High school basketball: Area power rankings at Christmas break

Justin Frommer, South Bend Tribune
·4 min read

The boys high school basketball season has reached Christmas break and the holiday tournament portion of the year after cold weather affected last week's local games.

Penn and NorthWood's matchups in the Raymond James Hall of Fame Classic, as well as Marian's and South Bend Saint Joe's matchups in the Homestead Tournament headline this weekend's slate of games.

On guard! South Bend Washington boasts a 'Spider' and 'Captain' in its talented backcourt

High school basketball polls: Penn boys up to No. 2 in 4A, No. 3 overall

Here is how we rank the area's top 10 teams in the final week of 2022.

1. Penn (6-0, 3-0 NIC)

Last week's results: None

This week's games: Dec. 30 vs. Ben Davis (neutral site), Dec. 30 TBD (neutral site)

The Kingsmen, ranked No. 2 in 4A, had its lone game last week against South Bend Saint Joseph postponed due to weather conditions. Penn will play in one of the marquee games of the holiday season against 4A No. 1 Ben Davis in the Raymond James Hall of Fame Classic.

The other two teams include NorthWood and North Daviess.

2. Mishawaka Marian (7-0, 1-0 NIC)

Last week's results: None

This week's games: Dec. 28 vs. Fishers (neutral site), Dec. 28 vs. FW Dwenger (neutral site), Dec. 29. vs. Valparaiso (neutral site)

Marian, ranked No. 1 in 3A, had its lone game last week against South Bend Adams postponed due to weather conditions. The Knights will play in the Homestead Tournament this week.

3. NorthWood (7-1, 1-0 NLC)

Last week's results: None

This week's games: Dec. 30 vs. North Daviess (neutral site), Dec. 30 vs. TBD (neutral site)

NorthWood, ranked No. 3 in 3A, has won four consecutive games since its lone loss. The Panthers will play No. 2 North Daviess in the Raymond James Hall of Fame Classic.

4. South Bend Washington (7-1, 3-1 NIC)

Last week's results: None

This week's games: Dec. 27 vs. Harrison (neutral site), Dec. 27 vs. Portage (neutral site), Dec. 28 at Warsaw

The Panthers, ranked No. 8 in 3A, had its lone game last week against Calumet postponed due to weather conditions. Washington will participate in the Warsaw Classic this week.

5. Northridge (7-1, 1-0 NLC)

Last week's results: Won against Fort Wayne North (72-67)

This week's games: Dec. 27 at Noblesville, Dec. 27/28 vs. TBD (neutral site), Dec. 28 vs. TBD (neutral site)

Northridge, unranked in 4A, has won back-to-back games since its lone loss of the year against South Bend Riley. The Raiders will play in the Noblesville Tournament this week.

6. Mishawaka (5-2, 1-0 NLC)

Last week's results: Won against New Prairie (74-42)

This week's games: Dec. 29 vs. FW Snider (neutral site), Dec. 29 at Huntington North, Dec. 30 vs. TBD (neutral site)

Mishawaka has won three of its past four games after last week's road win at New Prairie. The Cavemen will play in the Huntington North Tournament this week.

7. South Bend Saint Joseph (5-2, 3-0 NIC)

Last week's results: None

This week's games: Dec. 28 vs. Hamilton Southeastern (neutral site), Dec. 28 at Homestead, Dec. 29 vs. Munster (neutral site)

Saint Joe, ranked No. 16 in 3A, had its lone game at Penn postponed last week due to weather conditions. Saint Joe will also be participating in the Homestead Tournament this week.

8. South Bend Riley (5-4, 2-2 NIC)

Last week's results: Win against Plymouth (58-48)

This week's games: Dec. 29 vs. Center Grove (neutral site), Dec. 30 vs TBD (neutral site), Dec. 30 vs. TBD (neutral site).

Riley has won two of its last three games after beating Plymouth last week. The Wildcats will participate in the Phil Cox Memorial Tournament at Kokomo this week.

9. John Glenn (3-4, 2-2 NIC)

Last week's results: None

This week's games: Dec. 27 vs. Fremont (neutral site), Dec. 27 TBD (neutral site)

Glenn has won two straight games entering this week's Max Platt Holiday Tournament at East Noble.

10. South Bend Adams (2-2, 1-2 NIC)

Last week's results: None

This week's games: Dec. 29 vs. Lowell (neutral site), Dec. 29 vs . TBD (neutral site), Dec. 30 vs. TBD (neutral site)

Adams, on a two-game winning streak, had its lone game against Mishawaka Marian postponed last week due to weather conditions. The Eagles will play in the LaPorte Tournament this week.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Here is how we rank area boys basketball teams in the final week of 2022