Times Indiana boys basketball Top 10

(Records through Wednesday. Last week's rankings in parentheses.)

1. Andrean (3) 15-1

It's doubtful that anyone questions who the best team in the region is. Right? A 30-point win over 4A mega school Penn says it all. The 40-point win over Calumet was only icing on the cake. West Side's next.

2. Bishop Noll (1) 16-1

So was Highland a hiccup or something worse? Hiccup. Or was it a pickup truck heading out of town? E.C. Central and Andrean await on the schedule to see what's what. Hiccup. Only time will tell. Hiccup.

3. Bowman Academy (2) 10-7

Yes, there was a big game in Indy last week. Madonna wasn't at this one. The Eagles hung with No. 1 Hamilton Southeastern before falling. Then, they dropped 106 on Hammond. Triple digits in their last two Ws.

4. Lake Central (4) 15-2

Seven straight for Mr. Robinson's neighborhood. Well, seven straight heading into Thursday's game against Valpo. A one-point win at E.C. could cause some knees to knock. Off night or trouble looming?

5. Hebron (6) 15-1

Can this poll finally give the Hawks some love? Can these Hawks finally play someone? Kankakee Valley came to town Thursday. A big win means something. A close win doesn't. Pick 'em.

6. Munster (5) 13-3

Even Elvis had a bad day. Ever heard "Old Shep?" The 'Stangs got bit on the backside by Merrillville last Saturday. It almost brought the "Roof, roof" down. West Side on Thursday could get the guys a bone.

7. Lake Station (7) 12-4

Got to give Covenant Christian credit. Unlike a lot of more prestigious programs, the Knights weren't afraid to schedule Edison. Any other takers? Probably not. Losing to a 2A power doesn't look good.

8. Kouts (9) 12-3

Mustangs have the guns to finish the regular season unscathed. And Marty Gaff's club could make March seem longer than other months. This is leap year, right? Class A could be spelled Klass A very soon.

9. Crown Point (NR) 7-8

Sure, it takes a lot to be under the Mendoza line and still in the Top 10. Beating Valpo and Merrillville handily is "a lot." A scary LaPorte team crawled to the Hub on Thursday. Will the streak continue? Likely.

10. Highland (NR) 11-6

Winning at Noll is huge with a capital H, like Highland. Four wins in a row makes the team that three weeks ago was hanging on for dear life scary. But if you can quiet Warrior Nation, you can play with anyone.

On the bubble: E.C. Central (8-8), Hobart (8-8), Merrillville (9-7), Michigan City (7-7), Morton (9-7), Valparaiso (12-5), Wheeler (10-6), West Side (6-6), Whiting (11-6).