1. Andrean (6-1)
Previous rank: 1
Last week’s games: Lost to Lebanon, 58-53 (at Hammond Civic Center); won at Rensselaer, 74-57
Upcoming games: Hobart (5-5), Friday; at Lafayette Central Catholic (4-6), Saturday
Remarks: The loss to Lebanon, one of the top teams in the state in Class 3A, was no disgrace. Nobody else has come within 15 points of the 59ers.
2. Lake Central (9-2)
Previous rank: 2
Last week’s games: Lost at Michigan City, 51-42; won at Menominee Falls (WI), 73-47
Upcoming games: #8 Highland (7-3), Tuesday; Crown Point (4-6), Friday
Remarks: The loss at Michigan City was a low point for the Indians, but City is better than its record and was bound to knock somebody off sooner or later. LC bounced back with a convincing win in Wisconsin.
3. Munster (7-2)
Previous rank: 3
Last week’s games: Won at Kankakee Valley, 71-38
Upcoming games: #8 Highland (7-3), Thursday
Remarks: Munster has been solid all year, losing only to Warren Central and Lake Central, and winning at Marion.
4. Bowman Academy (5-5)
Previous rank: 4
Last week’s games: Defeated Lawrence Central, 84-76; lost at Romulus (MI), 70-53
Upcoming games: Lake Station (6-2), Tuesday; at Detroit Consortium, Saturday
Remarks: Nobody in the state of Indiana plays a tougher schedule than Bowman.
5. Merrillville (6-4)
Previous rank: 7
Last week’s games: Won at #5 Valparaiso, 57-42; defeated Portage, 75-47
Upcoming games: at LaPorte (4-6), Friday
Remarks: Merrillville finally seems to be putting things together, dominating Valparaiso on the road last week. The Pirates had a learning curve this season, with a lot of graduation losses and a new coach, but they seem to be moving in a positive direction. Staying in the top five depends on avenging an earlier loss to LaPorte.
6. Valparaiso (8-2)
Previous rank: 5
Last week’s games: Lost to #7 Merrillville, 57-42; won at Michigan City, 52-39
Upcoming games: at Portage (1-12), Friday; at Kankakee Valley (3-7), Saturday
Remarks: Valpo got routed at home by Merrillville, but turned around and stunned Michigan City after the Wolves’ upset of Lake Central. As a result, the Vikings fall only one spot.
7. Hammond Noll (9-0)
Previous rank: 10
Last week’s games: Defeated North Judson, 61-60; defeated Wheeler, 86-58, won at Marquette Catholic, 65-52
Upcoming games: at River Forest (2-6), Friday
Remarks: Noll had three good wins last week, and several teams ahead of the Warriors (LaPorte, Highland and East Chicago) had bad losses.
8. Highland (7-3)
Previous rank: 8
Last week’s games: Lost at Lowell, 75-70
Upcoming games: at #2 Lake Central (9-2), Tuesday; at #3 Munster (7-2), Thursday
Remarks: Make no mistake, last week’s upset loss at Lowell was a very bad loss for Highland, but the Trojans stay eighth because there are no credible teams to move ahead of them. Even a pair of losses next week probably won’t drop the Trojans, who will play two of the Region’s top three teams on the road.
9. Lake Station (6-2)
Previous rank: Not ranked
Last week’s games: Defeated River Forest, 52-41; won at Whiting, 45-42
Upcoming games: at #4 Bowman Academy (5-5), Tuesday; Calumet (3-7), Friday
Remarks: Lake Station has played well against the better teams on its schedule, but has played down to its competition against some of the lesser teams. We’ll get a better idea of how good the Eagles are or aren’t when they travel to Bowman.
10. Hebron (9-1)
Previous rank: Not ranked
Last week’s games: Defeated South Central, 66-36
Upcoming games: Marquette Catholic (6-6), Friday
Remarks: The Hawks have won eight in a row since losing at Kouts, and avenged that loss by a decisive margin during that streak.
Top 5 Small Schools (2A or smaller)
1. Bowman Academy (5-5)
2. Hammond Noll (9-0)
3. Lake Station (6-2)
4. Hebron (9-1)
5. Kouts (8-2)
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