Two Mr Basketball candidates lead LC

3 years ago, the Lawrence Central basketball Bears were bounced from the opening round of the playoffs. The following year, D'Andre Davis and Nijel Pack advanced to the Sectional championship. Last year, LC posted a 22-4 overall record on their way to a Regional appearance. A loss, if you will, but still a Sectional Win. Either way you look at it is bittersweet. They're hoping to drop that bitterness when they contend for a State title in March of 2020; but right now, this dynamic duo is focused on it's annual Thanksgiving Eve matchup against Lawrence North. May the games begin. 

Speaking of rivalries, Purdue hosts Indiana at Noon in their annual Thanksgiving Saturday matchup, aka The Old Oaken Bucket game. IU who is looking for their 8th regular-season win, is hoping for a Gator Bowl invite in warm, sunny Florida this New Year... or maybe that's just me. And before you ask: Yes, I'll even take Notre Dame as a consolation prize. 

LC Bears ranked #1 in HS FB

This the first time Warren Central, Ben Davis and Center Grove were eliminated in the first round of Sectionals since Indiana tournament football started in 1985.
I witnessed the mighty Warriors (defending State Champs) fall to Lawrence Central last Friday and surprised how fun it was to watch HS football. Tre Roberson is the QB - and he just might be the starting QB for the Hoosiers next year. I had gone to two whole games in the 10 years since I graduated, but I'll probably be doubling that total this weekend as LC hosts Perry Meridian. I felt as much pride as I do attending IU football games and its awesome to have a solid team to support. I'd be a real treat to see them make it to Lucas Oil next month.
Some interesting matchups this Halloween weekend:

• Fishers @ Carmel
• Valpo @ Merrillville
• Avon @ Brownsburg
• Bloomington North @ Columbus North (Week 3 rematch, Cbus won 27-24)
• Terrible Haute North @ Pike (Patriots beat a good Zionsville team last week, Pike took down BD in OT)
• Laf Jeff @ HSE (Jefferson won its first game of the season last week. This game will be a blowout)
• Whiteland @ Columbus East

The final regular-season Coach's poll had these 5A teams ranked:
[WC, Valpo, Carmel, Mishawaka, CG, LC, HSE, Merrillville, Fishers, Pike] but the Freeman Rankings have da Bears ranked #1 - followed by WC, Carmel, Evansville Reitz, HSE, Pike, Bishop Dwenger, CN, Fishers, Cathedral, CE, CG, Elkhart Concord, Avon, Valpo, Mishawaka, Brownsburg, BD, Whiteland and Zionsville.

Ben Davis' Stan Benge named Coach of the Year

Coach Benge led his girls HS basketball team to a state championship, a perfect season, and #1 national ranking and is now recognized as the best coach in the land, joining SB Washington's Skylar Diggins as the nation's top female amateur baller.