>> Week seven of lakeshore prep sports on lakeshore PBS.

Tonight, we'll get you up to date on the latest of high school basketball.

We'll meet the Hammond central wolves.

I just want to call them the purple gang.

I'm sorry.

I will get shamed for doing that on the program.

No problem.

I'm here for you.

You >> You got my back.

we'll be right back with the show right after this.

>> Become your best at IU northwest with more than 70 high quality degree programs, a convenient location and affordable tuition learn how you can join 29,000IU west alumni and that's the place for to you grow.

It's where professors are there to help you find your passions and it's where you will make connections that last a lifetime.

Learn more at Valpo.EDU.

>> Doing as much as you can as quickly as you can is important to me.

Life is short and the earlier we get started helping our community, the better off our community will be.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> All right.

Week 7, lakeshore prep sports on lakeshore PBS.

And some of the great rivalries in northwest Indiana, the battle of porter county is one of those.

Chesterton and Valpo meeting in high school boys basketball.

[ THEME MUSIC ] chesterton on a roll right now.

Won four of the last five and they have improved from the first part of the season.

>> They have.

Justin Sims is having a huge year.

Tyler parish had 35 against Hammond high.

That's big time.

>> We talked last week about having the backup scorers on your basketball team, and Justin is starting to get that together now.

Starting to get guys that can put the ball in the basket.

You can rely on them from week to week.

>> They are definitely a good team to watch as we get close to sectionals >> By the way, did I see a jump hook?

>> A jump hook from U.S. Justin Simms.

And he really drained it home.

>> And Owen from downtown.

They have multiple guys who can shoot it.

They really took Portage out of the game early.

They look outstanding against Portage.

>> Again, from the corner there.

If you can hit the shot from the short corner, it's a long time for your opponent.

>> Exactly.

You can play any defense you want to, but if you take out the outside jumper, that's a tough shot to stop.

>> It looks like they could be headed to an undefeated post-season.

Coach urban getting it done, but Justin Simms, 19 points per game.

He's one of those Rodney dangerfield players in northwest Indiana.

He's not getting a lot of fanfare.

>> You can tell by just those clips how athletic this young man is.

He's hitting the hook.

He can take it inside.

He can take it outside.

Heck of a player in northwest Indiana.

>> They will take on Valpo.

Vikings just 11-11 on the season.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> Valpo is having a problem coming over these days which is something Valparaiso-- >> Do you like the word?

>> Yeah.

>> They've actually won two out of the last three games but they've been a little sloppy at times, but there's some talent on this team.

They're hitting the three there.

That was smiley there from the wing.

This Valpo team is-- still figuring themselves out here mid-season.

>> There you go.

There you go.

That was a great move.

>> And again, a team that's very dangerous come tournament time.

Now, granted they're about .500 team, but as you mentioned, won two of the last three.

They will be tough come tournament time.

>> Any team has Mason Jones and speak of the devil, heck of an athlete there.

He can take a game over.

It's just a matter of who is going to support him in this team to make sure that there's a second and maybe third threat.

>> That's one of the reasons why they're battling at .500 right now because they have to find that guy and they haven't found him on a consistent basis >> .

That's it in a nutshell.

>> smiley is doing well.

16 points per fame, but if one of the two gets shut down, what will happen?

who steps up for the vikings?

>> Good point.

Good point.

And the pit.

>> I think this is mine.

>> I think it is.

I think chesterton is peaking at the right time.

>> Yeah.

>> I mean, they real pli played well but lost to Hammond.

Played great against Portage.

Rivalry game.

They'll be focused here on this one.

>> A LOT of teams lose to hammock.

Let's be fair.

Although it pains me to agree with you, Joe, because of my vikings, I think that's a good pick.

>> I don't have anything to do with either team, but I still agree, too.

Let's face it.

Chesterton is going to play well.

They lost good people from last season and now they're starting to get chemistry with one another.

>> I think so.

>> All right.

How about Michigan city and Merrillville?

>> Michigan city has won the last four games.

They're hitting stride.

>> Let's face it.

If you can put 70 plus points on the board which they did against the academy, that means the offense is pretty darn good.

>> That's Hodges from the wing.

This team is dynamic.

There's a lot of players on here that can go off at any point.

>> Hodges is the leading scorer.

21 points per game.

>> Yeah.

He was playing well and then he took it to another level, even better than what he was playing.

He has been hard to contain.

He's being flanked by Anthony Murphy averaging 15 points per game.

Really excellent player here.

This team has a lot of offensive capabilities.

It's going to see how their defense, and you know they're playing good defense.

Because they keep winning.

A lot of motor in the tank.

This team is on a roll.

That's what you want to see now that this season is rounding off.

>> Come on.

Come on.

>> The screen, are you kidding me?

>> On the break.

>> Was that a layup for him?

>> I'm sure they were laying it up when he took the shot.

Because he has been rolling.

>> Nearly 70 points per game.

Really dynamic on the offense.

Hodges with 22 points per game.

You are almost there, Tommy, 22 points per game.

That's an excellent, excellent dynamic player.

>> All right.

They're taking on Merrillville.

The pirates have struggled to 7-11 on the season.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> Yeah.

They've only one won out of the last four, Joe.

That's a tough thing to do here in northwest Indiana to play with these tough teams.

>> That can happen.

>> Yes, it can.

Yes, it can.

Dulin is pretty tough.

>> What do you think the chances are that these guys can actually bounce back and make a roll come tournament time?

>> I think not this year.

I think Robert Kennedy on the drive, I think they don't have enough offense to get it done.

>> Well, keep this in mind, though.

They're really well Coached.

Coach patton knows what he's doing out there in Merrillville.

It's a matter of kind of maturing to what team and what role you want to play on this team and making sure that everyone is clicking at the right time and in fairness with the talent, you never know what can happen in the game.

>> I think they haven't been able also to get the turnovers from pressure, which is something that has been a staple for Merrillville.

They can't turn you over, you know, it's difficult to make enough 3s that you need to win games.

>> Speaking of a three there, that was Jeremiah Roberts with the buzzer beater.

That was really nice.

>> You see offensively their leading scorers are just 13-11.

Offense has been inconsistent.

Just 60 points per game.

And if your defense isn't turning them over, that's going to be rough.

>> They got a weekend game coming up against Holbert and that's a game they really need to win.

>> Yes.

>> Just to get some momentum going.

>> Here's Michigan city and Merrillville.

I think Michigan city is a little too much right now.

They're playing good offense.

They're playing good defense.

I think they win by 8 on the road.

>> All right.

We talked about one of the, you know, Justin Simms may be the Rodney dangerfield player.

How about maybe Morgan township, the Rodney dangerfield team in northwest Indiana.

>> Straighten your tie when you say that.

Do that.

No respect.

[LAUGHTER] >> Let's be honest, Morgan township has won 13 games in a row.

When you get into the double digits, you're have a good season.

>> The only other team that did that is Munster.

I'm sure we will look at that later on.

They, too, have won 13 in a row.

>> They're currently leading the porter county conference.

That is a lot of hotly contested games with a lot of fierce rivals.

You're seeing this right here against their biggest rival and the one there for holder.

>> They need to get it done.

Morgan township, I think they got a big game coming up to close out their season against Bowman academy, not Bowman academy, I'm sorry.

Lake station.

That's going to be a fun game.

That's a buy your tickets now match-up coming up.

>> Strong take by Kreiger.

Yes, that was.

Going for the contact and the fierce defense there by Jaden Spratly.

Finishing it off with the finish from holder.

They go right to the basket.

No holding back.

Let's go at them.

They turn the ball over and let's make them play.

>> Only averaging 59 and they're not giving up that many and they must be able to handle the basketball.

Turned over 17 or 13 in a row.

13-3.

That's getting it done.

Excuse me.

We're going to see them.

They're taking out westfield.

>> Had a huge victory.

>> Yeah >> They looked very impressive against whiting.

Whiting had a little bit of trouble here and there but westville looked really, really good.

They won three of the last four games.

>> 15-6 is westville.

>> With all due respect to whiting, they are still learning how to win on a consistent basis.

But westville getting the impressive W, very good for them going into the tournament.

>> Sorry.

>> The all-name team, pollen and pepper, perfect athlete name and the perfect style of this team.

Look at the efficiency of these-- of the warriors here or the blackhawks here in making the shot.

They're really looking well-- looking good so far.

>> Our video guys like the guys so much, they didn't show anybody else.

[LAUGHTER] >> Russell is averaging 57 points per game.

They have two players averaging 16 and 17, pepper and Mullin.

So they are-- >> Mullin.

>> They are.

>> They're on the offroad.

>> Pepper is ballin' also.

[LAUGHTER] If you say so.

>> Yeah.

[LAUGHTER] >> They have won three of the last four games.

Westville is looking pretty tough.

I think this is a fun game and I think that there could be a lot of fireworks in this game, but for my pick, I think Morgan township keeps the winning streak going.

They're a little too efficient.

A little bit much.

I think westville can give them a scare.

I think it will be close going down to the first few minutes and Morgan township.

>> You used to have friends westville.

>> I used to.

[LAUGHTER] >> Some of my best friends live in westville.

Some people I've worked with overred year years.

And yeah.

I guess I'm a former friend of theirs at this point.

>> Nice chance.

>> Morgan township is playing east Chicago.

>> Hmm.

Okay.

That will be interesting.

Yeah.

>> How about Hanover central and Munster?

Let me tell you about Munster.

They got a big kid on this team who had a huge game against lake station.

31 points early in the Rebound, and treading and the other guy who I can't think of, another guy who had a double-double against lake station last week, had double-doubles in assists and points.

>> Oh.

>> Exactly right.

>> So they're sharing the ball and there's multiple stars in there and there's a reason why they won 12 straight games and won the season.

They are really shining so far.

>> You got great game and they can hit from the outside.

That's going to make them an hopefully tough team to beat come tournament time.

>> They have Andrean tomorrow night.

So they're going to be 84-66 win over lake station.

They will be the favorite against Andrean and that is the look and jumper.

>> It's not like they're forcing anything.

Everything is smooth.

Then again, their head Coach is pretty good.

The kids are taught very well.

And that's why they're doing so well these days.

>> It's not unheard for Munster to be highly ranked in northwest Indiana.

You can see why.

>> They continue to reload.

They're well Coached and play an efficient style of basketball and we have players like Connally and Tralee, you are in a position.

>> I want to say Connally had double figures in lake station.

That's three guys you can lean on.

That's pretty impressive.

19-2.

All right.

They're going to be taking on Hanover who has come on since the start of the season.

Wildcats playing some good basketball.

Won four of their last five.

12-7 on the year.

You'll see, they run a very efficient style offense.

They're averaging 51 points per game.

They're doing it very succinctly and very efficiently.

>> (inaudible) won a state title at Andrean and that was three from the corner.

Oh!

Off the arc.

The official nod.

>> Part of the play.

>> They practiced that.

>> Sean Austin with the layup.

>> There's the movement again.

Guy wide open in the corner.

There you go.

>> Beautiful shot.

A lot of really good shooters here for New Hanover central.

>> The Euro step.

Come on!

>> There you go.

>> max wincheck.

With the Euro step.

[LAUGHTER] The defense there and for the dunk.

I love it.

That was KUZman there.

>> Brody 17 points per game.

KUZMAN 14 points per game.

>> The key is they need to box out and it relates to the point right above that.

Averaging 51 points per game.

If you box out, you limit your opponent to possessions and you get yourself extra possessions.

you have an opportunity to expand your week there.

>> If you have to box out, you are in trouble against Munster.

I'll be honest with you, if Munster was playing the Boston Celtics, I would say pick 'em.

That's how well Munster is playing.

They're my pick to win.

Hanover will be good tournament time.

But right now, Munster is on a big-time roll.

>> They're a wonderful Rebounding team.

>> That takes us back to Trilly.

Good Rebounding and team and shooting team.

They're going to win this one.

>> All righty.

Time for our feature for this week.

They've been the top team in northwest Indiana all season.

Even though they played most of the game.

Let's visit with the Hammond central wolves.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> What makes this so spectacular?

>> We're a year older.

Last year, we were 16-8.

I only had one guy with experience and we returned everyone and added Garner who had a year last year.

And they're a year older and the expectations changed and they know that last year was kind of a disappointment for us.

It was our first lost in the sectional in five years.

You know, they were disappointed in how it ended and they came focused >> We started doing more on the team.

Not just on the Court but off the Court.

We have to keep ourselves accountable all the time.

Stuff like that.

>> From a leadership standpoint, where have you improved?

>> The way I control the team more.

Last year was all right.

I got better.

Listening to the coaches more, that type of thing.

>> Let's talk about Jordan woods.

I don't know if we should talk football or basketball.

He's pretty good at both.

>> He's good.

Four-year starter.

Two-time all-state in football.

Committed to eastern Illinois to play receiver.

He's our leader and he's our best player.

And he's just a winner.

He knows how to win on both sides, football and basketball and he's easy to Coach.

.

[ Music plays ] >> Experience last year is key.

We didn't do so well last year.

We picking up on where we fell last year.

We got to pick up and we just picking up on that.

Having no fun at all last season but way better this year.

>> What's the thing about this year that you see now that was better than what you had last year?

>> Buying in on defense and everybody accepting their roles and guys playing for one another.

I don't think we played for one another last year.

It was too much individual.

Again, they were disappointed in the way it ended.

We won four straight championships and they were the first group to lose one.

They didn't sit well with them in that community.

>> What's one thing that you have to improve on to make things happen this season?

>> Defense.

Defense is the main thing.

If we lock in on them and they don't score, we win games easily.

We didn't do a lot of that last season.

I feel like we're doing way better than that this year.

>> we like our pre-game and let the guys get loose while they're stretching.

We play music the first 15, 20 minutes of practice.

>> Basketball season is really great.

I love spending time with my teammates, winning games.

This is just a lot of fun.

We like to have fun.

I feel like that's how we get motivated for the game.

We want to show our personalities.

We got good chemistry this season.

I would say that's why we're winning a lot of games this year.

>> Our schedule has been pretty tough.

We have seen our styles going over to Chicago.

Playing Whitney young and ranking in the country.

We have tough battles here.

We have to get to a point where we don't think too far ahead.

Last year, we were worrying about sectionals and not enjoying the moment.

Right now, we're focused on enjoying the moment.

>> What's the name of this kid, Justin woods?

>> Jordan woods.

[LAUGHTER] >> Yes.

>> Sorry.

Anyway, best athlete.

And multiple sports >> Football and basketball.

>> It very well could be.

He's division I football player and playing basketball at a high level.

I definitely said his name an awful lot on the Radio and television.

>> Big-time player for this station here.

He's been exciting here in northwest Indiana.

>> All right.

Let's get you ready for the girls semistakes coming up on Saturday.

Heavily favored south Washington.

They're very good, but if anyone can give them a shot, it's lake central.

>> I think so.

Andrean taking on lapel.

Lady 9ers, maybe some big-time hopes coming up Saturday, on a roll right now.

>> They are.

I'm not particularly familiar with lapel.

But I know Andrean is really tough and well Coached.

Hopefully, they can continue their momentum.

Washington township versus Bethany Christian.

>> Washington township looking pretty good so far.

Let's hope they can keep the momentum going as well.

>> Boys bottom five, Michigan city right there, 15-6.

Chesterton moving up.

I think-- >> Hey, how about Morgan, they're moving up.

Morgan is 17-3.

>> We got La Porte at number 9.

Jordan Hecker got one 100 career victory.

Good friend of mine.

He went to Purdue.

I know.

[LAUGHTER] >> Fellow boilermaker for sure.

>> By the way, guys, good move moving Munster to number 2 but not letting lake drop from number 3.

Munster did a number.

That's a pro-team.

They're good.

>> They're very good.

We saw the highlights on Hammond central.

There's a reason why they're number one.

they enjoy each other's companies.

They're good kids and they play high level ball and they played incredible competition.

They looked like they were having a blast at practice.

>> They were.

>> They had the music blasting and they had Michael Jackson stuff going.

>> There you go.

I wish they would play Munster.

[LAUGHTER] It would be a thriller.

>> Whoa!

[LAUGHTER] >> Lake station and ILEANA Christian, Portage looking to bounce back.

There's a rivalry game, crown point and lake central.

A lot of fun for that one.

>> That's evenly matched.

We'll see.

Hammond central taking on Andrean.

>> Yeah.

That's going to be rough.

And elsewhere in northwest Indiana this weekend, I think the one thing, Tommy, and you saw the game, we're in the media, so we can do this.

What do you think about a future Munster Hammond game?

>> You can answer that more than I can because I really don't know what the deal is.

We talked about it briefly last week.

It would be a great match-up.

You would have to sell out stadiums or high school gyms to watch those two teams play.

How good Hammond central will be next year is a question.

We don't know.

The coaching over there makes me think they'll be very good.

>> Yeah.

>> I don't know about you guys, but I would love to see it.

>> What's the other dream match-up that we could have had this year for boys basketball?

>> Oh, gosh.

I don't know.

I go back to Hammond central versus Munster honestly.

Another one that we would look at, Hmm?

You know, I like those rivalry games.

The neutral site type things.

I'd like to see the Portage versus chesterton play again.

You know, because they're two teams that are starting to get after it.

I know it wasn't as close last time but on a neutral side, it could be more fun.

I love those traditions.

>> Hammond-chesterton game was outstanding.

You know, so maybe something like Munster chesterton would be the game.

>> What really would have been a great game, Gary rose against anybody.

Because back in the way, back when Roosevelt was rolling and you know who was playing for that basketball team, every game was a rivalry.

>> Roosevelt at west side.

>> Yes.

.

[LAUGHTER] Yes.

That was never an empty seat.

I'm not kidding you.

>> Roosevelt versus whorten.

>> Yes.

Donovan and rough HEFLING going up against each other.

Earl and Roosevelt.

>> Roosevelt and east Chicago.

>> You are starting-- >> Saturday afternoon regional game.

>> No.

East Chicago central, one of the greatest games I have ever seen.

>> Isn't that the one where Glenn hit the bucket?

Yeah.

That's the stuff you miss.

You don't have those games like you used to have.

>> Right.

Fill in the Hammond civic center or the Gary Cole Elm so.

Those types of arenas that hold 10, 15,000 people.

Michigan city's arena, and I don't remember the name.

You don't see that much anymore.

I remember going as a kid.

I enjoyed it.

>> We'll see you next week with another edition.

Good night.

>> Become your best at IU west.

With more than 70 high degree programs, convenient location and affordable tuition.

Learn how to join 29,000IU west alumni at IUN.EDU.

Valparaiso university is a place for you to grow.

It's where professors are there to help you find your passions and it's where you'll make connections that last a lifetime.

Learn more at Valpo.EDU.

>> Doing as much as you can as quickly as you can is important to me.

Life is short.

And the earlier we get started helping our community, the better off our community will be.