Sectional Preview: 11
The coming high school season is almost upon us. With that, we are taking a look at each Sectional in the state. Starting with 64 and ending with 1. Today, we are previewing Sectional 11.
Ben Davis (23-5) – State Champion
Ben Davis is going to struggle this year after losing six seniors but they return one of the best players in the state as Michigan State commit Aaron Henry returns. They do have a lot of talent but they don’t really have much experience now that they lose a lot of guys. Henry will have a big year and Ben Davis should be the favorite to repeat this year.
Decatur Central (8-13) – Lost 2nd Rd. Sectional
Last year they were a young team with freshman Kenny Tracy leading the way with 13.2 points a game. Decatur Central only loses four players and none of those were in the top four of scoring. It should be a much better year for Decatur Central and we should see them increase their win total by 6-7 this year but to contend will need to make some big gains in team chemistry.
Indianapolis Roncalli (17-9) – Lost Sectional Final
Roncalli will be a new look team without Christian Stewart and Collin Sonderman but returners Kellen Schreiber and Bryson Meek will look to lead Roncalli back to being a powerful team. With only two big contributors gone Roncalli shouldn’t miss as much of a beat as people think. They will contend again this year.
Perry Meridian (8-14) – Lost 1st Rd. Sectional
Perry Meridian lost three seniors who played some big minutes and two of those guys were 6’6. Sophomore Brice Langford is going to have to step up as their only guy who can really play the post position with some height. It will be another year where Perry is just okay.
Pike (16-8) – Lost 1st Rd. Sectional
Pike lost their top two scorers from last year and then another senior who played the third most minutes on the team. This means that they are going to have to find an identity this year and senior Darian Porch and junior Brandon Vernon can provide that if we see the strides that we saw during the summer.
Southport (6-16) – Lost 2nd Rd. Sectional
Southport loses their big post presence, Dut Mabok, but their standout Brevin Jefferson returns for his sophomore year. This team will be a wildcard but won’t contend this year. They are loaded with young guys so they will have to rebuild this year to next.
Contenders For 2017-18: Ben Davis, Decatur Central, Indianapolis Roncalli
Prediction: Ben Davis
Player to Watch: Aaron Henry (Ben Davis)