BOYS BASKETBALL: RSN Top 10 – 2/17/17

#10 
CHESTERTON TROJANS
14-7/3-3

 

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LAST WEEK: NR

 

After a multi-week absence, the Trojans are back in the rankings thanks to a five game winning streak that included victories over Lake Central, Michigan City and Munster. Chesterton can play spoiler as one of their two remaining games is against DAC co-leader Valpo – everyone in Crown Point may be wearing some burgundy and gold to go along with their red & white for that one.

#9
EC CENTRAL CARDINALS
11-8

 

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LAST WEEK: #7

 

A small fire at the Baratto Center delayed the Cardinals matchup with Lowell last week and it finally was made up on Thursday with EC pulling off a victory. The extra time may have been good for the team to clear their collective heads as they were coming off two straight losses. With showdowns against Noll & St. Rita coming up before the next Top 10, will this be the last time the Cardinals are ranked?

#8
LAKE CENTRAL INDIANS
12-9/3-3

 

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LAST WEEK: #10

 

Despite their only outing since the last rankings being a loss to Michigan City, the Indians still move up a little bit in the rankings thanks to idle teams and other squads dropping out. This may be the end of the road for LC however as their final stretch is brutal – their last three opponents (CP, Marquette Catholic & McCutcheon) are a combined 47-13. Yikes.

#7
GRIFFITH PANTHERS
17-3/5-0

 

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LAST WEEK: #5

 

The 80 point outing against Bishop Noll was the first sign of life from the Panther offense in weeks and could bode well for them moving forward as we inch closer to the tournament. Speaking of moving forward, all future Panther victories are going to have to take place away from home – as its road games from here on out for the black and gold.

#6 
ANDREAN 59ERS
15-4/4-1

 

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LAST WEEK: #6

 

While losing two out of their last four isn’t ideal, it’s not quite time to panic in Niner-land….yet.  In fact, the four point OT win over West Side is probably more concerning than recent losses to Crown Point & a solid Lafayette Central Catholic team.  With Munster, Hammond High & Noll on the docket down the stretch, the schedule isn’t brutal but they’re all good enough to trip up the 59ers if they don’t turn it around.

#5 
LAPORTE SLICERS
16-6/2-4

 

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LAST WEEK: #8

 

We’ve harped on the offensive issues from the Slicers all season long, but after LaPorte’s last two outings, we’ll drop it. An 81 point performance against SB Clay was followed up by an even more impressive 95 points against SB Riley as the Slicers handed them their first loss of the year. If LaPorte can get that type of offense to go along with a stifling defense….watch out.

#4 
MERRILLVILLE PIRATES
15-6/3-3

 

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LAST WEEK: #4

 

The Pirates quickly got over a narrow loss to Lake Central with solid victories over LaPorte and Warsaw. The offense hasn’t been the same since the calendar turned to 2017 (66 points is their high), the defense has been solid and they have the luxury of playing their final three at home – expect them to finish high in the rankings.

#3
MICHIGAN CITY WOLVES
17-6/3-3

 

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LAST WEEK: #3

Friday is it for the Wolves – they play in their last regular season game (a tough trip to Merrillville) before finishing the final week of the season idle. Sure they’ll be hitting the practice floor – probably really hard – during that week, but it’s tough to duplicate game environments. A win over the Pirates would give them another boost of confidence, while a loss would make for a LONG break heading into the tournament.

#2
VALPARAISO VIKINGS
18-3/5-1

 

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LAST WEEK: #2

The flip-flopping with CP for the #1 spot continues with Valpo possibly stuck at #2 for awhile following the Bulldogs’ last second win over the Vikings. Valpo not only lost the game & their top spot in the poll, but they lost a chance to clinch the DAC solely for themselves. They have one more conference game to go and it’s not going to be easy as they host county rival Chesterton.

#1
CROWN POINT BULLDOGS
17-3/5-1

 

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LAST WEEK: #1

The thrilling win over Valpo got the ‘Dogs back in the conference race and back at the top of the RSN rankings for another week. While Crown Town has to be flying high after that win, there’s no time for a let up as upset-minded LC is next, followed by Morton – a team with multiple weapons and then a quality Lowell club to close out the regular season schedule.