It’s the Top 10 for Week #10, with the return of two teams to the rankings!

#10	LOWELL RED DEVILS 2-3

 

↓

Last Week: #7

 

The Devils are having issues in the early going. When will they get those issues resolved is the question. Portage and Hobart need to be beaten this week – as does LaPorte, who comes to The Pit next Tuesday.

#9	BOWMAN EAGLES 3-4

 

↔

Last Week: #9

 

The bad news: Bowman has to go through an in-season coaching change after an embarrassing issue involving a player who wasn’t enrolled at the school playing in a game. The good news: the Eagles have time to get used to the new normal as they don’t take the court again until December 26 when they play in the Rich South Tournament.

#8	GRIFFITH PANTHERS 4-0

 

↑

Last Week: NR

 

The Panther football team grabbed a share of the Northwest Crossroads title in their last season in the conference, and with conference favorite Lowell struggling as much as they are, the basketball team has got to be thinking they can also make history in their last year as a member of the NCC. As of mid-December, it’s not out of the question.

#7	ANDREAN 59ERS 3-1

 

↓

Last Week: #6

 

The Niners gave Merrillville all they could handle at Engelhart on Saturday night before falling in OT. Not to worry Andrean fans, this team appears to have the talent to compete in what suddenly looks to be a winnable Northwest Crossroads.

#6	LAPORTE SLICERS 3-0

 

↑

Last Week: #8

 

With just three games in the books through three weeks, the Slicers have some catching up to do and with six games before the first of the year, they’ll do just that. So far, the orange and black are yet to play a team with a winning record – or a team from Northwest Indiana, so although we expect them to be pretty good, the jury is still out on the boys from Maple City.

#5	CHESTERTON TROJANS 5-1

 

↔

Last Week: #5

 

The Trojans open at 5-1 for the third time in 10 years and are one of the biggest surprises of the season through the first three weeks. The 28 point drubbing of Lowell was an eye opener – in more ways than one. The next test comes Tuesday when they travel to the Baratto Center for weeknight showdown with the #4 team in poll.

#4	EC CENTRAL CARDINALS 4-2

 

↓

Last Week: #2

 

This is East Chicago were talking about, so as of now they’re getting the benefit of the doubt, but we have some concerns about this team. The win over Merrillville was nice, but ugly losses to Crown Point and Valpo make you wonder. The home game against an out manned Munster squad was nothing more than a case of winning ugly….and that just ain’t EC’s style. They’re not only supposed to win, they’re supposed to be to fun to watch. Tuesday they host #5 Chesterton.

#3	MERRILLVILLE PIRATES 4-1

 

↔

Last Week: #3

 

The Bucs had a nice win over Noll and then had to go to overtime against Andrean. They’ll get a 10 day rest before taking on Morton. From there the schedule heats up – starting with powerhouse McCutcheon three days before Christmas.

#2	VALPARAISO VIKINGS 5-0

 

↑

Last Week: #4

 

Home court advantage has been nice for the Vikings in the early going with three of their first five taking place at VHS, including wins over fellow Top 10 members EC Central & Lowell. Valpo’s going to have to show they can win on the road in the next few weeks, as four of their next five outings are away from home, including a trip to the Columbia City/Huntington Tournament.

#1	CROWN POINT BULLDOGS 4-0

 

↔

Last Week: #1

 

Crown Point – The Bulldogs have shown themselves to be the cream of the Region crop through mid-December. Confident and smooth is how we’d describe their style of play. Fun to watch is another. Munster, Warsaw and Boone Grove round out the schedule before Christmas.