Two of Indiana's finest point guards, both from the Class of 2005, will go head-to-head this weekend. Crown Point 5'7 guard Cassie Pruzin and Boone Grove 5'5 guard Karissa Walter will face off in non-conference competition on Saturday at Crown Point. Boone Grove will come into the game defending a perfect 7-0 record, while the Bulldogs have had losses to 4A ranked Warsaw and DAC foe Chesterton. This will be the first big test for the Wolves, who have been beating up on lesser opponents, although they knocked off 1A #16 Washington Township with a 27-point win last night. Walter is leading Porter County in scoring at 18.7 points per game, and also is near the top in steals, assists and shooting percentage for NWI. Pruzin has a very tough and active all-around game and is averaging 16.0 points per game, and is also near the top in steals in NWI. While Crown Point's offense revolves around Pruzin, Boone Grove's offense runs through Walter. Opponents have not been able to focus in on Walter, as other players have stepped up to thwart trick defenses against the sparkplug point guard. Starter Becky Keller scored 25 points against Kankakee Valley when the Kougars tried to keep Walter in check, and Cortney Flanigan came off the bench to score a career-high 24 points when Washington Township held Walter under her average last night. Boone Grove has two other players, Keller (11.8 ppg) and Rachel Jenkins (10.7 ppg), averaging double figures, while Crown Point is still looking for a double-digit scorer besides Pruzin on its roster. But the Bulldogs are known for a smothering defense that could put the Wolves back on their heels early. Much could be at stake in this head-to-head meeting with both players vying for Junior All-Star honors, along with post standout Cassie Kerns of Valparaiso. It is unlikely that three Region players would be asked to participate on the summer squad that will select its members from a very talented statewide class. (Photo courtesy of strempkagallery.com.)

Ball State head coach Tracy Roller (left) made the most of her trip to the Region last weekend when the Cardinals participated in the Hoosier State Classic at Valparaiso University. After losing to Indiana State earlier in the day, Roller ventured over to Highland to watch Valparaiso defeat the Trojans in a 54-28 win. Roller's interest in the game lies in junior center/forward Cassie Kerns, who is also being recruited by a number of high-level Division I programs. Kerns did not disappoint, scoring 17 points for the 7-1 Vikings. (Photo courtesy of strempkagallery.com.)

4A #4 East Chicago will be hosting a wide field of participants in its Classic Tournament next weekend. Teams from Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri and Ohio will find their way to the Region to participate in an event that has a very competitive field. Sophomore sensation Dee Dee Jernigan is leading the Cardinals so far this season, and showed her dominance in a recent win over previously undefeated Lew Wallace on Tuesday.  The 5'11 guard had 19 points, 15 rebounds, 11 blocks, 6 assists and 6 steals in the 63-42 win.  HSSP Internet Radio is making a change to its girls' broadcast schedule to cover the event. HSSP will cover all six games  according to the following schedule:

Friday 12/19
Eau Clarie ( WI) vs. Gateway Tech ( MO) 5:30 PM CST
Penn vs. Chicago Marshall (IL) 7:00 PM CST
East Chicago vs. Villa Angela ( OH) 8:30 PM CST

Saturday 12/20
Penn vs. Gateway Tech ( MO) 5:30 PM CST
Eau Claire (WI) vs. Villa Angela ( OH) 7:00 PM CST
East Chicago vs Oak Park Fenwick ( IL) 8:30 PM CST

Although East Chicago came away with the win against Lew Wallace on Tuesday, Hornets sophomore Sharon Houston was up to the challenge of facing NWI's highest ranked team. The 6'2 center, who is averaging 25.8 points and 16.0 rebounds per game, scored 15 points, pulled down 20 rebounds and swatted an amazing 14 shots in the game. The Post-Tribune profiles Houston in its coverage today. More:
East Chicago Central 63, Lew Wallace 42 - The Times

According to the Indianapolis Star, Lawrence North guard Robyn Stone has been reinstated to play and will be eligible to compete once she has participated in ten practices. LN head coach Jodie Whitaker will look forward to the Junior All Star's return as the Wildcats have lost five of their first seven outings.

Girls basketball notes & features:

Houston looks like future star - Post-Tribune
Lurking in the shadows (Michelle Hamblin, Suzanne Cunningham) - The Times
Girls Basketball Top Ten - The Times
Rising Star (MC Marquette) - News-Dispatch
Early losses don't faze Huntington, Warsaw - Huntington Press
All in the Family (Lanae Stoval, Lafayette Jeff) - Journal & Courier
Hustle, love of game drive Dark to follow sister's footsteps - Journal & Courier
Senior Cartina Ford plays with intensity to key Eels' turnaround - Indianapolis Star
Simpson’s 100th victory eases pressure on Bluejackets - Times-Mail
Team wants to prove its defensive skills - Indianapolis Star
A tip of the hat to Tippy Valley - South Bend Tribune
Tough loss helps pinpoint where Heritage Christian need work - Indianapolis Star
Brebeuf Jesuit-North Central 1st-round matchup will be key - Indianapolis Star
Portage's Turpa, Chesterton's Campbell reach basketball milestones - The Times
With their top player fouled out, Giants roll (Indy notes) - Indianapolis Star
Former Perry Meridian backup starts to get attention - Indianapolis Star
Park Tudor siblings similar in size, talent - Indianapolis Star
Tribune Athlete of the Week - South Bend Tribune
Some girls' teams are better this year - Jeffersonville Evening News

Articles of interest:
Cardinals face Cardinals - Ball State Daily News
Chappell shackled but Earlham still earns win - Pal-Item
Dixon's three helps Vincennes U go 2-0 in SODEXHO - Sun-Commercial
The learning curve (Jeanette Gray) - The Times
Sycamores get their revenge - The Times
Crusaders get hot at right time - The Times
BSU ends winning streak with loss to Indiana State - BSU Daily News
BSU women lose to Louisville - Star Press
UE women take aim at 'Circle City Sweep' - Courier-Press
Peterink trying to get Dayton flying again - Journal Gazette
Big Ten women's event to stay in Indy in '05 - Indianapolis Star
Merrill scores 34 in Tribune Classic games - Noblesville Ledger
VanMetre named to All-Tournament Team - Noblesville Ledger