Sectional Preview: 3A North
In this article:
Now that the Sectional draw has taken place this past weekend, we are ready to preview each Sectional heading into next week and the beginning of the playoffs. Here is our breakdown for each Semistate pod. Sectional 17: Hammond Gavit…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingNow that the Sectional draw has taken place this past weekend, we are ready to preview each Sectional heading into next week and the beginning of the playoffs. Here is our breakdown for each Semistate pod.
Sectional 17: Hammond Gavit
Champion Prediction: Griffith
Griffith has been under-the-radar this year but looks like the team to beat in this Sectional. They are 17-4 on the season and have won 10 straight games to this point making them one of the hottest teams in 3A. They also hold wins over teams like Gary 21st, South Bend Washington, Crown Point, Andrean, and Munster. Those wins should help them get through the first week.
Sleeper Pick: Hammond
Hammond is a sneaky good team this year. They are14-5 on the season and have some solid wins. They are putting up really good numbers, averaging 68.9 points per game so a lot of offense each time out. They are setup to make a run if they can get past Griffith in the first round.
Best (Potential) Matchup: Griffith vs. Gary West
This should be your Sectional Championship game and a fun one it would be. These two teams have been very good this year, Gary West really testing themselves and probably better than the record looks. Gary West has some key wins and since these two teams haven’t faced each other yet this year, it could be an interesting matchup to watch especially with the winner moving to the second weekend.
Sectional 18: Calumet
Champion Prediction: Calumet
Calumet has had a great year, racking up a 15-8 record. They are are 5-1 in their last 6 games and have a couple good wins against teams like Griffith, Hanover Central, and Lake Station. They also drew the bye game which will give them some rest and be able to set up.
Sleeper Pick: Twin Lakes
Twin Lakes might only be 11-11 but they have been able to get some key wins against Calumet and Rensselaer Central. Those two teams might be the teams they have to face outside of Knox in the first round giving them quite a bit of confidence. The more you look at it, Twin Lakes could end up being the favorite in this Sectional.
Best (Potential) Matchup: Knox vs. Twin Lakes
The first round matchup with Knox and Twin Lakes should be a fun one. These two teams haven’t played each other this year but have a similar record with Knox holding a couple solid wins. Twin Lakes has been tested a bit more this year and have a head coach that has done well in March. For a first game of the tournament, this could be a fun one to get it started.
Sectional 19: New Prairie
Champion Prediction: Culver Academies
Culver dropped two games early in the season, one of which to Mishawaka Marian, but since then they have been unbeatable outside of a loss to Prep power La Lumiere. They also have some key wins over 3A teams in Brebeuf Jesuit, Crispus Attucks, and West Lafayette. This group is loaded and ready to go with top end talent and growing confidence by the day.
Sleeper Pick: South Bend Washington
South Bend Washington is the team to watch as they are 12-9 on the season but haven’t played Culver Academies to this point. They also have a ton of talent that, if all put together, could be able to beat a high-end opponent. They drew an easy first game against New Prairie and should be ready to go if they take on Culver in the second round. Would have to pull the upset but the one team in this Sectional outside of the obvious is Washington.
Best (Potential) Matchup: Culver Academies vs. Mishawaka Marian
The one game everyone wants to see is the rematch between Culver and Marian. These two teams have been among the best in 3A all year and Marian holds the advantage heading into this game with their win by 1-point early in the season. Culver has been better since then and Marian has regrouped after a 1-3 stretch in the middle of the season. Both teams are coming in with momentum and should be fun to watch if this happens in the Sectional Finals.
Sectional 20: Frankfort
Champion Prediction: Northwestern
Northwestern is in the middle of their best season in recent history if not ever. They are 19-1 and looking like a team that could make a run. They have one stud player in Tayson Parker who is playing at a very high level. Their only loss came to Southwood by 1 point so that is the difference for them this season in being perfect. Not only are they 6-0 against Sectional opponents, they are 10-0 against 3A teams.
Sleeper Pick: West Lafayette
West Lafayette has lost to Northwestern twice so this is a little outside of the box, however, beating a team three times in a season is tough and Northwestern has all the pressure on them. They shouldn’t lose this game, they should win their Sectional, and should play at a high level. West Lafayette, has film, has a great defensive head coach, and has no pressure but is just good enough this season to pull it off. Not saying it will happen but things like this happen every year in Sectionals.
Best (Potential) Matchup: Western vs. West Lafayette
If the upset does happen, that could present us with a rematch of Western and West Lafayette which might be a very competitive, fun game. West Lafayette won early in the year, 39-34 in a low scoring battle. That is what we would be looking like in this rematch. It looks like of all the potential matchups in this Sectional as the closest, most competitive possibility.
Sectional 21: Wawasee
Champion Prediction: Fairfield
Fairfield is the clear cut option as winner of this Sectional but their draw does present difficulties. They have to take down two tough teams in NorthWood and Tippecanoe Valley before they get to Saturday. Tough but doable as they are already 4-0 against Sectional opponents. They are on a 7 game winning streak but do get tested once more in this final week against Northridge and Central Noble so some solid tuneup games before the real deal.
Sleeper Pick: NorthWood
NorthWood hasn’t had their best season but they are 8-12 with a 3-2 record against their Sectional and they have a coach who knows how to win in March. That is huge as only Fairfield comes off as a team to really worry about here. Get through the first round and things open up as they have already beaten their potential second round opponent in Tippecanoe Valley.
Best (Potential) Matchup: Fairfield vs. West Noble
West Noble isn’t even .500 but they are 4-1 in their Sectional and have been very strong at times this season. Their only loss is to Fairfield but have a much easier road and could save up some energy. Fairfield would be difficult but their path is much more difficult and might be setup for a long Saturday game.
Sectional 22: Garrett
Champion Prediction: Fort Wayne Concordia
While Angola has the best record in the Sectional at 16-4, they haven’t been tested like some other teams in this Sectional. Concordia did lose to Angola but only by 3 and they have been tested over and over again. They have the ability to pull off some big wins noted by games against Fort Wayne Carroll, Leo, Bishop Dwenger, new Haven, and Manchester. They will need to be playing their best ball but they have the best shot to get through.
Sleeper Pick: New Haven
New Haven got a nice draw on the opposite side of Angola and Concordia drawing Leo and Woodlan, two teams they own wins against this year already. Their path, combined with some luck, and New Haven could be a sneaky pick here.
Best (Potential) Matchup: Concordia vs. Angola
The first game between these two teams happened just two weeks ago and Angola was able to win by three but Concordia was coming off a really rough stretch of games and Angola was the last in that line. Fully rested and with time to prepare, this game could be a really fun battle in the opening round of the Sectional.
Sectional 23: Bellmont
Champion Prediction: Marion
Marion got a little luck grabbing the bye game but they did get two teams on their side of the bracket that could cause some problems with their play this year. However, Marion has been excellent and putting up a ton of offense. If things don’t go awry, this team should be able to make plays beyond just the first weekend.
Sleeper Pick: Norwell
Norwell has been quietly going along here with a 13-7 record and some good wins over teams like New Haven, Leo, Mississinewa, and Concordia. They don’t put up a ton of points but they also don’t allow many either. They are a team that against a team like Marion, could limit their offense just enough to stay close. Stopping Marion from scoring near their 70 ppg average will be key. Norwell only gives up 45 ppg.
Best (Potential) Matchup: Mississinewa vs. Norwell
These two teams get to face off to start the Sectional against each other and both are having outstanding seasons. They have played once before, at the very beginning of the year as Norwell won 61-55. A whole season later and things could go much differently. Also, this is a game that will set them up to play Marion for a chance at a Sectional Championship. A lot more on the line with two teams trending well.
Sectional 24: New Castle
Champion Prediction: Delta
Delta is the obvious pick here, although don’t count out Hamilton Heights. Delta, though, is 22-0 and having one of the best season ever for their program. They have dominated most games this season and have even been down late in games lately but found ways to comeback and win so they are getting tested. They didn’t get a bye but got a pretty easy game to start and have a good enough defense to give Luke Brown and Blackford problems.
Sleeper Pick: New Castle
The pick here is New Castle. They are a good team and obviously have name value but they haven’t been good this year at 11-9. However, they get a bye game and have one of the best shooter/scorers in the state in Luke Bumbalough. He has the ability to carry this team on his back and if he can, he can get them through to the next weekend. They need some luck but he’s one player that can change the game.
Best (Potential) Matchup: Hamilton Heights vs. New Castle
These are two teams that play each other a lot and have gone back and forth. Hamilton Heights got them earlier this year. New Castle is usually the more dominant team here but Hamilton Heights is playing very, very well and New Castle is without their stud senior in Mason Gillis and have had a tougher time this season. Also, New Castle could get big buckets from Luke Bumbalough and that could make for a show.