Region 5 Preview
The postseason is upon us. With small-school district tournaments underway, and regional tournaments set to start next week, it’s time to turn our attention to the postseason. Shiloh has dominated Region 5 in recent years and while the Skyhawks are…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe postseason is upon us. With small-school district tournaments underway, and regional tournaments set to start next week, it’s time to turn our attention to the postseason.
Shiloh has dominated Region 5 in recent years and while the Skyhawks are the favorite again this year, there are a number of teams that have enjoyed strong seasons that look like potential challengers.
Here’s a look at Region 5
Favorite: Shiloh Christian
The Skyhawks have been ranked in the top-10 for large stretches of the season and before a four-game losing streak to end the season, they looked like a legitimate title contender. Ultimately, this team might not have the kind of high-end juice that some of the other contenders have, but they are tough as nails on both ends of the floor, execute at a high level and have one of the first-team all-state forwards in Jaden Mitzel. The 6-foot-2 senior has averaged 25 points per game all year, consistently delivering offensive production despite being at the top of every scouting report. Trey Brunelle is a steady guard who can knock down shots, set his teammates up and defend. And Cole Walth has come along nicely as a complementary scorer. The Skyhawks play tough defense, have been tested against the best competition all year and have the look of a team that could win multiple games if they reach state.
Contender: Underwood, Flasher, New Salem/Almont
New Salem/Almont won its first 10 games of the season and while the Holsteins stumbled a bit down the stretch, they are capable of making an extended run thanks to an elite defense. Tayden Soupir is one of the best guards in the region and Logan Becker is a productive big man inside.
Underwood has 18 wins on the year and quietly put together a terrific regular season, winning with staunch defense and solid balance. The Comets are experienced and tough. Ty Snider is one of the best point guards in the region and Kayden Hornberger and Parker Christenson are an absolute handful in the frontcourt.
Flasher reached the District 9 final and lost to Shiloh and will face Underwood in the first round of the region tournament. The Bulldogs run good stuff offensively and can defend like crazy, so don’t count them out of anything. Jaron Reiss is the player to watch as he’s one of the best guards in the region and can fill it up in a hurry.
Watch Out For: Washburn
Talk about a team getting hot at the right time. Washburn went into 10-9 in the regular season with some lopsided losses to some of the top region teams. Then the Cardinals rattled off three straight wins to take the Region 10 Championship. They’ll face Standing Rock/Selfridge in the first round and their path to a region championship means they’ll have to beat either Underwood or Flasher in the second round.