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IHSAA boys basketball Fab 15: Big tests coming this week for Indy-area's top teams

kyle neddenriep, indianapolis star
·5 min read

A look at this week’s Fab 15, a weekly ranking of the top high school basketball teams in Central Indiana:

1. Lawrence North (14-0)

Lawrence North High School players celebrate after winning a Boys’ Marion County Basketball Tournament championship game against Franklin Central High School, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, at Southport High School. Lawrence North won, 78-53.
Lawrence North High School players celebrate after winning a Boys’ Marion County Basketball Tournament championship game against Franklin Central High School, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, at Southport High School. Lawrence North won, 78-53.

Hard to argue with the Wildcats at No. 1. And I’ve had Lawrence North here since the start of the season — so why argue with myself? The Wildcats were impressive last week in running off victories over Lawrence Central (67-59), Pike (68-56), North Central (73-53) and Franklin Central (78-53) to win the Marion County tournament. Azavier Robinson is having a great season, though the Wildcats’ balance is what sets them apart. Up next: at North Central (Friday). Previous: 1.

WHAT WE LEARNED: Best team in state, shot clock, SportsCenter dunks

2. Fishers (13-0)

Fishers pulled away for a 60-45 win over Brownsburg last week in its only game of the week. Keenan Garner led the Tigers with 21 points. Up next this week is a tricky game at Avon on Friday and a home game vs. Carroll (Fort Wayne) on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Previous: 2.

3. Westfield (10-0)

The Shamrocks rolled to a 42-27 win over Hamilton Southeastern in their only game of the week. Caleb Wise hit three 3-pointers for Westfield in the win. Up next is a big one at Noblesville on Wednesday, then a Hendricks County swing to Brownsburg on Friday and Tri-West on Saturday. Previous: 4.

Westfield stays unbeaten: 'We kind of have every aspect of the game.'

4. Noblesville (12-1)

The Millers held off a furious fourth quarter from Zionsville for a 62-59 victory as Hunter Walston led a balanced scoring effort with 18 points. Justin Curry added 15 and Aaron Fine had 14. Noblesville throttled Connersville and former Noblesville coach Dave McCollough, 51-16. A couple tough home games this week vs. Westfield on Wednesday and Franklin Central on Friday. Previous: 5.

5. Cathedral (10-1)

The Irish saw their 10-game winning streak snapped with a 48-47 loss to Guerin Catholic at home on Saturday. The Golden Eagles held Cathedral to a season-low in scoring by 15 points from the previous low. Brady Koehler had 14 points and seven rebounds, but the Irish were just 3-for-15 from the 3-point line. Up next is the City tournament. No. 1 seed Cathedral opens on Thursday against the winner of Christel House and Covenant Christian. Previous: 3.

6. Crispus Attucks (10-3)

No games for the Tigers last week. Second-seeded and defending champion Attucks will open the City tournament on Thursday against the winner of Cardinal Ritter and Tindley. The semifinals are Saturday at Tech. Previous: 7.

7. Ben Davis (9-3)

It was an earlier exit from the Marion County tournament than expected for the Giants, who defeated Brebeuf Jesuit (71-65) in the first round before falling 52-49 to Franklin Central in the quarterfinal. KJ Windham was 4-for-9 from the 3-point line and had 25 points against Brebeuf. Up next: at Decatur Central (Tuesday). Previous: 6.

8. Greenfield-Central (13-0)

The Cougars stayed unbeaten with wins over New Castle (70-50) and Eastern Hancock (64-31). Braylon Mullins had 26 points in the win over New Castle and went for 44 against Eastern Hancock to reach the 1,000-point milestone. Up next: Shortridge (Tuesday) and at Shelbyville (Saturday). Previous: 8.

9. Warren Central (8-6)

Warren Central High School junior Jevon Guess (10) and Franklin Central High School sophomore Edward Hazelett III (25) battle for a rebound during the first half of a Boys’ Marion County Basketball Tournament semi-final game, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, at Southport High School.
Warren Central High School junior Jevon Guess (10) and Franklin Central High School sophomore Edward Hazelett III (25) battle for a rebound during the first half of a Boys’ Marion County Basketball Tournament semi-final game, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, at Southport High School.

The Warriors knocked off Decatur Central (61-44) and Roncalli (61-35) before falling 55-49 to Franklin Central in the semifinal round. A bit of a disappointing finish for the Warriors, who seemed poised to reach the championship game before Franklin Central rallied. You can see the pieces of what Warren Central can become under coach Criss Beyers. Up next: at Zionsville (Tuesday) and at Lawrence Central (Friday). Previous: 9.

10. New Palestine (9-2)

Julius Gizzi continued his big junior season with a 35-point game in a 57-54 win over Pendleton Heights. Gizzi was 12-for-14 from the free-throw line and also added eight rebounds. A big test for the Dragons this week with a game at undefeated Richmond on Tuesday, followed by home games vs. Roncalli (Friday) and Franklin (Saturday). Previous: 13.

11. North Central (8-4)

The Panthers knocked off Lutheran (78-64) and Park Tudor (61-58) to reach the Marion County tournament championship but were unable to hang with Lawrence North in a 73-53 loss in the semifinal. North Central will get another crack at the Wildcats at home on Friday, then travel to Muncie Central on Saturday. Previous: 10.

12. Center Grove (9-4)

The Trojans jump back into the Fab 15 after winning the Johnson County tournament championship with victories over Greenwood (81-48) and Whiteland (68-43). Joey Schmitz had 21 points in the win over Whiteland, going 5-for-8 from the 3-point line. Up next is a tough home game Friday night vs. Jeffersonville, then a game Saturday at Roncalli. Previous: NR.

'It was personal.' Center Grove routs Whiteland for Johnson County title

13. Franklin (10-2)

The Grizzly Cubs saw their nine-game winning streak snapped with a 67-64 loss to Whiteland in the first round of the Johnson County tournament despite 35 points from senior guard Micah Davis. Franklin will get a chance to avenge that loss at home on Friday night against the Warriors, then play at New Palestine on Saturday. Previous: 11.

14. Brebeuf Jesuit (7-4)

The Braves had a tough draw in the first round of the Marion County tournament and dropped a 71-65 decision to Ben Davis despite 25 points from Evan Haywood. Brebeuf will have a chance to snap its three-game losing streak at Metropolitan on Tuesday before hosting Guerin Catholic on Friday. Previous: 12.

15. Franklin Central (8-7)

The Flashes made a surprising run to the Marion County tournament finals with wins over Southport (54-50), Ben Davis (52-49) and Warren Central (55-49) before running into Lawrence North in the championship and falling 78-53. It does not get any easier this week with a game at Noblesville on Friday. Previous: NR.

Dropped out: Park Tudor (14), Avon (15)

Next five in line: Plainfield (10-4), Guerin Catholic (12-4), Avon (10-4), Park Tudor (9-3), Brownsburg (8-7)

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana high school boys basketball rankings: Big tests coming at top