Here are the top ten games on the schedule for Friday night throughout Indiana.
#1 Columbus North (4-0) @ Pike (5-0) This is the first real test of the season for a supremely talented Columbus North team. Will they have the guards to beat a talented Pike team? Pike has been one of the most impressive teams in the state so far this season. They are athletic and deep at the guard position with Zavier Turner, Jordan Pickett, Taishaun Johnson, and Jaylen Norwell. It should be a very good game with contrasting styles.
#2 Warren Central (4-0) @ Ben Davis (3-1) Warren Central has a lot of talented players, but it all starts with Devin Davis. The Indiana University-bound forward has been impressive this season. He could have a field day against Ben Davis’ lack of size. Devin Davis had 30 points and 15 rebounds against Cathedral. Ben Davis is led by Illinois State-bound Tony Wills and sophomore Brennan Gillis. They have a one point loss to Pike as their only blemish on their record. Mark James will definitely have something ready for Mr. Davis Friday night.
#3 NorthWood (4-0) @ Plymouth (5-0) NorthWood will know where they stand after this one. They have a good win over Westview, but are relatively untested. NorthWood is lead by junior guards Jonathon Wilkinson (18.75ppg) and Zach Zurcher (16.75). Plymouth has been steamrolling the competition behind Mack Mercer’s 20 points per game. They are also getting nearly 17 points per game from senior Joe Knapp.
#4 Mishawaka Marian (2-2) @ South Bend Washington (3-1) Demetrius Jackson is averaging a ridiculous 33.25 points per game right now. Sophomore Devin Cannady is chipping in 13.75ppg for Marian, but they have two tough losses already this season. Tra’Veon Johnson has carried his momentum from a good summer into the season. He’s currently putting up 22.5 points per contest. The Jackson-Johnson match-up should be exciting.
#5 Hamilton Southeastern (6-1) @ Zionsville (3-1) Hamilton Southeastern has certainly tested themselves so far. They went up to the region and beat Bowman Academy and Lake Central on back to back nights. Zak Irvin is playing like a Mr. Basketball right now. Irvin is averaging 24ppg and 10.7 rebounds against very good competition. Zionsville has already played two overtime games. They have a good win against Brebeuf under their belt. Andrew Dakich has started off the season in a shooting slump. Zionsville will need him to step-up in order to beat Hamilton Southeastern. They have been getting good production from sophomore Derrik Smits so far this season.
#6 Lake Central (3-2) @ Merrillville (5-1) Merrillville is off to a great start. Their only loss is a rivalry game, overtime loss to Andrean. They are balanced and athletic, which allows them to push the tempo. B.J. Jenkins, Jelani Pruitt, and Zoran Talley are off to good starts for Merrillville. Lake Central is coming off a loss to Chesterton Tuesday night. Lake Central is likely the most talented team in the region with Tye Wilburn, Tyler Wideman, and Mike Miklusak. This should be a great game.
#7 Lafayette Central Catholic (4-1) @ Tipton (3-0) Tipton is the #2 2A team, according to the AP, while LCC is the #6 1A team in the state. It will be interesting to see if LCC can contain Tipton’s Mike Crawford. The St. Louis signee is off to a great start this season. LCC is a balanced team with Jake Churchill, Andrew Hubertz, Tim Mills, and Cowan Olinger leading the way in terms of scoring.
#8 Elkhart Memorial (3-1) @ Concord (2-0) University of Illinois-Chicago signee Markese McGuire is off to a great start this season for Elkhart Memorial, but he needs more help if they are going to beat Concord. McGuire is currently averaging 25.5 points per game while only James Hershberger (11.75ppg) is the only other player averaging more than 6 points per game for Memorial. Concord has a solid win over Penn. Ball State-bound Franko House went for 31 points and 13 rebounds in that game.
#9 Greensburg (5-0) @ Jennings County (4-1) Greensburg is the AP #1 3A team for a reason. They beat a good Batesville team last Saturday and have rolled through their other four opponents. They have incredible with Bryant McIntosh, Sean Sellers, and Ryan Welage. Jennings County dropped their opener to New Palestine, but has won four straight. We’ll see if they can hang with the Pirates.
#10 Speedway (5-0) @ Indianapolis Scecina (6-0) Speedway is pretty untested this season. They did win their sectional last year and returned most of their key pieces. Justin Brent, Jordan Furlow, and Anthony Jones are all feasting on the competition due to their athleticism. Scecina has solid victories over Chatard and Horizon Christian. They are led by sophomores, Josh and Zach Rutland. Will Scecina be able to match-up with Speedway’s athleticism?