Notebook: IHSAA Release Sectionals
The IHSAA release their new Sectional pairings after the classifications came out and for some teams, it was great. For most, though, not ideal. Attucks might be the most notable here. For you, this is our breakdown of each new…
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Continue ReadingThe IHSAA release their new Sectional pairings after the classifications came out and for some teams, it was great. For most, though, not ideal. Attucks might be the most notable here. For you, this is our breakdown of each new change.
New 4A Teams:
Marion will take a change and move to the Lafayette/NCC Sectional 7. They will replace Zionsville who is now in Sectional 8. Marion should be an equal competitor with what Zionsville was going to provide. But Harrison, Kokomo, and Lafayette Jeff should all be strong next season.
Crispus Attucks will head to Sectional 10, the group of death. With Cathedral, Lawrence North, Lawrence Central, and Warren Central already providing talent to the toughest Sectional in the state. Attucks will have a tough time with this one but should still be competitive.
Gary West is moving into Sectional 1. Makes sense geographically and they could come in and be a legit contender in their first season along with Munster and Merrillville.
New Haven will now head to Sectional 6. This will be a tough with Homestead still holding strong here but it is only a 6-team Sectional now.
Culver Academies is moving into Sectional 3. Another geographical setup and they should be the team to beat right out of the gate. Riley will be young but good. Michigan City could compete as well.
Martinsville has moved to Sectional 14 with the Columbus and Bloomington teams while Shelbyville moves out and to Sectional 13 with Center Grove and company. This really strengthens 13 quite a bit as they didn’t really have a top-end competitor with CG. That also makes Sectional 12 a 6-team Sectional now.
New 3A Teams:
Connersville has always been a very difficult team to beat. Now, in Sectional 29, they will have a very interesting path. Greensburg and Batesville are never easy. Now it is a three-headed monster at the top.
Indianapolis Shortridge will join Sectional 27 which has a whole new look. Attucks and Ritter leave with Manual, Shortridge, and Lebanon joining the fold. Not nearly the powerhouse it once was. Brebeuf and Guerin will still be tough, though.
Bishop Dwenger will now move down into a much more comfortable Sectional 22. They will be the team from the get-go along with Concordia and Leo. Their Sectional and Regional setup is quite a bit easier for them.
South Bend Clay will move down to Sectional 19. They join a very difficult Sectional with Mishawka Marian, South Bend Washington, and South Bend St. Joseph. Not too different from where they just left. Bottom end isn’t great so they could have a shot to make some noise.
Jay County moves down to 3A and much more down into the Indianapolis area as opposed to Fort Wayne. However, New Castle, Delta, and Hamilton Heights are all likely to be involved and while easier, it isn’t by much.
Indianapolis Washington moves into Section 28 which is a completely new Sectional. Beech Grove, Ritter, Herron, Indian Creek are there along with new 3A school Speedway. Tough to tell how this will go.
River Forest will move into Sectional 18. Not a great Sectional which should give them some room to maneuver here.
Oak Hill now moves to Sectional 23, up from 2A. They go more North this time and join Norwell and Mississinewa as the top teams in the Sectional.
Monrovia will join Sectional 25 where Frankfort now comes in as well from 20. This also has Crawfordsville, Danville, Tri-West, and Greencastle as top teams to worry about. A very under-the-radar Sectional in 3A.
Speedway is now a 3A program moving up and is apart of Sectional 28 with a whole new look. They could still be a nice host site along with Beech Grove so that could be beneficial.
Eastern Greentown joins Oak Hill in Sectional 23. This has now become a much more balanced and competitive Sectional with these two teams.
New 2A Teams:
Western Boone is moving down and will be in Sectional 38. Not a great Sectional with only really Rossville and Clinton Prairie as teams to deal with at the moment.
Southridge makes the move down to 2A from 3A and this could be significant. They move out of a very tough Sectional and into Sectional 48. They will have to take down Forest Park but still much easier than what they have had to do in the past.
Blackford will really benefit from moving down but will have the always tough Tipton in their new Sectional, Sectional 39. However, they look like a Top-2 team right away here. Their Regional is also quite a bit easier. They could have a long run in them.
Southmont is moving down and will be in Sectional 43. This includes teams like South Putnam, Cloverdale, and Parke Heritage. They could and should be among the top teams here right away.
Fairfield has always been a competitive team and now they move into Sectional 35. This could be a really tough one as Westview already sits there. Churubusco is also solid in this new look Sectional. Could be interesting next year.
Rensselaer Central is moving down from 3A so they will be in Sectional 37 now. This is a solid group with Winamac at the top of the pack. Pretty balanced and could be entertaining for the next two years.
University is moving up this year and will be placed in Sectional 42. The Indy area is much tougher in 2A than 1A. Also, Indianapolis Howe will move into this Sectional to be among Park Tudor, Scecina, Heritage Christian, and Covenant Christian.
South Central is moving up into Sectional 34. Tougher Sectional than what they left but not built on a high-end team or two so it is possible to win some games.
Westville moves into the same Sectional as South Central and South Bend Career. So that is three new teams here. A completely new look for the now 7-team Sectional. Not so difficult they can’t find success quickly.
Riverton Parke has now moved up one year after consolidating Turkey Run and Rockville. They will now be in Sectional 43. Good, but definitely not strong in this Sectional. Could be made for the taking quickly.
South Bend Career will be moving into Sectional 34. Not a particularly strong Sectional but Westville, North Judson, and LaVille have been good recently.
Blackhawk Christian will now move up because of success factor and now sit in Sectional 36. They automatically become the favorite but Wabash, Manchester, and Canterbury won’t be pushovers. Their Regional is quite a bit more difficult now with possible seeing Andrea, LaVille, and Westview.
New 1A Teams:
North Daviess is moving down and will move into Sectional 63. Not an easy road at all as they now have Barr-Reeve and Loogootee to compete with. They should be right around the middle at worst so they have a shot but not easy.
Covington is moving down and it couldn’t come at a better time. They are going to be very good an now will be in Sectional 54. Central Catholic is there so they have to get past them but not much else in that Sectional.