#10. Illiana Christian Vikings
13-2; Last Week: NR
After a week in time out and away from the rankings, Illiana Christian re-enters the poll thanks to wins over River Forest, Chicago Christian, and Whiting. We’ve seen all year that this team can win the games in which they are supposed to, but can they pull off the upset? We’ll find out a couple times this week as they have both Mt. Carmel and Hanover Central on the schedule.
#9. LaPorte Slicers
13-6; Last Week: NR
The Slicers get back into the RSN Top 10 after a week that saw them sweep their meetings against the Chesterton Trojans, putting up 24 combined runs in the process. LaPorte had lost three in a row going into that series against Chesterton, so the wins were huge for them going forward – as well as is a favorable schedule the rest of the way.
#8. Munster Mustangs
12-8; Last Week: #3
Well…that was a week to forget. After coming in at #3 in last week’s rankings, the ‘Stangs went 0-4, with losses to Highland (twice), Merrillville and Crown Point. With four of their next six games away from home, they’ll need to get forget about last week and get their momentum turned around before the state tournament starts – or it could be a short post-season for Munster.
#7. Hobart Brickies
13-7; Last Week: #8
Obviously dropping the two games to Andrean, in one-sided fashion, to open last week was less than ideal. But, the Brickies were able to salvage the week and get one back in the W column by knocking off then top ranked Hanover Central. The Brickies have been an up and down squad all season – which version will show up early this week when they have a series against NCC rival KV?
#6. Valparaiso Vikings
11-5-1; Last Week: #6
Concerns about the offense have to be long gone, especially after last week, where the Vikings went 4-0 while outscoring their opponents by a combined 30-10. Look for big numbers to continue again this week when the Vikings take on Merrillville twice, as well as the North Central Panthers – all games in which Valpo should be favored.
#5. Crown Point Bulldogs
14-6; Last Week: #5
The ‘Dogs find themselves staying in the #5 spot in the RSN Top 10 after a week that saw them go 3-1, including a split against a pair of fellow ranked teams. First the good – a sweep of DAC rival Munster followed by a shutout victory over the Munster Mustangs. But the week ended on a tough note – a 10-0 loss to Andrean. As long as CP lets that one go moving forward, with games against Portage and Hobart on tap this week, they’ll be just fine.
#4. Highland Trojans
17-3; Last Week: #7
A week after taking a sharp drop in the rankings, which happens when you lose three of four games, the Trojans responded in a big way, winning all four of their games a week ago, most importantly a sweep of rival Munster. Can Highland keep the hot streak going? They’ll have to do it against the Andrean 59ers, with those battles coming Monday and Tuesday this week.
#3. Lake Central Indians
13-6; Last Week: #4
The Indians made the most of their limited games last week, defeating Michigan City in a pair of games by a combined 21-0 score. LC has won five of their last six outings, so momentum is on their side. They can use it this week with a pair of games against Chesterton, followed by meetings against Griffith and then state ranked Zionsville.
#2. Hanover Central Wildcats
16-3-1; Last Week: #1
Last week started off great for the ‘Cats, with a pair of wins over Bishop Noll combined with a victory against Washington Twp., but they couldn’t close out on a strong note, falling to both McCutcheon and Hobart, leading to a fall from the top spot. Are we worried or concerned about the Wildcats? Absolutely not, but they’ll have to earn their way back to #1.
#1. Andrean 59ers
18-3; Last Week: #2
The Niners move to the top of the rankings thanks to a 4-0 week that saw them sweep their season series against NCC rival Hobart by a combined 25-5 in their two meetings. After some up and down performances earlier this year, Andrean appears to be hitting their stride as the playoffs draw nearer – not good news for the rest of 4A.
