Let’s run through the checklist. Perry Meridian is
experienced-six seniors will dot the Falcons roster this season. They have leadership-two
of the aforementioned seniors are four year starters. They are big-the Falcons
could play three 6’1” frontliners at the same time. They can score-Perry’s
leading scorer returns. And, they are athletic. The analysis here says (read
this is no big surprise) the Falcons of Coach Mike Armstrong will once again
challenge for the Conference Indiana crown and a sectional title.
Yes, it is a good time to be a Falcon. Then again, it has
been a long time since it hasn’t been a good time to be a Falcon. Armstrong has
spent over a decade building Perry meridian into a traditional central Indiana power. This time
around the Falcons will be led by four year starters Katelyn Walker and Sam
Hawk. Walker is
a 5’6” point guard who has become an extension of her fiery coach on the floor.
Hawk, a 5’9” forward, is a natural scorer and a dangerous three point threat.
Hawk has spent much of her career playing the power forward spot, but you can
look for her to spend more time on the perimeter this season.
That is because Perry Meridian has no shortage of size
inside. Senior Sarah Queve, junior Lindsay Spears, and sophomore Amanda Raker
all stand 6’1”. Here is some more bad news for opponents. They can all run and
they can all score. Many times that much size might indicate a lack of flexibility
in a team’s lineup. Sorry, the Falcons have that covered also. If they need a
little more defense or ballhandling, they can turn to a pair of 5’9” juniors,
Krista Schott and Stephanie Lindsey, to meet the need.
Perry meridian is coming off a 13-8 campaign and a second
place finish in Conference Indiana
at 6-1. They lost a showdown with Bloomington South for the crown late last
season. As usual, the Falcons will be tested severely by their early season
schedule. In November, they play an improving Decatur central squad, Ben Davis, and North
central. Oh yeah, throw their conference opener with Bloomington North into
that mix. Armstrong likes the early season rigors. He believes it toughens his
squad for later in the campaign.
Hoosier Authority will make a trip down to Falcon country in
the next couple of weeks to give you a video preview on the Falcons.
The ranks of Conference Indiana were cut in half on the opening
night of sectional lay.Four conference
teams advanced including one who knocked out a league rival in the process.
In Sectional 7 action, Bloomington South defeated Columbus
North 40-37 in overtime. The game played out much as expected with both of
these offensive powers lighting up the scoreboard with regularity. The
defensive struggles that have plagued both were also in evidence. Bloomington
South’s reward for the victory is a semi-final date with Indiana’s top rated team, Center grove.
Elsewhere in this sectional, Bloomington North survived against Decatur Central
23-21. The Cougars will also see MIC competition next week although hardly of
the same caliber. Terre Haute North will provide the second round opposition.
Sectional 6 was a bloodbath for conference teams. One was
bound to fall on Indianapolis; Southside as Southport faced Perry Meridian. As expected, the
Cardinals had little trouble in prevailing 56-35. The victory improves the
Conference Indiana champions to 9-1 on the year. They will certainly have their
hands full next seek when they host 8-2 Avon at Southport.
Special teams cost Franklin Central in their 21-18 loss to
Brownsburg. The Flashes failed to convert on the PAT on any of their three
scores while the Bulldogs were perfect. In the end, that was the difference in
a very evenly played game. Brownsburg will face Ben Davis in the second round.
The Giants destroyed CI;s Pike red Devils 34-14. This game was a story of too
much Giants; running game for Pike to handle.
Lawrence Central, the league’s only representative in
Sectional 5, repeated their early season demolition of Indianapolis North
Central. The Bears frolicked 44-17 and will now face Richmond in the second round. Lawrence
Central will be a heavy favorite to advance to a sectional final showdown with Warren central who faces
Fishers in the other bracket.
Perry Meridian was not in top form offensively in their
sectional opener Thursday evening. It mattered little. The Falcons had plenty
of factors in their favor to carry the day. Great defense, great serving, and a
great athlete led Perry to a three game sweep over Franklin Community 25-21,
25-15, 25-11.
Franklin
began the match by doing what underdogs are supposed to do. They were crisp
offensively and controlled much of game one. The Grizzly Cubs had a three point
18-15 lead late in the game. Only a series of outstanding defensive plays by
Perry Meridian’s back line had managed to keep the score that close. Then the
Falcons did what favorites are supposed to do. They responded with a six point
run that included the two best offensive sets they displayed all game and never
looked back enroute to the comeback win.
As game two unfolded, Perry Meridian’s pinpoint serving
began to play a major role. Franklin
did an excellent job of keeping the service darts from becoming aces, but the Cubs
were forced into awkward passing angles and it began to limit their offense.
That in turn eased the pressure on the Falcons’ defense and allowed them to
improve their own passing. By midway through the game, Perry Meridian was in
control and cruised to the win.
Game three saw the Falcons’ athletic front line find hit
stride and that spelled a quick end to Franklin’s
season. Perry Meridian controlled the game from the outset and Coach Pat
Carlson pulled many of his more talented players late in the contest.
In any game of any sport, there are important keys to
victory that never show up in that stat sheet. A player who recognizes and
performs those things is invaluable. That may have been the biggest factor in
Perry Meridian’s favor Thursday night. The Falcons have Shelby Gray. Gray is an
outstanding athlete, but that is only part of the story. She is one of those
rare players who simply know how to win. You get the impression that would be
the case if you were playing her in a game of Monopoly or a field hockey game.
When things go wrong, Gray fixes them. When things go right, Gray is in the
middle of it. When Perry Meridian wins like they did Thursday night, the
opponent goes home wishing Gray had been on their side.
Perry Meridian’s victory sets up the match volleyball fans have
been waiting for all year, the tournament rematch between the Falcons and
perennial power Center Grove. Perry upset the Trojans on the way to the
sectional title a year ago and both Trojan coach Deb McClurg and her charges
have made it clear they have long memories. The struggle will take place
Saturday at about 12:30 in the semi-finals.
Not to be outdone by their female counterparts, Conference Indiana boy’s teams put
on an awesome display in regional competition last Saturday. Seven of the eight
league schools advanced to the semi-state round of the tournament. More
impressively, three CI teams captured regional crowns.
The dominance began at Ben Davis where Conference Indiana teams swept the
top three places. Pike won the championship with a team total of just 28 points
and individual champion Michael Jordan. Jordan won in a time of 15:55.
Perry Meridian placed second, scoring 92 points. The Falcons were led by the
ninth place effort of Kameron Casey. Southport
continued their strong fall postseason performances by ending third on the day
with 99. The Cardinals were paced by the runner up finish of Lance Nelson.
Franklin Central was completely overwhelming in winning the Rushville
regional. The Flashes totaled just 26 points for the meet. State contender
Scott Lassiter won the individual title in a time of 16:07. The third title for
Conference Indiana went to Columbus North at
the Greensburg
site. The Bull Dogs were only slightly less devastating as they scored just 34
points in grabbing the title. They were led by the second place finish of Ryan
Scruton.
At BrownCounty, both Bloomington
schools advanced. South ended second with 64 points and the individual
champion. Joe Solahan won the race in a time of 15:42. City rival North came in
fourth on the day. Andrew Buzzelli finished fourth for the Cougars.
There is the specter of top rated Carmel
waiting down the road, but to this point Conference Indiana teams are turning the state cross
country tournament into a CI i
nvitational. Seven of the eight conference
schools advanced to the semi-state team competition next week via their
performances in Saturday’s regional. The conference also boasts two regional
champions in Franklin Central and Bloomington South.
Let’s start at Ben Davis where three Conference Indiana teams advanced.
The Pike Red Devils finished the day in second place at this site, placing two
runners in the top four places. Lyotia Greene finished third and Abigale Hall
was fourth. The Red Devils were joined by Southport
and Perry meridian in advancing to the next round. Southport
finished fourth on the day while the Falcons were fifth. Perry meridian put one
runner, Katelyn Walker, in the individual top ten.
At Rushville, #4 Franklin Central was as dominant as
expected. The Flashes easily won the team crown and Kayleen Ritchie won the
individual honors with a time of 18:56. The other regional champion was
Bloomington South which amassed only 26 points in claiming the title at BrownCounty.
The Panthers placed four runners in the top ten individuals. Second place at
that site belonged to city rival Bloomington North. The Cougars totaled 66
points on the day.
Columbus North wrapped up the display of Conference Indiana power with a second place finish at the Greensburg regional. The Bull
Dogs were led by the third place performance of Siri Retrum.
Friday night, the Southport
cardinals finished what they started in week three of the season. They capped
off an undefeated Conference Indiana
championship. However, it wasn’t easy. The Cardinals topped a proud Columbus
North squad 21-16. The continued improvement of the Bull Dog defense is an
indication they will be a tough out when tourney play begins next week.
Pike, Bloomington South, and Lawrence Central all scored
victories Friday night, and as a result all tied for second in the CI standings
with 5-2 conference marks. Pike continued their late season offensive fireworks
by downing Franklin Central 51-32. Bloomington South demolished Perry Meridian
42-0, and Lawrence Central outscored Bloomington North 34-27.
Southport will now try to
continue their fairytale season in opening round sectional action against Perry
Meridian next Friday. The struggling Falcons pose the ultimate trap game as
there is nothing that could salvage their season more than to oust their hated
township rivals. Pike will need to continue the offensive fireworks. The Red
Devils have an opening date with Ben Davis in that same sectional. The Giants
will be walking tall after their upset of top rated Carmel in the season finale
Franklin Central also feeds into the same sectional and opens with HCC opponent
Brownsburg at home..
Bloomington South is the team that will get to test improving
Columbus North. The Panthers have to travel to Columbus in round one of sectional seven.
City rival North will also be on the road. The Cougars will tangle with Decatur
Central.
Call it luck or misfortune, but Lawrence Central moves away
from any further conference showdowns for awhile. The Bears, however, find
themselves in the same sectional with a wounded Warren central squad and highly regarded Hamilton
Southeastern. LC will begin sectional lay facing a North Central team they beat
handily in week two of the season.
WOW! Where to start? To say that Conference Indiana teams
were dominant in sectional competition would be far more than an
understatement. ALL EIGHT Conference Indiana
teams advanced to regional competition this weekend. That performance included
sweeps in at least two sectionals where there was more than one CI school in
the field.
Perhaps the most impressive showing came at the Ben Davis
sectional. The Pike Red Devils easily won the team fray, compiling just 52
points and placing four runners in the top ten. That included race winner Lyotia
Greene. That was only the beginning. Southport
finished second with 71 points and Perry Meridian was hot on their heels,
literally, in third with 72.
Down south, the Bloomington
schools were equally as impressive in the BrownCounty
sectional. Bloomington South ran away with the team title, scoring just 24
points and placing all five runners in the top ten. Nicole Lucas took
individual honors for the Panthers. Bloomington North ended a distant second
with 70 points, but also placed two runners in the top five positions.
Columbus North ruled at the Edinburgh sectional. The Bull Dogs, not to be
outdone by their southern brethren, totaled only 28 points in cruising to
victory and again placed all five runners in the top ten of the individual
finishers. All of this has yet to mention the #4 rated Franklin Central
Flashes. You guessed it. The Flashes ruled at New Palestine. They scored only
24 points and placed all five runners in the top ten.
That leaves Lawrence
central who certainly had their hands full in a very tough Brebeuf sectional.
Nonetheless, the Bears survived to fight another day by finishing fifth in the
field that contained three ranked teams. Lawrence
central tallied 110 points on the day, narrowly missing fourth place that was
captured by township rival Lawrence North.
It would be a major understatement to say that Conference
Indiana schools were dominant is sectional play last week. Four of the eight CI
schools won sectional titles. Three others lost in the championship match of
the sectional and the one team to lose earlier than that was beaten by a fellow
conference team. That folks is dominance.
#12 Bloomington North headlines the Conference Indiana teams
headed to regional play. The Cougars won sectional competition by downing OwenValley
in the opening round 12-0 and then defeating city and conference rival
Bloomington South in the championship tilt by a 4-1 count. South had advanced
to the finals on the strength of a 4-1 trouncing of Bedford North-Lawrence in
the semi-finals.
Pike also made easy work of their sectional foes. The Red
Devils demolished Ritter in the first round 10-0 and then whitewashed Speedway 3-0 in round
two. They finally surrendered a goal in the finals, defeating Guerin Catholic
3-1.
Lawrence Central left little doubt they are back as a power.
The Bears won the Heritage Christian sectional in impressive fashion. They
downed the hosts in the first round 3-2 and then dumped parochial power
Cathedral in the finals by the same count.
Columbus North was the fourth Conference Indiana team to lay claim to sectional
honors. The Bull Dogs downed Seymour
1-0 for the title. They had advanced to the finals by trouncing Trinity Lutheran
5-1.
Southport fell in the
finals of the Ben Davis sectional to the highly regarded hosts 4-2. However,
before bowing out the Cardinals demolished Decatur Central in the first round
4-0 and then ousted conference foe Perry Meridian 3-0 in the semi-finals.
Franklin Central also lost in the championship match at Roncalli. They fell to
the hosts 2-1. The Flashes had flexed their muscles in round one, eliminating
Beech Grove 7-0.
Regional competition promises to be a bit tougher for CI
teams. #4 Columbus North will open play at Seymour versus New
Albany. #12 Bloomington North will travel to Terre Haute and open
against a strong Terre Haute North team. Pike will compete in the Zionsville
regional where they will open against Park Tudor. If they survive that match,
the specter of #5 Zionsville awaits in the finals. The toughest road belongs to Lawrence
central. The Bears feed into the North Central regional where they will tangle
with #10 Noblesville in round one. If they get past the Millers, #3 Westfield will likely
await in the championship match.
Unlike Chicago Cub fans, people in Southport
have lived long enough to see what many thought they never would. The Southport
Cardinals are champions of Conference Indiana
football. The Cardinals captured the crown Friday night with a 42-28 victory
over Bloomington North at Perry Stadium. The win leaves Southport
with a 6-0 league record and a two game margin in the standings with only one
game left to play. It also marked their seventh consecutive victory overall,
making them 7-1 on the year. In 2007, Southport
was 1-9. It marks perhaps the greatest turnaround in the history of Indiana 5A football.
The remaining battle is for second place in the conference.
After Friday night’s action, three teams are tied entering the final week with
4-2 league marks. They include Bloomington South, Pike, and Lawrence central.
Pike kept pace in that battle with a 37-6 pasting of winless
Perry Meridian. Bloomington South took care of business by downing Columbus
North 28-14. Lawrence Central exploded offensively and crushed Franklin Central
47-20. All three of the teams in this battle will be favored this coming Friday
night in the regular season’s final week. However, all three will have to stake
their claim on the road. Pike visits Franklin Central while Bloomington South
will come north to face Perry Meridian. Lawrence Central closes out at
Bloomington North.
Hoosier Authority sat down with the folks at Southport this week and we will be posting a video
feature on the resurgence of Cardinal athletics in the next couple of days. Be
sure to log on early next week to view a truly remarkable story.
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