Your guide to every major sporting event college and high school in the Lafayette Area

Ethan Hanson, Lafayette Journal & Courier

The sports scene in West Lafayette, Lafayette and Greater Lafayette Area hasn't been hotter.

Three local high school football teams competing in IHSAA Regional Championships this Friday while nationally ranked Purdue men's basketball along with returning NCAA Tournament invitee Purdue women's basketball are set to kick of their season.

With a slew of sporting events to choose from that includes the start of high school girls basketball, swimming/diving, gymnastics and wrestling — its hard to pinpoint and track the impactful stages.

Until now.

The Journal & Courier is bringing readers and local sports fans a week by week itinerary of games and matches to attend along with their history and competitive significance.

More: Purdue basketball comes out hot, cruises to season-opening win over Samford

Here's a break down of can't miss games from across the Greater Lafayette Area this Tuesday through Saturday.

McCutcheon freshman Lillie Graves.
McCutcheon freshman Lillie Graves.

Tuesday, Nov. 7

■Girls basketball: Clinton Prairie (0-1) vs. McCutcheon (1-0) 7 p.m.: McCutcheon 6-foot-1 freshman Lillie Graves is proving herself an early contender for postseason awards after scoring 36 points in her debut against Cascade. Graves' shot and quickness is matched by her unselfishness and ability to create shot opportunities for teammates. Graves is worth the price of admission every night.

■Girls basketball: Pike (1-0) vs. Harrison (1-0) 7:30 p.m.: Harrison is coming off a dominant win over Marian 64-18 on Nov. 4. Three players scored in double figures led by Elsie Ahnert with 15 points, eight rebounds and nine steals. Harrison gets its first test against Pike of Indianapolis led by freshman point guard Saniya Smith. Smith scored 20 points on 5 of 12 shooting with five rebounds and five assists while sophomore scored 16 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and senior Alexis Nicole Brown added 16 points and nine rebounds in a victory against Avon 74-64 last Thursday.

More: Central Catholic overcomes early hiccups to claim 5th straight sectional championship

Faith Christian Eagles guard Maya Layton (5) shoots the ball during the IHSAA girl’s basketball game against the South Newton Rebels, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at Faith Christian School in Lafayette, Ind. Faith Christian won 67-36.
Faith Christian Eagles guard Maya Layton (5) shoots the ball during the IHSAA girl’s basketball game against the South Newton Rebels, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at Faith Christian School in Lafayette, Ind. Faith Christian won 67-36.

Thursday, Nov. 9

  • Girls basketball: Faith Christian (0-2) vs. Lafayette-Jeff (0-0) 7:30 p.m.: Solid double local featuring high scoring Faith Christian sophomore guard Maya Layton and Lafayette Jeff led by sophomore Shaylee Barrett as the Bronchos look to improve after finishing 2-22 last season.

  • Girls basketball: Rensselaer Central (2-0) vs. Tri-County (1-0) 7:30 p.m.: Rensselaer Central is off to a strong start after reaching the 3A Sectional Semifinals last season. Junior Taylor Van Meter scored a team-high 24 points against North Judson-San Pierre in a 64-22 win last Saturday. Tri-County (1-0) played in last season's IHSAA Class 1A Championship against Bethany Christian.

West Lafayette junior Benny Speaker (3) catches the ball and toe taps in bounds for a TD late in the IHSAA 3A football sectional 25 championship game against the Hanover Central Wildcats, Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at West Lafayette High School’s Gordon Straley Field in West Lafayette, Ind. West Lafayette won in OT 42-41.
West Lafayette junior Benny Speaker (3) catches the ball and toe taps in bounds for a TD late in the IHSAA 3A football sectional 25 championship game against the Hanover Central Wildcats, Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at West Lafayette High School’s Gordon Straley Field in West Lafayette, Ind. West Lafayette won in OT 42-41.

Friday, Nov. 10

  • High school football: Knox (12-0) vs. West Lafayette (9-3) 8 p.m.: West Lafayette hosts the IHSAA 3A Regional Championship following an improbable comeback victory to beat Hanover Central 42-41 in OT at George Straley Field. The Red Devils are attempting to win their 10th regional championship including their second straight. Knox won its 3A Sectional title beating Glenn 60-37.

  • High school football: Central Catholic (9-3) vs. LaVille (11-1) 7:30 p.m.: LaVille travels to 95 miles to Central Catholic's LaRocca Field for the IHSAA 2A Regional Championship. The Knights are attempting to win their first regional title in three years after being repeat champions in 2019 and 2020. Central Catholic beat Seeger 33-3 to win its fifth straight Sectional Championship while LaVille used a 14-point first quarter to beat Bremen 28-14 last Friday.

  • High school football: Adams Central (12-0) vs. Carroll (12-0) 7:30 p.m.: A battle of unbeatens, Carroll looks to claim its first IHSAA Regional Championship since 1996. Adams Central has won 15 regional titles including two straight heading into Friday.

  • Men's college basketball: Morehead State (0-1) vs. Purdue (1-0) 7 p.m.: No. 3 ranked Purdue cruised to an easy 98-45 victory in its season opener against Sanford. Senior Zach Edey led the rout with 16 points and 11 rebounds, sophomores Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer added 12 points while redshirt freshman Camden Heide chipped in 13 points off the bench for the Boilermakers on Monday. Morehead State opened the season losing to No. 24 ranked Alabama 105-73 on Monday.

Nov 4, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Deion Burks (4) makes a reception for a touchdown defended by Michigan Wolverines defensive back Mike Sainristil (0) in the second half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Deion Burks (4) makes a reception for a touchdown defended by Michigan Wolverines defensive back Mike Sainristil (0) in the second half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday, Nov. 11

  • College football: Minnesota (5-4) vs. Purdue (2-7) 3:30 p.m.: Purdue looks to play spoiler with three games remaining on its schedule against the Golden Gophers. The Boilermakers are attempting to end the season on a higher note after getting crushed by No. 2 ranked Michigan 41-13 in Ann Arbor last Saturday. Minnesota tethers on bowl eligibility after a narrow home defeat to Illinois 27-26.

  • Girls basketball: Fountain Central (3-0) at Rossville (1-1) 11:30 a.m.: Fountain Central plays a nonleague rematch of last season's IHSAA 1A Sectional Semifinal against Rossville. Rossville beat the Mustangs 41-16 2022-23 led by returning sophomore Addi Gorbett who scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds. Fountain Central is led by junior guard Brailey Hoagland.

  • Girls basketball: Delphi (1-0) vs. Twin Lakes (2-0) 12:30 p.m.: Delphi travels to Twin Lakes after quality starts to the season for both programs. Delphi opened the season beating defending 1A Sectional Champion Rossville last Thursday. Twin Lakes delivered sound victories over Northwestern 66-32 last Saturday and Boone Grove 77-23 on Monday. Junior Addie Bowsman might be the top player in the Greater Lafayette Area averaging 29 points, eight assists and three steals per game. Senior Olivia Nickerson is averaging 23 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and seven steals per game.

Purdue Boilermakers guard Mary Ashley Stevenson (20) attempts to shot a basket over Quincy Hawks guard Mariann Blass (20) during the NCAA women's basketball game against the Quincy Hawks, on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue won 106 - 45.
Purdue Boilermakers guard Mary Ashley Stevenson (20) attempts to shot a basket over Quincy Hawks guard Mariann Blass (20) during the NCAA women's basketball game against the Quincy Hawks, on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue won 106 - 45.

Sunday, Nov. 12

  • College women's basketball: Southern (0-1) vs. Purdue (0-1) 4 p.m.: Purdue will honor the 1999 National Championship team for its home opener. The Boilermakers were being soundly beaten by No. 4 ranked UCLA 92-49 on Monday at Pauley Pavilion. Purdue seniors Abbey Ellis and Caitlyn Harper scored 10 points. Southern fell to No. 19 ranked Baylor 85-53 on the road Monday.

Ethan Hanson started working for the Journal & Courier in West Lafayette, Indiana after four years at the Record Searchlight in Redding, CA. He previously freelanced with the Los Angeles Daily News for four years. Follow him on Twitter at @EthanAHansonand ethan_a_hanson on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue and high school sports to watch around the Lafayette area

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