Games of the Week: Week 12
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After a crazy week full of cancellations and postponements, and a day with only one game in the entire state, Indiana high school basketball gets back on track this week with a great slate of action. Let’s take a look…
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Continue ReadingAfter a crazy week full of cancellations and postponements, and a day with only one game in the entire state, Indiana high school basketball gets back on track this week with a great slate of action. Let’s take a look at the top 10 games of this great week ahead of basketball.
1. Bloomfield @ North Daviess – Saturday @ 7:30
This was the top game of the week last week, and it is still the top game of the week this week after it is rescheduled for this Saturday. In this top-6 1A matchup, #6 Bloomfield goes on the road to #2 North Daviess. Bloomfield comes in at 14-3 with two losses to 2A #5 Linton-Stockton and one loss to Sectional rival, #5 Loogootee. North Daviess comes in at 16-2 with overtime losses to 2A #1 Fort Wayne Blackhawk and 1A #4 Barr-Reeve. Bloomfield is led by their senior duo of Baylin Graf Baylin Graf 6'4" | SF Bloomfield | 2022 State IN and Christopher Royal Christopher Royal 6'4" | SG Bloomfield | 2022 IN , and North Daviess is led by Jaylen Mullen Jaylen Mullen 6'0" | PG North Daviess | 2023 State IN , one of the top small-school point guards in the state.
2. Brebeuf Jesuit @ Mt. Vernon (Fortville) – Friday @ 7:30
3A #6 Brebeuf Jesuit comes in at 11-4 on the year with three losses coming to 4A opponents, Cathedral (by 2 in OT), Zionsville (by 3 in OT), and North Central (by 4). Their four losses are also by a combined 15 points. #12 Mt. Vernon (Fortville) comes in at 14-2 on the year with their losses coming to two Sectional 8 contenders, at Fishers, and at Westfield. This game is highlighted by three Division one signees to watch. For Brebeuf Jesuit, Billy Smith Billy Smith 6'7" | SF Brebeuf Jesuit | 2022 State IN (Miami-OH) comes in averaging 20 points per game and leads the Braves in every way. For Mt. Vernon, the Jarrard twins of Armon Jarrard Armon Jarrard 6'2" | PG Mt. Vernon-Fortville | 2022 State IN and Amhad Jarrard Amhad Jarrard 6'4" | SG Mt. Vernon-Fortville | 2022 State IN are IUPUI commits, and they are both averaging around 15 points per game this year. This will be one of the more star-studded matchups in the state.
3. Wapahani @ Monroe Central – Friday @ 7:30
In a top-10 2A matchup, #10 Wapahani travels to #1 Monroe Central. Wapahani comes in at 14-3 with three road losses to Muncie Central, Frankton, and Delta, but they have won 8 of their last 9 games. Monroe Central comes in as one of the state’s three remaining undefeated teams at 15-0. Their season has been highlighted by their Connersville Invitational win thanks to victories over Bloomington North and 3A #11 Connersville. Wapahani is led by their guard duo of junior, Aidan Franks Aidan Franks 6'2" | SG Wapahani | 2023 State IN , and sophomore, Isaac Andrews Isaac Andrews 6'1" | SG Wapahani | 2024 State IN who are both over 20 points per game this year. Monroe Central is led by the Taylor commit, Jackson Ullom Jackson Ullom 5'11" | PG Monroe Central | 2022 State IN , at 16 points per game this year. This game is very likely a preview for the Sectional 40 championship in March.
4. Brownsburg @ Pike – Tuesday @ 7:30
4A #17 Brownsburg comes in at 12-7 on the year, and they were coming off of three huge wins over Sectional 8 opponents, Westfield, Carmel, and Zionsville, but they dropped their last game against Indianapolis Attucks on Saturday. Pike is 12-4 on the year, but they have lost three of their last six to Ben Davis, Carmel, and Franklin Central. Brownsburg is led by their young guard duo of Elhadj Diallo and Kanon Catchings Kanon Catchings 6'8" | PF Overtime Elite (GA) | 2024 #31 Nation GA . Pike is led by the South Florida signee, Ryan Conwell Ryan Conwell 6'2" | SG Pike | 2022 State #155 Nation IN , and their point guard, Devon Woods Devon Woods 5'10" | PG Pike | 2023 State IN . This will be one of the top games in Indianapolis this week, no question about it.
5. Fairfield @ Fremont – Friday @ 7:30
Fairfield comes in at 10-5 on the year, but they have won 5 straight games including a win over 4A Mishawaka and two wins over 3A teams, West Noble and Angola. Fremont comes in at 9-6, and they have bounced back with back-to-back wins after losing four straight. Fairfield is led by their senior point guard, Braedon Helms Braedon Helms 6'5" | PF Fairfield | 2022 IN , while Fremont is led by their junior shooting guard, Ethan Bontrager Ethan Bontrager 6'1" | SG Fremont | 2023 IN .
6. New Castle @ Eastern Hancock – Saturday @ 7:30
In this matchup, 3A #10 New Castle travels to take on 2A #15 Eastern Hancock. New Castle is 11-3 on the year with losses to Anderson, Mt. Vernon (Fortville), and Wapahani in their last game on a buzzer-beating three in overtime by Isaac Andrews Isaac Andrews 6'1" | SG Wapahani | 2024 State IN . Eastern Hancock comes in at 12-4, and they have won four in a row after dropping three of four games to some of the top 2A schools (Monroe Central, Wapahani, and Heritage Christian). New Castle is led by their forward duo of junior, Gavin Welch Gavin Welch 6'6" | SF New Castle | 2023 State IN , and senior, Dawson Scott. Eastern Hancock is led by their guard trio of Landon O’Neal Landon O’Neal 6'1" | SG Eastern Hancock | 2022 State IN and the twins, Silas Spaulding and Jacob Spaulding. This will be your traditional backcourt vs frontcourt battle between these two squads, and I will be scouting it live online.
7. North White @ Caston – Monday @ 7:30
1A #12 North White comes in at 12-3 and on a 6-game winning streak, including a 1-point victory over then-undefeated, Carroll (Flora). Caston comes in at 12-4, and they have won 9 consecutive games after a tough 3-4 start to the season. North White is led by their senior guard trio of Bentley Buschman, Isaiah Denton, and Nate Miller who are averaging 17, 17, and 14 points per game this season. This is the first of four games in 5 days for North White, so they will look to start the week off on a good note.
8. Southmont @ Tri-West – Monday @ 7:30
Southmont comes in at 12-3, but they are just 4-3 since the new year. Tri-West has had their fair share of top games this year, and they come in at 9-6 with four losses to 4A opponents. Southmont’s Logan Oppy and Avery Sanders continue to be excellent this year, and they are always the players to watch for the Mounties. For Tri-West, it is a pretty balanced offense led by the trio of Dylan Bear, Ethan Depinet, and Alex Covey Alex Covey 6'6" | C Tri-West | 2022 State IN . The Bruins are very battle-tested thanks to their tough schedule, so they will look to hold serve on their home court with a win.
9. Corydon Central @ Eastern (Pekin) – Friday @ 7:30
Corydon Central comes in at 11-6 on the year, but they have won 9 of their last 10 after a rough start to the season. 2A #12 Eastern (Pekin) comes in at 14-2 with their two losses coming on the road to 3A foes, North Harrison and Scottsburg. This is also basically an elimination game in the Mid-Southern Conference as the loser will no longer have a shot at a share of the title. Corydon is led by their trio of guards, Tyler Fessel Tyler Fessel 6'1" | PG Corydon Central | 2023 IN , Anthony Martin Anthony Martin 6'2" | SG Corydon Central | 2023 IN , and Bryce Weber. Eastern (Pekin) is led by their junior shooting guard, Cade Jones Cade Jones 6'3" | SG Eastern-Pekin | 2022 State IN , and their big 6’9″ center inside, Jacob Cherry Jacob Cherry 6'9" | C Eastern-Pekin | 2023 State IN .
10. Bloomington North @ Terre Haute North – Friday @ 7:30
In a huge game in Conference Indiana, Bloomington North (3-0 in conference) takes on Terre Haute North (3-1) in the conference. Bloomington North comes in at 13-3 with road losses to Bedford North Lawrence and Mooresville and a neutral site to 2A #1 Monroe Central, and this is the Cougars’ first game in two weeks since their win over Columbus East on January 29th. Terre Haute North comes in at 17-2 with road losses to Columbus North and Evansville North. Bloomington North is led by their senior guard, Nick Klaiber Nick Klaiber 6'1" | PG Bloomington North | 2022 State IN , who made his return from injury in their last game, and the #5 junior in the state of Indiana, JaQualon Roberts JaQualon Roberts 6'8" | PF Bloomington North | 2023 State IN . They also will need solid performances from Nathan Hoffman and Marco Fitch Marco Fitch 6'0" | PG Bloomington North | 2022 State IN . Terre Haute North is led by Mark Hankins as their lone player averaging double-figures. Terre Haute North is going to sit down and rely on its defense to win this one, and this game really is a must-win for Terre Haute North if they want to compete for a conference title.