Regional Preview: 2A
The high school season is wearing down here but Regionals are coming in hot and heavy. We are ready to take a look at all the matchup, breaking each of them down and getting ready for one of the best…
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Continue ReadingThe high school season is wearing down here but Regionals are coming in hot and heavy. We are ready to take a look at all the matchup, breaking each of them down and getting ready for one of the best days of the year.
Regional #9 – North Judson
Matchups:
Marquette Catholic vs. Andrean
Westview vs. Bluffton
Players To Watch:
Kyle Ross – 6’7 PF 2021 – Andrean
Kyle Ross has been playing so well in Sectionals and toward the end of the season. He’s a guy that is coming alive at the right time and giving Andrean a guy to really go with in crunch time. He’s also a post player with good size and in 2A that stuff matters especially because he can step out and shoot. This is the guy to focus on for opposing defenses.
Elijah Hales – 6’4 SG 2019 – Westview
Hales is probably the more important player for Westview because at some point in this Sectional, they are going to need his passing and leadership to get them through some tough times. It happened in this Regional last season and will probably happen again. He might not be their biggest offensive weapon but he runs this offense.
Prediction:
Westview over Andrean
Westview is sitting here with an easier game against Bluffton to open up which could help give them some needed rest before a battle later that night. Andrean has just played so well down the stretch it is hard to pick against them right now. But in a game against Westview, a team that is so fundamentally sound, it is hard to shake them. They have been more prone to upsets this year than we would have thought but still a great team in 2A.
Regional #10 – Lapel
Matchups:
Wabash vs. Frankton
Covington vs. Alexandria
Players To Watch:
Nick Williams – 6’7 PF 2020 – Alexandria
Alexandria is a very good, but sneaky team. They lost their best player in Avery Paddock but Nick Williams might be just as good when it is all said and done. He’s big, strong, and a load to handle in the post but still able to step out and shoot. They need him to take the brunt of the defensive pressure to allow their multitude of guards to play more freely and hopefully open up shots. If not, could be a quick exit.
Kayden Key – 6’0 PG 2019 – Frankton
For Frankton, they kind of have gone this year how Key has. They need their senior guard to step up. Sectionals was kind of all over the place for them and they need more consistency, although they haven’t really had that all year. If Key can lock in for the day and play at a high level, this team could breeze through. If not, this could be ugly because there isn’t a bad team in this pod.
Prediction:
Frankton over Covington
Right away, this Regional is so difficult and really could go any number of ways as Wabash is probably better than anyone is giving them credit for, Covington might be your 2A State Champ next season with all of their young players, and Alexandria is playing well in spite of their loss of Paddock. However, Frankton has been here before, knows what it is like to be playing this late in a season, and is filled with veterans that you tend to want to trust. But again, nothing is going to even surprise me with how this unfolds.
Regional #11 – Greenfield-Central
Matchups:
Monrovia vs. Northeastern
Shenandoah vs. Heritage Christian
Players To Watch:
Max Newman – 6’7 PF 2019 – Monrovia
In order for Monrovia to get through to next weekend, they need their standout post player to be nearly impossible to defend. With his footwork, size, and scoring ability he can be that but it also means he kind of needs to take his game to another level.
Andrew Williams – 6’1 PG 2019 – Heritage Christian
While Heritage Christian could get bounced as early as their first game on Saturday, I could see them making it through to Semistate. I think a lot of that will depend on Andrew Williams. He’s one of the three-headed monster of Williams, Will Christie, and Harrison Eckel. Andrew is the guy that always seems to making plays in the big games and is such a talented scorer, this team needs it’s best player really taking off because both possible games are so difficult.
Prediction:
Shenandoah over Monrovia
Shenandoah is just so locked in right now and they are still young. They could slip up but not sure it is a good idea to bet against them right now. Monrovia is looking at the easier opening round and if they can assert themselves physically, they could have a chance to pull the upset because they own the size advantage with 6’6 and 6’7 in their front court. Shenandoah has no size and will keep the score low enough to let them keep up but they have had some really big offensive games this year so don’t be shocked if they switch it up and run.
Regional #12 – Paoli
Matchups:
Linton-Stockton vs. Paoli
Southwestern (Hanover) vs. Tell City
Players To Watch:
Brett Bosley – 6’6 PF 2021 – Paoli
The key here is Bosley, a 6’6 forward that has the ability to make highlight reel plays and be physically tough in the paint. That is something that will matchup well against any of the teams in this Regional. He’s a guy that is still young but can and should be counted on in the big moments. Each of the three opponents have size as well so he’s going to have a tough day. If he comes through, on both ends of the floor, Paoli should have a shot.
Braeden Beard – 6’6 PF 2019 – Tell City
Beard is a guy that has been so, so good in his final season. He’s mobile but has size and skill and might be the toughest matchup for any team in this Regional. He’s going to be able to play well on the defensive end, it’s just more about his offense. He needs to have his game going because they will need to try and outscore Southwestern and Tell City only averages 56 ppg.
Prediction:
Linton-Stockton over Southwestern (Hanover)
This is by far the most difficult Regional in 2A and probably the entire state. These teams combined for 92-12 record during the season. Southwestern is the most impressive team this season and they have knocked off quite a few good teams including Jeffersonville. But, Linton-Stockton is so balanced and has a ton of size and shooting ability. This is going to be a battle and could really be the best game the state has Saturday night and either winning won’t surprise and if it takes a couple of overtimes, that wouldn’t either.