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Swimming fans from across the Region have had Jan. 28 circled on their calendar for a single top-ranked reason: Chesterton at Munster.

In the state rankings, the boys are Nos. 1 (Munster) and 3 (Chesterton) based on their top times submitted to the state and the girls are Nos. 3 (Chesterton) and 10 (Munster).

The girls have already seen the potential in a head-to-head opportunity. At the Highland Invitational, Chesterton took six first-place finishes to Munster’s three, but it was in the depth where the Trojans really racked up their points. Chesterton finished with 16 second through sixth scores, including five thirds and five sixths. Munster had just 13 finishes lower than first, including eight seconds and nothing lower than fourth.

To open the season. Both Chesterton teams won their respective Hall of Fame Classic meets in December, before the defending state champion Trojans boys team was upset in the Homestead Invitational by Northridge.

On paper, the two teams match up so closely, in both genders. The times below are taken from the top times submitted to the state for predictor rankings. Keep in mind that times vary based on pool and race conditions and that each swimmer is allowed in only four events each; also remember that swimmers compete in various events over the season, so Kyle Whitaker could have the top times in more than four events, but on Thursday he’ll be in the four that give Chesterton the best chance to win the meet.

Chesterton vs. Munster predictor (Boys)
Medley Relay
Munster, 1:35.51
Chesterton, 1:37.25
This race is won in the lower places. A first here is a help, but how well the depth is distributed will be important. If Munster wins, but Chesterton takes second and third, those first-place points will be eliminated. Advantage: Chesterton

200 Free
Kyle Whitaker, Chesterton, 1:37.63
Dillon Thompson, Muster, 1:44.12
Tyler Fozkos, Chesterton, 1:45.22
Chesterton has the depth in this race, with Whitaker the state leader as the holder of the only sub-1:40 time in the state. But, Whitaker didn’t compete in this event at the state meet last season, when teammate Bill Bass took home the top honors. If Chesterton decides it needs Whitaker in other events, this will be a Fozkos/Thompson race. Advantage: Chesterton

200 IM
Kyle Whitaker, Chesterton, 1:47.83
Dillon Thompson, Munster, 1:56.72
Joe Wulf, Munster, 1:56.93
Patrick Raycroft, Munster, 2:00.40
This event is a Munster strength, where the ‘Stangs hold enough depth to conquer even a first or second place. If Chesterton opts to hold Whitaker back from this event, Munster could find itself with three finishers in the top four positions. Advantage: Munster

50 Free
Tyler Fozkos, Chesterton, 21.31
Joe Wulf, Munster, 21.91
Max Kilibarda, Munster, 22.36
Fozkos is the holder of the top time in the state, but his 20.62 came last season in the state meet prelims, before winning the event as just a sophomore. But, his season pr of 21.31 lists him only as good as fourth best in the state right now. So, this is a drag race between Fozkos and Wulf, a battle to the pad of no-breathers and out-muscling. Here’s another spot where depth is going to be huge. Advantage: Munster

Diving
Alex Olson, Chesterton, 271.40
Jake Brehmer, Chesterton, 262.10
T. Matt Poulos, Munster, 254.10
Olson and Brehmer are currently ranked Nos. 6 and 11 in the state respectively, giving Chesterton the clear advantage with a chance at 10 quick points. Advantage: Chesterton

100 Fly
Kyle Whitaker, Chesterton, 48.84
Kevin Behrens, Munster, 50.27
Tyler Fozkos, Chesterton, 53.35
Dillon Thompson, Munster, 53.92
This is the race fans came to see. With Whitaker and Behrens first and second in the state in this event last season, a difference of .18 of a second, this will be the fun one to watch. The money-maker in this one though, will go to the third-place finisher.Advantage: Chesterton

100 Free
Kyle Whitaker, Chesterton, 45.42
Kevin Behrens, Munster, 46.68
Tyler Fozkos, Chesterton, 47.82
Like Whitaker, you’ll see Behrens’ name appear more than four times on this list (he’s a staple in relays, too). This means that some of these races are fun to predict, but ultimately might not pan out if the coaches prefer to use their top athletes in other areas. Ultimately, this could be Fozkos’ race to lose. Advantage: Chesterton

500 Free
Kyle Whitaker, Chesterton, 4:28.23
Dillon Thompson, Munster, 4:44.07
Frank Rapin, Munster, 4:51.83
Tyler Fozkos, Chesterton, 4:53.33
Seeing sprinter Whitaker’s name at the top of this list is just proof that the Olympic trialist can do just about anything. The depth and advantage here really goes to Munster, because Thompson finished 10th in the state last year in this event behind eight seniors. Advantage: Munster

200 Free Relay
Munster, 1:28.84
Chesterton, 1:29.17
Munster’s time is fifth-best in the state while Chesterton’s is sixth. The makeup of these two relays — and who lands on the B relay — could make all the difference. Advantage: Chesterton

100 Back
Kyle Whitaker, Chesterton, 50.59
Kevin Behrens, Munster, 50.96
Murray Crabtree, Munster, 55.13
This could give fans a second chance to see Whitaker and Behrens dual for supremacy, with Behrens the defending second-place finisher in the event at the state meet last season. Advantage: Munster

100 Breast
Kyle Whitaker, Chesterton, 55.61
Joe Wulf, Munster, 58.01
Matthew Rosiecki, Chesterton, 1:02.66
Kevin Behrens, Munster, 1:00.48
Frank Rapin, Munster, 1:01.40
Patrick Raycroft, Munster, 1:02.60
The two obvious notes here is that Whitaker can win about any race and that Munster’s depth is clearly in the breaststroke. Advantage: Munster

400 Free Relay
Munster, 3:13.67
Chesterton, 3:16.47
The Mustangs are second in the state with their speedy time while Chesterton, nearly three seconds back, sits seventh-best. With two now-graduated seniors on the team, Chesterton out-paced Munster for second — to the ‘Stangs third — at the state meet last season. But Munster’s two graduated seniors swam in the first two legs, while Chesterton graduated its anchor. The difference in time at the state meet: 3 seconds. Advantage: Munster

Prediction for the final score: Chesterton 93, Munster 91

Come back on Tuesday to read a prediction of the girls meet.

Talk about tonight’s games with the writers that were there and find updated scores from tonight’s games exclusively here at The Times. We’ll answer questions, give highlights and talk Region high school basketball from 10-11 p.m.

Check out the transcript of Wednesday’s prep hoops chat with Times basketball beat writers:

The AP has released this week’s polls, with E.C. Central making an appearance in the boys 4A poll for the first time. Working their way in at No. 8, the Cardinals have won three in a row but haven’t played since Dec. 30.

In the girls poll, voters are finally starting to notice Gavit, giving the Gladiator girls a few votes and Merrillville moved up from seventh to sixth in the girls 4A poll.

The usual suspects are among the remaining polls with little movement. The official rankings follow:

Indiana High School Boys Basketball Top 10 Teams
The Associated Press Top 10 Indiana high school boys basketball teams, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through games of Sat. Jan. 16, rating points and previous rankings:
Class 4A W-L Pts Prv
1. Bloomington South (14) 12-0 280 1
2. Indpls N. Central 11-2 225 2
3. Valparaiso 11-1 193 3
4. Munster 10-1 178 5
5. Center Grove 10-1 163 8
6. New Albany 7-2 112 7
7. Indpls Pike 8-2 107 4
8. E.C. Central 6-1 104
9. Carmel 8-3 88 9
10. Noblesville 8-2 65 6
Others receiving votes: Lawrence North 49. Merrillville 39. Homestead 38. Hamilton Southeastern 16. Logansport 10. Ev. Reitz 7. Bloomington North 6.
Class 3A W-L Pts Prv
1. Washington (12) 12-0 274 1
2. Danville (2) 12-0 256 2
3. Peru 11-1 194 3
4. Greensburg 12-0 188 4
5. Mt.Vernon (Hancock) 11-2 167 5
6. Lew Wallace 9-3 105 7
7. Ft. Wayne Harding 8-2 95 9
8. Mississinewa 12-0 89
9. Batesville 7-2 66 6
10. Boonville 9-2 61
Others receiving votes: Southridge 45. Vincennes 44. Sullivan 34. Princeton 27. Indpls Howe 17. S. Bend St. Joseph’s 12. Ft. Wayne Elmhurst 6.
Class 2A W-L Pts Prv
1. Brownstown (7) 10-0 264 1
2. Bluffton (5) 12-0 250 2
3. Tipton 8-1 200 3
4. N. Posey 10-0 190 5
5. Ft. Wayne Luers (2) 9-3 187 4
6. Wheeler 11-1 153 6
7. Winchester 11-2 92 9
8. Hammond Noll 9-1 90 8
9. Indpls Washington 9-3 69 10
10. Forest Park 7-3 67 7
Others receiving votes: Hanover Central 66. Taylor 18. N. Miami 8. Switzerland Co. 7. Eastern Hancock 7. Boone Grove 6. Austin 6.
Class A W-L Pts Prv
1. Bowman Academy (13) 12-0 278 1
2. Triton 11-0 244 2
3. Barr-Reeve (1) 10-2 224 3
4. Orleans 9-1 196 4
5. Monroe Central 8-3 136 5
6. Loogootee 8-3 119 7
7. Morgan Twp. 8-2 113 9
8. White River Valley 9-2 109 6
9. Attica 10-2 73 10
10. N. Daviess 8-4 36
Others receiving votes: Shakamak 30. Lafayette Catholic 27. Tri-County 21. Argos 16. Ft. Wayne Canterbury 13. S. Central 10. Ft. Wayne Blackhawk 9. Frontier 8. Bethany Christian 6. Vincennes Rivet 6. Tindley 6.

Indiana High School Girls Basketball Top 10 Teams
By The Associated Press
The Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association Top 10 basketball teams, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Saturday, Jan. 16, and previous rankings:
Class 4A W-L Pts Prv
1. Indpls Ben Davis (10) 16-0 100 1
2. Floyd Central 14-0 90 2
3. Kokomo 14-0 65 5
4. Mooresville 15-1 63 3
5. Jeffersonville 14-1 62 4
6. Merrillville 15-0 41 7
7. Elkhart Memorial 17-1 36 8
8. Westfield 16-1 28 7
9. Bloomington North 16-1 25 NR
10.Decatur Central 14-3 18 8
Others receiving votes: Penn 10, Bloomington South 9, Center Grove 2.
Class 3A W-L Pts Prv
1. Norwell (10) 15-0 138 1
2. Rushville (4) 16-2 135 1
3. Hamilton Heights 13-1 97 6
4. Gibson Southern (1) 16-0 96 3
5. Ev. Memorial 11-3 70 7
6. Mount Vernon (Fortville) 13-2 62 8
7. Ft. Wayne Elmhurst 11-4 56 4
8. Benton Central 12-3 45 5
9. Fort Wayne Concordia 12-3 43 NR
10. Northwood 12-2 31 9
Others receiving votes: Crawfordsville 26, Gavit 11, Jasper 6, Western Boone 3, Greensburg 2, Roncalli 2, Griffith 1, Franklin County 1.
Class 2A W-L Pts Prv
1. Winchester (10) 15-0 143 1
2. Austin (4) 15-1 138 2
3. Jimtown (1) 14-1 113 3
4. Oak Hill 12-2 97 4
5. Wabash 14-1 75 5
6. Boone Grove 14-1 63 6
7. Indian Creek 14-1 58 7
8. Taylor 15-2 48 8
9. Ft. Wayne Luers 11-4 37 9
10.Heritage Christian 9-7 18 NR
Others receiving votes: Brownstown Central 9, Tri-West 7, Hagerstown 6, North Posey 6, Fremont 2, Paoli 1, Tipton 1.
Class A W-L Pts Prv
1. Vincennes Rivet (14) 14-0 149 1
2. Barr-Reeve (1) 14-0 127 2
3. Fort Wayne Canterbury 10-2 119 3
4. Kouts 12-2 94 4
5. Turkey Run 12-4 82 7
6. Waldron 13-3 68 6
7. Oregon-Davis 13-4 65 5
8. North Vermillion 13-1 36 8
9. Jac-Cen-Del 11-3 32 9
(tie)Tri-Central 10-5 32 10
Others receiving votes: Randolph Southern 14, West Central 3, Tri-County 2, South Central (Elizabeth) 1, Monroe Central 1.

Forget for a second that this is a Junior Varsity game and remember that it’s basketball. This is an awesome half-court shot that give Lake Central the 35-34 win over Crown Point, courtesy of Marcus Rosselli:

In case you missed it, read a recap of the Jan. 13 prep swimming chat:

Come chat about high school swimming from 7-8 tonight with Times insiders Jim Hunsley and Matt Frost.

If you’re looking for photos from the Jan. 1, 2010 Region Roundball Rumble and 3-point shootout, take a look here, at the Times mycapture site with exclusive pictures through the lenses of the Times award-winning photographers.

The Crown Point and Valparaiso girls basketball teams joined to announce they’ll be auctioning off game-worn jerseys after the Jan. 29 game at C.P.

The game, part of the Coaches vs. Cancer campaign, will be a fundraiser with the proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. Players from Crown Point will be wearing special white and pink jerseys while the Valpo players will wear green and pink uniforms.

The jerseys can be bid on through each coach (Mike Cronkhite, Crown Point, or Jeanette Gray, Valparaiso) or through each team’s website, by clicking on the icon below. The minimum bid for each uniform will start at $50 and will be updated throughout the month.

On the heels of wins and a few surprising losses around the state, the AP released its weekly boys basketball poll. Not many surprises this week, but Hanover Central is starting to make its way up the Class 2A rankings, sitting at 11th, just outside the top 10.

This week’s rankings follow, as the record are through the Saturday’s games:

Class 4A W-L Pts Prv
1. Bloomington South (14) 10-0 280 1
2. Indpls N. Central 7-2 198 4
3. Valparaiso 9-1 181 3
4. Indpls Pike 7-1 177 5
5. Munster 9-1 152 6
6. Noblesville 7-1 140 7
7. New Albany 5-2 119 8
8. Center Grove 9-1 115
9. Carmel 6-3 104 2
10. Lawrence North 6-1 99 9
Others receiving votes: E.C. Central 94.Homestead 44. Bloomington North 20. Merrillville 17. Hamilton Southeastern 15. Ft. Wayne South 13. Kokomo 13. Zionsville 12. Ev. Harrison 7.
Class 3A W-L Pts Prv
1. Washington (13) 10-0 296 1
2. Danville (2) 10-0 272 2
3. Peru 10-1 192 4
4. Greensburg 11-0 191 3
5. Mt. Vernon (Hancock) 10-2 154 6
6. Batesville 6-1 122 7
7. Lew Wallace 8-3 116 5
8. Southridge 6-1 113 8
9. Ft. Wayne Harding 7-2 77 9
10. Sullivan 12-1 74
Others receiving votes: Mississinewa 65. Boonville 43. Indpls Howe 16. Vincennes 15. S. Bend St. Joseph’s 14. Princeton 13. Ev. Memorial 13. Corydon 8. Lakeland 6.
Class 2A W-L Pts Prv
1. Brownstown (5) 8-0 280 1
2. Bluffton (7) 9-0 270 2
3. Tipton 6-1 210 4
4. Ft. Wayne Luers (3) 6-3 200 3
5. N. Posey 8-0 187 5
6. Wheeler 10-1 161 7
7. Forest Park 6-2 134 6
8. Bishop Noll 8-1 94 8
9. Winchester 9-2 93 9
10. Indpls Washington 8-3 53 10
Others receiving votes: Hanover Central 51. N. Miami 14. Switzerland Co. 12. Covenant Christian 9. Eastern Hancock 7. Taylor 7. Ev. Mater Dei 6. Fairfield 6. Austin 6.
Class A W-L Pts Prv
1. Bowman Academy (15) 12-0 300 1
2. Triton 10-0 266 2
3. Barr-Reeve 8-2 228 3
4. Orleans 7-1 190 5
5. Monroe Central 7-2 174 6
6. White River Valley 8-1 157 4
7. Loogootee 7-2 129 8
8. Shakamak 8-2 116 9
9. Morgan Twp. 7-2 95 7
10. Attica 8-2 33 10
Others receiving votes: South Central 30. Tri-County 26. Vincennes Rivet 13. Lafayette Catholic 12. N. Daviess 9. Frontier 8. Henryville 8. Ft. Wayne Canterbury 6.

The Associated Press released the Indiana boys basketball Top 10 teams, ranking them on Monday.

Even after a loss to Carmel, Valpo moves up from fourth to third in the 4A poll while Carmel makes a surprising leap from eighth to second. After its first loss — in the Hall of Fame Classic — Munster falls in the same poll from sixth to fifth.

After suffering back-to-back losses to teams from Michigan, Lew Wallace drops in the 3A poll from third to fifth, while in 2A Bishop Noll moves from ninth to eighth and after an overtime win against Boone Grove, Wheeler remains at seventh.

Bowman Academy’s win over 4A Evansville Memorial kept pollsters holding the Eagles as the top-ranked team in Class 1A.

The complete poll follows, with Region teams found in bold.

Indiana High School Boys Basketball Top 10 Teams
The Associated Press Top 10 Indiana high school boys basketball teams, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through games of Jan. 2, rating points and previous rankings:
Class 4A W-L Pts Prv
1. Bloomington South (14) 9-0 280 1
2. Carmel 6-2 178 8
3. Valparaiso 8-1 164 4
4. Indpls N. Central 6-2 159 3
5. Indpls Pike 6-1 143 6
6. Munster 8-1 135 5
7. Noblesville 7-1 124 9
8. New Albany 5-2 122 2
9. Lawrence North 6-1 105 7
10. Zionsville 9-3 70
Others receiving votes: E.C. Central 54. Homestead 28. Center Grove 19. Kokomo 18. Terre Haute North 15. Hamilton Southeastern 15. Merrillville 14. Ft. Wayne South 13. E. Central 12. Ev. Harrison 6. New Castle 6.
Class 3A W-L Pts Prv
1. Washington (12) 9-0 276 1
2. Danville (2) 7-0 256 2
3. Greensburg 9-0 171 4
4. Peru 8-1 157 5
5. Lew Wallace 7-3 142 3
6. Mt.Vernon (Hancock) 8-2 136 10
7. Batesville 5-1 113 7
8. Southridge 4-1 101 8
9. Ft. Wayne Harding 6-2 78 9
10. Princeton 7-4 60 6
Others receiving votes: Ev. Memorial 50. Sullivan 39. Mississinewa 26. Boonville 22. Indpls Howe 18. Vincennes 15. S. Bend St. Joseph’s 13. Corydon 7.
Class 2A W-L Pts Prv
1. Brownstown (1) 8-0 234 2
2. Bluffton (8) 8-0 233 1
3. Ft. Wayne Luers (4) 6-2 206 3
4. Tipton 5-1 173 4
5. N. Posey 7-0 134 8
6. Forest Park 6-2 116 6
7. Wheeler 8-1 114 7
8. Bishop Noll 8-0 110 9
9. Winchester 7-2 90 5
10. Indpls Washington 7-3 34
Others receiving votes: Ev. Mater Dei 31. N. Miami 24. Hanover Central 24. Switzerland Co. 12. Indpls Park Tudor 10. Taylor 9. Fairfield 6.
Class A W-L Pts Prv
1. Bowman Academy (13) 11-0 260 1
2. Triton 8-0 228 2
3. Barr-Reeve 8-2 185 3
4. White River Valley 7-0 173 4
5. Orleans 7-1 152 5
6. Monroe Central 6-2 143 6
7. Morgan Twp. 7-1 106 7
8. Loogootee 7-2 103 8
9. Shakamak 6-2 69 9
10. Attica 8-1 62
Others receiving votes: Ft. Wayne Blackhawk 22. S. Central 21. N. Daviess 9. Lafayette Catholic 8. Bethany Christian 7. Henryville 6. Vincennes Rivet 6.

Happy New Year, basketball fans!

(Before we get started, don’t forget to come back tonight for the 10-11 p.m. postgame chat, covering all of the Rumble games)

We’re on the floor of the Athletics-Recreation Center at Valparaiso University with 27 of the top 3-point shooters in Region girls basketball prepping for the shootout.

Today’s lineup of shooters:

East basket (score in parentheses)
1 Kelsie Ostojic, Valparaiso (3)
2 Bethany Galligan, River Forest (1)
3 Kayla Higginbotham, Hanover Central (5)
4 Kelsey Sopko, Hobart (10)
5 Bryonna Davis, Merrillvile (2)
6 Brooke Brinkley, Griffith (3)
7 Sammy Meschede, Morgan Twp. (4)
8 Kayla Kraatz, Lowell (0)
9 Kelly Dobson, Boone Grove (1)
10 Amanda Blackwell, Whiting (3)
11 Kristina Kauffman, Andrean (2)
12 Essence Robinson, Michigan City
13 Jeandaia Ray, Hammond
14 Tara Ellis, Portage

West basket (score in parentheses)
1 Julie Huettner, Hebron (1)
2 Lori Sargent, Gavit (7)
3 Marcy Medina, Wheeler (5)
4 Melissa Franko, Highland (6)
5 Rose Mullaney, Bishop Noll (4)
6 Princess German, Bowman (3)
7 Courtney Heath, EC Central (2)
8 Kelly Moten, Roosevelt (6)
9 Courtney Kvachkoff, Crown Point (7)
10 Samantha Gatewood, North Newton (2)
11 Juaneice Jackson, Calumet (5)
12 Megan Kaczmarski, Washington Twp.
13 Annmarie Keller, Kouts