NW Indiana Girls Basketball: 2006-2007 Week-9 Poll

2006-2007 Girls Basketball

Week-9 Poll

A USA-365.com Special Report by Mark Smith

(01-20-2007)

MICHIGAN CITY, IN - (01-20-2007) - With the small school Bi-County and Porter County Conference (PCC) tournaments coming to an end this week, it's a countdown until the state tournament draw when we find out who plays who in the post-season. The state tournament draw gets later and later every year. It reportedly will be Monday night, Jan. 29 just seven days before the state tourney begins. I don't know if that's intentional so teams can't scout each other or what. There must be some reason for the evening announcement. I don't know if IHSAA commissioner Blake Rees drops off the pairings on his way home or what?

Traditionally, the boys pairings are announced on TV, but the IHSAA does not treat girls the same way. The girls' match ups will probably be announced after the fifth commercial break on the nightly news in Indianapolis. Downstate, Hamilton Southeastern (17-0) rolls on, but they have a tough one at Lafayette Jefferson (10-8) Saturday. Brebeuf and 6-foot-6 Ta'Shia Phillips scored 103 points on South Bend Riley last week. Bishop Luers (15-2) play at (Fort Wayne) Harding Friday night. It will be the first time all season that Luers has played anything smaller than a 3A school. Luers plays 10 Class 4A schools.

Washington Township (7-9) has something to prove in the PCC tournament this weekend. They are 3-0 against LaCrosse (1-15) and 4-9 against everyone else. Same thing for Gary Roosevelt. They're 3-0 against Lew Wallace (2-12) and 6-7 against everybody else. Crown Point (8-7) is 0-2 against Portage (8-7), but 2-0 against Chesterton (5-10). What about Chesterton vs. Portage? Chesterton won 26-24. Sometimes coaches say they'd rather have character than talent. They lie. East Chicago was 18-6 last year, but they graduated two D-1 players and they are 2-15 this year.

NUMBERS GAME: North Judson had won 10 games in a row going into a Jan. 20 game against Knox. Last year, Judson won 12 in a row during the regular season. Two years ago, the Blue Jays also won 12 games in a row in December and January. Wheeler is 81-28 in the last five years. South Bend Washington (18-1), which beat Chicago power Whitney Young and Winnetka Illinois power New Trier last week on the road, has won 18 games in a row since a 63-58 loss to Fort Wayne South. Fort Wayne South? Fort Wayne South (15-1) has lost just once: To Bishop Luers (15-2). Luers? They've lost two? To Fort Wayne South and South Bend Washington.

1. (4A) Michigan City (16-1)
2006 (14-11), 2005 (6-15), 2004 (6-16)

MICHIGAN CITY: Michigan City has had a lot of down time after a heavy holiday slate. The Wolves need to work on two things: 1.) Play against a slowdown and 2.) Playing a half court slowdown style. MC has won 10 games by 15 points or more and I like the way they are closing out games. It was written here that that's what they need to do. When MC played Valparaiso in November, MC won by 3 points. Last week, they won by 20. 'Wolf Pack East' has beaten Chesterton by 37 points BOTH times they've played them. You like the balance with junior lead guard TaKenya Nixon (15.7 ppg.), senior center Emma Tucker (13.1 ppg.) and soph wing Bianca McGee (11.4 ppg.). The key is outside shooting with players like Katie Knoll (8.9) who has 26 three-point goals. Do not misunderstand. MC is very good. But also understand, they have to get much better or they will be out quickly at the sectional. MC's sectional is brutal with Clay (12-6) and host South Bend Washington (18-1), one of the midwest's top teams.

2. (3A) ANDREAN (13-3)
2006 (15-8), 2005 (9-13), 2004 (7-14)

MERRILLVILLE: The Niners stopped Munster 52-41 and while it was the second time the Niners have beaten Munster (12-5) this season, this one was much more impressive. Andrean led by 24 points before the Lady Ponies rallied. While Andrean didn't close out the game well against Munster's full court press, the Niners win by more if they do better than 9-of-17 from the line. The Niners travel to Griffith (13-4) Saturday night in a game when they need to take notes. Andrean could see Griffith again at the Twin Lakes Regional. Plus, it will do the Niners well to see a team which values every possession and can shut down a team simply with their style of play. Andrean also sees Gary Roosevelt (9-7) next week and that game has meaning because the Velt, even in a bad year, is the number one sectional rival to Andrean. And in the 5-team KV sectional, Andrean and Roosevelt are sure to meet next month. The truth is, the Niners need to forget this LAC nonsense. News flash: Y'all won the LAC back in December. Call up your friends at St. Jospeh's and Bishop Luers and get tapes of their team. Remember what you did against Hammond high and let the 'sleeping dog' that is Roosevelt lie.

3. (4A) Gary West Side (10-4)
2006 (16-7), 2005 (23-5), 2004 (22-3)

GARY: Gary's West Side season has started turn up the heat recently with four consecutive wins. The 'Side' beat Clay 71-64. It should be noted that three of West Side's losses are by less than five points. They could easily be 13-1. But that massive butt-kicking they took from (Chicago) Marshall (18-2) at the Gary Holiday tournament still leaves questions. And when you get horse-whipped by 25 on your home floor, you need a book of answers. Answers that may be forthcoming Saturday when the Side hosts Fort Wayne powerhouse Harding (9-6), a team with a very deceptive record. Harding has lost twice to Fort Wayne South (15-1), once to 1A dominator Canterbury (15-2), once to 2A power Heritage (16-1) and once to defending 2A state champion Heritage Christian (15-2). If West Side beats Harding, they're pretty good. Everybody knows where the good teams are and a few, like West Side, actually go play them. West Side has a better chance to beat South Bend Washington than Michigan City does.

4. (4A) MERRILLVILLE (12-4)
2006 (19-3), 2005 (12-10), 2004 (12-8)

MERRILLVILLE: Merrillville has won seven in a row and, while they will not catch Michigan City in the Duneland Athletic Conference (DAC), the Pirates might be in MC's league. Merrillville won a tough one on the road at LaPorte 58-54 but, despite recent good play, there are still doubts here. This is still not a physical team that can rebound with anybody but the Pirates were able to turn back a strong LaPorte effort. Merrillville has exceeded expectations which is admirable but also worrisome. You do wonder if their recent surge is similar to MC's 11-0 DAC record, a product of a down league. But you've got to give Merrillville credit. Merrillville's 12-4 is far better than Highland's 13-5. The Pirates lost 69-58 to the taller Lake Central girls earlier this year and, if they have improved, they'll take out LC Friday night. This is still the sectional favorite because Michigan City and Lake Central won't be at the Portage Sectional.

5. (4A) Munster (14-4)
2006 (19-5), 2005 (17-6), 2004 (6-15)

MUNSTER: Munster's second loss to Andrean is no big deal. The Lady Ponies have lost four of their last seven but a look at the schedule shows they could go 5-0 the rest of the way. A big boost came against Andrean when 5-10 Jennifer DiCostanzo banked 20 points, a career high. The Mustangs have been crying for a secondary scorer all season to balance lead guard Lauren Mengehetti. Munster hasn't won a sectional in 17 years and now is the time. They could very well be matched against Gary West Side, a team they've already beaten, for the sectional crown. Don't run away from a good team after a couple of losses.

6. (4A) LaPorte (9-7)
2006 (8-14), 2005 (8-13), 2004 (4-17)

LaPORTE: LaPorte and Lake Central are having the same year. As you know, I don't go by whether you play in Lake County or what your record is. It's about how you're playing. LaPorte is on the good foot. The Slicers lost 58-54 to Merrillville (12-5). LaPorte has lost to South Bend Washington (18-1), Merrillville (12-5), Clay (12-6) and Plymouth (12-4). They have faced a very tough schedule and have kept their heads above water. Senior Sarah Dermody (16.5 ppg.) scored 22 against Merrillville and she's been strong but the Slicers could use a little more production from anybody else. Lately, 5-foot-9 guard Rebekah Spohr (4.8 ppg,) has been an outside threat. LaPorte needs help in the South Bend sectional but they could pull one upset.

7. (4A) LAKE CENTRAL (7-9)
2006 (11-10), 2005 (7-14), 2004 (11-10)

St. JOHN: Lake Central tried to turn it around with wins over Crown Point and Lowell, although neither was impressive. I don't understand why this team doesn't play well for the entire game. They are experienced and they have size and a good lead guard in Allison Aguilera. I really don't care how many teams have better records. Take away the same day season opening losses to Hamilton Southeastern (17-0) and Carmel (13-2). Eight of the nine teams LC has played have winning records and five have won 10 games already. LC needs to play with a little more intensity all the time, not just some of the time. Maybe that will come naturally as the playoffs approach. The DAC's double round robin is mind-numbing and the girls know that. Player-for-player though, this team is far better than some others in this poll.

8. (3A) Hammond (11-7)
2006 (15-8), 2005 (15-7), 2004 (8-12)

HAMMOND: Local media goes for the flash-in the pan. Nobody believes that Kouts would beat Hammond high and the purple Cats are still better than Wheeler or Boone Grove. They have more speed and can create more problems defensively. The holidays were disappointing for them, but with a lot of practice days recently, I would guess they are getting better. The Wildcats won't be mild cats when they get to Andrean on Jan. 25th for a third meeting. Hammond is 0-2 against Andrean so far. The back end of the schedule is pretty weak here and that won't help them if they draw Griffith or Calumet right off the bat at the Calumet Sectional. How can Hammond not play Calumet during the regular season in basketball? What's that about?

9. (2A) Wheeler (12-2)
2006 (14-7), 2005 (18-8), 2004 (19-4)

UNION TOWNSHIP: I really can't choose between Boone Grove and Wheeler. The Bearcats' 52-50 win over Boone came when Emile Naccaratto (8.1 ppg.) sank a career-high seven three-point baskets. Wheeler badly needs supporting scoring for 6-foot-2 senior Becca Bruszewski (20.5 ppg.). The Bearcats' schedule is weak down the stretch, and other than Highland (12-5), it can't prepare them for the 2A Lake Station sectional. The Bearcats have allowed just 32.5 points per game, an incredibly low total. But to be totally honest, they haven't played very many good offensive teams. Boone scored 50 on them and I'm not sure they are as good a defensive team as the numbers indicate. Naccaratto's 21 point night better not be a fluke.

10. (2A) BOONE GROVE (14-2)
2006 (14-11), 2005 (21-2), 2004 (17-5)

PORTER TOWNSHIP: Boone won a must game for them, rolling over Kouts 70-54 and reversing two earlier losses to Kouts (14-2). The Wolves have a better team than Kouts, but they failed in the two earlier battles. Cortney Flanigan scored 29 points and passed out 10 assists and grabbed five rebounds. The Wolves must now win the PCC title for a third consecutive year. There is no strong team left in the tournament final four. It's very hard to compare Boone's Flanigan (20.6) and Wheeler's Bruszewski, but everybody does because the schools are three miles apart and arch rivals. Junior shooter Jessica Dowdy (10.6 ppg.) has returned from health problems and is a key. But the key players are probably 6-foot freshmen Kelly Dobson (5.8 ppg.) and Emily Strilich (5.7 ppg.) who have to hold their own once the playoffs start. A major test is coming on Feb .1 when 'Wolf Pack West' rides the big yellow bus to North Judson (13-3) where they have never won.

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN.....

(2A) North Judson (13-3)
2006 (19-3), 2005 (22-4), 2004 (12-9)

NORTH JUDSON: Judson may be better than Boone and Wheeler and if they are, they'll get their chance to prove it. A 53-39 rout of Winamac last week was the Jays' 10th win in a row. Kristen Bolen (16.5 ppg.) leads NW Indiana with 37 three-point goals and wing Whitney Trusty (13.5 ppg.) has 21. Junior forward Chelsea Howard (12.1 ppg.) and is 50 of 61 from the line. The key to this team is going to be 6-foot sophomore LeeAnn Howard, Chelsea's sister and Judson's only real back up post player. Bolen is 41 of 54 from the foul line and it would be hard to choose between her and Flanigan.

(4A) Highland (13-5)
2006 (19-3), 2005 (22-4), 2004 (12-9)

HIGHLAND: The Trojans have come back with seven consecutive wins, including a lame 33-24 win over Hobart. If they are healthy, they're a threat to anybody for one game. But they have a lot to prove. Highland has always stayed close to home schedule-wise, but the schedule even they play isn't what it was in past years. The Trojans' record is deceptive. Munster is a rivalry win. They play them three times a year. It's going to be hard for this team to play basically a 3A schedule all year and then jump up into a 4A Sectional neutral site game against Gary West Side or Munster. They have to know they are warming up for something they haven't seen. It's all about how much offense they can generate.

(1A) Kouts (14-2)
2006 (12-9), 2005 (12-9), 2004 (13-9)

KOUTS: Kouts didn't have a lot against Boone Grove and were blown out 70-54 in the Porter County Conference tournament. In the biggest game of the season to this point, Kouts was not good and the loss highlights the fact that this team really does not have a lot of quality wins. Wheeler and Boone have beaten 4A schools. Kouts has beaten Morgan Township and Boone twice by a combined total of 12 points. The reality is they beat North Judson two months ago and they're a couple of baskets away from being 0-3 against Boone. The Fillies do not have to face a winning team in the eight-team Hebron sectional. But Kouts, which has won seven games by less than 10 points, is going to have to display a lot better shot selection and rebounding than they did at the PCC tournament. There are very good 1A teams waiting for them at the regional level.

(3A) Griffith (13-4)
2006 (14-8), 2005 (15-8), 2004 (13-9)

GRIFFITH: The Panthers' 41-36 loss at Rensselaer (11-6) surprises only those who never look outside Lake and Porter County. Rensselaer is 46-18 in the last three seasons. The Panthers beat Whiting 49-40 and they still lead the state in fewest points allowed. But when you're 3A and you lose at a 2A school, you have some concern. I'm not to first to say this, but Griffith's coaches get the most out of this team. They are looking better and better to beat Hammond at the sectional, but I don't know about beating Andrean and Highland in the next 10 days. Understand that the LAC is down and the Panthers didn't play any DAC teams.