(Vincent Brady via Julie Brown/MaxPreps)

 

As January wraps up, the top players and teams are solidifying themselves. Indiana Basketball Source breaks down this week's top games in Indiana high school basketball.

Monday, January 25th

Cathedral vs. Crispus Attucks 7:30 pm (Tech)

The title game of the Indianapolis City Tournament is the matchup that we expected all along. Cathedral, the top seed, dispatched Tindley in one semifinal while Attucks defeated Covenant Christian in the other. These two teams last met in last year's sectional, with Attucks coming away with a three-point win in a classic contest. Look for Monday night's showdown to be more of the same. The matchup of Isiah Stafford and Tayshawn Comer in the backcourt is one to watch in particular.

 

Tuesday, January 26th

Bishop Dwenger at Blackhawk Christian 7:30 pm

The Saints had won four in a row before falling to SAC foe Carroll on Saturday, while Blackhawk Christian has dismantled most of their opposition this season, averaging 84 points a game including 95 points over their last three contests. The game was close last year, as Dwenger held them to just 56 points in a four-point loss. The veteran BD backcourt of seniors Xavier Nolan and Brenden Lytle will need to control the pace and limit turnovers to give the Saints a chance. Caleb Furst is his typical dominant self lately, and Callan Wood has come on as a scorer in the past few games for the Braves.

 

John Glenn at Mishawaka Marian 7:30 pm

Carter Yung and Brycen Hannah both score 15 points a game for the Glenn Falcons, who sit at 12-1 and still have visions of making noise in the NIC race. They need a win Tuesday over Marian to keep those hopes alive. It will be the first of two conference tests for the Falcons, who will face league leader South Bend Adams on Friday night. Marian came away with a three-point overtime win against Penn on Friday night in which sophomore guard Deaglan Sullivan had 17 points, five rebounds, and five assists, the final one to Mitch Menting for a game-winning three-pointer.

 

Wednesday, January 27th

Leo at Huntington North 7:30 pm

Leo brings their undefeated record to the banks of the Wabash when they face NE8 foe Huntington North. The Lions have a talented backcourt in Ayden Ruble and Blake Davison to go along with the twin towers of DJ Allen and Zach Troyer inside. Huntington North looks to keep their NE8 title hopes alive with an upset. Senior Sam Thompson is joined by a talented and deep junior class for head coach Craig Teagle. The Vikings had their six-game winning streak snapped by Bellmont on Saturday evening, and look to get back on the winning track.

 

Marquette Catholic at Mishawaka 7:45 pm

The Blazers have their eyes on a tournament run this season, but the future is certainly bright in Michigan City with five double-figure scorers this season who will all return next year for Ray Tarnow's squad. After starting the year 1-3, the Blazers are riding an 11 game winning streak, led by Brit Harris and his 18 points and six assists per game. Mishawaka has an eight-game unbeaten run of their own going, as senior guard Trent Johnson has been the go-to guy for the Cavemen. Johnson put up 21 in a win over Clay last week and 25 against Northridge the game prior.

 

Friday, January 29th

Churubusco at Central Noble 7:30 pm

A rematch of last year's sectional title game and an earlier NECC Tournament game this season should be fun as these two teams are both capable of putting up big scoring totals. Connor Essegian went for 44 in the NECC tourney win for Central Noble just two weeks ago, and he will undoubtedly be a marked man Friday night in this game with huge NECC title ramifications. Ryan Schroeder and Sawyer Yoder will both need to come up big for the Cougars, who are 14-1 on the season. Busco is no stranger to lighting up the scoreboard, as only once this season have they failed to hit the 70 point mark, and have topped 100 points on three separate occasions. Senior point guard Jackson Paul drives the offense and classmate Landen Jordan joins him on the interior as both average more than 20 points per game.

 

Lawrence North at Center Grove 7:30 pm

Lawrence North looks to rebound following their first loss of the year, a 55-50 overtime setback to #2 Homestead on Saturday. The Wildcats had chances late, but missed free throws doomed their chances of victory. The talented backcourt of Shamar Avance and CJ Gunn will be looking to go full throttle against the Trojans. Guard play is also a strength for Center Grove, as Landin Hacker, Charlie Bemis, and Tayven Jackson have Zach Hahn's team on a six-game win streak heading into this crucial MIC bout.

 

Silver Creek at Madison 7:30 pm

The Dragons were dealt their first loss with Trey Kaufman this season by the Bulldogs of New Albany, but there's no time to hang their heads, as they have three games this week, including this contest against sectional rival Madison. Kaufman and future Toledo Rocket Kooper Jacobi both average 25 points and double-figure rebounds for Silver Creek, and junior point guard Branden Northern scores 18 a night as well. Jacobi and Northern were held to a combined 15 points against New Albany in their loss. The two Lukes - Miller and Ommen - have led the Cubs to a 10-2 record so far in their senior year. Luke Miller leads the team at just under 20 points a night on a blistering 44% from deep. The Cubs are looking for revenge after a 17 point loss to Silver Creek in the sectional title game last season.

 

Saturday, January 30th

Castle at Barr-Reeve 7:30 pm

Barr-Reeve has shown they can hang with any school in the state, regardless of class, following their games against Carmel, Bloomington South, and Blackhawk Christian. The Vikings have had some close calls recently, such as a three-point win over Loogootee and a one-point victory against North Daviess. Bellarmine signee Curt Hopf leads the way for Barr-Reeve, who will have to slow down Castle's high scoring point guard, Isaiah Swope. The 6' senior scores 20 a night for the Knights, who have been close but struggled to complete games, as three of their four losses have been by five points or less. Swope's classmate, forward Bob Nunge, puts in 11 a game.

 

Valpo at Munster 8:00 pm

The Vikings are coming off a big win against Gary West Side last week and will face another talented team from Lake County in the Munster Mustangs on Saturday. Colton Jones led Valpo with 15 points in the win, but it was a balanced effort for Barak Coolman's squad, as four other players scored either eight or nine points in the effort. The Vikings enter this week on a six-game winning run. Munster fell last week to 3A #1 Hammond but put up a valiant effort in the two-point defeat. Wing Jeremiah Lovett had 13 against Hammond, and senior guard Luka Balac added 11 for the Mustangs, who had won nine in a row before the defeat.