Sectional Preview: Michigan City Regional
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The high school season is almost over and we are getting locked in for the State Playoffs. It is that time of year when we start looking ahead and previewing each and every Sectional. We will start with Regional 1…
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Continue ReadingThe high school season is almost over and we are getting locked in for the State Playoffs. It is that time of year when we start looking ahead and previewing each and every Sectional. We will start with Regional 1 and have two previews per day until the start of the Sectional tournament on Tuesday, March 2. Today, let’s start it off with Regional 1.
Sectional 1: Lake Central
The Teams: East Chicago Central, Gary West, Hammond Central, Hammond Morton, Highland, Lake Central, Munster
Our Contenders: Hammond Central, Munster, Lake Central
Player To Watch: Jordan Woods Jordan Woods 6'2" | PG Hammond Central | 2023 State IN (2023) – Hammond Central
Prediction: Hammond Central is the newest school to the IHSAA as they are the combination of three other Hammond schools which moves them up to 4A. Munster, led by Brandon Trilli Brandon Trilli 6'5" | SF Munster | 2023 State IN , comes in at 17-4, and they will give them a tough game in the semifinals as these two teams are a combined 11-0 against Sectional opponents. The winner of this game should take the Sectional title. On the other side of the draw, Lake Central and Brandon Escobedo Brandon Escobedo 6'4" | PF Lake Central | 2023 State IN got a great draw and should meet East Chicago Central in the semis for a trip to the Sectional title. Lake Central took Munster to overtime and only lost to Hammond Central by 3, so they should make the championship game interesting, especially on their home floor. I am taking Hammond Central, but I would not be shocked if Munster or Lake Central pulled off the upset.
Sectional 2: Portage
The Teams: Chesterton, Crown Point, Hobart, Lowell, Merrillville, Portage, Valparaiso
Our Contenders: Chesterton, Valparaiso,
Player To Watch: Travis Grayson Travis Grayson 5'10" | PG Chesterton | 2022 State IN (2022) – Chesterton
Prediction: This Sectional is a two-horse race at the top with undefeated #1 Chesterton and #7 Valparaiso, and we will see this matchup on Friday night in the semifinals. Last week, Chesterton topped Valparaiso 60-57 in overtime behind a 40-point performance from Travis Grayson Travis Grayson 5'10" | PG Chesterton | 2022 State IN which included 31 in the second half and overtime. He is a Mr. Basketball contender and one of the most underrated prospects in the state. It will be a neutral floor in the second meeting, and Mason Jones Mason Jones 6'7" | PF Valparaiso | 2023 State IN and Valparaiso have revenge on its mind after the narrow loss. On the other side of the draw, A.J. Lux A.J. Lux 6'3" | SG Crown Point | 2023 State IN and Crown Point should make the Sectional finals, but after 30 point losses to both of the favorites earlier in the year, it does seem the championship game will be on Friday night. I am taking Valparaiso to bounce back to take down Chesterton, but it is really a flip of a coin.
Sectional 3: Plymouth
The Teams: LaPorte, Michigan City, Mishawaka, Plymouth, South Bend Adams, South Bend Riley
Our Contenders: LaPorte, Michigan City, Mishawaka, South Bend Adams
Player To Watch: Jamie Hodges Jr. (2023) – Michigan City
Prediction: This Sectional is one of the most even, and it could honestly be won by any of four different schools. On the top of the draw, Michigan City and Mishawaka will battle in the opening round with the winner taking on LaPorte. This is really a coin flip on who makes it out, but I will take Michigan City and Jamie Hodges Jr. to get past LaPorte and Grant Ott-Large Grant Ott-Large 6'4" | SF LaPorte | 2022 State IN and advance to the Sectional finals. On the bottom of the bracket, South Bend Adams and Thomas Snyder beat South Bend Riley by 22 points last Friday, so I would think they should cruise to a Sectional finals appearance. I am going to take South Bend Adams to redeem a five-point loss at Michigan City earlier in the year, but a good game from Jamie Hodges Jr. could put Michigan City over the top.
Sectional 4: Elkhart
The Teams: Concord, Elkhart, Goshen, Northridge, Penn, Warsaw
Our Contenders: Goshen, Penn, Warsaw
Player To Watch: Markus Burton Markus Burton 5'11" | PG Penn | 2023 State #190 Nation IN (2023) – Penn
Prediction: #8 Penn (18-2) comes in as the favorite to this Sectional, but the draw did not do them any favors. However, they have beaten all five opponents in their Sectional by at least 9 points including a 12 point win over Warsaw who they have in the opener. Warsaw will need a great game from Jaxson Gould Jaxson Gould 6'3" | SG Warsaw | 2023 State IN if they are going to pull off the stunner. Penn will then have a semifinal matchup with Northridge who took them to overtime during the season. On the other side of the bracket, Drew Hogan Drew Hogan 5'10" | PG Goshen | 2022 State IN and Goshen is the clear favorite to make the finals at they got the bye and seemingly cruised past Elkhart and Concord during the regular season. In the end, I think Markus Burton Markus Burton 5'11" | PG Penn | 2023 State #190 Nation IN and Penn will be too much and the Kingsmen will cruise to the title.