1. Wayne (15-4)
Conference Record: 7-1
SAC Rank: 1st
Last Game: 74-33 win over South Side
Next Game: vs Concordia (Feb. 17)
The Generals last week picked up two crucial wins beating Homestead and South Side. Winning each of those games now has them in control of their own destiny as they all need to do to become conference champions to beat Concordia on Friday. Although knocking off the Cadets will not be an easy task as they themselves still have control of potentially winning the conference crown. For this Generals squad, Jevon Lewis has been leading them all year and put on a show against the Spartans when he put up 26 points which he then followed up with 14 against South Side. There have also been some other key pieces that have made this team so dangerous all year such as HJ Dillard, Preston Comer, and Monte Smith. It now all comes down to Friday night for Wayne as they would win the SAC outright if they can beat the Cadets.
2. Homestead (16-5)
Conference Record: 6-1
SAC Rank: T-2nd
Last Game: 70-34 win over East Noble
Next Game: @ Carroll (Feb. 17)
The Spartans took a difficult loss last week in overtime against Wayne 66-62 they then bounced back by getting a 70-34 senior night win over East Noble. In the win over the Knights, Will Jamison played an outstanding game with 33 points along with 10 steals. Each senior for the Spartans also scored in that game as Jake Sermersheim, Kyron Kaopuiki, Grant Leeper, and Nic Gallagher were all recognized for their contributions to Homestead basketball. They will now face rival Carroll on Friday to try and keep their conference title hopes alive while also needing a Concordia win over Wayne for their title hopes to stay alive.
3. Concordia (13-5)
Conference Record: 6-1
SAC Rank: T-2nd
Last Game: 56-53 loss against DeKalb
Next Game: @ Wayne (Feb. 17)
The Cadets last game kind of had a shocking result as they got upset against DeKalb 56-53. Before suffering that loss they did get a 10 point win over Northrop in which David Speckhard led the way with 20 points. The Cadets now have 4 games remaining in the regular season with two being conference opponents Wayne and Homestead. If they are able to win those two games they will walk away as conference champions this season.
4. Carroll (12-7)
Conference Record: 6-2
SAC Rank: T-4th
Last Game: 57-41 loss against Carmel
Next Game: vs Homestead (Feb. 17)
Last week the Chargers picked up two conference victories with wins over North Side and Northrop followed by a loss to Carmel. The Chargers will now face their rival Homestead Spartans on Friday as they try to end any hope for the Spartans’ title chances.
5. North Side (12-8)
Conference Record: 5-3
SAC Rank: 5th
Last Game: 58-56 win over Dwenger
Next Game: @ Luers (Feb. 17)
The Legends were able to snap a three-game losing streak in their last outing getting a win over Bishop Dwenger. In the win over Dwenger, Eugene Young Jr stepped up scoring 28 points along with five rebounds for the Legends. Tae Johnson also had another solid performance with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals. The Legends now just have two games remaining till they enter the postseason as they will face Luers and South Bend Washington.
6. Bishop Luers (7-13)
Conference Record: 3-5
SAC Rank: 6th
Last Game: 52-31 win over Huntington North
Next Game: vs North Side (Feb. 17)
The Knights have now won two out of their last three games after having a slow start to the season this year. As the postseason nears this definitely a great time for them to be on an upwards trajectory. In the most recent win which was against Huntington North, the Knights had 3 different players reach double digits as Cadell Wallace, Isaac Zay, and Danny Kelly all scored 11 or more. The Knights will look to continue to build on this success when they face North Side Friday.
7. Bishop Dwenger (6-13)
Conference Record: 2-6
SAC Rank: T-7th
Last Game: 58-56 loss against North Side
Next Game: vs Leo (Feb. 15)
The story of the Saints’ season continues as they played yet another game that was decided by one possession. This team has now lost 5 conference games by 3 or fewer points which really has put their resilience to the test this year. As they have shown again and again they keep on fighting till that final buzzer even though they have had an unfortunate amount of close games go the wrong way for them.
8. Northrop (4-16)
Conference Record: 2-6
SAC Rank: T-7th
Last Game: 66-50 loss against Warren Central
Next Game: @ Dwenger (Feb. 17)
The Bruins are on a bit of a slide right now losing their last five games. But they will have the chance to snap that streak this Friday with a team that is currently tied with them in the conference standings, the Bishop Dwenger Saints.
9. Snider (3-18)
Conference Record: 1-7
SAC Rank: T-9th
Last Game: 73-64 loss against Lawrence North
Next Game: @ South Side (Feb. 17)
The Panthers won a big one last week getting their first conference win beating Luers 80-67. They also had a strong performance against Lawrence North in their last outing as they fell by 9 points to one of the best teams in the state. Even though the record for the Panthers may not show it, they are a dangerous team that will not be an easy out in the postseason.
10. South Side (3-17)
Conference Record: 1-7
SAC Rank: T-9th
Last Game: 63-52 loss against Central Noble
Next Game: vs Snider (Feb. 17)
The Archers have had a rough stretch as of late losing their last 6 games. With just three games now left until the postseason they will be looking to turn it around. The next opportunity for them to start building momentum will be against Snider on Friday.
