Basketball Scouting Reports: First place on the line for Lakeview boys in SMAC clash
BATTLE CREEK - Scouting reports for all the key prep basketball games in the Battle Creek readership area:
Boys
Battle Creek Central (1-15)
Next: at Stevensville-Lakeshore, Friday; vs. Harper Creek, Wednesday
Scouting Report: Battle Creek Central will be running into a hot Stevensville-Lakeshore club, that had won seven in a row, before a loss against state-ranked Benton Harbor on Tuesday. During that winning streak, the Lancers beaten Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West Division leader Portage Central (15-3) as well as 12-win Mattawan. All of that came after S-L opened the year 1-6 before beating the Bearcats in early January, 44-37. BCC will have its makeup game with Harper Creek next Wednesday, followed by city rival Lakeview on Friday.
Lakeview (12-7)
Next: at Loy Norrix, Friday; at Otsego, Tuesday
Scouting Report: Lakeview is in a three-way tie for first place in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference East Division with Kalamazoo Central and Loy Norrix, all with two losses in division play. Lakeview has a chance to put itself in a good position to claim a share of the title with a matchup with Loy Norrix on Friday. The Knights helped create the logjam at the top with an upset win over Kalamazoo Central on Friday as they have won eight of their last 10 games. Lakeview has played Loy Norrix twice already this season, as the Spartans beat the Knights in the Parma Western Holiday Tournament, 68-67. A week later, Loy Norrix returned the favor by beating Lakeview in the official division matchup, 72-69. If Lakeview beats Loy Norrix, it could claim the East title with a win over city rival Battle Creek Central in the final regular season game on Feb. 23.
Harper Creek (7-12)
Next: Off, Friday; vs. Coldwater, Tuesday
Scouting Report: Harper Creek had a rematch with Pennfield on Tuesday, exploding for a 33-point third quarter in a 62-49 win. The victory gave Harper Creek a season sweep over its city foes and three straight wins in the rivalry. The Beavers have a rare Friday night off and will be back on the court at home against Coldwater on Tuesday. Coldwater sits at 6-14 on the season, having lost four of its last five games, but owns a 57-51 win over Harper Creek from back in January.
Pennfield (6-12)
Next: at Coldwater, Friday; vs. Hastings, Tuesday
Scouting Report: Pennfield saw city rival Harper Creek on Tuesday. Trailing by just one at halftime, Pennfield was outscored 33-11 in the third quarter in a 62-49 loss, ending a short two-game winning streak. The Panthers are back in action in Interstate 8 Conference play on the road at Coldwater on Friday. The two teams met the first time in a Saturday afternoon makeup game, won by the Panthers, 53-48.
St. Philip (11-7)
Next: vs. Athens, Friday; at Climax-Scotts, Tuesday
Scouting Report: With wins against Climax-Scotts and Battle Creek Academy to start the week, St. Philip has surpassed last year's win total and sits at 11-7 - after finishing at 10-13 last season. The Tigers will be able to build on that with a home game against winless Athens on Friday. St. Philip will see Climax-Scotts for the second time in just over a week next Tuesday. The Tigers beat C-S, 64-40, on Monday in a makeup game as the Panthers have struggled this year at 5-14.
Calhoun Christian (9-10)
Next: vs. Heritage Christian, Friday; vs. Battle Creek Academy, Tuesday
Scouting Report: Hoping to match last year's winning record, Calhoun Christian has a challenging schedule the rest of the way. Following its 66-46 loss to Union City on Tuesday, Calhoun Christian ends the regular season with games against three teams at .500 or above. That run begins against Kalamazoo Heritage Christian, that opened the year at 8-4, before losing four of its last five games heading into this week.
Battle Creek Academy (13-5)
Next: CAC Tournament (Late Thursday); CAC Tournament, Saturday
Scouting Report: Battle Creek Academy clinched the Cross Athletic Conference regular season title last week, going 9-1 in league play. The league tournament is being held at Battle Creek Academy this week. BCA is coming off a 70-24 loss to St. Philip on Tuesday. The two teams are also in the same district, which will be hosted by BCA this season.
MORE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS:
2023-24 Boys Basketball: City/Area High School Schedules
Enquirer's top players to watch in boys basketball for 2023-24
Enquirer's top players to watch in girls basketball for 2023-24
Girls
Battle Creek Central (10-5)
Next: vs. Stevensville-Lakeshore (Late Thursday); at Lakeview, Feb. 23
Scouting Report: Heading into late Thursday's game against 13-2 Stevensville-Lakeshore, Battle Creek Central was just 2-4 in its last six games after opening the season at 8-1. The Bearcats will only play twice over the last two weeks of the regular season and will have eight days off before seeing city rival Lakeview next Friday. BCC beat Lakeview, 43-27, in January.
Lakeview (5-12)
Next: at Loy Norrix (Late Thursday); vs. Otsego, Tuesday
Scouting Report: Lakeview plays Loy Norrix twice this week, including a 44-33 win on Tuesday and a rematch late Thursday, thanks to a weather postponement earlier in the season. Despite the under .500 record, Lakeview has a lot to get excited about the final two weeks of the season with rivalry games against Battle Creek Central and Marshall coming up.
Harper Creek (8-10)
Next: Off, Friday; at Coldwater, Tuesday
Scouting Report: Following a 37-32 win against Pennfield on Tuesday, Harper Creek is now 5-5 in the conference. The Beavers have a chance to finish at .500 or better in league play with two games remaining on the Interstate 8 Conference schedule. However, it will be challenging as the Beavers will see defending league champ Coldwater and a Parma Western team that Harper Creek lost to 61-31 during the first time through the conference schedule.
Pennfield (4-13)
Next: at Coldwater, Friday; at Hastings, Tuesday
Scouting Report: After a loss at home against city rival Harper Creek on Tuesday, Pennfield is still in search of its first league win. The Panthers could make a bid for an upset at defending champ Coldwater on Friday. But the best chance for Pennfield will come next week at Hastings. The lone league win for Hastings was against Pennfield, 41-35, in January.
St. Philip (7-9)
Next: vs Athens, Friday; at Climax-Scotts, Tuesday
Scouting Report: In a measuring-stick game on Tuesday, St. Philip came away with a 45-29 win against a Battle Creek Academy program that is 10-6 on the year and will be in the Tigers' district tournament in a few weeks. St. Philip will also play Climax-Scotts for the second time in eight days next week, thanks to a weather postponement. C-S beat St. Philip, 53-33, on Monday.
Calhoun Christian (12-5)
Next: Off, Friday; vs. Battle Creek Academy, Tuesday
Scouting Report: Calhoun Christian handed Athens Factoryville Christian only its second loss of the season in a 34-27 win on Monday. Calhoun Christian will see Battle Creek Academy for a second time in a game next week after the two teams played a double-overtime thriller in December, won by the Cougars.
Battle Creek Academy (10-6)
Next: Off, Friday; at Calhoun Christian, Tuesday
Scouting Report: Battle Creek Academy suffered a one-sided loss to small-school city rival St. Philip on Tuesday, 45-29. The two could meet again in district play. BCA will see another possible future district opponent with a game against Calhoun Christian on Tuesday.
Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter: @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Scouting Reports: See where Battle Creek teams are in action this week
