1. Andrean (10-1)
Previous rank: 1
Last week’s games: Defeated Chesterton, 79-56; won at Highland, 75-42
Upcoming games: at Hammond (5-6), Tuesday; at Griffith (2-9), Friday
Remarks: Andrean is absolutely demolishing its competition. The 59ers are averaging a 20.5-point victory margin.
2. Lake Central (12-2)
Previous rank: 2
Last week’s games: Won at #8 Merrillville, 55-44
Upcoming games: at Chesterton (5-8), Friday
Remarks: Lake Central has been on a roll since a loss at Michigan City. The Indians will be favored in the rest of their games and in Class 4A Sectional 1.
3. Munster (10-2)
Previous rank: 3
Last week’s games: Defeated Michigan City, 64-42; won at Hobart, 62-52
Upcoming games: at Lowell (6-7), Friday; at #6 Valparaiso (11-2), Saturday
Remarks: Munster had a surprisingly close win at Hobart, but that marked the first time the Brickies have lost at home this season.
4. Bowman Academy (9-5)
Previous rank: 4
Last week’s games: Won at Culver Military, 79-33; won at Chicago Morgan Park, 73-61
Upcoming games: Fort Wayne Luers (11-3), Saturday
Remarks: Not many teams go to Morgan Park and win by double digits. The Eagles have gone 9-2 since a tough 0-3 start that could have been 3-0 with a little luck.
5. Hammond Noll (13-0)
Previous rank: 5
Last week’s games: Defeated North Newton, 78-47; defeated Whiting, 58-37; defeated Lake Station, 55-48 (at Calumet)
Upcoming games: Hammond (5-6), Friday; Whiting (9-5), Saturday
Remarks: Noll once again struggled against Lake Station, but the Warriors got the W to stay unbeaten. Despite the unblemished record, it is clear that Noll is not as good as Bowman (which destroyed Lake Station by 47 points).
6. Valparaiso (11-2)
Previous rank: 6
Last week’s games: Defeated LaPorte, 58-38
Upcoming games: Crown Point (4-8), Friday; #3 Munster (10-2), Saturday
Remarks: LaPorte had been on a hot streak, so for Valpo to beat the Slicers by 20 points was an impressive victory. The Vikings are only a game out of first place in the Duneland Athletic Conference.
7. Hebron (12-1)
Previous rank: 9
Last week’s games: Defeated #10 Kouts, 55-44; defeated South Central, 49-30; defeated Morgan Township, 58-34
Upcoming games: Rensselaer (3-8), Saturday
Remarks: Hebron has rattled off 11 straight wins and has twice avenged its only loss, at Kouts.
8. Kouts (10-3)
Previous rank: 10
Last week’s games: Lost at #9 Hebron, 55-44
Upcoming games: Boone Grove (5-5), Friday
Remarks: Kouts has beaten the teams it should beat, and has gone 1-3 against Hebron and North Judson, two very strong Class 2A teams. The Mustangs took powerful North Judson into overtime.
9. Lake Station (9-4)
Previous rank: Not ranked
Last week’s games: Defeated Calumet, 59-43; won at Marquette Catholic, 57-42; lost to #5 Hammond Noll, 55-48 (at Calumet)
Upcoming games: Westville (3-7), Tuesday; Marquette Catholic (8-7), Saturday
Remarks: Lake Station hasn’t been especially impressive in its last few games, except against Noll. The Eagles lost by one in overtime the first time they played, then had a chance to take a late lead before Noll closed it out last week from the free-throw line. The Eagles seem to get up for their top opponents, play down to their lesser foes.
10. East Chicago (8-5)
Previous rank: Not ranked
Last week’s games: Defeated Hammond, 57-46; defeated Gary Roosevelt, 75-49
Upcoming games: at Gary West Side (4-5), Thursday; at South Bend Adams (8-3), Saturday
Remarks: Don’t look now, but the Cardinals have taken three of their last four. Could inexperienced EC be growing up at the right time?
Top 5 Small Schools (2A or smaller)
1. Bowman Academy (9-5)
2. Hammond Noll (13-0)
3. Hebron (12-1)
4. Kouts (10-3)
5. Lake Station (9-4)
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