By GREG MENGELT
Defending Class 3A state champion Silver Creek stayed put at No. 9 in the latest Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Poll, which was released on Sunday evening.
The Dragons improved to 11-0 with wins over Floyd Central 47-34 on Wednesday and over Louisville Central 66-49 on Saturday. Silver Creek is outscoring its opponents by 18.9 points per game this season.
Crown Point (11-1) remained at No. 1 and, with 17 of the 20 first-place votes, was one of three teams to receive a top vote. No. 2 Franklin (11-0) got two first-place votes and No. 3 Noblesville (9-1) got one. Homestead (9-1) and South Bend Washington (12-2), which Silver Creek beat in last February’s Class 3A championship game, round out the top 5.
Silver Creek is the only local team to be ranked, but two Hoosier Hills Conference teams are in the Top 20.
Bedford North Lawrence (10-1) had a strong week with wins Seymour and reigning 4A state runner-up Brownsburg but fell a spot to No. 6. Homestead leapfrogged BNL and Washington after defeating Washington 65-52, Fort Wayne Dwenger 69-28 and Notre Dame Academy of Ohio 71-36 last week.
Columbus East was tied for No. 11 last week with Mishawaka Marian (9-2). This week East is No. 11 and Marian is No. 13 with No. 12 Westfield (9-2) in between. Westfield was No. 15 last week.
Locally, Salem (6-3) and Corydon Central (11-1) earned votes from the coaches. Corydon Central received votes for the first time this season. The Panthers defeated Salem 48-44 on Thursday.
Regionally, East Central (6-1) is No. 17, while Vincennes Rivet (8-0) and Washington (9-1) received votes.
INDIANA BASKETBALL COACHES POLL
Rank, School (1st place votes) Record
1. Crown Point (17) 11-1, 2. Franklin (2) 11-0, 3. Noblesville (1) 9-1, 4. Homestead 9-1, 5. South Bend Washington 12-2, 6. Bedford North Lawrence 10-1, 7. Fishers 9-1, 8. North Central 11-3, 9. Silver Creek 11-0, 10. Lake Central 10-1, 11. Columbus East 10-1, 12. Westfield 9-2, 13. Mishawaka Marian 9-2, 14. Benton Central 10-0, 15. Zionsville 7-3, 16. Valparaiso 9-1, 17. East Central 6-1, 18. Columbia City 10-0, 19. Fort Wayne Snider 7-2, 20. Penn 8-4.
Others receiving votes: Carmel 5-5, Castle 8-3, Corydon Central 11-1, Edgewood 11-0, Fairfield 10-0, Fort Wayne Northrop 6-1, Garrett 9-1, Hamilton Southeastern 7-4, Jac-Cen-Del 6-1, Northridge 8-2, Salem 6-3, South Central (Union Mills) 10-0, Tipton 6-1, Vincennes Rivet 8-0, Waldron 10-0, Washington 9-1, Winchester 10-0.
NOTE: Records as of Sunday.
