HS boys basketball: Indy-area Fab 15 team rankings
It's been a little while since we've updated our high school basketball Fab 15, a ranking of the top teams in Central Indiana. Here's a look:
1. North Central (16-2) – The Panthers were stunned by Lawrence Central, 69-68, last week at Indiana Farmers Coliseum, losing an 11-point lead in the final three minutes. Still, North Central has been the most consistently impressive team so far this season. Up next: Pike (Friday)
2. Pike (15-4) – Just like last year, Pike hit a little lull right after winning the Marion County tournament. But the Red Devils followed up losses to Carmel and Zionsville with wins over Pendleton Heights and Tech. Led by guards Justin Thomas and Justin Roberts, Pike is capable of winning a shootout against any team. Up next: Noblesville (Tuesday); at North Central (Friday)
3. Lawrence Central (14-5) – The Bears hit a bit of a rough patch in January, losing three of five. But the win over North Central was a big boost and also featured Kyle Guy becoming the school’s all-time scoring leader. Lawrence Central can wrap up the outright Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference title with a win over Center Grove. Up next: at Center Grove (Friday); Mt. Vernon (Saturday)
4. Lawrence North (14-5) – The Wildcats have rebounded from a three-game losing streak with wins over Center Grove, Fishers and Carmel. There are times Lawrence North looks like the most imposing team in the state. Up next: Ben Davis (Friday); at Hamilton Heights (Saturday)
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5. Mt. Vernon (16-2) – The Marauders are flying a bit under the radar but shouldn’t be. We had them No. 14 in the Preseason Fab 15 and they’ve more than lived up to the billing despite losses to Decatur Central and New Castle. Mt. Vernon has won eight consecutive games, including wins over Howe, Noblesville and Hamilton Southeastern in that stretch. Junior Michael Ertel is averaging 16.3 points and 3.8 assists. Up next: at Lawrence Central (Saturday)
6. Tech (14-4) – In one of the most impressive individual performances of the season, Tech senior C.J. Walker scored 53 points in an overtime loss to Pike on Saturday. The Titans have lost back-to-back games (Kokomo, Pike) after a seven-game winning streak. Walker is averaging 25.2 points, 4.6 assists and shooting 41 percent from 3. Up next: at Speedway (Tuesday); vs. Anderson or Kokomo (Saturday), NCC tournament
7. Southport (12-6) – It hasn’t been all smooth sailing this season but the Cardinals are now riding a five-game winning streak. And five of the losses are by a combined 11 points so the record could look a lot different. Up next: at Brownsburg (Tuesday); at Warren Central (Friday)
8. Franklin Central (13-4) – After a 10-1 start, Franklin Central has slowed down a bit. It missed a big opportunity in the Marion County tournament with an upset loss to Perry Meridian in the quarterfinals. But the Flashes also own quality wins over Southport, Park Tudor, Warren Central (twice) and Cathedral. Senior Marcus Burk (24.6 ppg, 5.2 reb.) should get serious consideration for Indiana All-Stars. Up next: Guerin Catholic (Friday); Fishers (Saturday, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse)
9. Park Tudor (12-4) – The Panthers have dealt with a lot adversity this season but have managed to keep it together on the court under interim coach Jim Melton. Three of the four losses are to good 4A programs – Lawrence Central, Franklin Central and North Central. Park Tudor notched a solid win over Brebeuf this weekend. Up next: Scecina (Wednesday)
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10. Cathedral (12-5) – The Irish were hitting a pretty good stride until losses to Tech (in the City tournament championship) and Franklin Central. They’ve since rebounded with wins over Bowman Academy and Fort Wayne Luers. This will still be a dangerous team in March. Up next: Roncalli (Friday); at Heritage Christian (Saturday)
11. Carmel (11-6) – The Greyhounds had a five-game winning streak snapped by Lawrence North, 45-41, last Thursday. But the addition of senior Garrett Covington, a 6-4 wing, gives Carmel an added dimension it didn’t have before. Carmel will be the team to beat in Sectional 8. Up next: at Hamilton Southeastern (Friday); Fort Wayne Carroll (Saturday)
12. Ben Davis (12-7) – The Giants have won four of five after some inconsistent play. It’ll be a tough closing kick for Ben Davis with games against Lawrence North, Cathedral and Tech. Up next: at Lawrence North (Friday)
13. Zionsville (13-5) – Zionsville has been a little inconsistent but are putting together a strong season, led by freshman Isaiah Thompson (20.6 ppg) and junior Dominic Genco (12.8 ppg, 4.2 rebounds). Up next: at Lebanon (Friday)
14. Danville (15-4) – Danville is really close to being 18-1 right now. The Warriors are a balanced and veteran group, led by seniors Ryan Cloncs (17.7 ppg) and Jake Elliott (12.3 ppg, 6.7 assists). Danville beat McCutcheon, 60-57, a night after losing to Tri-West in a shot in the final seconds. Up next: Herron (Tuesday); at Avon (Friday)
15. Hamilton Southeastern (12-7) – HSE is back on the winning track after last year’s nine-win season. Junior Zach Gunn (18.5 ppg, 8.6 rebounds) is having another strong season. Up next: Carmel (Friday); at Warsaw (Saturday)