Best First Round Matchups
With the way Sectionals are setup, you are going to have some unbalanced draws. In turn, that provides us with some outstanding first round games. Today, we break down the list of the top games in that opening round. Ben…
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Continue ReadingWith the way Sectionals are setup, you are going to have some unbalanced draws. In turn, that provides us with some outstanding first round games. Today, we break down the list of the top games in that opening round.
Ben Davis vs. Indianapolis Pike – Tuesday @ 6:00 PM
The best two teams will matchup from this Sectional in the first game of the night. The first game of the year between these two was when Pike was still trying to put things together and they got killed by Ben Davis. This one won’t be near the game that one was. Expect a much closer affair and one that will come down the a fourth quarter rally because, well, Pike loves to play ball in March.
Michigan City vs. Valparaiso – Tuesday @ 7:00 PM
This should be a really fun game on Tuesday night. It is a rematch from earlier in the year when Valpo beat MC by 3 in a close game in early January. Both teams are having fantastic season and could have a combined 40 wins by the time this game takes place. For the first game of a Sectional, this is the way you want to start.
South Bend Adams vs. South Bend Riley – Wednesday @ 6:00 PM
Well, South Bend Adams just got done beating Riley on a last second shot to hand them one of their two losses on the season. Now, just a couple days later, Riley gets word that they will get their rematch in two weeks. Think this game will be on their mind? This could be a high scoring affair that goes back and forth all night long.
Andrean vs. Twin Lakes – Tuesday @ 7:30 PM
In 3A, this might be the best matchup you will find in the first round. Andrean has really stepped up this season and is having a stellar year with some really big wins. Twin Lakes, also has some solid wins as well, most notably against McCutcheon early in the year. Twin Lakes has been the higher rated team all season but Andrean might have the better resume. Should be fun.
Brebeuf Jesuit vs. Indianapolis Manual – Wednesday @ 7:30 PM
These two teams haven’t faced each other this season so this could go a lot of different ways but Manual is really good on offense and Brebeuf is pretty solid on defense. Brebeuf has shown that they can play with teams that run the ball. They have beaten Broad Ripple and Anderson, and have stayed close with Cathedral, Ben Davis, and Crispus Attucks. This isn’t going to be something new for them but this would likely be the best win of their season.
Danville vs. Park Tudor – Tuesday @ 7:00 PM
Heading into January, Danville hadn’t lost a game. They just got done beating Cathedral before they started to slip up. Now, towards the end of the season, they are starting to ramp it back up and when in full swing, their size and length can be bothersome. Park Tudor is good but their lack of height could come into play in this one. However, they have enough firepower to pull away if they are on.
Evansville Bosse vs. Gibson Southern – Tuesday @ 7:30 PM
Evansville Bosse and Gibson Southern haven’t faced each other this year but that just makes this even more interesting. Bosse was the surprise of the tournament last year but don’t think they are getting any easy games this time around. Look for Gibson Southern and every other team in the state to make life tough for them. Bosse has had some ups and downs this season but they just beat Harrison and have a couple winnable games in the final week to help give them some momentum.
Lapel vs. Wapahani – Tuesday @ 6:00 PM
There have been many games over the years in this Sectional that have been stellar and this one is setting up like it could be another one. Lapel isn’t as good as they were last season but that doesn’t mean they can’t walk right through this Sectional if they put it all together. Wapahani did lose by 21 earlier in the season but that was the last game in a 3-game losing streak, right before they won 14 of 15. This isn’t the same team and you shouldn’t expect the same result.
Henryville vs. Providence – Tuesday @ 6:00 PM
As if we didn’t expect at least one great matchup out of this Sectional. Crawford County is the best Sectional in 2A and the fact that Henryville and Providence are playing on the first night isn’t a surprise. Henryville has 18 wins this season, Providence has 19. Providence has already beaten Henryville in late January, 57-48. However, come Sectional time, this is a clean slate and anything can happen, especially when both team are very good.
Barr-Reeve vs. Linton-Stockton – Tuesday @ 6:00 PM
The one team no one wants to see come March is Barr-Reeve in 2A. They have been so good for so long, they are a statewide name. If one team isn’t afraid of them it is Linton-Stockton. Barr-Reeve got the best of them in their earlier meeting this year but this is a totally different game, for both teams. Expect a knock-down, dragged out match that could end in the 30’s.
Indianapolis Tindley vs. University – Tuesday @ 7:30 PM
This was the game everyone wanted at the start of the year. Tindley, we knew, was going to be really good. University, we thought would be right there with them. However, University has had some ups and downs this season but if there is a team they know well it is Tindley. They only lost to them by 12 earlier this season. If University can slow things down and limit the possessions, they could have a shot. If they are going to run, Tindley is going to run right into a Sectional Championship.