BB: Week 15 big games

By E. Shawn Aylsworth
Managing Editor

According to the Sagarin power ratings, there are 16 big games (pitting teams rated in their respective class’s Top 20) on tap for Week 15 – the final week of the regular season – of the 2009-10 Indiana high school boys basketball season.

Here’s a preview of those big contests via the pertinent numbers taken from John Harrell’s Indiana high school basketball site (rankings are from the latest regular-season coaches’ polls):

Tuesday, Feb. 23
Three biggies …

4A #6 East Chicago Central (15-2) at 1A #1 Bowman Academy (16-1)
GAME TIME: 8:30 PM EST (WJOB, 1230 AM).
COACHES: Abe Brown, 49-14 in 3rd year at East Chicago Central. Marvin Rea, 42-12 in 3rd year at Bowman Academy.
SAGARIN RATINGS: East Chicago Central, 88.37, 20th overall, 16th in Class 4A. Bowman Academy, 88.25, 21st overall, 1st in Class 1A.
LAST OUTING: East Chicago Central defeated Hammond Noll, 68-50, Feb. 19. Bowman Academy defeated Covert (Mich.), 110-83, Feb. 16.
VS. COMMON FOES: East Chicago Central 2-0. Bowman Academy 2-0.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: East Chicago Central 169-129, Bowman Academy 105-90.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Tied, 1-1.
LAST MEETING: Bowman Academy, 94-93, 2 overtimes, Feb. 24, 2009.

3A #2 Peru (17-1) at 2A #14 North Miami (13-5)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM EST (WARU, 1600 AM).
COACHES: Eric Thompson, 95-81 in 8th year at Peru, 100-97 in 9th year overall. Dave Henson, 27-9 in 2nd year at North Miami.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Peru, 88.75, 17th overall, 4th in Class 3A. North Miami, 73.32, 126th overall, 15th in Class 2A.
LAST OUTING: Peru defeated Rochester, 56-52, Feb. 19. North Miami lost to North Judson, 70-67, overtime, Feb. 19.
VS. COMMON FOES: Peru 14-0. North Miami 9-3.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Peru 168-165, North Miami 158-174.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Peru, 15-3.
LAST MEETING: Peru, 63-46, Feb. 24, 2009.

Warren Central (14-6) at 4A #7 Center Grove (15-3)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM EST.
COACHES: Greg Graham, 24-20 in 2nd year at Warren Central. Cliff Hawkins, 73-52 in 6th year at Center Grove, 400-245 in 29th year overall.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Center Grove, 90.54, 11th overall, 9th in Class 4A. Warren Central, 87.42, 24th overall, 19th in Class 4A.
LAST OUTING: Warren Central defeated Terre Haute South, 55-53, Feb. 20. Center Grove defeated North Central (Indianapolis), 69-67, Feb. 19.
VS. COMMON FOES: Warren Central 7-4. Center Grove 8-2.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Warren Central 219-149, Center Grove 186-156.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Warren Central, 9-4.
LAST MEETING: Center Grove, 63-55, Feb. 6, 2009.

Wednesday, Feb. 24
One biggie …

Pike (12-6) vs. Lawrence North (13-6)
GAME TIME: 8:00 PM EST, Conseco.
COACHES: Phil Spoljaric, 26-15 in 2nd year at Pike, 64-63 in 6th year overall. Jack Keefer, 594-224 in 34th year at Lawrence North, 655-250 in 38th year overall.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Lawrence North, 89.64, 15th overall, 12th in Class 4A. Pike, 88.99, 16th overall, 13th in Class 4A.
LAST OUTING: Pike defeated Franklin Central, 71-60, Feb. 19. Lawrence North defeated Indianapolis Howe, 72-58, Feb. 20.
VS. COMMON FOES: Pike 6-3. Lawrence North 5-3.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Pike 200-140, Lawrence North 206-131.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Lawrence North, 13-6.
LAST MEETING: Lawrence North, 70-52, Feb. 24, 2009.

Thursday, Feb. 25
Four biggies …

2A #13 Forest Park (13-6) at 3A #15 Boonville (14-5)
GAME TIME: 7:00 PM CST.
COACHES: Nate Hawkins, 13-6 in 1st year at Forest Park. Steve Altstadt, 35-71 in 5th year at Boonville, 72-125 in 9th year overall.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Boonville, 80.01, 64th overall, 14th in Class 3A. Forest Park, 72.32, 139th overall, 18th in Class 2A.
LAST OUTING: Forest Park defeated Pike Central, 57-48, Feb. 19. Boonville defeated South Spencer, 74-29, Feb. 20.
VS. COMMON FOES: Forest Park 6-2. Boonville 7-1.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Forest Park 203-156, Boonville 182-185.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Forest Park, 4-3.
LAST MEETING: Boonville, 67-63, Feb. 17, 2009.

3A #6 Gary Wallace (13-4) at 4A #6 East Chicago Central (15-2)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM CST.
COACHES: Renaldo Thomas, 49-56 in 5th year at Gary Wallace. Abe Brown, 49-14 in 3rd year at East Chicago Central.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Gary Wallace, 89.78, 14th overall, 3rd in Class 3A. East Chicago Central, 88.37, 20th overall, 16th in Class 4A.
LAST OUTING: Gary Wallace defeated Gary Roosevelt, 77-68, Feb. 19. East Chicago Central defeated Hammond Noll, 68-50, Feb. 19.
VS. COMMON FOES: Gary Wallace 3-0. East Chicago Central 3-0.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Gary Wallace 62-67, East Chicago Central 169-129.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: East Chicago Central, 15-7.
LAST MEETING: East Chicago Central, 98-91, overtime, Feb. 8, 2008.

Norwell (13-5) at 4A #10 Homestead (16-2)
GAME TIME: 7:45 PM EST.
COACHES: Randy Hawkins, 13-5 in 1st year at Norwell. Chris Johnson, 143-93 in 11th year at Homestead, 223-126 in 16th year overall.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Homestead, 87.75, 22nd overall, 17th in Class 4A. Norwell, 78.88, 71st overall, 17th in Class 3A.
LAST OUTING: Norwell defeated Woodlan, 69-29, Feb. 19. Homestead defeated Fort Wayne Snider, 71-56, Feb. 19.
VS. COMMON FOES: Norwell 8-3. Homestead 11-0.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Norwell 155-170, Homestead 169-162.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Homestead, 13-4.
LAST MEETING: Homestead, 52-46, Feb. 12, 2009.

Taylor (12-7) at 2A #14 North Miami (13-5)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM EST.
COACHES: Jeff Fisher, 176-224 in 19th year at Taylor. Dave Henson, 27-9 in 2nd year at North Miami.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Taylor, 75.09, 110th overall, 10th in Class 2A. North Miami, 73.32, 126th overall, 15th in Class 2A.
LAST OUTING: Taylor defeated Carroll (Flora), 55-40, Feb. 19. North Miami lost to North Judson, 70-67, overtime, Feb. 19.
VS. COMMON FOES: Taylor 5-0. North Miami 3-2.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Taylor 198-148, North Miami 158-174.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Taylor, 10-5.
LAST MEETING: North Miami, 79-52, Feb. 26, 2009.

Friday, Feb. 26
Eight biggies …

Brebeuf (12-7) at Carmel (13-6)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM EST.
COACHES: Andy Fagan, 32-30 in 3rd year at Brebeuf Jesuit. Mark Galloway, 133-49 in 8th year at Carmel.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Carmel, 92.24, 5th overall, 5th in Class 4A. Brebeuf Jesuit, 81.69, 53rd overall, 11th in Class 3A.
LAST OUTING: Brebeuf Jesuit defeated Heritage Christian, 65-38, Feb. 19. Carmel defeated Terre Haute North, 51-36, Feb. 19.
VS. COMMON FOES: Brebeuf Jesuit 1-4. Carmel 2-3.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Brebeuf Jesuit 195-156, Carmel 251-112.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Carmel, 10-3.
LAST MEETING: Carmel, 38-37, Feb. 27, 2009.

2A #1 Brownstown (19-0) at 1A #11 Orleans (13-5)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM EST.
COACHES: Dave Benter, 185-94 in 12th year at Brownstown Central. Tom Bradley, 196-68 in 11th year at Orleans.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Brownstown Central, 84.2, 38th overall, 2nd in Class 2A. Orleans, 68.72, 172nd overall, 10th in Class 1A.
LAST OUTING: Brownstown Central defeated Corydon Central, 50-46, Feb. 20. Orleans defeated West Washington, 50-29, Feb. 20.
VS. COMMON FOES: Brownstown Central 5-0. Orleans 4-1.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Brownstown Central 175-168, Orleans 148-181.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Brownstown Central, 10-9.
LAST MEETING: Orleans, 51-39, Feb. 27, 2009.

3A #9 Fort Wayne Elmhurst (13-4) at Kokomo (14-5)
GAME TIME: 8:00 PM EST.
COACHES: Shabaz Khaliq, 25-12 in 2nd year at Fort Wayne Elmhurst. Brian McCauley, 47-38 in 4th year at Kokomo.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Kokomo, 86.44, 26th overall, 20th in Class 4A. Fort Wayne Elmhurst, 85.17, 33rd overall, 6th in Class 3A.
LAST OUTING: Fort Wayne Elmhurst defeated Homestead, 65-60, Feb. 17. Kokomo defeated Richmond, 61-46, Feb. 19.
VS. COMMON FOES: None.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Fort Wayne Elmhurst 172-145, Kokomo 221-136.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: No meetings.

3A #17 Harding (14-5) at 4A #3 North Central (Indianapolis) (17-3)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM EST (WJEL, 89.3 FM).
COACHES: Al Gooden, 309-167 in 20th year at Harding, 326-201 in 22nd year overall. Doug Mitchell, 279-124 in 17th year at North Central (Indianapolis).
SAGARIN RATINGS: North Central (Indianapolis), 98.43, 2nd overall, 2nd in Class 4A. Harding, 83.18, 46th overall, 9th in Class 3A.
LAST OUTING: Harding defeated Elkhart Memorial, 58-51, Feb. 19. North Central (Indianapolis) defeated Danville, 76-63, Feb. 20.
VS. COMMON FOES: None.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Harding 183-173, North Central (Indianapolis) 246-122.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: North Central (Indianapolis), 6-0.
LAST MEETING: North Central (Indianapolis), 71-49, Feb. 27, 2009.

2A #19 Southwood (13-5) at 2A #3 Bluffton (18-1)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM EST.
COACHES: John Burrus, 39-22 in 3rd year at Southwood, 117-114 in 11th year overall. Kevin Leising, 18-1 in 1st year at Bluffton, 243-156 in 18th year overall.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Bluffton, 78.46, 74th overall, 5th in Class 2A. Southwood, 74.16, 122nd overall, 13th in Class 2A.
LAST OUTING: Southwood defeated Tippecanoe Valley, 90-62, Feb. 20. Bluffton lost to Mississinewa, 53-46, Feb. 20.
VS. COMMON FOES: Southwood 7-1. Bluffton 5-1.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Southwood 156-170, Bluffton 134-211.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Bluffton, 10-3.
LAST MEETING: Bluffton, 58-51, Feb. 27, 2009.

Warren Central (14-6) at Pike (12-6)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM EST.
COACHES: Greg Graham, 24-20 in 2nd year at Warren Central. Phil Spoljaric, 26-15 in 2nd year at Pike, 64-63 in 6th year overall.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Pike, 88.99, 16th overall, 13th in Class 4A. Warren Central, 87.42, 24th overall, 19th in Class 4A.
LAST OUTING: Warren Central defeated Terre Haute South, 55-53, Feb. 20. Pike defeated Franklin Central, 71-60, Feb. 19.
VS. COMMON FOES: Warren Central 8-3. Pike 6-4.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Warren Central 219-149, Pike 200-140.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Pike, 9-1.
LAST MEETING: Warren Central, 56-55, Feb. 27, 2009.

4A #8 Warsaw (16-2) vs. 4A #11 Carroll (Fort Wayne) (17-2)
GAME TIME: 7:00 PM EST, Coliseum.
COACHES: Doug Ogle, 113-59 in 8th year at Warsaw. Marty Beasley, 68-38 in 5th year at Carroll (Fort Wayne), 137-103 in 11th year overall.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Carroll (Fort Wayne), 91.76, 7th overall, 7th in Class 4A. Warsaw, 88.49, 19th overall, 15th in Class 4A.
LAST OUTING: Warsaw defeated Fort Wayne Luers, 60-50, Feb. 19. Carroll (Fort Wayne) defeated Fort Wayne North, 70-51, Feb. 19.
VS. COMMON FOES: Warsaw 4-0. Carroll (Fort Wayne) 4-0.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Warsaw 180-157, Carroll (Fort Wayne) 191-162.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Warsaw, 8-5.
LAST MEETING: Carroll (Fort Wayne), 55-52, overtime, Feb. 27, 2009.

3A #4 Washington (17-2) at Evansville Memorial (10-8)
GAME TIME: 7:00 PM CST (WAMW, 107.9 FM; WYFX, 106.7 FM).
COACHES: Gene Miiller, 99-17 in 5th year at Washington, 567-245 in 35th year overall. Rick Wilgus, 100-69 in 8th year at Evansville Memorial, 292-312 in 28th year overall.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Washington, 86.47, 25th overall, 5th in Class 3A. Evansville Memorial, 78.3, 75th overall, 19th in Class 3A.
LAST OUTING: Washington defeated Southridge, 54-44, Feb. 20. Evansville Memorial lost to Vincennes Lincoln, 51-50, Feb. 19.
VS. COMMON FOES: Washington 8-2. Evansville Memorial 6-4.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Washington 208-163, Evansville Memorial 178-129.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Washington, 2-0.
LAST MEETING: Washington, 58-49, Feb. 27, 2009.