Games of the Week: Week 8

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022-23 high school basketball season continues after the new year from some great matchups. This week, our top 10 games feature several elite matchups, with a lot of talent being showcased. After having the Marion County Tournament last week, we now have the Indianapolis City Tournament. This week has five top-10 matchups and two top-3 matchups in the top-10, so let's take a look at my top ten upcoming games across the state listed in order that they will be played.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><strong>Zionsville @ Warren Central - Tuesday at 7:30</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zionsville comes in at 7-5 with three of their five losses coming to 4A top-10 teams including Ben Davis, Carmel, and Penn as well as Bloomington North and Noblesville. This will also be the Eagles fifth consecutive road game. The Eagles are led by Penn State commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='868255' first='Logan' last='Imes']</strong> who is averaging 14.2 points and 4.8 rebounds this season. Charlotte commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='868244' first='Nick' last='Richart']</strong> has dominated the paint with 10.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1525679' first='Drew' last='Snively']</strong> has also stepped up with 8.8 points per game. Warren Central comes in at 9-6, but after a rough December, the Warriors have won three of their last four with the loss being at 4A #1 Ben Davis. The Warriors are led by a dominate front court including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='868218' first='Jalen' last='Hooks']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1277566' first='Nick' last='Glover']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297060' first='Jevon' last='Guess']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><strong>Park Tudor @ 1A #3 Bethesda Christian - Friday at 7:30</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Park Tudor comes into the week at 6-5 after a tough past couple of weeks that included a 2-4 record with losses to Culver Academy, Pike, Warren Central, and Lawrence Central. They did pick up a win over 4A North Central during this stretch though. Park Tudor is led by Purdue Fort Wayne commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='868228' first='Jermaine' last='Coleman']</strong>. The Panthers also have senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='935733' first='Bryce' last='Petty']</strong> and a talented sophomore class including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297074' first='Kelin' last='Mark'] Jr.</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297034' first='Hudson' last='Horvath']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578356' first='Cal' last='Bostic']</strong>. Bethesda Christian sits at 11-1 on the season and #3 in 1A. The Patriots lone loss came to 4A #7 Westfield back one month ago. The Patriots are 5-0 against 3A teams as well this season. A pair of juniors lead the way with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1761698' first='Sam' last='Mlagan']</strong> and <strong>Luke Douglas</strong> averaging 16.3 and 11.0 points per game this season. Mlagan also adds 4.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists, and Douglas is shooting at 45% from three. This is another test for Bethesda Christian who doesn't have too many more the rest of the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><strong>2A #2 Linton-Stockton @ 3A #3 North Daviess - Friday at 7:30</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The game that everyone expected to be the Sectional 47 title game in March happens this week instead since North Daviess moved up to 3A. Linton-Stockton comes in at 13-1 with their lone loss coming to Cooper in Kentucky. the Miners have picked up a couple of great wins in the new year with wins over 1A #1 and #4 Bloomfield and Evansville Christian. The Miners are led by UCF commit [player_tooltip player_id='868240' first='Joey' last='Hart'] as well as senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='935736' first='Logan' last='Webb']</strong> and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158180' first='Braden' last='Walters']</strong> who is a near top-20 player in the 2024 class. North Daviess comes in at 13-2 with both of their losses coming in the Hall of Fame Classic to 3A #2 NorthWood and 4A #3 Penn. The Cougars are led by a talented senior class including Oakland City commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='935727' first='Jaylen' last='Mullen']</strong> and the twins, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1556400' first='Logan' last='Wilson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1556399' first='Lance' last='Wilson']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><strong>Brebeuf Jesuit @ Guerin Catholic - Friday at 7:30</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brebeuf Jesuit comes in at 7-5 on the season with most of their losses coming to 4A powers including Lawrence North, Zionsville, Indianapolis Cathedral, and Warren Central. The Braves are led by junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578390' first='Evan' last='Haywood']</strong> at 13.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='935746' first='Merrick' last='Macaluso']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1275802' first='Reis' last='Butcher']</strong> have also played well with 10.4 points and 6.0 rebounds for Macaluso and 9.3 points and 2.3 steals for Butcher. Guerin Catholic sits at 9-5 this season, and they have won five of their last six and seven of their last nine. Their lone losses in that stretch have come to Indianapolis Chatard and Warren Central. The Eagles are led by <strong>Rob Sorenson</strong> at 12.5 points per game and 4.1 rebounds per game. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1162765' first='Kamea' last='Chandler']</strong> also averages double figures with 10.4, and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1547883' first='Dylan' last='Murans']</strong> contributes 8.4 as well. This game should be a preview of the Sectional 27 championship unless Indianapolis Chatard has anything to say about it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><strong>4A #4 Brownsburg @ 4A #7 Westfield - Friday at 7:30</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a surprise. Another top-10 4A matchup in the suburbs of Indianapolis. Brownsburg comes in at 14-1 with the lone loss coming to 4A #1 Ben Davis. The Bulldogs picked up a big win over Fishers last week and took home the Hendricks County title after beating Plainfield. The Bulldogs are led by junior Purdue commit, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1275779' first='Kanon' last='Catchings']</strong> at 19.3 points per game and 39% from beyond the arc. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1391626' first='Elhadj' last='Diallo']</strong> also puts up big numbers with 15.7 points and 7.0 rebounds as well as 2.6 steals on the defensive end. Westfield comes in at #7 in 4A and a 9-2 record. The Shamrocks fell to Zionsville in overtime and at Carmel. Junior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1275749' first='Trey' last='Buchanan']</strong> leads Westfield at 15.1 points per game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1410467' first='Alex' last='Romack']</strong> has also dominated the paint at 15.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game for the Shamrocks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><strong>3A #1 Mishawaka Marian @ 4A #3 Penn - Friday at 7:30</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second top-3 matchup in the state features a battle for South Bend. Mishawaka Marian comes in as the top team in 3A at 13-1. Their lone loss came in the Homestead Holiday Tournament at Homestead in overtime. The Knights are led by senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1049162' first='Deaglan' last='Sullivan']</strong> at 19.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. Fellow seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1049174' first='Dareon' last='Thornton']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1295304' first='Jackson' last='Price']</strong> average double figures with 13.1 and 10.9 points. Penn comes in at 10-1 and the #3 team in 4A. The lone loss for Penn came in the Hall of Fame Classic to Ben Davis. The Kingsmen are led by Notre Dame commit and serious Mr. Basketball candidate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1049169' first='Markus' last='Burton']</strong> at 26.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.2 steals, and 4.2 assists per game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1391326' first='Joey' last='Garwood']</strong> and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1272962' first='Joe' last='Smith']</strong> also score it well with 11.1 and 9.5 points per game. All three of those guys shoot the ball at a 37% clip or better from beyond the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><strong>Harrison (WL) @ Anderson - Friday at 8:00</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harrison (WL) fell out of our top-10 this week after a 21 point loss at #9 Kokomo. This was the first loss of the season for the Raiders who sit at 12-1 on the year. Marian commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1049173' first='Ben' last='Henderson']</strong> leads the team at 21.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game this season while shooting 37% from three. <strong>Christopher Lucas</strong> and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2053659' first='Malachi' last='King']</strong> sit at 9.7 points and 9.4 points per game this season as well. Anderson sits at 9-3 on the season after a three-game losing streak to Noblesville, Pike, and Carmel at the end of the December. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1391283' first='Ahmere' last='Carson']</strong> leads the team at 22.0 points per game at 53% shooting from behind the arc. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1556394' first='Jaylen' last='Murphy']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1391284' first='Jaquan' last='Ingram']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297010' first='Damien' last='King']</strong> also average double figures for the Indians. King also joins Carson at over 50% shooting from three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><strong>4A #4 Brownsburg @ 4A #10 Carmel - Saturday at 7:30</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brownsburg has their second top-10 matchup of the weekend with Westfield on Friday and Carmel on Saturday. Brownsburg comes in at 14-1 with the lone loss coming to 4A #1 Ben Davis. The Bulldogs picked up a big win over Fishers last week and took home the Hendricks County title after beating Plainfield. The Bulldogs are led by junior Purdue commit, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1275779' first='Kanon' last='Catchings']</strong> at 19.3 points per game and 39% from beyond the arc. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1391626' first='Elhadj' last='Diallo']</strong> also puts up big numbers with 15.7 points and 7.0 rebounds as well as 2.6 steals on the defensive end. Carmel sits at 9-5 on the season with losses to some of the top teams in 4A including Noblesville, Kokomo, Center Grove, and Cathedral as well as Moline in Illinois. The Greyhounds are led by Belmont commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1042491' first='Sam' last='Orme']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><strong>1A #5 Loogootee @ 1A #1 Bloomfield - Saturday at 7:30</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A top-5 1A matchup comes to Southwestern Indiana with #5 Loogootee and #1 Bloomfield. Loogootee sits at 10-4 on the seaosn with losses to three top-5 teams including 1A #4 Evansville Christian, 3A #3 North Daviess, and 2A #4 Brownstown Central. The Lions are led by senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='868254' first='Peyton' last='Bledsoe']</strong>. Bloomfield comes in as the top team in 1A. The Cardinals are 12-3 on the season with losses to 4A North Central and twice to 2A #2 Linton-Stockton. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1557223' first='Peter' last='Combs']</strong> leads the way inside for Bloomfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><strong>4A #9 Kokomo @ 2A #9 Tipton - Saturday at 7:30</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A top-10 battle in North Central Indiana features 4A #9 Kokomo and 2A #9 Tipton. Kokomo sits at 10-4 on the season with losses to 4A powers Westfield, Ben Davis, Zionsville, and Brownsburg. The top player in the 2024 class, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1363488' first='Flory' last='Bidunga']</strong>, leads the Wildkats at 19.9 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks per game. He has a chance at being the top player in the country come the next rankings update. senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1042500' first='Shayne' last='Spear']</strong> and brothers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1381461' first='Zion' last='Bellamy']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1202993' first='Zavion' last='Bellamy']</strong> also provide great secondary scoring options if a team commits to taking away Bidunga. Tipton comes in at 10-3 on the season and ranked in the top-10 of 2A. The Blue Devils fell to Maconaquah early in the season and lost to Western and Bethesda Christian around the new year. This young Tipton team is led by junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158205' first='Nolan' last='Swan']</strong> and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297029' first='Grady' last='Carpenter']</strong>. Swan averages 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists this season on 45% shooting from the outside. Carpenter sits at 15.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 8.2 assists. Junior <strong>Jackson Money</strong> also provides a nice third option at 12.2 points per game on 42% from deep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->