Class 4A Regional Preview: Breakdown
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Sectional play is over but we are still locked in for the State Playoffs. It is that time of year where we start looking ahead and previewing each and every Regional. Time to take a look at the pairings that…
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Continue ReadingSectional play is over but we are still locked in for the State Playoffs. It is that time of year where we start looking ahead and previewing each and every Regional. Time to take a look at the pairings that make up the Class 4A Regionals.
Regional 1: Michigan City
The Teams: Valparaiso, South Bend Riley, Gary West, Elkhart
Our Contenders: Valparaiso, Gary West
Player To Watch: Jalen Washington Jalen Washington 6'10" | PF Gary Westside | 2022 State #32 Nation IN (2022)
Prediction: This is really two horse race that will likely be decided in the Regional Finals. Gary West is too loaded to really have any trouble with Elkhart so expecting them to get past them fairly easy like they did with all of their Sectional opponents. On the other side, Valpo will have a slightly tougher time getting past a really good South Bend Riley team that is led by Notre Dame commit Blake Wesley Blake Wesley 6'5" | SG South Bend Riley | 2021 State #95 Nation IN . Riley is more than capable of knocking off Valpo but I think Valpo just has the slight edge on what should be a “grind it out” win. That will lead to what should be a great finals matchup between Valpo and Gary West. Valpo has proved that they can beat Gary West as they did earlier this year, but I think Gary West is the one that will come out of this one. So far, Gary West has been plying like they are on a mission and even though Valpo will be their toughest game yet this postseason, I think they find a way to get it done and move onto next weekend.
Regional 2: Logansport
The Teams: Homestead, Carmel, Fort Wayne Carroll, Lafayette Jeff
Our Contenders: Homestead, Carmel, Lafayette Jeff
Player To Watch: Peter Suder Peter Suder 6'5" | SG Carmel | 2022 State #227 Nation IN (2022)
Prediction: Logansport is the place to be this Saturday. 3 of the 4 teams are ranked in the top 8 and the winner of this one has a legit chance to make it to state. Let’s start off with the game everybody is most excited for, Homestead vs Carmel. These are the 2 best teams remaining in the tournament and Carmel will be Homestead’s toughest challenge this season. I mean just the amount of talent in this one with D1 players like Peter Suder Peter Suder 6'5" | SG Carmel | 2022 State #227 Nation IN , Charlie Williams Charlie Williams 6'10" | PF Carmel | 2022 State #220 Nation IN , Luke Goode Luke Goode 6'6" | SF Homestead | 2021 State #107 Nation IN , Fletcher Loyer Fletcher Loyer 6'4" | SG Homestead | 2022 State #108 Nation IN , and so many other is enough to get you excited about this game. Homestead has been the most dominate team and even though Carmel is great in their own right, going to go with Homestead to win this one. On the other side, this should be another great game as well but I am going to go with Lafayette Jeff solely based on the Brooks Barnhizer Brooks Barnhizer 6'5" | SF Lafayette Jeff | 2021 State #203 Nation IN factor. That will lead to what should be the best game on Saturday night with Homestead and Lafayette Jeff duking it out. Again, going to go with Homestead to win because you just cannot bet against them right now. 3 out of the 4 teams have a legit chance to win this one, but Homestead is the slight favorite.
Regional 3: Southport
The Teams: Lawrence North, Ben Davis, Mount Vernon (Fortville), Plainfield
Our Contenders: Lawrence North, Plainfield
Player To Watch: Chris Gunn Chris Gunn 6'5" | SG Lawrence North | 2022 State #114 Nation IN (2022)
Prediction: Out of all the 4, this Regional is the easier one to predict. Lawrence North should beat Ben Davis as should Plainfield do the same with Mt. Vernon. That will lead to what should be a really good final game. Lawrence North and Plainfield are easily top 6 teams in 4A and both have the talent to make a run in this game. The dynamic duo of DJ Hughes DJ Hughes 6'8" | PF Lawrence North | 2021 State #219 Nation IN and Chris Gunn Chris Gunn 6'5" | SG Lawrence North | 2022 State #114 Nation IN are a tough force to stop, as they showed in Sectional, but Plainfield has the talent and experience like Ian Scott Ian Scott 6'7" | PF Plainfield | 2021 State IN and Aidan Booher Aidan Booher 6'4" | SF Plainfield | 2021 State IN to cause some disruptions on the Wildcats. But when it comes down to it, Lawrence North is a team that you just cannot bet against as well. Until further notice, Lawrence North is the favorite to make it to the 4A State Championship on their side of the bracket.
Regional 4: Seymour
The Teams: Bloomington South, Jeffersonville, Center Grove, Evansville Reitz
Our Contenders: Bloomington South, Jeffersonville, Center Grove, Evansville Reitz
Player To Watch: Joseph Bomba Joseph Bomba 6'4" | SF Bloomington South | 2021 State IN (2021)
Prediction: Honestly, this Regional is my favorite because it is so wide open. Both opening games should be really fun, which will lead to a great final game Saturday night. Starting off with the first game, Bloomington South vs Jeffersonville will be a battle of an extremely well coached team vs an extremely talented team. When it looked like Bloomington South was going to have a down year, they completely tricked us and are playing some of the best basketball in the state now. Jeffersonville, on the other hand, is a very talented team led by Will Lovings-Watts Will Lovings-Watts 6'5" | SF Jeffersonville | 2022 State IN and Brandon Rayzer-Moore Brandon Rayzer-Moore 6'4" | SG Jeffersontown | 2020 IN . Going to go with Bloomington South in what should be a blast of a game. On the other side, Center Grove and Evansville Reitz is a legit toss-up. There are just some really good ball players in this one like Landin Hacker Landin Hacker 5'11" | PG Center Grove | 2021 State IN , Owen Dease Owen Dease 6'7" | SF Evansville Reitz | 2021 State IN , Ethan Higgs Ethan Higgs 6'4" | SG Evansville Reitz | 2021 State IN , Tayven Jackson Tayven Jackson 6'3" | SG Center Grove | 2022 IN , and so many others. Reitz looked really good in their Sectional so expecting them to continue that and beat Center Grove and then, in kind of an upset, figure out a way to knock off Bloomington South. Reitz is my pick to come out of Regional 4.