Indiana boys basketball Fab 15: Lawrence Central takes big jump, top four remain same
There is some shakeup after the holiday week hoops extravaganza, but the No. 1 team is solidly No. 1 after winning the Hall of Fame Classic in New Castle. 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 (12-0)
The Giants won the Hall of Fame Classic with victories over Penn (65-53) and NorthWood (60-42) as sophomore Mark Zackery earned MVP honors with his strong play on both ends of the court. The Giants are at North Central Friday and host Washington Saturday. Previous: 1.
2. Cathedral (6-1)
The Irish have only played two games since Dec. 10 and are coming off a 76-71 double-overtime win over Warren Central that was played without senior Xavier Booker, who is returning from illness. Cathedral gets back to it this week at Roncalli (Tuesday), vs. Chicago Simeon (Friday at LaPorte) and at home vs. Floyd Central (Saturday). Previous: 2.
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3. Brownsburg (10-1)
The Bulldogs sent a message with a three-game run to the championship at the Phil Cox Memorial tournament in Kokomo, finishing with a 73-51 win over the host Wildkats in the championship as Kanon Catchings scored a tourney-record 39 points. Brownsburg also knocked off Columbia City (78-37) and Warren Central (53-38). Brownsburg hosts Cascade on Tuesday in the first round of the Hendricks County tournament. Previous: 3.
4. Westfield (6-1)
The Shamrocks, who did not play last week, will get back to it with a tough three-game slate of at Mt. Vernon (Tuesday), vs. Yorktown (Friday) and at Carmel (Saturday). Senior Alex Romack is averaging 15.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists through seven games. Previous: 4.
5. Carmel (7-3)
Sam Orme scored 33 points to lead the Greyhounds to a 48-37 win over Anderson in their only game of the week. There are a couple challenges this week as Carmel is at Center Grove (Friday) and vs. Westfield (Saturday). Previous: 6.
6. Lawrence North (7-1)
Sophomore Azavier Robinson shined last week with 32 points and 11 rebounds in a 66-49 win over Fort Wayne Concordia and 21 points, eight rebounds and four assists in a 53-49 win over Connersville to take the Connersville tournament. He then had 20 points and seven rebounds in a 78-64 win over Marion. Lawrence North hosts Warren Central Friday. Previous: 8.
7. Lawrence Central (7-4)
The Bears take a huge jump this week after defeating Chesterton (65-62), Columbus North (64-42) and Noblesville (48-45) to win the Noblesville tournament. Da’John Craig is averaging 17.4 points and 4.3 rebounds. Some tough games ahead this week with Park Tudor at home (Wednesday) and at Hamilton Southeastern (Friday). Previous: NR.
8. Noblesville (7-2)
I think this is a little low for the Millers, who knocked off Northridge (56-26) and Crown Point (61-44) in the first two rounds of the Noblesville tournament before losing to Lawrence Central (48-45) in the championship. Noblesville is at Pike (Tuesday) and vs. Muncie Central (Saturday) this week. Previous: 5.
9. New Palestine (9-0)
The Dragons had a scare in the first round of the Lebanon tournament, getting two free throws by Julius Gizzi with no time left to win 61-60. New Palestine then defeated Gary 21st Century (76-57) and Lebanon (59-48) to take the title and remain unbeaten. Blaine Nunnally had a big week, earning most valuable player honors. The Dragons are at Delta Friday and host Southport Saturday afternoon. Previous: 10.
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10. Center Grove (10-1)
The Trojans defeated South Bend Riley (73-62), lost to Kokomo (51-49) and defeated Warren Central (47-37) to take third place at the Kokomo tournament. Center Grove hosts Carmel on Friday and is at 10-0 Jennings County on Saturday. Previous: 12.
11. Zionsville (6-4)
The Eagles dropped a 45-43 decision to Bloomington North at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in their only game of the week. Sophomore Drew Snively was a bright spot with 17 points. Up next: at Brebeuf Jesuit (Friday). Previous: 9.
12. Fishers (6-6)
The Tigers dropped three of four games at the Homestead tournament, falling 58-55 in overtime to Mishawaka Marian, 65-61 in overtime to Valparaiso and 60-55 to Munster. The only win was a 58-32 victory over Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger. Fishers plays at Lafayette Jeff (Tuesday) and at Pike (Friday) this week. Previous: 7.
13. Greenfield-Central (7-1)
The Cougars creep up a spot during an off week. Up next: at Mt. Vernon (Friday). Dylan Moles is averaging 21.8 points and 3.8 assists. Previous: 14.
14. Plainfield (7-2)
The Quakers rolled to a 59-44 win over Southport at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as junior Collin Schmidt had 22 points and nine rebounds. Plainfield opens the Hendricks County tournament Tuesday vs. Danville. Previous: NR.
15. Southport (6-3)
The Cardinals lost 59-44 to Plainfield in their only game of the week. Southport hits the road this week at Franklin Central (Friday) and at New Palestine (Saturday afternoon). Previous: 11.
Dropped out: North Central (13), Warren Central (15)
Next five in line: Warren Central (6-5), Mt. Vernon (7-3), North Central (6-4), Brebeuf Jesuit (6-3), Pike (5-3)
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana school basketball Fab 15 rankings: Lawrence Central jumps
