So as my children were watching Disney's live-action version of the classic cartoon "Underdog" late last night, it occurred to me there was a direct correlation to our favorite masked Beagle, Shoeshine, and several Central Indiana high school boys basketball teams.

(And yes, this is what happens when you watch the same movies with your kids over and over.)

"Never Fear, These Underdogs Are Here":
  • Brownsburg - So these Bulldogs (20-5) were literally underdogs, but the 'Burg knocked out the defending Class 4A runner-up in North Central Saturday morning at Southport and then slayed a Top 10 Carmel team on Saturday night. Senior center Julian Mavunga was a beast down low, chipping in 17 points and 11 rebounds against the Greyhounds in the championship. What makes the 6-foot-8 Mavunga even more hero-worthy in our little story is that he had 26 points and 19 rebounds against North Central earlier in the day - making his one day total 43 points and 30 rebounds. That kind of play gets me humming the "Underdog" theme song.
  • Rushville - While the Class 3A Lions (13-10)may not be in our coverage area, it would be a shame to let this moment pass without noting the incredible performance by Dan Carmony's squad Tuesday night at the Shelbyville Regional. The Lions defeated a game Danville squad, 105-101, in four overtimes. Let me repeat that: four overtimes. Senior star Kyle Morgan had a game-high, no make that career high, no make that school-record 52 points. Let me repeat that again as well: 52 points, 18 of which came during the overtime stanzas. Now the Lions face a highly ranked Batesville squad, which defeated Rushville 66-55 on Feb. 7. It should be noted that Rushville was undermanned for that contest - which occurred at Batesville. Now, on a neutral court, and with the momentum of an epic win last night, it should be a nip-tuck game at Shelbyville this evening, and these underdogs certainly have a great shot to advance to semistate.
  • Lutheran - Didn't Jared Broughton, who is the subject of our March issue "Grill," say something about putting some boys sports banners in the Lutheran gym? I think it's safe to say that that's not a problem anymore. With the Saints (21-4) capturing the sectional title two weekends ago and the school's first regional crown this past weekend, there will be plenty of banners going up at the conclusion of this school year. And Broughton and the Saints aren't done yet. Broughton was Mr. Clutch in the regional final, hitting 7-of-8 from the line during the key stretch of the 4th quarter in a 54-42 victory.
Which teams will use their superpowers to advance to semistate and beyond? Tune in next week...

Also:
  • For more on boys basketball regionals, click here.
  • The Indiana high school gymnastics state finals are this weekend. Visit HSSTM.com for our preview later today.
  • You can read my Editor's Cut on Guerin boys basketball coach Pete Smith here.
  • The first girls track and field poll of the season is out, with Warren Central (two-time defending state champs) ranked No. 1. For the rest of the poll, click here.