Week 14 News and Notes

 

It’s Week 14 and it’s hard to focus on the end of the regular season when the best time of the year is coming up this upcoming week. It’s finally March and there’s sectional write ups and pick ’ems, there’s podcasts, emailing and talking with ADs/ coaches, and then there’s actually going to games. On Tuesday one of the state’s best, Cathedral came down to New Albany for a battle of 2 of my Top 15 teams in the state. This game told me alot about both teams going into tourney time. Southwestern (Hanover) fresh off their big W over Scottsburg visited Charlestown as both teams prep for super tough sectionals. On Thursday I got to catch Austin, who looked to continue their winning ways @ home against Trinity Lutheran. Both of these squads are super young and will be even better next season. Friday night I got to visit Vevay, IN to see Madison put up 103 pts which is the most the Cubs have scored since the 1971-72 season. It’s the first Saturday night without ball games but it was still a full and fun week of last regular season games. Let’s take a look @ Week 14.

Cathedral @ New Albany- If you like fast paced/ up tempo offense this was the game for you. It was literally like watching a tennis match as teams went back and forth on fast breaks regardless of misses or makes. Two top 15 teams put on a offensive display while at times the defense left a alot to be desired. The Bulldogs jumped out of the gate quick and set the tone early with their pressure. Soph. Noah Washington got the 3 ball going and he got to the basket but also picked up 2 fouls in the 1st which made him play a little more tentative. After a TJ Washington long 3 at the buzzer, it was the Bulldogs holding a 53-40 lead going into the break. There’s alot of teams that don’t put up 53 total in a game but New Albany played about as well as anyone offensively I’ve seen this year. Irish senior Keaton Aldridge aka the Julius Randle of high school basketball earned his 1,000 points on the night for his career and realized in the 2nd half he could basically bully New Albany to the basket and finish down low. Cathedral used Aldridge quite a bit more bringing the ball up the floor with their freshman pg Ryan Gold out due to injury. Freshman Jayden Kennedy stepped up for the Irish in one of his better games of the season putting up 7 pts, 7 rbs, and 4 steals in the game. The ’29 combo of Gold, Kennedy, and Eli Wilson is going to be good for Cathedral in the near future. Speaking of really good freshman, New Albany has one of their own in possibly the state’s best ’29 kid, Karson Stoudemire. He put in 10 pts but hit a massive shot towards the end of the game with under a minute left that really sealed the Bulldogs W. Stoudemire plays poised for his age and is unafraid going to the basket and when his outside shot becomes more consistent, he’s going to be a big problem. The Irish came all the way back in this one and almost stole it from New Albany. Once down as many as 13, Cathedral stormed back and I believe tied the game with just a minute or 2 left. Jr. Reece McKee, who was big time for New Albany all night, got a fastbreak up the floor quick and finished an And 1 that put the Dogs up 2 plus the free throw. McKee put in 22 pts but none were bigger than those 3. Washington for the Dogs was the team’s leading scorer with 23 as New Albany ended up winning a wild 90-84 game that was just decided in the last minute. These were 2 of the state’s top offenses and fast paced teams and they showed why tonight. Aldridge put in a game-high 24 pts. for Cathedral.

Southwestern (Hanover) @ Charlestown- This was a game between two box of chocolate teams, because you never know which team you’re going to get on a given night. I’ve seen both have really good games, and I’ve seen both have bad ones. So something had to give tonight and it was certainly a statement game for the Pirates @ home on Senior Night. It was hard to imagine the 4 senior starters for Charlestown going out on their home floor with a loss and they played with real purpose in this one. From the jump you could tell the Pirates had another gear they could go to as opposed to the visiting Rebels. The Southwestern zone they played in the first few minutes continuously left Pirate Sr. Keevin Bowman (15 pts for the game) in the middle for a 3-4 foot shot that was usually uncontested. I thought after Saturday’s night’s W v. Scottsburg the Rebels defense and team had turned a corner and were ready to live up to their #10 2A ranking I gave them in the preseason. In their defense they will not see a team in their sectional as good as Charlestown or a player the caliber of Sr. Anthony Fresh. In the first quarter SW got some good looks on offense but just couldn’t get much to fall. It seemed to snowball into the 2nd quarter as the Charlestown lead ballooned to 40-19 @ half. Fresh was having one of those games where just about anything he put up from anywhere went in. Whether it was lob dunks, steals and transition dunks, or long 3’s, Fresh looked like an Indiana All Star tonight putting up 32 pts and scoring his 1,000 career point. Freshman Quinton Lewis continued to be a bright spot for a Rebel team as he finished tied with a team high 10 pts. Sr. Caleb Goode also reached double figures for SW with 10 pts as well. At one point in the 3rd quarter the score was 64-30 in favor of the Pirates and a running clock was one. by the end of the period it was 64-30 and most of the starters being taken out. With basically an entire 4th quarter of subs Charlestown got a statement W tonight v. SW, 74-44. The Rebels finished their regular season 12-11 and will play Brown County on Tuesday in Hanover. The South Ripley coaching staff was in the building scouting the Rebels so they’re looking forward to a potential Friday night sectional semi final matchup with SW. Charlestown finished their regular season 16-7 and look like they’re peaking at the right time. They’ve lost 1 game since January 17 and will have their hands with Corydon to open sectional play @ Madison on Tuesday.

Madison @ Switzerland County- Needless to say both teams have struggled this season and are in rebuilding seasons. The Pacers graduated arguably their all time best player and leading scorer in school history, Cam Craig. That’s a tough loss for a small school like Switz. Madison graduated 3 starting seniors, Mason Davis, Damon Harden, and Landon True. All three were knockdown 3 pt. shooters. The Cubs do have one of the state’s better freshman to start their rebuild with. Fr. guard Braysen Russell has proved himself as one of the state’s best 3 pt. shooters regardless of class and has put together some 30 pt. games in his first high school season. Madison started off the game playing with confidence and getting up 10+ before the Pacers got on the scoreboard. Jr. Gabe Fife got going early by getting to the basket but from beyond the arc on his way to 24 pts in the game. In fact, the entire team was hot from 3 and shot 15/22 for 68% for three in the game. By halftime the Cubs were up 57-30. I liked the potential I saw from Pacer freshman, Braxton Haggard. He’s about 6’3 and will be a solid player in the blue and orange in the next 3 years. Haggard who scored 12 pts, along with a couple juniors led Switz. Co. for the game. Jr. Isaac Williams put in 13 pts. and leading scorer on the season Jr. Corbin Craig with 9 pts. The game was well out of hand in the 2nd half but both teams kept on firing, especially Madison. Freshman Gavin Barnes played one of his better games of the season finishing with 17 pts. one of Madison’s 2 seniors that get good PT, Zach Vinup scored 14 pts in the game. Game- high honors went to Fr. Braysen Russell who put on a shooting clinic going 6/8 from three in the game. Every time Russell got some space Pacer fans in the crowd groaned because they knew it was probably going in. Braysen capped off his regular season averaging 20.1 ppg while putting in 29 pts in tonight’s contest. I’m not sure of the record ppg average for a freshman in Madison’s history but I would venture to say 22.1 ppg in your first season is a record and one of the highest averages for a freshmen in the state. The Cubs ended by putting up 103 pts in the W to Switz. Co’s 58. When looking @ John Harrell’s site this is the first time the Cubs have hit 100 pts on record and their most pts in a game since the site has kept stats (1993-1994 season).

Other News and Notes from Around the State in Week 14

• Madison defeated Salem, 53-31. Fr. Braysen Russell led the Cubs with 21 pts.
• Scottsburg got the 75-67 W over Jennings County. Sr. Garrett Boling with 31 pts for the Warriors.
• Decatur Central beat Beech Grove on Tuesday, 58-48. Jr. Nash Sigmund with 17 pts and Sr. Elyas Zapata with 10 pts and 10 rbs for the Hawks.
• Carmel with a 60-49 W over Attucks. Sr. Greyhound Evan Harrell with 19 pts.
• Greenwood Christian got by Trinity Lutheran on Tuesday, 66-62. Jr. Hudson Lang with 17 pts for TL.
• Mater Dei defeated Evans. Central 68-51. Sr. Tate Mallory scored 20 pts for the Wildcats.
• Northview with the 75-50 W over Martinsville. Sr. Brayden Goff with 16 pts for the Knights. On Thursday Northview got a good W v. Bloomington South, 65-53. Trayven Buis led the Knights with 15 pts. Sr. Jack Clark put in 29 pts for the Panthers.
• Cloverdale beat North Putnam, 54-42. Soph. Ishmael Kiteka with 20 pts and 9 rbs. for the Clovers.
• Bloomfield got a 59-45 W over Edgewood. Sr. Blake Neill with 26 pts for the Cards.
• Parke Heritage defeated Cardinal Ritter, 56-49. Sr. Treigh Schelsky with 20 pts for the Wolves.
• Washington with a 61-49 W over Mt. Vernon (Posey). Sr. Cooper Wright put up 24 pts for the Hatchets.
• It was New Pal over Franklin on Tuesday night, 64-55. Sr. Evan Darrah with 25 pts for the Dragons.
• Paoli continues their undefeated season on Tuesday with a 57-42 W over N. Harrison. Jr. Dakota Apple with 18 pts, 4 rbs, and 4 assists and Sr. Dane Padgett with 18 pts and 6 rbs for the Rams.
• Lakewood Park got the 61-51 W over Central Noble. Sr. Avery MacFarlane with 24 pts for the Panthers.
• Boonville got the 69-26 W v. Tell City. Jr. Jaxon McKain with 13 pts and 11 rbs for the Pioneers.
• It was Gary 21st Century over Kankakee Valley 90-49. Cougar seniors Terrence Hayes Jr., Ronald Mosely, and Jerry Triplett all with 14 pts.
• Northridge defeated Fairfield 80-42. Sr. Brady Scholl with 21 pts for the Raiders.
• Ben Davis with the 78-52 W over Arsenal Tech. Sr. Jashawn Ladd with 15 pts, 4 rbs, and 4 assists while Sr. Sherman Moss Wright had 14 pts and 11 rbs for the Giants.
• Borden with a 57-48 W v. Salem. Soph. Wyatt Jones with 24 pts, 4 rbs, and 2 assists for the Braves.
• Shelbyville beat Batesville, 84-69. Sr. Mar Nicholson with 25 pts for the Golden Bears. Jr. James Hughes with 18 pts and 5 rbs for the Bulldogs.
• Lawrence North over Franklin Central, 76-63. Sr. Duke Karnes with 21 pts for the Wildcats.
• Gibson Southern over North Posey, 67-52. Jr. Kolton Schmitt with 22 for the Titans.
• University defeated Indiana Math + Science 82-49. Faisal Mohamud with 23 pts for the Trailblazers.
• FW South with a good W v. New Haven, 72-59. Jr. Corte Wallace with 24 pts for the Archers.
• Hauser got a 70-42 W v. Greenwood Christian. Sr. Gavin Keller with 23 pts for the Jets.
• Greenfield beat Decatur Central, 60-56. Jr. Malachi Van had 14 pts and 5 rbs. and Clay Mullins put in 15 pts and 7 rbs for the Cougars.
• Plainfield picked up a 81-52 W over Danville. Sr. Noah Smith with 19 pts for the Quakers.
• Lawrenceburg with a 59-46 W over Oldenburg Academy. Soph. Trevor Fricke with 22 pts for the Tigers.
• Westview defeated Concord 69-47. Jr. Austin Schlabach with 25 pts for the Warriors.
• Jeffersonville got by Castle, 79-55. Soph. Fred Stone with 15 pts for the Red Devils.
• Indy Lutheran got a 98-97 W over Purdue Polytechnical. Sr. TJ Clark with 41 pts for the Saints. Sr. TJ Williams with 33 pts for the Techies.
• Anderson beat FW Wayne, 80-59. Soph. Don Bowling put up 22 pts, 7 rbs, and 4 assists for the Indians.
• Monroe Central defeated Union City 72-38. Soph. Luke Morgan with 20 pts, 5 rbs, 5 assists, and 5 steals for the Golden Bears. MC also beat Blue River Valley, 71-49. Sr. Ta’Shaun Beatty with 29 pts, 12 rbs, 3 assists, and 3 steals for the Bears.

5 Stars of Week 14

Caleb Coolman- Penn. 34 pts, 9 rbs, and 6 assists in a W v. Mishawaka. 20 pts, 7 assists, and 4 rbs. in a W v. Merrillville.

Noah Washington- New Albany. 34 pts, 9 rbs, 4 steals, and 2 assists in a W v. Bloomington North. 23 pts in a W v. Cathedral.

TJ Clark- Indianapolis Lutheran. 41 pts in a W v. Purdue Poly.

Mar Nicholson- Shelbyville. 27 pts, 7 rbs, 5 assists, and 5 steals in a W v. Batesville. 14 pts in a W v. Seymour.

Sherman Moss Wright- Ben Davis. 22 pts, 8 rbs, and 11 assists in a W v. Attucks. 14 pts, 11 assists, and 8 rbs in a W v. Indy Tech.

Team(s) of the Week- Jasper Wildcats. 66-42 W v. Evansville Harrison and 67-48 W v. BNL.

Madison Cubs. 53-51 W v. Salem and 103-58 W v. Switzerland County.

Upset of the Week- Benton Central over Sheridan, 86-75.

Top Freshmen from Around the State in Week 14

Naji Meux- East Chicago Central. 29 pts, 10 rbs, 2 assists, and 2 steals in a W v. Griffith.

Braysen Russell- Madison. 21 pts and 5 rbs in a W v. Salem. 29 pts in a W v. Switzerland County.

Micah Mohler- Austin. 17 pts, 10 assists, and 9 rbs in a W v. Clarksville. 22 pts and 13 rbs in an OT W v. Trinity Lutheran.

Luke Keller- Guerin Catholic. 15 pts in a W v. University.

Mikell Burton- Penn. 14 pts, 3 assists, and 3 steals in a W v. Mishawaka. 5 pts and 3 assists in a W v. Merrillville.

Corey Brown Jr.- Gary Lighthouse. 14 pts, 13 rbs, 3 blocks in a W v. Victory Christian. 4 pts and 6 rbs in a W v. Highland. 6 pts and 4 rbs v. Gary Westside.

Jake Scholl- Northridge. 13 pts in a W v. Fairfield.

Braxton Haggard- Switzerland County. 12 pts v. Madison.

Grayson Dease- Evansville Reitz. 11 pts v. Bosse.

Karson Stoudemire- New Albany. 10 pts in a W v. Cathedral.

Quinton Lewis- Southwestern. 1o pts v. Charlestown.

Kellen Williams- Tipton. 9 pts, 3 rbs, and 2 assists in a W v. Lewis Cass.

Mason Weaver- Homestead. 8 pts and 3 assists in a W v. Norwell.

Jayden Kennedy- Cathedral. 7 pts, 7 rbs, and 4 steals v. New Albany.

Will Tonagel- Oak Hill. 7 pts, 2 assists, and 2 steals in a W v. Delta.

Cayden McCreanor- Lawrenceburg. 2 pts, 10 rbs, and 4 blocks in a W v. Oldenburg Acad.