Indiana Basketball Source's last installment of Week In Preview for the 2021-2022 season is upon us as we enter the final week of the regular season. Conference races have been decided, sectional opponents drawn, and the eyes are now firmly focused on cutting down the nets in Indianapolis. Before we get to that, though, more games are left to be played. So we take a look one last time at ten of the best games from around the state this week.

 

Tuesday, February 22nd

Caston at Argos 7:30 pm

It's a big week for Argos as they have a shot at claiming a share of the Hoosier Plains Conference title on Friday night. First on the docket, though, are Hoosier North champs Caston. The Comets are led by an all-senior starting five, with point guard Joey Spin at the helm. Spin is shooting over 50% from behind the arc on the season. Junior forward JJ Morris leads Argos in scoring while senior point guard Michael Richard is right behind him.

 

Eastern (Pekin) at Springs Valley 7:30 pm

This season, Eastern hasn't lost to 1A or 2A competition, and the Musketeers have held five of their last six opponents under 50 points. However, they'll need to do a good job defensively on the senior backcourt duo of Carter Crews and Kannon Chase for Springs Valley. The pair combine for 33 points a night for the Blackhawks, who haven't lost since a three-point defeat to Loogootee on December 18th.

 

Leo at Blackhawk Christian 7:30 pm

Two state finalists from a year ago are getting geared up to make another run from Allen County to Indianapolis this spring. It's a new look for both teams, as Leo said goodbye to leading scorer Blake Davison and welcomed in senior transfer forward Caedmon Bontrager. Bontrager is a 20-10 threat every night and can score above the rim to outside the three-point line. Rutgers football signee DJ Allen provides the muscle, while wing Xavier Middleton is one of the best three-and-D guys in northeast Indiana. Blackhawk graduated four starters from last year's 2A state champs. Junior wing Gage Sefton has been leading the charge for the Braves all season long, while the frontcourt of Josh Furst and Jake Boyer set the physical tone in the paint.

 

North Central at Fishers 7:30 pm

North Central will be without junior forward Joey Brown after he suffered a concussion last weekend. The Wildcats just barely squeaked by Carroll in overtime on Saturday, and they'll get a test from one of the best teams in the state when they travel to face Fishers. A trio of seniors has helped Fishers to a 20-2 mark on the year. This summer, forward Jeff Simmons could be looking at a potential Indiana All-Star nod this summer, while Charlie Smith and Bryce Williams have given the Tiger backcourt a potent one-two punch.

 

Warren Central at Pike 7:30 pm

The Red Devils are just 5-6 in their last 11 games, without winning or losing consecutive games in that stretch. They'll look to start a winning streak heading into the postseason when they cap off their MIC campaign by welcoming eastsiders Warren Central into Pike. A pair of likely Indiana All-Star selections headline this game, with South Florida signee Ryan Conwell facing off with Louisville signee Tae Davis. Warren Central knocked off Carmel last Friday night before falling to Center Grove on Saturday.

 

Thursday, February 24th

Sullivan at North Daviess 7:30 pm

The Golden Arrows are sitting at 20-1 on the year, largely thanks to the play of senior guard Randy Kelley. Kelley recently became Sullivan's all-time leading scorer, passing Rhett Smith. Kelley averages 20 points, five rebounds, and six assists a game, shooting a fantastic 54% from the field. Senior forward Jackson Hills chips in 15 and nine a night, and Rocco Rochel and Luke Adams score around ten per game. North Daviess is coming off a huge road win over fellow 1A contender Edinburgh last weekend. The Cougars are led by junior point guard Jaylen Mullen, one of the best point guards in the 2023 class. In addition, the Cougars sport one of the best defenses in the state and haven't allowed an opponent over 50 points the entire season.

 

Friday, February 25th

Brownstown Central at Orleans 7:30 pm

The youth movement is on in Orleans, with sophomores Ian Hall and Xavier Alston leading the way. Those two are the only players in double figures for Orleans, while freshman Bryce Jones, sophomore Carter Allen, and junior Blake Love each add seven points per game. Next, the Patoka Lake champs will face off with Mid South champs Brownstown Central, who have the high-scoring sophomore, Jack Benter. The 6'4 Benter is among the state leaders scoring over 27 points per game and can fill it up from deep. The Braves are on a seven-game winning streak, highlighted by an overtime victory over Floyd Central.

 

Tech at Ben Davis 7:30 pm

Two 4A teams with visions of deep tournament runs meet up for one final regular-season slugfest on Indy's west side. The visiting Titans of Tech bring their senior-laden roster in, led by the dynamic backcourt of Reggie Bass and Rasheed Jones. Bass is coming off a 43 point performance in a win over Lawrence Central last week, while Jones is shooting 44% from three on nearly eight attempts per game. Ben Davis is coming off a three-point win at Cathedral last week and hopes to make it two wins over Sectional 10 foes in as many tries. The Giants will need freshman guard Mark Zachery to come up big to help KJ Windham and Sheridan Sharp in the backcourt.

 

Lafayette Jeff at Terre Haute North 8:00 pm

A pair of teams flying under the radar meet in the regular-season finale for both squads. Jeff is riding a seven-game winning streak, led by Indiana Wesleyan commit Javan Buchanan. The 6'6 wing can score from anywhere, especially flying above the rim. Fellow seniors Owen Linder, Jasiah Kirk-Williams, and Eddie Reese help shoulder the load for the Bronchos. The Patriots have done it with defense, giving up only 42 points per game. Their 6'5 senior wing Mark Hankins has poured it on lately, dropping 31 points against Bloomington North and 26 on Decatur Central.

 

Norwell at Homestead 7:30 pm

Last week, Norwell made an emphatic statement, dismantling a strong Jay County squad that won the ACAC by 24 points. The NE8 champs now set their sights on SAC champion Homestead and their Mr. Basketball candidate Fletcher Loyer. Loyer is putting up 27 points per game and getting it done at the foul line, where he shoots 87% on over eight free throw attempts a game. The Spartans have won eight in a row following a defeat to Snider in January. The Knights are led by their starting five made up entirely of juniors. Luke McBride, son of head coach Mike McBride, is the headliner, but teams can't ignore Jake Parker and Lleyton Bailey, who combined for nine three-pointers against Jay County.