December has been colder than expected for last years new born king, so we’ll assume for the time being that Jack Frost has been nipping at the Devils nose. We can’t put our finger on what the difference is between now and then, other than to say Lowell needs to find last years old silk hat to see if it has some magic left. Nick Mantis, the Red nosed Devil, is doing his best to guide Joe Delgado’s sleigh, but if this team is to go walking in a winter wonderland come early March, all of the other reindeer need to start pulling their weight.
#9
EC CENTRAL CARDINALS
4-4
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LAST WEEK: #4
This is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but over the 12 days of Christmas (actually 13), the Cardinals have gone 2-4, including 1-3 against the Duneland. They’ll play a winter warm up with Indy Tech down at Marion, before a potential championship game match up with North Central – Class 4A’s partridge in a pear tree, the night before we all sing auld lang syne. I hear those sleigh bells ring, ting, ting-a-ling.
#8
MORTON GOVERNORS
4-3
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LAST WEEK: NR
You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout I’m telling you why; Merrillville is coming to town! We’ve made a list and checked it twice…and it turns out this game could be naughty or it could be nice. Just don’t get the idea the Govs want to be hospitable holiday hosts – they’d rather give the purple Pirates a blue Christmas, which could happen, but I triple dog dare you to make that pick.
#7
GRIFFITH PANTHERS
6-0
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LAST WEEK: #8
It’s been all Ho-Ho-Ho for the Panthers this December, who’ll spend Christmas dancing right down Santa Claus Lane. Since there’s no place like home for the holidays, Griffith’s enjoying a 10 day break before taking their corn cob pipes and button noses up the bike path, where with a broomstick in their hand, they’ll look to sweep their way to a second straight Highland tournament title.
#6
LAPORTE SLICERS
4-0
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LAST WEEK: #6
Thumpity thump thump look at the Slicers go – to 4-0 that is, with all their wins coming against teams from outside of the Region. They’ll get their first taste of local competition Tuesday night as they go a-wassailing to “The Pit,” where chestnuts will be roasting on an open fire and the host Red Devils are sure to be as cuddly as a cactus.
#5
ANDREAN 59ERS
5-1
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LAST WEEK: #7
Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas on Broadway, where jolly old St. Nick, the most famous Niner fan of all, has begun delivering presents. Just how long life under the mistletoe will last remains to be seen, but for now the Andrean halls are decked with boughs of holly. Home games with Griffith, East Chicago and Crown Point highlight a 10-day stretch a bit later on. Do you see what I see?
(Yes – standing room only!)
#4
CHESTERTON TROJANS
6-1
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LAST WEEK: #5
With the start these Trojans are off to, it’s clear Santa Claus has already come to town. Early season stocking stuffers include wins over Lowell, Morton and Roosevelt. The four overtime win at EC was this season’s Red Ryder BB gun – a present like no other. It’ll be a holly, jolly Christmas in the land we call “Cheese.”
#3
MERRILLVILLE PIRATES
5-1
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LAST WEEK: #3
Pirates plunder. It’s what Pirates do. That means taking, not giving. But with Christmas coming, this week’s opponents – Morton and McCutcheon – not exactly two turtle doves, might be wondering if Merrillville is feeling more charitable than usual. Bah humbug to that say the Bucs. The weather outside may be frightful, but that Tuesday nighter in Hessville could be sooo delightful.
#2
VALPARAISO VIKINGS
6-0
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LAST WEEK: #2
With a Scrooge like defense that gives up a DAC best 44.3 points per game, silent nights have been many for Viking opponents. Up next, Valpo takes a sleigh ride to the Columbia City/Huntington Tournament, where they’ll be in a field with some auld acquaintances, including Lake Central and Merrillville. Barack Coleman must be feeling like a jolly, happy soul. On Dasher, on Dancer, on Comet and Cupid…
#1
CROWN POINT BULLDOGS
5-0
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LAST WEEK: #1
All is merry and bright for the best team in the Region, who darkened Munster’s holiday with a blowout win over the weekend. The Bulldogs were so good, the Mustangs couldn’t touch them with a 39 and a half foot pole. Crown Town’s faithful will spend this week rockin’ around the Christmas tree – provided of course, the ‘Dogs put a lump of coal in the stocking of winless Boone Grove on Tuesday night. Ba rum, pum, pum, pum…
