Five Things We Have Learned: 4A
The season is nearing the end of the first four weeks ad we are ready to start and take a look at the landscape of each class. Today, we look at 4A and those big topics standing out already. 1.…
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Continue ReadingThe season is nearing the end of the first four weeks ad we are ready to start and take a look at the landscape of each class. Today, we look at 4A and those big topics standing out already.
1. Warren Central Keeps It Going
With their record now sitting at 4-0, it isn’t overly surprising they are still undefeated but at the same time they have only played 4 games and two of those were blow outs. Cathedral and Ben Davis were tough wins showing maybe this team has more than I thought. It looks like the two players I thought needed to be much improved for them to repeat, Jesse Bingham and Jakobie Robinson, are doing as well as they ever have. This is a different team than last year, so far they are averaging 71.8 ppg with is very high relative to last season. But, we will see what they have through the next two and a half weeks. Their schedule gets quicker and more ramped up with Hall of Fame, Manual Tournament, and Lawrence North and HSE. They have already proven me wrong a bit.
2. Mr. Basketball A Three-Way Race
Mr. Basketball is coming from 4A. That was about a big of a lock as you were going to find as the three main contenders are Armaan Franklin (Cathedral), Brandon Newman (Valparaiso), and Trayce Jackson-Davis (Center Grove). However, you have to give the early edge to Trayce Jackson-Davis. He’s played very well in nearly every game including a standout performance at the Forum Tip-Off Classic against a Top 10 player in the country and got the better of him that game. But, watch these coming weeks for Brandon Newman. If any place or event is going to build up your stock, it is going to be New Castle and the Hall of Fame Tournament. He’s been ridiculously good this year and his team is 7-0. They also start their string of tough, visible games tomorrow against Marion along with Zionsville, Warren Central, and possibly against Trayce Jackson-Davis and Center Grove. Those four games could change things for this award. If it is going to swing to Newman, this would be the time.
3. What To Make Of Pike
Don’t ask about Indianapolis Pike right now. Nobody could give you an accurate answer and even if you asked the players/coaches, not sure they would know either. The always awkward start of going to Rockford (IL) kind of always has to be thrown out because who knows if any of those teams are good or not. But, the first four games against Indiana teams goes like this: Hamilton Southeastern, Loss. Ben Davis, loss. Center Grove, win, Lawrence Central, win. Those four teams we know to be truly talented but to split the way they did is weird because they probably beat the two better teams. Not only that, Pike lost talent again this offseason. They always seem to have guys transfer our the last few years, starter level guys. Now, their top talent is solid but didn’t see them keeping up with the top teams in 4A. I think part of that is on head coach Bill Zych who has his defensive system locked in over the years and that could be doing them favors early on.
4. Good Surprises
Starting here looking at Plainfield. Now 7-0, they have yet to be really tested at the highest level but have beaten solid teams like Tri-West, Batesville, and Danville. They are not a team or a program that has really ever shown consistency and now they seem to be taking care of every aspect. Fort Wayne Snider is also now 5-0 and looking like their youth is ready to go full steam ahead. Very talented roster up and down but wasn’t for sure if they would be there to take things forward and compete at the top of 4A but wins over East Noble, Fort Wayne Wayne, and Merrillville, they look like they could be. Watch for their game against Brownsburg tomorrow for more answers. Logansport is 7-0 as well and while they haven’t been as tested except for Lafayette Jeff and Muncie Central, their top players in Sam Skaggs and Will Penny seem to be putting things together at a high level. Given another few games through the New Year and lets see where they are at.
5. Bad Surprises
Looking at the rough start of Lowell, a team we thought could compete to be the best in the Region, they are now 5-3 and have squandered their best chances at a big win. They have some more coming up against Huntington North, Merrillville, and New Haven but not quite sure they are that good, yet. Shelbyville might be in an even worse spot right now. They are 4-4 and have lost an overtime game to Columbus North and won one against Connersville. They also hold losses to Frankin, Mt. Vernon, and New Castle. None of those are bad losses but maybe this is putting them right where they probably belong, a step or two down from where I thought they might be at this point. Also, Muncie Central is in a tough spot now 2-5. This was a team that I thought would be solid but not great this year with a chance to jump up next season. But, their only wins are to Yorktown and Anderson. Not the best of wins. Losses are worse with Delta and Guerin Catholic not only just beating them but doing it convincingly. For the betterment of the program and the town, this group needs to have a much stronger second half of the season.