After an absence from the rankings the past few weeks, the Red Devils have played their way back in by winning two of their last three. While Lowell will attempt to pull off an upset this Friday as they head to CP, they have bigger fish to fry starting next week – like ending a sectional title drought that goes back to 1993.
#9
EC CENTRAL CARDINALS
13-9
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LAST WEEK: #9
Now all the Cardinals have to do is wait – not only for the rest of the teams to finish up the regular season, as EC played in their final game on Wednesday, but for the opening round of sectionals to finish up as they drew the first round bye. At least the Cardinals have the luxury of home court advantage in a wide open Sectional #1.
#8
CHESTERTON TROJANS
14-8/3-4
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LAST WEEK: #10
Despite their recent loss to Valpo, the Trojans move up in the rankings thanks to their strong performance in that losing effort. Chesterton should get back to their winning ways on Friday when they host over-matched Boone Grove – a win makes it six wins in their last seven games – not a bad way to head into the tournament.
#7
ANDREAN 59ERS
16-5/5-1
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LAST WEEK: #6
Which Andrean team will we see next week? The one that routed Munster by 22 or the one that got beat by Hammond High on their home court. The Niners and their faithful better hope it’s the latter, as the blind draw wasn’t kind – a tough matchup against Twin Lakes (ranked #5 in Class 3A) looms in the opener.
#6
MERRILLVILLE PIRATES
16-7/3-4
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LAST WEEK: #4
60 appears to be the magic number for the Pirates, as they are 13-4 when they hit that mark. The problem is they’ve only scored that many in six of their 12 games since the calendar flipped to 2017. Thankfully for the Pirates, they get to sit back and wait for the winner of the Valpo-Michigan City sectional opener – Merrillville has lost to both, so they’re rooting for about three overtimes.
#5
GRIFFITH PANTHERS
19-3/6-0
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LAST WEEK: #7
Between 1967 and 2014, the Panthers won a total of three sectional championships. On Tuesday they’ll begin their quest to win their third in a row. The opening game against Hammond High is (with all due respect to the rest of the field) the sectional title game. Griffith fell to the ‘Cats a couple weeks back but have been on a roll since – will that continue?
#4
LAPORTE SLICERS
17-6/3-4
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LAST WEEK: #5
A week ago, we said we wouldn’t bring up the Slicers offensive struggles again…..and then they went out and scored just 49 against Portage, albeit in a win. Still, with the way they can play lock down defense and control the tempo of a game, we won’t count them out come tournament time.
#3
MICHIGAN CITY WOLVES
18-6/4-3
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LAST WEEK: #3
Winning three in a row and six out of seven is exactly what City wanted to do heading into the tournament. Drawing Valpo to open post-season festivities was not. The Wolves lost to Valpo on a last second three-pointer back in the middle of January. Whatever the outcome in the rematch, another game like would be fun to watch – and you can on regionsports.com!
#2
VALPARAISO VIKINGS
20-3/6-1
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LAST WEEK: #2
For the first time since January 13, and only the fifth time all season, the Vikings gave up 60 points – a game in which they defeated Concord 61-60. Does that mean that Valpo is on the down swing? Hardly. But it’s worth noting because their January 13 opponent was none other than Michigan City – the team they’re playing Tuesday.
#1
CROWN POINT BULLDOGS
19-3/6-1
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LAST WEEK: #1
Bulldog history could be made at next week as no Crown Point boys basketball team has ever won three sectional titles in a row. But first things first – gotta get to the sectional finals. Hobart shouldn’t be a problem on Wednesday, but it gets a lot tougher come Friday, and hopefully Saturday. This Friday will be the final test for the ‘Dogs need before they start the tough journey ahead.
