Advertisement

IHSAA boys basketball Fab 15: Didn't take long for a new No. 1 to emerge

One week into the high school boys basketball season and we have some shakeup in our Fab 15 ranking of the top teams in Central Indiana. I’m not making too many dramatic moves based on one or two games, however:

1. Lawrence North (1-0)

Lawrence North High School's Kobi Bowles (13) brings the ball up court during Charlie Hughes Shootout basketball action, Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Westfield High School.
Lawrence North High School's Kobi Bowles (13) brings the ball up court during Charlie Hughes Shootout basketball action, Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Westfield High School.

The Wildcats opened with a 75-58 win over Wauwatoosa West (Wis.) in the Kevin Brown Memorial tournament in Washington, Ill. Kobi Bowles scored 21 points in the win and was named the player of the game and Brennan Miller added 13 points and 15 rebounds to be named to the All-Shootout team. Myles Baker added 19 points. Next up: vs. Brownstown Central at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in the Sneakers for Santa Shootout. Junior Azavier Robinson missed the game as he awaits clearance from a concussion. Previous: 2.

IndyStar Super Team: Get to know Central Indiana's best players

IHSAA basketball preview: What you need to know for 2023-24 season

2. Center Grove (2-0)

The Trojans knocked off Greenwood 77-51 to win for the 28th time in the past 29 matchups with the Woodmen, playing from an 18-point lead after the first quarter. Will Spellman led four Center Grove players in double figures with 18 points and senior Ben Chesnut added 15 points, hitting four 3-pointers. In the home opener, Center Grove held off Franklin Central for a 62-56 victory as Joey Schmitz led the Trojans with 22 points, including nine in the fourth quarter, and Jalen Bundy added 16. This is a busy week for Center Grove with home games against Franklin (Tuesday) and Bloomington North (Friday) and Saturday vs. Crispus Attucks (8:15 p.m.) in the Sneakers for Santa Shootout at Brownsburg. Previous: 3.

3. Noblesville (2-0)

Aaron Fine had 17 points and Hunter Walston added 13 as Noblesville rolled to a 65-35 win over Hamilton Heights in the opener and rolled to a 61-40 win over Franklin in the home opener. This is a one-game week for Miller but it is a big one at Fishers in a Hoosier Crossroads Conference matchup Friday. Previous: 4.

4. Fishers (2-0)

Keenan Garner led Fishers with 21 points and Cooper Zachary and Taden Metzger added 13 apiece as the Tigers got off to a fast start with a 74-61 win over defending state champion Ben Davis. Fishers followed that up with a 72-31 win over LaPorte as Garner and JonAnthony Hall each scored 14 points. This is a three-game week with games at Tech (Tuesday), vs. Hoosier Crossroads Conference rival Noblesville (Friday) and vs. Mt. Vernon (Saturday). Previous: 5.

5. Brownsburg (2-0)

Grant Porath led the Bulldogs with 22 points in a 52-48 season-opening win at North Central and had 16 in Brownsburg’s 78-42 win at Liberty Christian as Michael Addison added 15 and Jordan Lomax 11. Up next: at Franklin Central (Friday) and vs. Warren Central Saturday (3 p.m.) in the Sneakers for Santa event. Previous: 6.

6. Ben Davis (0-1)

The Giants dropped a 74-61 decision to Fishers in the opener, though the Giants were without Mark Zackery due to football. The Zionsville game scheduled for Saturday was postponed due the 6A state football game. The Giants will host Southport onTuesday and play in the Sneakers for Santa Shootout against Fort Wayne Wayne on Saturday (4:45 p.m.) at Brownsburg. Previous: 1.

7. Crispus Attucks (0-0)

The Tigers open the season Tuesday at North Central, the start of a three-game week. On Friday, Attucks plays in Mason, Ohio, against Withrow (5:30 p.m.). Attucks will then play Saturday in the Sneakers for Santa event in the nightcap (8:15 p.m.) against Center Grove. Busy opening week. Previous: 7.

8. Westfield (1-0)

Westfield's Trey Buchanan (3) poses for a photo Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at The Indianapolis Star.
Westfield's Trey Buchanan (3) poses for a photo Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at The Indianapolis Star.

The Shamrocks probably deserve to be up a few spots after a 62-57 win at Kokomo to open the season but we’ll let it play out another week before making any massive adjustments. Still, a huge win for Westfield as Trey Buchanan went for 17 points and four assists and the Shamrocks shot 11-for-26 from the 3-point line. Two home games this week against Pendleton Heights (Tuesday) and Zionsville (Friday). Previous: 8.

9. Cathedral (2-0)

The Irish opened with a couple of impressive home victories, knocking off Warren Central 92-71 and Jeffersonville 78-66. Brady Koehler had 27 points in the win over Warren Central and Keaton Aldridge added 14 points and seven assists. Koehler had 24 points in the Jeffersonville win with Aldridge adding 17 points and six rebounds. A big start for Cathedral with a home game coming vs. Brebeuf Jesuit on Friday and a matchup with Evansville Bosse on Saturday (1:15 p.m.) in the Sneakers for Santa Shootout. Previous: 9.

10. Zionsville (1-0)

The Eagles opened with an impressive 57-40 win over Carmel at home. Junior Maguire Mitchell had a huge game with 29 points, three rebounds and three assists. The Ben Davis game was postponed due to the football state championship. The Eagles play one game this week at Westfield (Friday). Previous: 12.

11. Plainfield (2-0)

The Quakers opened with wins over Hendricks County rivals Avon (51-39) and Tri-West (83-57). Sophomore Noah Smith had 13 points and eight rebounds in the win over Avon to lead a balanced performance and led the Quakers with 22 points and eight rebounds against the Bruins. Up next: Friday vs. Whiteland in a Mid-State Conference game and at Carmel on Saturday. Previous: 15.

12. Guerin Catholic (2-0)

Guerin Catholic Golden Eagles Bryson Cardinal (35) guards NorthWood Panthers forward Ian Raasch (2) on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The NorthWood Panthers lead at the half against the Guerin Catholic Golden Eagles, 66-63, in the IHSAA Class 3A state finals championship.
Guerin Catholic Golden Eagles Bryson Cardinal (35) guards NorthWood Panthers forward Ian Raasch (2) on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The NorthWood Panthers lead at the half against the Guerin Catholic Golden Eagles, 66-63, in the IHSAA Class 3A state finals championship.

The Golden Eagles knocked off Park Tudor 72-59 in the opener as Rob Sorensen (24 points) and Bryson Cardinal (23 points and 13 rebounds) led the way. Guerin made it a 2-0 week with a 60-57 victory over Cardinal Ritter as Cardinal went for 13 points and 15 rebounds and Dylan Murans added 13 points and five boards. Previous: NR.

13. Carmel (0-1)

The Greyhounds shot just 3-for-16 from the 3-point line and attempted only four free throws in a 57-40 loss to Zionsville. Ryan Clevenger led Carmel with 12 points. A tough week ahead with games at Lawrence Central (Friday) and vs. Plainfield (Saturday). Previous: 10.

14. North Central (0-1)

North Central was right with Brownsburg in the season opener, falling 52-48. Papi Rivera led with 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals and Jaxson Bell added nine points, six rebounds and three assists. Up next: vs. Crispus Attucks (Tuesday) and at Tech (Friday). Previous: 14.

15. Lawrence Central (1-0)

The Bears edged Mt. Vernon 54-52 in the opener as senior Robert Puckett had 17 points and four steals and senior Bryson Luter added eight points and four assists. Up next: at Franklin Central (Tuesday) and vs. Carmel (Friday). Previous: NR.

Dropped out: Mt. Vernon (11), Warren Central (13)

Next five in line: Brebeuf Jesuit (2-0), Mt. Vernon (0-1), Warren Central (0-1), New Palestine (0-0), Greenfield-Central (1-0)

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

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana high school basketball rankings: Kyle Neddenriep's Fab 15