Eric’s State Predictions
The State Tournament is set to begin and we have been in the gym all year long. Now, we dissect the Sectional Draw and take a look into how we think things are going to go throughout the month of…
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Continue ReadingThe State Tournament is set to begin and we have been in the gym all year long. Now, we dissect the Sectional Draw and take a look into how we think things are going to go throughout the month of March. Today, we publish our predictions. From our Final Four in each class to players to watch, we give you what we think is going to happen.
Final Four Predictions:
4A: Fort Wayne North, South Bend Riley, North Central, Castle
3A: Culver Academies, NorthWood, Crispus Attucks, Evansville Bosse
2A: Marquette Catholic, Oak Hill, Broad Ripple, Barr-Reeve
1A: Blackhawk Christian, Lafayette Central Catholic, Indianapolis Tindley, Wood Memorial
Thoughts: With being able to look at the draw, things still aren’t too easy for many of these teams. In 4A, I really think you will get to see a late season rematch between North and Riley. North Central wouldn’t be a surprise to make it all the way but Castle beating New Albany in the Seymour Regional would. Culver and NorthWood should have an easier run through 3A up north but Crispus Attucks and Evansville Bosse will have to fight a tougher schedule. Marquette Catholic has done a great job this year and has a solid, young core that could surprise. Broad Ripple is the team to watch while you should still expect Barr-Reeve to make another run. Blackhawk Christian might be without their big man but this is still a great team. LCC always wins in March. Tindley is easily the best team in 1A and it isn’t that close.
State Predictions:
4A: North Central
3A: Crispus Attucks
2A: Barr-Reeve
1A: Indianapolis Tindley
Thoughts: North Central is really just too talented and statistically has the best shot to make it there. If we get a FW North vs. North Central final that would be about the most entertaining game you would see all year. Attucks will have to make it out of their tough Sectional but if they do they could have an easy road to Regional Championship. Barr-Reeve is the toughest team in 2A in March and has been for a while now. They could make it pretty easily to Semistate. Tindley, again, they are just too good and far and away the best team in 1A.
Surprise Teams:
4A: Castle
3A: Andrean
2A: Broad Ripple
1A: Morristown
Thoughts: Look for Castle to be the toughest out in 4A. They are built so well to matchup with so many different teams and Jack Nunge is playing as well as he ever has. Andrean has been flying under-the-radar all year and has a bunch of great wins. This shouldn’t be a surprise but they could make it all the way to Semistate before anyone notices. Broad Ripple in 2A has so many pieces and a ton of athleticism that could cause issues for a ton of schools. Morristown has Hayden Langkabel and I really love 1A or 2A teams that have a dude that can just score the ball. This is a long shot but they could give any number of teams issues.
Players To Watch:
4A: Keion Brooks Jr. – Fort Wayne North
3A: Mekhi Lairy – Evansville Bosse
2A: Caleb Middlesworth – Oak Hill
1A: Hunter White – Indianapolis Tindley
Thoughts: If Fort Wayne North is going to make it to the Title Game, they need Keion to be the best version of himself. He’s been really good this season but that is still asking a lot of a sophomore to be that good for upwards of 7 games in a row. Lairy is the guy that makes Bosse go and that team goes as he does. If he is great, Bosse will win the game. If he isn’t, then it will be really tough. Middlesworth’s injury really cost this team their momentum but if he is back and fully healthy, he’s the difference maker because not many 2A programs can stay with him when he wants to spread the floor. While everyone is going to pick Eric Hunter, I’m going with Hunter White because he is really good as well. When I talked about having one big, dynamic player in 1A or 2A and how that can be a huge asset, essentially Tindley has two of them. White could be the difference in them getting their ring.