(Brooks Barnhizer is posting insane numbers)

 

Indiana Basketball Source turns the page to 2021, there is plenty of great basketball on tap in the state as conference races begin to heat up. There's plenty of action this week that will impact league races around Indiana, so let's take a look at ten of the best games from across the Hoosier state this week.

 

Monday, January 4th

Oregon-Davis at Triton 8:00 pm

The Bobcats of Oregon-Davis are off to a 4-0 start to this season and look to keep their unblemished record when they travel to 5-1 Triton Monday night. Senior guards Gavin Sibo and Dylan Murphy lead the way as both average over 15 points per game. Murphy has been scorching the nets from deep, hitting 58% of his three-point attempts this season. Triton sits at 5-1 on the young season with their only loss coming in the season opener to NorthWood. NorthWood is also the only team they've allowed more than 48 points to, as the Trojans are giving up just 44.5 points per game. It could be a low scoring contest, as Oregon-Davis is only allowing 44 points a night on defense.

 

Tuesday, January 5th

Barr-Reeve at Orleans 7:30 pm

Fresh off their appearance at the Hall of Fame Classic, Barr-Reeve looks to keep their hold on the top spot in 1A/ The Vikings hit 27 three-pointers in two games in New Castle, proving they are much more than just Curt Hopf on the interior. Orleans is 4-0, but three of those wins have come by five points or less. The Bulldogs hope to send a message to their fellow sectional 63 brethren that the title will be hard fought. Seniors Devyn Martin and Griffin Deckard lead the way, but frosh Ian Hall has made a name for himself this year by shooting 50% from three through their first three games.

 

Fishers at Lafayette Jeff 7:30 pm

The Bronchos sit at 10-0, and Indiana All-Star candidate Brooks Barnhizer is the main reason. The future Northwestern Wildcat is putting up eye-popping numbers in his senior campaign. The 6'5" guard is averaging 35 points, 11 boards, seven assists, four steals, and two blocks per game as well as hitting 47% of his three-point attempts. Ashton Beaver is scoring just under 20 a night for Jeff, who as a team is third in the state in scoring. Fishers won this matchup in overtime last season and hope to earn a second-straight win behind a talented junior class. Jeff Simmons, Bryce Williams, and Charlie Smith are averaging double figures for the Tigers, who are coming off back to back wins over Greensburg and Shenandoah.

 

Guerin Catholic at Heritage Christian 7:30 pm

Guerin Catholic's only loss this year came by two points to a talented Franklin Central squad on the road. Seniors Joseph Bobilya and Kaleb Edwards are a formidable one-two punch, averaging 35 points a game between the pair. This is the conference opener for the Golden Eagles, who are looking to make a statement in the Circle City Conference. Heritage Christian will be playing their first game in three weeks on Tuesday. Sitting at 2-1 on the season, the schedule is packed from here on out for the young Eagles squad, who are led by sophomore guard Myles Colvin. Colvin, son of former Colts star Roosevelt Colvin, has plenty of athleticism as you could imagine and an ever-growing skill set.

 

Westfield at Mt. Vernon 7:30 pm

It seems like the Westfield trio of Braden Smith, Nic Depasquale, and Cam Haffner have been around longer than their junior class status, but the three-headed monster for the Shamrocks have been getting it done on the varsity level for years now. They have the Rocks sitting at 7-0 and blowing teams out by an average of more than 30 points per game. They've held five of their seven opponents under 40 points, and a sixth to just 42. Smith is putting together another fine all-around season, averaging 18 points, five rebounds, and over six assists per game. The Marauders have opponents seeing double thanks to star twins Ahmad and Armon Jarrard, who have helped MV to four straight wins following a season-opening loss to Lawrence Central. Fellow juniors Cooper Galli, Razhaun Wells, and Avery Williams along with sophomore Eli Bridenthal give Ben Rhoades plenty of options to help surround the twins.

 

Friday, January 8th

Blackford at Madison-Grant 7:30 pm

Blackford is coming off a pair of losses at the Hall of Fame Classic, but it wasn't a lack of effort from their star senior Luke Brown. Brown averaged 36.5 points in those two games, including putting up 40 on Shenandoah. They'll need steady contributions from senior forward Landon Grims and freshman wing Jackson Wors to get back on the winning track. Madison-Grant is another school looking to return to its winning ways after dropping its first game of the season to Mississinewa last week. The Argylls sit at 7-1 now and will try to get bragging rights over their sectional and conference foe Friday night. Seniors Grant Brown and Kaden Howell will be tasked with putting up enough points to match Brown.

 

Carmel at Center Grove 7:30 pm

The Greyhounds travel south to Johnson County for a big MIC test against the Trojans, who are looking to rebound following a loss to Perry Meridian on Saturday. There may not be the star power as there's been in recent years for Center Grove, but Tayven Jackson, Charlie Bemis, and Landin Hacker look to prove that balance could be the key to success for the red and white. Carmel has gotten great production from Brian Waddell and Pete Suder this year, and look to keep their undefeated season going. Connor Gioia provides a steady hand at the point, and junior big Charlie Williams will try to feast on an undersized Trojan frontline.

 

Connersville at Greensburg 7:30 pm

It seems like the names on the roster change, but the result is still constant in Connersville, and that result is winning as long as Kerry Brown is at the helm. Unsurprisingly, the Spartans are getting it done with defense, giving up under 38 points per game, good for 3rd best in the state. Surprisingly, Connersville does not have anyone averaging over nine points per game but does have seven players between four and nine points, led by junior Tobey Billups. Greensburg was disappointed their fantastic season was cut short last year as they looked to make a run to Indy. Several talented players graduated, but the Pirates did return three starters in Lane Sparks, Colin Comer, and Brendan Stanley. Sparks is off to a blistering start to his senior season, averaging just under 30 points per game on close to 70% shooting from the field. Comer is scoring at a 16 point per night clip, doubling his average from a year ago.

 

Adams at Mishawaka Marian 7:30 pm

NIC title hopes are on the line Friday night as unbeaten South Bend Adams faces a road test at 7-1 Marian. Brayden Saxton leads the Eagles, who have knocked off plenty of quality teams this season on their way to nine straight wins. They've proven they can handle business away from Hadway's Shack, as they've notched road wins at Elkhart, Carroll, and Valpo so far. Marian is coming off a big win over Lawrence Central on Saturday, thanks to the play of Deaglan Sullivan and a game-winner from junior Richard Brooks. Marian's only defeat this year came at the hands of Blake Wesley and Riley early in December.

 

Saturday, January 9th

Westfield at Carmel 7:30 pm

The second appearance for both these schools this week as Westfield makes the short jaunt down US-31 to face off with county and sectional rival Carmel. Carmel has won the last seven in this series, including a 54-41 victory in last year's sectional championship game.