Area hoops previewed
Believe it or not, the last week of the regular season for high school boys basketball has arrived. Do you think there’ll be any COVID cases effecting teams? Any cancellations? Hopefully not, but maybe. How about next week when the postseason begins? Not a chance. Players will wear masks, oxygen tanks or whatever it takes to play in sectionals. After all of the uncertainties and craziness, the high school boys basketball season is about to wrap up. thank you a million times to all that are responsible for making it happen.
As the pandemic approaches the one-year mark in the U.S., high school hoops in Indiana draws nearer to actually finishing a season no one really knew would be played. In some states, it hasn’t. In others (hello Michigan) bball players and fans have had to wait … and wait … and wait … and just started playing games. Area players and fans won’t have to wait long for their next game though. Here are capsule previews for the top contests locally tonight and Wednesday.
Tuesday tangles
Plymouth @ #9 South Bend Saint Joseph
After a challenging run through the Northern Lakes Conference, Plymouth (2-17) finishes the regular season with a pair of games against the Northern Indiana Conference starting with tonight’s trip to South Bend Saint Joseph. the Class 3A No. 9 Indians (15-4) are led by 6-foot-7 guard and Notre Dame recruit JR Konieczny. St. Joe’s four losses have been to teams with a combined record of 73-10, including Class 4A Nos. 1 and 6 (Homestead, SB Adams) and to arch-rival and Class 3A No. 3 Mishawaka Marian by just six points 10 days ago. Pilgrim fans looking for a sliver of optimism latch on to this: New Prairie defeated St. Joe by one and needed overtime to down Plymouth.
Bremen @ #13 Triton
the first of three games this week for Bremen (8-11) has the Lions making the short trek down 331 to take on No. 13 triton (14-5). Bremen has faced - and lost - to three of the top NIC teams in its last three contests. It is hoping to get some positive mojo back this week against a trio of Class 1A schools. this is the trojans’ final home game.
Winners of six of their last eight, the two losses still sting - a one-point Hoosier North Athletic Contest decision to Laville and Saturday’s defeat to sectional rival Argos.
Oregon-davis @ Laville
this is Laville’s (12-8) one and only game this week - and final home contest - before an eight-day break before sectionals. Oregon-davis (5-8 before Monday night vs. Bethany Christian) on the other hand is scheduled to play four times in five nights. the Lancers have won this match-up handily the past two seasons.
Culver @ Northfield
Culver (7-12) has a busy three-game slate this week starting with this trip to Wabash to face the Norsemen of Northfield (6-14). this is the first meeting between the two Class 1A schools.
#12 Argos @ West Central
Class 1A No. 12 Argos (15-4) had a terrific weekend, pulling out an overtime win over North Judson Friday, then downing sectional rival triton Saturday. the Dragons should extend their seven-game winning streak with a trip to winless West Central (0-16) tonight.
Glenn @ Concord
Glenn (17-4) has a pair of games against Northern Lakes Conference teams this week starting with this road trip to Concord (8-9). The 17 wins is the most for head coach Travis Hannah in his 14 years at the school. Two wins this week would give the Falcons their highest win total since the regional-winning 2004-05 season (20-7).
Wednesday watch
Penn @ Plymouth
The second of back-to-back games on consecutive nights has the Pilgrims hosting Penn (8-10 before Tuesday vs. Mishawaka) to complete the regular season. The Kingsmen need to win all three of its games this week to avoid finishing under .500. Success and great numbers are assumed when talking about Penn basketball and head coach Al Rhodes, but if they finish under .500 it would be the fourth time in the last six years and the sixth time overall during Rhodes’ 13 years at the school.