Class 3A Regional Previews

We are down to 64 teams still competing in the 112th annual IHSAA Boy's Basketball State Tournament. That means we are into the Regional round which will tip-off around the state at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. Our staff at Prep Hoops Indiana will be previewing each Regional and will have boots on the ground from across the Hoosier state on Saturday. Kyler Staley has already broken down the <a href="https://prephoops.com/2022/03/class-4a-regional-preview-breakdown-2/">Class 4A Regionals</a> so make sure you check out his preview if you haven't already. Now, let's dig into the four Class 3A Regionals. <h2>South Bend Washington Regional</h2> The Teams: Mishawaka Marian (21-3) vs. Lighthouse CPA (8-12), Culver Academy (18-7) vs. Peru (20-2) The Favorite: Mishawaka Marian Player to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id="1049162" first="Deaglan" last="Sullivan"] (2023) - Mishawaka Marian Breakdown: On paper, Mishawka Marian is the pretty clear favorite. They have a much easier semi-final matchup and have been considered a state title contender all season long. Their only loss to a Class 3A opponent was to John Glenn, which they avenged in the Sectional final. Led by a strong backcourt of junior [player_tooltip player_id="1049162" first="Deaglan" last="Sullivan"] and senior [player_tooltip player_id="769703" first="Richard" last="Brooks"], the Knights have the firepower to beat anyone. However, all Peru has done all season long is win. Led by senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="958403" first="Matthew" last="Ross"] and sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id="1158198" first="Matthew" last="Roettger"] the Tigers will be ready for battle. Culver Academy features 6'6" junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="868239" first="Cooper" last="Farrall"] who is the most highly recruited prospect at the Regional. Whoever survives that semi-final matchup will give Marian all they want in the title game on Saturday night. <h2>New Castle Regional</h2> The Teams: Yorktown (10-14) vs. NorthWood (24-2), Leo (19-5) vs. Norwell (22-4) The Favorite: NorthWood Player to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id="870232" first="Caedmon" last="Bontrager"] (2022) - Leo Breakdown: Similar to the South Bend Washington Regional, the New Castle Regional has the favorite, on paper, in an easier semi-final matchup with a battle on the other half of the bracket. Leo and Norwell know each other well as Northeast 8 Conference rivals. The Lions won the regular season matchup at Norwell 62-55. Leo has plenty of size featuring 6'8" Indiana Wesleyan commit [player_tooltip player_id="870232" first="Caedmon" last="Bontrager"] and 6'7" Rutgers football signee [player_tooltip player_id="870240" first="D.J." last="Allen"]. However, will their guards be able to keep up with Norwell junior [player_tooltip player_id="935745" first="Luke" last="McBride"]? For NorthWood, led by junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1226596" first="Cade" last="Brenner"], they will face surprise Sectional winner Yorktown. The Panthers are one of the leading favorites to cut down the nets at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in a couple of weeks. Saturday night's championship game will not be easy though regardless of who they matchup with. <h2>Greencastle Regional</h2> The Teams: Brebeuf Jesuit (18-7) vs. Danville (20-5), Beech Grove (18-6) vs. Brownstown Central (22-3) The Favorite: Brebeuf Jesuit Player to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id="1158245" first="Jack" last="Benter"] (2024) - Brownstown Central Breakdown: This is undoubtedly the most wide open of the 3A Regionals. Truly any of the four teams could cut down the nets and it not be a surprise. Miami (Ohio) signee [player_tooltip player_id="870225" first="Billy" last="Smith"] leads the way for the Braves of Brebeuf Jesuit who needed a buzzer-beater to defeat Guerin Catholic in the Sectional final. They likely have the most overall talent, but have had an up-and-down season since the calendar turned to 2022. Watch Smith battle it out with Air Force commit [player_tooltip player_id="1048732" first="Brady" last="Ruggles"] will be a fun way to start the day. In the second game, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1158245" first="Jack" last="Benter"], one of the state's leading scorers will take on junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="868242" first="Anthony" last="Ball"] and the Beech Grove Hornets. Whoever makes it out of Greencastle with the trophy will certainly have earned it with two hard-fought wins. <h2>Washington Regional</h2> The Teams: Evansville Bosse (17-9) vs. Lawrenceburg (20-7), North Harrison (19-3) vs. Sullivan (23-2) The Favorite: Sullivan Player to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id="870295" first="Logan" last="McIntire"] (2022) - North Harrison Breakdown: Washington will host a very balanced Regional that could break in a few different directions. Bosse enters as an under-the-radar team that could very well cut down the nets. They are led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id="1401154" first="Jameer" last="Ajibade"] and [player_tooltip player_id="870221" first="Matt" last="Wagner"], along with sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="1158192" first="Taray" last="Howell"]. Lawrenceburg pulled a bit of an upset knocking off Greensburg in the Sectional semi-final but can't be taken lightly with 20 wins. 6'8" senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="870263" first="Jackson" last="Bobo"] is the one to watch there. In the second game we get a great matchup between Evansville signee [player_tooltip player_id="870295" first="Logan" last="McIntire"] and senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="870312" first="Randy" last="Kelley"]. Sullivan has had an outstanding season and are our pick to come out of this Regional. However, if McIntire can be the best player on the floor it could shift the advantage to the Cougars.