averaging 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists per game and has recorded four triple doubles in his team's eight contests. Junior wing Billie Webster and freshman guard Trent Reichley provide capable secondary options for coach Josh Jurgens. University is led in scoring by 6'1 senior guard Connor Holly, but its sophomore class is the main reason behind their 6-2 start. Forwards Emerson Halblieb and
David Howard are a formidable frontline for any 1A team, and shooting guard Josh Watson is hitting at a 40% clip from behind the arc.