Regional 2 Preview: Breakdown

The high school season is almost over and we are getting locked in for the State Playoffs. It is that time of year where we start looking ahead and previewing each and every Sectional. We begin today at the top.   Sectional 5: East Noble The Teams: Carroll (Fort Wayne), DeKalb, East Noble, Fort Wayne North, Fort Wayne Northrop, Fort Wayne Snider Our Contenders: Carroll (Fort Wayne), Fort Wayne Snider Player To Watch: Jalen JacksonJalenJackson6'2" | PGFort Wayne Carroll | 2022StateIN (2022) - Carroll (Fort Wayne) Prediction: Carroll went on the road to beat Snider 65-63 late in January, and I have to think that Carroll’s experience will give them the edge they need to pull it out. No matter what, this potential championship round matchup will be outstanding with Ryan PrestonRyanPreston6'2" | SGFort Wayne Carroll | 2021StateIN, Jalen JacksonJalenJackson6'2" | PGFort Wayne Carroll | 2022StateIN, and Sam StryckerSamStrycker6'4" | PFFort Wayne Carroll | 2021StateIN vs. Karson JenkinsKarsonJenkins6'1" | PGFort Wayne Snider | 2022StateIN, Aidan Lambert, and Jade Moore.    Sectional 6: Columbia City The Teams: Columbia City, Fort Wayne South, Fort Wayne Wayne, Homestead, Huntington North, New Haven Our Contenders: Homestead Player To Watch: Fletcher LoyerFletcherLoyer6'5" | SGHomestead | 2022StateIN (2022) - Homestead Prediction: Homestead is 22-0 this season and the undisputed #1 team in the state. They are 16-0 against 4A schools with wins over Cathedral, Warren Central, Lawrence North, North Central, and Fort Wayne Blackhawk among others. They are the definite favorite to win the state title, and after beating their Sectional opponents by an average of 36 points per game this season, they shouldn’t have a problem winning Sectional. Huntington North was the only Sectional opponent that lost by under 30, so this first-round matchup could be their toughest. New Haven got the bye and a fairly easy second-round matchup with the winner of Fort Wayne Wayne and Columbia City, so they should have a chance to upset the Spartans in the Sectional finals.   Sectional 7: Marion The Teams: Harrison (West Lafayette), Kokomo, Lafayette Jeff, Logansport, Marion, McCutcheon Our Contenders: Lafayette Jeff, McCutcheon Player To Watch: Brooks BarnhizerBrooksBarnhizer6'5" | SFLafayette Jeff | 2021State#203NationIN (2021) - Lafayette Jeff Prediction: This Sectional opens up with a bang with a battle of two of the top players in the state of Indiana, Brooks BarnhizerBrooksBarnhizer6'5" | SFLafayette Jeff | 2021State#203NationIN and Jalen BlackmonJalenBlackmon6'2" | PGMarion | 2021State#244NationIN, as Lafayette Jeff takes on Marion in a monster matchup. Harrison (WL) is waiting in the wings with a bye to take on the winner. McCutcheon definitely is the winner of this draw with a bye and the winner of Logansport/Kokomo on Friday. McCutcheon took down Lafayette Jeff during the regular season, but my guess is that Jeff fights through their tough draw and avenges this loss to McCutcheon to take home the Sectional title.   Sectional 8: Carmel The Teams: Carmel, Fishers, Hamilton Southeastern, Noblesville, Westfield, Zionsville Our Contenders: Carmel, Fishers, Westfield Player To Watch: Jeffrey SimmonsJeffreySimmons6'7" | PFFishers | 2022StateIN (2022) - Fishers Prediction: Carmel is the obvious favorite in this Sectional at 19-2 and the #2 team in the state, but Fishers was able to beat them just two weeks ago in a low-scoring, defensive battle. Also, Westfield is always dangerous with the firepower of Braden SmithBradenSmith5'11" | PGWestfield | 2022StateIN. The Sectional opens on Monday with Fishers v. Hamilton Southeastern and Zionsville v. Westfield. Carmel will have a tough semifinal matchup as Fishers beat them earlier in the season, and the winner of Zionsville/Westfield should be able to take down Noblesville. This Sectional is always a classic with close games throughout the entire tournament, and although Carmel is the favorite, upsets always happen in Sectional 8. This one is one that you don’t want to miss.