IHSAA boys basketball Fab 15: Center Grove makes big jump, Warren Central, Pike join party
It is Marion County tournament week — a busy week for several the teams listed below. Here is a look at this week’s high school basketball Fab 15, a weekly ranking of the top teams in Central Indiana:
1. Ben Davis (14-0)
The Giants rolled to a 71-56 win over North Central on Friday as Zane Doughty dominated with 17 points, 18 rebounds and four blocked shots. He then had 14 points and seven rebounds in a 67-36 win over Washington. The Giants open the Marion County tournament Tuesday at home against Beech Grove and would see the Park Tudor-Warren Central winner in a quarterfinal Wednesday. Previous: 1.
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2. Brownsburg (13-1)
The Bulldogs ripped off three wins in the Hendricks County tournament, concluding with a 69-54 win over Plainfield in a competitive championship game. Brownsburg also knocked off Cascade (69-15) and Avon (61-40). Kanon Catchings had 30 points against Plainfield. This is a one-game week as Brownsburg hosts Fishers on Friday. Previous: 3.
3. Cathedral (8-2)
The Irish went 2-1 for the week with an 74-61 loss to nationally-ranked Chicago Simeon sandwiched between wins over Roncalli (81-50) and Floyd Central (77-63). In the win over Floyd Central, Jaron Tibbs had 19 points and five assists and Xavier Booker went for 17 points and 13 rebounds. Up next: Wednesday at Carmel. Previous: 2.
4. Center Grove (12-1)
The Trojans had probably their most impressive weekend of the season with wins over Carmel (43-41) and at previously-unbeaten Jennings County (68-66). Joey Schmitz had 20 points on 5-for-7 shooting from the 3-point line in the win over Carmel. Center Grove has a bye to the semifinals of the Johnson County tournament Friday at Whiteland to play either Indian Creek or Whiteland. The championship game is Saturday. Previous: 10.
5. Carmel (8-4)
The Greyhounds bounced back from a 43-41 loss to Center Grove with a 49-38 win over Westfield. Sam Orme had 20 points and seven rebounds in the loss to Center Grove. Sophomore Alex Couto was 3-for-3 from the 3-point line and had 14 points in the win over Westfield. Carmel was without Jake Griffin and Jared Bonds but should get them back soon. Up next: Cathedral (Wednesday) and at Fort Wayne Snider (Friday). Previous: 5.
6. Westfield (8-2)
The Shamrocks knocked off Mt. Vernon (67-58) and Yorktown (59-47) before seeing their six-game winning streak snapped in a 49-38 loss at Carmel. This is a one-game week as Westfield plays at Hamilton Southeastern on Friday. Trey Buchanan is shooting 41% from the 3-point line. Previous: 4.
7. Lawrence Central (9-4)
The Bears continue to surge with wins over Park Tudor (72-67) and Hamilton Southeastern (66-64 in overtime) despite not having Josh Mickens and Bryson Luter, who were participating in All-American Bowl activities in Texas. Da’John Craig and Jacob Franklin combined for 43 points against Park Tudor. The Bears open at Franklin Central in the Marion County tournament Tuesday and then would play either Southport or Perry Meridian. Previous: 7.
8. New Palestine (11-0)
The Dragons knocked off Delta (62-48) and Southport (73-68) to stay undefeated. Blaine Nunnally had 22 points and five assists in the win over Southport and went over 1,000 points for his career. New Palestine is at Pendleton Heights on Thursday in its only game of the week. Previous: 9.
9. Noblesville (8-3)
The Millers defeated Muncie Central 59-43 to rebound from a 61-60 loss to Pike earlier in the week. Luke Almodovar had 20 points in the loss to Pike. Up next: vs. Zionsville (Friday) and at Connersville (Saturday). Previous: 8.
10. Zionsville (7-4)
The Eagles knocked off Brebeuf Jesuit 48-35 as Nick Richart led the way with 15 points. Zionsville is at Noblesville on Friday in the Eagles’ only game this week. Previous: 11.
11. Warren Central (8-5)
It was an impressive week for Warren Central with victories over Lawrence North (66-51) and Hamilton Southeastern (65-39). The Warriors open the Marion County tournament at home vs. Park Tudor and then would play either the winner of Beech Grove or Ben Davis in the quarterfinal round. Previous: NR.
12. Lawrence North (7-2)
The Wildcats look to bounce back from a 66-51 loss to Warren Central when the Marion County tournament begins Tuesday. Lawrence North is at Lutheran and then would see either Decatur Central or Brebeuf Jesuit in the quarterfinal round. Previous: 6.
13. Greenfield-Central (8-1)
The Cougars knocked off Mt. Vernon 51-46 as Dylan Moles led the way with 20 points and five assists and Braylon Mullins added 14 points and five rebounds. Greenfield-Central is on the road this week at New Castle (Friday) and Eastern Hancock (Saturday). Previous: 14.
14. Plainfield (9-3)
The Quakers knocked off Danville (82-60) and Tri-West (64-43) in the first two rounds of the Hendricks County tournament before falling 69-54 in the championship game to Brownsburg. Garrett Irwin had 20 points and four steals in the win over Danville. Previous: 14.
15. Pike (7-3)
The Red Devils join the mix after a 61-60 win over Noblesville on Devon Woods’ last-second shot (and 28 points) and a 71-60 win over Fishers as Joseph Annan had 20 points and nine rebounds. Pike opens the Marion County tournament at home vs. Speedway and would see either North Central or Roncalli in the quarterfinal. Previous: NR.
Dropped out: Fishers (12), Southport (15)
Next five in line: Fishers (7-7), Southport (7-4), Mt. Vernon (8-5), North Central (6-5), University (8-1)
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana high school basketball rankings: Updated Indy-area Fab 15
