Regional Preview: 1A Regional #16
The season is coming up quickly and we are starting to pour into our previews for the upcoming season. Today, we are looking at those Regional setups across the state starting with 1 and ending with 16. Today, we preview Regional 16 with Sectionals 61-64.
Last Year – 17-18
*Based on Sagarin from 2017-18
- Barr-Reeve
- Northeast Dubois
- Wood Memorial
- Christian Academy
- Springs Valley
- Lanesville
- Orleans
- Loogootee
- Evansville Day
- Shoals
Conference Commentary
Top Ten
Teams that are in the Top 10 of the State in 1A
Christian Academy – Christian Academy won their sectional last year and only lost three players due to graduation. They should be able to be right back up there this year and contend for a regional crown. Although they lost some scoring, they are going to still be very solid this year.
Barr-Reeve – This one is obvious. Barr-Reeve returns their top six scorers from last year and all of their starters. They are going to be led by senior Gabe Gladish and junior Keegan O’Neill. They should make it to the state finals rather easily. Anything less than a state finals appearance will be a disappointment.
Top Ten Potential
Teams that could be in the Top 10 of the State in 1A
Edinburgh – Last year, Edinburgh went 18-9 but they did lose a few key players. They have two seniors in Coltan Henderson and Bryce Burton that are really going to lead them this year. If the new players step in and play well early on, I could see them moving up into the polls this year. Even though they lost a few good players, they are going to be a team to watch.
Loogootee – While I don’t think they are quite there yet, Loogootee should be improved this year. They have a few pieces and they always play tough. Sophomore Silas Bauer is going to be a man amongst boys this year and should show a ton of improvement. They have the capability of making it into the top ten but aren’t there quite yet.
Compete With Most
Teams that could be well above .500 this Season
Trinity Lutheran – A season after going 9-18, Trinity Lutheran has the potential to be solid this year. They only lose one piece from last year’s team and all the underclassmen are back with experience. They aren’t a top ten team but they have the chance to make a postseason run.
Vincennes Rivet – A year after going 9-13, Vincennes Rivet loses no one. While I don’t know if they have the talent to compete with the top teams in the state, I do think that they will surprise a few people and win a lot of games. They are experienced and will come into this season hungry.
Wood Memorial – After losing two players who averaged 30.3 points a game, Wood Memorial is going to be a little down this year after going 15-9 last year. Paxon Bartley is the only returning player who scored more than 4.3 points a game last year. He is really going to have to lead this team.
Rebuilding
Teams that were good last year but could struggle this Season
Lanesville – Lanesville won 13 games last year before falling in the second round of sectionals. This is a team that is going to be way down this year because they lost their top four scorers. Lanesville is going to have to really start to build their team back up from scratch this year.
Northeast Dubois – Northeast Dubois had eight seniors who led them to a 15-11 record last year and a surprising victory in the first round of sectionals over Wood Memorial. This year those seniors are gone and only eight players return from last year. Due to the inexperience, this could be a down year for them.
Springs Valley – A year removed from going 19-7, Springs Valley might struggle a bit. They lose three of their top four scorers and they are going to struggle a bit with only senior Christian Tucker back to hold down the scoring. Every thing else is up in the air. Look for a down year from them.
Preseason Power Ranking
- Barr-Reeve
- Christian Academy
- Edinburgh
- Loogootee
- Wood Memorial
- Vincennes Rivet
- Trinity Lutheran
- Evansville Day
- West Washington
- Springs Valley
Preseason All-Conference
First Team:
Paxon Bartley (Sr., Wood Memorial)
Coltan Henderson (Sr., Edinburgh)
Keegan O’Neill (Jr., Barr-Reeve)
Gabe Gladish (Sr., Barr-Reeve)
Silas Bauer (So., Loogootee)
Second Team:
Tyler Goecker (So., Trinity Lutheran)
Bryce Burton (Sr., Edinburgh)
Cade Chezem (Sr., Loogootee)
AJ Goecker (Sr., Trinity Lutheran)
Noah Hupmann (Jr., Evansville Day)
Honorable Mention Team:
Chase Schoen (Sr., South Central)
Bailey Conrad (Jr., Christian Academy)
Josh Whitten (Sr., Christian Academy)
Austin Ainscough (Sr., Barr-Reeve)
Brycen Graber (So., Barr-Reeve)
Trevor Seufert (Sr., Northeast Dubois)
Alijah Stewart (Jr., Evansville Day)
Christian Stewart (Sr., Springs Valley)