A Look Ahead: 3 Teams, 3 Games, 3 Players
Each week this year we are going to preview the upcoming games by listing our 3 teams, 3 games, and 3 players to keep an eye on. This will be a post that happens every Monday this season to tune…
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Continue ReadingEach week this year we are going to preview the upcoming games by listing our 3 teams, 3 games, and 3 players to keep an eye on. This will be a post that happens every Monday this season to tune you into the things you need to keep an eye out for. These are the things you should keep an eye on for the week of January 7th – January 12th.
3 Teams
Monrovia
After going 10-0 to start the year, Monrovia looked like they would be a potent team. They finally had a chance to prove themselves this past week as they played 3-5 Ritter and 5-3 Beech Grove. These teams won’t jump off the chart at you, but compared to the teams Monrovia had played up to that point, they were easily the strongest. Monrovia dropped both of the contests and now this week face 1-10 Scecina on Friday and 11-1 Plainfield on Saturday. They need at least a split of these two games to get their momentum back. Keep a close eye on the Scecina score.
Lafayette Central Catholic
LCC is cementing itself as one of the powerhouse programs in the state. Last year was the first time in the previous 14 years that LCC did not win a Sectional championship as they fell to Southwood. This year they are 9-2 and well on their way to another Sectional championship with how weak their sectional is this year. This week, faces Benton Central and then a very good 2A team Andrean in back-to-back nights this weekend. Two wins this week will really show that LCC is to be taken serious this year. The Andrean game will show us a lot about both teams.
Culver Academy
If you’re like me, you could have forgotten that Culver Academy was a program in the state. The defending state champions haven’t played since December 14 and will play Wednesday on the road at FW North for the first game in 31 days. SB St. Joseph plays them on Saturday and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them drop this game. Historically after their long break they have struggled, so I would really like to see them get through this stretch with two solid wins. I think they’ll easily run through FW North but the St. Joseph game could cause them a little trouble.
3 Games
FW Blackhawk vs. Homestead
This is going to be a huge Tuesday night game as Fort Wayne Blackhawk heads in to take on Homestead. These two teams are a combined 22-2 this year and this is going to big the biggest matchup for each team this year. Caleb Furst and Luke Goode are two of the top sophomore prospects in the state and they will go head-to-head in this one. If you’re in the Fort Wayne area, this is a can’t miss game on the schedule.
Cathedral vs. Carmel
After dropping two early games this season, albeit to tough opponents Center Grove and Warren Central, Cathedral is rolling and they have a ton of momentum. They won the Bob Wettig tournament at Richmond and have rattled off nine wins in a row. Cathedral has had some huge wins, but Carmel has as well. Carmel is 9-0 on the year and is looking like the best team in the state. This is a great game on a Wednesday night that doesn’t have many games. If you’re in Indianapolis, make the trek to Carmel, you won’t regret it.
Tipton vs. Northwestern
These might be two teams we don’t see a lot, but this Friday night game is going to be really good. Tipton is 10-1 this season, but are still looking for a signature win as their schedule has been weak to this point. Their best win this season is over a 9-3 Frankton team who is looking stronger each week. Northwestern is 10-0 but they too play are pretty weak schedule. They have better wins than Tipton as they have beaten 8-4 Hamilton Heights and 9-2 LCC. Whoever wins this game will get to mark it down as a good win.
3 Players
Gus Etchison
Etchison has been having a good year and he is going to have to have a good week if Hamilton Heights wants to win their two games. On the schedule is Lapel followed by Western Boone. Lapel is a stronger team than Western Boone, but if Etchison doesn’t show up, Hamilton Heights could lose both of these games. He has been the consistent scoring threat for Hamilton Heights and he will need to continue it this week.
Manuel Brown
This week is the Marion County tournament and Warren Central are the favorites to win the whole thing. If they are going to win it, they are going to need some really good play by their point guard, Manuel Brown. He has been a spark for Warren Central this year and will need to continue this for Warren Central to win the tournament. If he is anything other than spectacular, Warren Central might be in trouble with a possible Friday matchup with Ben Davis and a Saturday matchup against Lawrence Central.
Isaiah Thompson
Thompson has been playing very well this year and he is going to need to have another big week. Thompson is a Purdue commit and he has the capability to tear off multiple 40 point games in a row. This week, Zionsville plays Noblesville and McCutcheon and both teams are capable of beating Zionsville on a good night. Thompson is going to have to appear in both if they want to win. I can see him scoring 30 points in each of these two games.