Girls’ games start this week

Heritage Christian (Girls) at Shenandoah
Saturday, Nov. 11
Shenandoah High School

Indianapolis is an ideal base for going to lots of high school basketball games around the state. There’s just something about sitting in a packed and sweaty 50-year-old gymnasium, eating popcorn and watching a couple of small-town rivals go at it on the hardwood. High school basketball is our one legit subculture and if you’re not driving to at least a few games each winter, I’m not sure you really deserve to call yourself a Hoosier.

Girls’ games start this week. I know a team that’s a lot of fun to watch: Heritage Christian (www.heritagechristian.net), a school of 500 students on Indy’s Northeastside, won the 2A state title last year with their two best players — freshmen. Point guard Claire Freeman, sister of Butler wing Cassie Freeman, ran the team with a savvy beyond her years, while lanky 5-foot-10 forward Kelly Farris slashed her way to the basket and averaged three blocked shots per outing.

How good is this team? Good enough to be invited to play in New Castle’s prestigious Hall of Fame Tournament in December. Good enough no doubt to contend for the 2A crown for the next several years. And it’s always a special treat to watch players so gifted when they’re only sophomores.

The Eagles open up their season against 4A Broad Ripple on Friday. But their game the next night, at 2A Shenandoah (www.shenandoah.k12.in.us), will probably be more fun: Shenandoah is one of the most respected girls’ programs in the state, they’re located in the middle of nowhere and they boast an especially ambitious concession stand. They were way ahead of the curve on the whole “walking taco” thing.