Games of the Week: Week 9

<!-- 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. This week has five top-10 matchups and a pair of 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>2A #4 University @ Indianapolis Chatard - Wednesday at 7:30</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>University comes in at 11-1 on the season with their one loss coming to Mount Vernon (Fortville) in the Roncalli Holiday Tourney Finals. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578464' first='Sabien' last='Cain']</strong> leads the Trailblazers at 21.7 points per game on 51% shooting from beyond the arc. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1556354' first='Andre' last='Ozlowski']</strong> also averages double figures at 11.9 points per game on the season. Indianapolis Chatard comes in at 10-3, and they are coming off a City Semifinals loss to Indianapolis Cathedral. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1402477' first='Robert' last='Davidson']</strong> leads the team with 15.9 points and 5.9 rebounds. Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1560973' first='Ethan' last='Roseman']</strong> also adds 13.7 points and 4.3 assists per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><strong>4A #1 Ben Davis @ 4A #6 Carmel - Friday at 7:30</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ben Davis comes in at 20-0 and the undisputed #1 team in the state. The Giants have cruised this season as they have won 15 straight games by double digits. Their last single digit win came on December 3rd vs 4A #9 Kokomo. Valparaiso commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1042497' first='Zane' last='Doughty']</strong> leads the Giants with 12.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game on the season. Nicholls State commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1273713' first='Sheridan' last='Sharp']</strong> contributes 10.3 points and 5.7 assists, and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158204' first='K.J.' last='Windham']</strong> adds 8.4 points per game as well. Carmel comes in at 11-5 with three straight wins over Fort Wayne Snider, Pike, and Brownsburg. The Greyhounds are led by Belmont commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1042491' first='Sam' last='Orme']</strong> as well as several other role players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><strong>3A #10 Beech Grove @ 1A #6 Indianapolis Lutheran - Friday at 7:30</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beech Grove comes in at just 7-5 with losses in 3 of their last 4 to Indianapolis Chatard, Ben Davis, and Southport. The Hornets are led by their trio of seniors with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1556397' first='Jeremiah' last='Tate']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1530699' first='Jeremiah' last='Alexander']</strong>, and <strong>Cam Brown</strong> who average 12.6, 12.5, and 11.5 points per game. The trio shoot it at a combined 37% from deep. Indianapolis Lutheran comes in at 9-3 with losses to Lawrence North, Indianapolis Ritter, and Greenwood Christian. Sophomore <strong>Lonte Ward</strong> leads the team with 14.8 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.8 steals. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2053660' first='Cayden' last='Loescher'] adds 10.2 points per game, and senior <strong>Durray Smith</strong> has scored 13.8 points per game in their last four. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><strong>3A #5 South Bend Washington @ 3A #2 Mishawaka Marian - Friday at 7:30</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Bend Washington comes in at 13-2 with both losses coming before Christmas to John Glenn and Harrison (WL). The Panthers are led by [player_tooltip player_id='868232' first='Marcus' last='Northern'] at 17.1 points per game on 46% from the outside. Freshman <strong>Steven Reynolds</strong> has been excellent with 15.9 points on 41% from deep. Mishawaka Marian sits at 14-2 on the season with both losses coming on the road to 4A #3 Penn and to Homestead in overtime. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1049162' first='Deaglan' last='Sullivan']</strong> leads the team with 19.6 points, 3.6 assists, and 2.5 steals. 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> add double figures with 12.4 and 10.8.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><strong>Southport @ Columbus North - Friday at 7:30</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southport comes in at 11-5 with wins in four of their last five games. Senior <strong>A.J. Dancler</strong> leads the team at 19.3 points on 34% from deep. <strong>Keyon Miller</strong> also adds 11.8 points and 3.7 assists. Columbus North comes in at 11-5 with wins in three straight games. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='935735' first='Cooper' last='Horn']</strong> leads the team with 17.1 points. Fellow seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1557083' first='Ty' last='Ferguson']</strong> and <strong>Luke Harmon</strong> also average over 9 points per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><strong>Tippecanoe Valley @ Manchester - Friday at 7:45</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tippecanoe Valley comes in at 11-3 with losses to Mishawaka, Lake Central, and Peru. The Vikings have won six games in a row. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1272950' first='Nolan' last='Cumberland']</strong> leads the team with 17.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1391868' first='Tayde' last='Kiser']</strong> has also been a stat-stuffer this season with 14.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.6 steals. Manchester comes in at 12-3 with losses to Oak Hill, Wabash, and Adams Central. The Squires won five straight prior to their loss to Adams Central. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297028' first='Gavin' last='Betten']</strong> leads the Squires with 21.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.9 blocks per game. <strong>Tyler McLain</strong> and <strong>Ethan Hendrix</strong> also add double figures with 11.8 and 13.4 points per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><strong>Lawrence Central @ Anderson - Saturday at 7:30</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lawrence Central comes in at 11-5 with wins in 7 of their last 8 with the one loss being Southport in the County Tournament. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1273741' first='DaJohn' last='Craig']</strong> leads the team with 18.1 points per game. Senior <strong>Jake Franklin</strong> adds 10.7 points and 4.1 assists per game. Anderson sits at 11-3 on the season with wins in 7 straight games after their three consecutive losses to Noblesville, Pike, and Carmel. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1391283' first='Ahmere' last='Carson']</strong> leads the Indians with 22.6 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.7 steals. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1391284' first='Jaquan' last='Ingram']</strong> adds 12.9 points and 5.1 rebounds, and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297010' first='Damien' last='King']</strong> contributes 11.4 points and 4.5 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><strong>1A #7 Liberty Christian @ 4A #10 Westfield - Saturday at 7:30</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberty Christian sits at 9-6 on the season with wins in 7 of their last 8 and their lone loss coming to 4A Anderson. The Lions come with five guys averaging double figures including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2245725' first='Devon' last='Kelley']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='935729' first='Eric' last='Troutman']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1556505' first='Cedric' last='Anderson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1554067' first='Kobe' last='Watson']</strong>, and <strong>Ethan Troutman</strong>. Westfield comes in at 10-3 with losses to three of the best teams in Indianapolis with Zionsville, Carmel, and Brownsburg. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1410467' first='Alex' last='Romack']</strong> leads the team with 15.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1275749' first='Trey' last='Buchanan']</strong> also adds 14.8 points per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><strong>1A #2 Orleans @ 3A #4 North Daviess - Saturday at 7:30</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Orleans comes in at 14-1 with their lone loss coming to 4A New Albany. The Bulldogs have won 9 straight games since. Orleans is led by their junior duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158190' first='Ian' last='Hall']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1386673' first='Xavier' last='Alston']</strong> at 11.0 and 10.1 points per game. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578462' first='Rylan' last='Crocker']</strong> also adds 9.6 points for the Bulldogs. North Daviess comes in at 14-3 with losses coming to three top-3 teams including 4A #3 Penn, 3A #1 NorthWood, and 2A #2 Linton-Stockton. Oakland City commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='935727' first='Jaylen' last='Mullen']</strong> leads the Cougars with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1556399' first='Lance' last='Wilson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1556400' first='Logan' last='Wilson']</strong> providing great next scoring options. This was a regular battle in Sectional 63 prior to North Daviess being moved up, so these teams know each other very well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><strong>2A #8 South Spencer @ Heritage Hills - Saturday at 8:00</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Spencer comes in at 14-1 on the season with their lone loss coming in double overtime to Boonville. The Rebels have won 11 of their 14 games by double figures. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297121' first='Ty' last='Brown']</strong> provides good minutes for the Rebels. Heritage Hills comes in at 11-4 with their losses coming to Brownsburg, Evansville Memorial, Castle, and Pike Central (3OT). The Patriots are led by sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297118' first='Trent' last='Sisley']</strong> at 28.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.9 blocks on 40% shooting from three and 73% shooting from the floor. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297006' first='Colten' last='Hopf']</strong> adds 9.6 points and 5.1 rebounds, and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297035' first='Hunter' last='Meredith']</strong> adds 6.7 points and 3.3 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->