IHSAA boys basketball Fab 15: Lawrence North on top headed into tough matchups this week

We’re two weeks into the high school basketball season and maybe starting to get a sense of the best teams in Central Indiana. Here’s how they shake out in this week’s Fab 15:

1. Lawrence North (2-0)

IHSAA boys basketball: Lawrence North defeats Brownstown Central 72-47

Lawrence North defeats Brownstown Central 72-47 on Saturday, December 2, 2023.

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The Wildcats rolled to a 72-47 victory in the Sneakers for Santa Shootout over Brownstown Central, which was playing without standout Jack Benter due to a knee/calf injury. With the addition of 6-8 sophomore Kai McGrew (18 points and 12 rebounds) and growth of 6-7 sophomore Brennan Miller, Lawrence North does not have many weaknesses. A couple of tough matchups coming this week at Lawrence Central (Wednesday) and vs. Fort Wayne Wayne (Saturday, 7 p.m.) at the FORUM Tipoff Classic at Southport. Previous: 1.

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2. Fishers (5-0)

IHSAA boys basketball highlights: Fishers 66, Noblesville 59

No. 1 Fishers knocked off No. 10 Noblesville in Friday night hoops action.

The Tigers jump up a couple spots after a three-win week with victories over Tech (71-53), Noblesville (66-59) and Mt. Vernon (68-44). The win over Noblesville was a big test as the Tigers faced a 10-point halftime deficit before rallying behind 22 points from Keenan Garner. JonAnthony Hall had 14 points in the win over Mt. Vernon after putting up 16 vs. Noblesville. This will be a one-game week with a matchup vs. Kokomo on Saturday in the FORUM Tipoff Classic at Southport (8:30 p.m.). Previous: 4.

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3. Westfield (3-0)

IHSAA boys basketball highlights: Westfield 59, Zionsville 40

The seventh-ranked Shamrocks used a big run to start the second half to ease past the Eagles on Friday night.

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The Shamrocks jump five spots after a 64-39 win over Pendleton Heights and a 59-40 win over Zionsville. Westfield’s resume through the first two weeks (including a 62-57 win over Kokomo) is about as impressive as any. Trey Buchanan had 21 points in the win over Pendleton Heights. Up next: at Guerin Catholic (Thursday) and at Bethesda Christian (Saturday). Previous: 8.

4. Cathedral (4-0)

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IHSAA boys basketball: Cathedral defeats Evansville Bosse 80-49

Cathedral defeats Evansville Bosse 80-49 on Saturday, December 2, 2023.

Clark Wade/IndyStar

Cathedral also makes a five-spot jump with a 79-63 win over Brebeuf Jesuit and an 80-49 win over Evansville Bosse in the Sneakers for Santa Shootout. Sophomore Keaton Aldridge had 24 points and 13 rebounds in the win over Brebeuf and junior Brady Koehler added 23 points and 10 rebounds. The Irish look to keep the momentum going this week against North Central at home on Saturday. Previous: 9.

5. Ben Davis (2-1)

IHSAA boys basketball: Ben Davis defeats Ft. Wayne Wayne 71-57

Ben Davis defeats Ft. Wayne Wayne 71-57 on Saturday, December 2, 2023.

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Hmmmm … the Giants looked pretty good for the final two-plus quarters in a 71-59 win over Fort Wayne Wayne on Saturday at the Sneakers for Santa Shootout. That followed a 68-35 win over Southport earlier in the week. This is definitely a different team than last year’s undefeated state champion, but 6-7 senior Tavion Williams (17 points, nine blocked shots) is a vastly improved player who should fit in well as the season progresses. Up next: vs. Franklin Central (Friday). Previous: 6.

6. Noblesville (2-1)

The Millers put together an impressive first half Friday night against Fishers, taking a 10-point lead into halftime before falling, 66-59. Aaron Fine led the way for Noblesville with 26 points. This will be an interesting week for the Millers with a game at Carmel on Friday night and Crispus Attucks on Saturday at the FORUM Tipoff Classic at Southport (5:20 p.m.). Previous: 3.

7. Brownsburg (3-1)

The Bulldogs had a couple of close games down the stretch — one went one way and one the other. Brownsburg dropped a 49-46 decision at Franklin Central, then rebounded to come back from an 11-point deficit for a 49-44 win over Warren Central. Grant Porath turned it on late in the Warren Central win, scoring eight of his game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter. A couple more tough tests this week at Pike (Friday) and vs. Chesterton (Saturday). Previous: 5.

8. North Central (2-1)

The Panthers are a four-point loss to Brownsburg away from being 3-0. North Central edged Crispus Attucks 63-58 behind a balanced performance led by Papi Rivera (16 points, four assists) and Jaxson Bell (14 points, six rebounds). North Central then rolled to an 86-57 win over Tech as Rivera scored 19 points. Up next: vs. Terre Haute North (Friday) and at Cathedral (Saturday). Previous: 14.

9. Crispus Attucks (2-1)

IHSAA boys basketball: Crispus Attucks defeats Center Grove 53-46

Crispus Attucks defeats Center Grove 53-46 on Saturday, December 2, 2023.

Clark Wade/IndyStar

The Tigers opened with a 63-58 loss to North Central but rebounded with weekend victories over Withrow (Ohio) (59-38) and Center Grove (53-46), the latter coming in the nightcap of the Sneakers for Santa Shootout. Junior Chris Hurt is averaging 13.3 points and senior Ron Rutland III 12.7 points through three games. This will be another three-game week with a Tuesday home game vs. Indianapolis Homeschool Wildcats, Friday at Warren Central and Saturday vs. Noblesville in the FORUM Tipoff Classic at Southport (5:20 p.m.). Previous: 7.

10. Center Grove (3-2)

It was a mixed week for the Trojans with a 65-64 overtime loss to Franklin to open the week, a 55-44 win over Bloomington North in the middle and a 53-46 loss to Crispus Attucks to finish. Joey Schmitz led Center Grove with 14 points in the loss to Attucks and Dylan Meador added 13. This will be just a one-game week for Center Grove with a matchup against Warren Central on Saturday (2 p.m.) at the FORUM Tipoff Classic at Southport. Previous: 2.

11. Zionsville (1-1)

The Eagles stumbled down the stretch in a 59-40 loss to Westfield despite a 22-point, four-rebound effort from junior Maguire Mitchell. A couple of difficult tests are ahead this week — at Lawrence Central (Friday) and vs. Plainfield (Saturday). Previous: 10.

12. Carmel (2-1)

The Greyhounds rebounded from a season-opening loss to Zionsville with wins over Lawrence Central (52-46) and Plainfield (44-40). Alex Couto had 19 points on 4-for-7 shooting from the 3-point line in the win over Lawrence Central and Evan Harrell added 13 points and 10 rebounds. Ryan Clevenger had 15 points in the win over Plainfield and Harrell was solid again with 13 points and nine rebounds. Up next: vs. Noblesville (Friday) and at Crown Point (Saturday). Previous: 13.

13. Guerin Catholic (4-0)

The Golden Eagles rolled to wins over Muncie Central (70-48) and Hamilton Heights (52-38) last week. Rob Sorensen was 5-for-8 from the 3-point line and finished with 22 points in the win over Hamilton Heights and went for 27 points on 6-for-10 shooting from 3 against Muncie Central. This is a big week for Guerin, which hosts Westfield on Thursday and plays Heritage Hills on Saturday (3:40 p.m.) in the FORUM Tipoff Classic. Previous: 12.

14. Plainfield (3-1)

The Quakers knocked off Whiteland 69-58 as senior Collin Schmidt had 23 points and five rebounds to lead four players in double figures. Plainfield then lost its first game of the season, 44-40 to Carmel. Sophomore Noah Smith had 13 points, but the Quakers were hurt by 3-for-14 shooting from the 3-point line and 30% shooting overall. Plainfield hits the road again this weekend at Martinsville (Friday) and Zionsville (Saturday). Previous: 11.

15. New Palestine (2-0)

The Dragons got the season started with wins over Eastern Hancock (71-47) and Rushville (70-32). Junior Julius Gizzi averaged 22.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in the two games. Up next is home game with Hoosier Heritage Conference neighbor Greenfield-Central on Friday night. Previous: NR.

Dropped out: Lawrence Central (15)

Next five in line: Lawrence Central (2-1), Brebeuf Jesuit (2-1), Warren Central (0-2), Greenfield-Central (2-0), Franklin Central (1-2)

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