Indiana high school basketball rankings see double trouble from North Central

Video: Amy Dilk's highlights Homestead High School
See the Carmel High star in action, playing for the state's No. 2 girls team.

Indiana boys and girls basketball teams are having a big year in-state and nationally, according to the MaxPreps Computer Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.

On the girls side, North Central is ranked No. 1 in Indiana and No. 3 nationally. The Panthers returned all five starters from an 18-6 team, so it's not totally surprising that they have won all 16 games so far this season - and they still are a young team.

The leaders are 5-foot-10 senior Ajanae Thomas, 5-6 junior Taylor Ramey, daughter of veteran head coach DeeAnn Ramey, 5-9 junior Ajah Stallings and 5-10 sophomore Rikki Harris.

They have earned their lofty status with victories over five of the state's top 10 teams: No. 2 Carmel 62-45; No. 4 Hamilton Southeastern 70-50; No. 7 Pike 76-63 and 77-70; No. 8 Lawrence North 53-43, and No. 10 Ben Davis 67-59.

The Hoosier State's other top four teams also are ranked highly on a national basis. Carmel is No. 11, Homestead is No. 15, Hamilton Southeastern is No. 35 and Zionsville is No. 52.  

The top-ranked boys team is La Laumiere (La Porte), but it is an independent and does not participate in the Indiana state tournament. The Lakers are No. 9 nationally in the computer rankings, though they are No. 1 in many other rankings. They have two potential McDonald's All-Americans in 6-10 Jaren Jackson and 6-7 Brian Bowen, both seniors, and a great sophomore point guard in 6-0 Tyger Campbell.

Similar to their girls, North Central's No. 2-rated boys are unbeaten and that brings up the possibility that both teams eventually could be crowned state champs in the same year - a true rarity. On a national basis, they are No. 29.

The Panthers are anchored by three outstanding seniors. Kris Wilkes is 6-8, headed for UCLA and a favorite to earn coveted Mr. Basketball honors. Emmanuel Little, 6-5, and Mateo Rivera, 6-0, are other major cogs in coach Doug Mitchell's machine.

No. 3 Fort Wayne North Side is rated No. 37 nationally, No. 4 New Albany is 68 and No. 5 Warren Central is 83.

Following are the top five boys and girls teams with won-lost records and national ranking. Numbers are current as of Tuesday:

GIRLS TOP FIVE
1. North Central (Indianapolis), 16-0, No. 3
2. Carmel, 13-2, No. 11
3. Homestead (Fort Wayne), 15-0, No. 15
4. Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers), 15-3, No. 35
5. Zionsville, 16-1, No. 52

BOYS TOP FIVE
1. La Lumiere (LaPorte), 14-0, No. 9
2. North Central (Indianapolis), 9-0, No. 29
3. Fort Wayne North Side, 12-1, No. 37
4. New Albany, 8-2, No. 68
5. Warren Central (Indianapolis), 7-0, No. 83