Five Things We Have Learned: 3A
The season is nearing the end of the first four weeks ad we are ready to start and take a look at the landscape of each class. Today, we look at 3A and those big topics standing out already. Battle…
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Continue ReadingThe season is nearing the end of the first four weeks ad we are ready to start and take a look at the landscape of each class. Today, we look at 3A and those big topics standing out already.
- Battle Between Marian, Culver Could Define North
The season is only about a third of the way over but it is pretty easy to tell that two of the best teams in 3A are Mishawaka Marian and Culver Academies. They are a combined 9-2 so far and Marian has already given one of those losses to Culver. Both teams have some depth and DI talent on them and oddly enough, they are in the same Sectional. These two teams will see each other again, hard to ignore that but the winner of that Sectional could have the upper hand in who comes out of the North in 3A. Beyond those two, only Northwestern, Gary West, Delta, and Jimtown are ranked in the 3A Top 15 of the AP Poll. Most of the top teams are South which should help to provide some fireworks if those two meet up in Sectionals.
- New Regimes This Year
The last few years, we have had some of the same teams in 3A making their runs. Teams like Brownstown Central, Evansville Bosse, Greensburg, and others. This season, some of the best teams are new teams to that group. Silver Creek looks legit and has the talent to make it all the way. They haven’t been beyond Regionals since 1999-2000. Edgewood also looks tough and capable but has never won a Regional Championship. Northwestern is 8-0 this season and has an elite player in the state in Tayson Parker but they haven’t won a Regional since 2007. Also, Heritage Hills looks like they could be the class of 3A South the next two years and have never won a Regional. So, if there was ever going to be some major shakeups in 3A with teams making runs, it could be this year and some of those teams will be doing it for the first time in school history.
- Indianapolis Area Not As Strong
Having watched Crispus Attucks recently, there are good teams in Indy area in 3A but unlike the last few years, it isn’t nearly as strong. Cardinal Ritter has taken a little step back, Guerin Catholic ins’t nearly as good, and Danville is a little bit of a mess. Still unsure of how good Brebeuf Jesuit is but they should be fin. Outside of that, there aren’t many other teams of note. The next best teams after Attucks and Brebeuf per Sagarin are Beech Grove, Ritter, and Manual. None of those three have a great shot to win a state title. And all three of those teams could be really down after they graduate guys next year. Might be the rise of the rural schools in the coming years.
- Good Surprises
One of the best surprises of the season to date is that of Delta. They are 8-0 and have wins over Muncie Central, Connersville, and Hamilton Heights. Those are pretty good so far. It’s unlikely they go undefeated with games still to go against New Castle, Shelbyville, and Mt. Vernon-Fortville but within reason. If this team is for real, which we think they are, they are going to play spoiler for some more well-known teams this postseason. Jimtown is off to one of their best starts in school history at 5-1 with wins over South Bend Washington, NorthWood, and Fairfield. Their only loss is in double-overtime to Argos. This team is set to have their most wins since 2014-15 when they won 16. But that team didn’t get past their first game of Sectionals. Problem is their Sectional also has Mishawka Marian and Culver Academies in it. Look at Concordia as a strong team this year too. They are 5-1 with big wins over Carroll, Leo, Canterbury, and Dwenger. They have held their own so far and their Sectional is very winnable and Regional isn’t too shabby either.
- Bad Surprises
When looking into those teams that have surprised on the bad side so far, a few teams come to mind. North Harrison being one of them. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, their schedule to start has been brutal with Heritage Hills, Corydon Central, Silver Creek, and Brownstown Central. This team is built around some young talent so the hope is by the end of the year they are back on track but a 2-4 start isn’t ideal. Sticking in the South, Corydon Central is a little disappointing so far. They are just 3-3 but have a DI level talent on their roster. Losses to Seymour and Lanesville to open up the year is a bad look from a team that should and still could be, one of the top teams in the state.