(Jalen Jackson has led Carroll to a 5-0 start)

 

As winter break begins, Indiana Basketball Source is getting a clearer view as to who the top teams in the state are. There have been some great inter-regional battles and some amazing large school versus small school showdowns. This week may be light on the schedule due to the holidays, but there's still plenty of action taking place. Here's Indiana Basketball Source's look at the ten best games around the state this week. All times listed are Eastern.

 

Tuesday, December 22

Blackford at New Albany 7:00 pm

Jim Shannon has another quality squad down on the banks of the Ohio River. New Albany sits at 4-2 following an eight-point loss to Carmel on Saturday. Tucker Biven and Kaden Stanton make up a formidable backcourt for the Bulldogs. Blackford has high scoring senior Luke Brown, who is averaging just north of 33 points per game. Classmate Landon Grimes and frosh Jack Wors combined for nearly 30 themselves as the Bruins have the state's #3 offense.

 

Bloomington North at Perry Meridian 4:30 pm

Jayden Taylor and his Falcon teammates got a late start to the season after their first three games were postponed, but they will welcome in Bloomington North Tuesday afternoon. Taylor, a Butler signee, scored 32 in their season-opening one-point victory over Whiteland. North has seven players averaging 7.5 points per game, led by senior wing Isaac Vencel's 15 a night. IU football signee Aaron Steinfeldt patrols the paint for the 4-1 Cougars.

 

Brebeuf at HSE 7:30 pm

Hamilton Southeastern is coming off a big rivalry win in the Mudsock game over Fishers, and the veteran Royals squad looks the keep the momentum going against Brebeuf. HSE features six seniors among their top seven scorers, led by point guard Vinny Buccilla, who had 18 points, six boards, and eight assists against Fishers. Brebeuf counters with their duo of Billy Smith and Evan Altman. The pair combines for just over 40 points a night and are looking to halt a two-game slide following losses to Covenant Christian and Tindley.

 

Eastern Greene at North Daviess 7:30 pm

SWIC foes meet in an important early conference matchup. Eastern Greene is coming off a win over Scottsburg on Saturday where Bryan Rippy scored 22 points and the Thunderbirds held Scottsburg to just 38 points. North Daviess sits undefeated at 5-0 and is led by a pair of sophomores in Jaylen Mullen and Lance Wilson. Mullen had a big night against North Central Farmersburg earlier in the season with 26 points, six rebounds, and seven assists.

 

Fishers at Lawrence North 7:30 pm

The Tigers look to rebounds from a loss against HSE last week, but the competition doesn't get any better as they face 4A #1 Lawrence North. It should be an interesting matchup inside as junior Jeff Simmons of Fishers gets to battle with Butler signee DJ Hughes in the post. Fishers will need to find a way to slow down the dynamic backcourt of Shamar Avance and CJ Gunn, who can put pressure on the defense from the tip.

 

South Bend Adams at Carroll 5:00 pm

Jalen Jackson is off to a phenomenal start to his junior campaign. The 6' guard is one of the most physical guards in the state, and he uses his frame to punish defenders in the paint. He's averaging 24 points and nine rebounds per game, and seniors Ryan Preston and Cody Burkey give him space to operate as both are hitting over 40% of their three-pointers on the season for the 5-0 Chargers. Adams might be undersized, but the Eagles make their opponents pay with a relentless attitude on both ends of the floor. Forwards Lynn King and Brayden Saxton and guard Quentez Columbus have their team sitting at 5-0 on the season with impressive wins over Elkhart and St. Joseph.

 

Warren Central vs Homestead 11:00 am (Carroll)

Homestead has been on a roll lately, with lopsided wins against Bishop Luers and St. Joseph this past weekend. The Spartans feature two future Big Ten players in senior wing Luke Goode (Illinois) and junior guard Fletcher Loyer (Purdue). Goode is coming off a pair of double-doubles in those games while Loyer put up 30 points against Luers and 23 against St. Joseph. The Spartans' only close game this year was against Cathedral, which they won in 2OT. Warren Central picked up a big conference win over Ben Davis Friday night, and look to keep their strong play going. Sean Black is rounding into form and Louisville commit Tae Davis has a chance for a big game against two other high major commits. The Warriors will need a strong performance inside from senior forward Donald Coats.

 

Wednesday, December 23

Barr-Reeve at Carmel 4:30 pm

A battle of top-ranked teams as the 1A #1 Vikings face off against the 4A #1 Greyhounds. The Vikings are capable of knocking off larger schools, as they proved against 4A Blooming South and 3A North Harrison earlier this year. Forward Curt Hopf and guards Brycen Graber and Hagen Knepp will need to bring their A-game, however, if they're to pull the upset on Wednesday. Brian Waddell has exploded at the start of his senior year for Carmel. The versatile 6'5" wing is a tough matchup for anyone, and juniors Pete Suder and Charlie Williams provide experience and additional scoring punch. The Greyhounds are coming off a pair of single-digit wins last weekend over North Central and New Albany.

 

Northeastern at Delta 7:30 pm

Northeastern has shown they can compete with anyone in 2A, falling in close contests to state title contenders Blackford and Shenandoah. The Knights look to get back on the winning path behind senior guard Kolden Vanlandingham, who is averaging 26 points per game and is coming off back to back 30 point outings against Blackford and Shenandoah. Delta is 4-0 with three postponements to their record this year as well. Ball State football signee Brady Hunt is laying waste to opposing frontlines this season, as the 6'5 forward is putting up 26 points and six rebounds a contest. Junior guard Neil Marshall chips in 13 a night for the Eagles, who are holding opponents to just under 42 points per game.

 

Saturday, December 26

Greencastle vs. Linton-Stockton 6:00 pm (TH North)

The Wabash Valley Classic always brings together the best teams in western Indiana, and there's an intriguing first-round matchup this season as the 2A #2 Linton-Stockton Miners battle the Greencastle Tiger Cubs. Linton features Indiana State signee Lincoln Hale and sophomore guard Joey Hart. The Miners were primed for a deep March run before COVID hit last spring, and they're looking to keep their 22 game winning streak alive. Brody Whitaker averages over 26 points and eight rebounds a night for the 5-2 Cubs, but he'll need someone else to have a big night against Linton. No other Greencastle teammate averages more than nine points per game, but the Cubs seem to have found their stride with a four-game winning streak following a 1-2 start.