Sectional Preview: 44
The coming high school season is almost upon us. With that, we are taking a look at each Sectional in the state. Starting with 64 and ending with 1. Today, we are previewing Sectional 44.
Cascade (14-9) – Lost 1st Rd. Sectional
Last year Cascade was a very solid team with three guys scoring in double figures and a ton of role players. This year their leading scorer is gone as well as their third and fourth leading scorer. That is going to force players to step up this year for Cascade. Dalton DuBois averaged 15.9 points a game last year and he will have to improve that to give Cascade a chance at a sectional title.
Cloverdale (21-7) – Lost 1st Rd. Regional
It always hurts when you lose your leading scorer in school history. It hurts even more when that was one of the best scorers in Indiana High School basketball history. Cooper Neese is gone, so the reins are firmly in senior Jalen Moore’s hands. It wouldn’t be out of the question for them to repeat but they lose so much last year it’ll be an uphill climb. Moore is going to have to carry the team and score 35+ a night to contend.
Covenant Christian (8-15) – Lost 1st Rd. Sectional
Covenant Christian loses their big forward presence inside from last year but return pretty much every other contributor from last year’s team. That’s scary for the other teams in this sectional because they were much better than their record shows. This year they will be a better team and well suited for the postseason because of their tough schedule.
Monrovia (15-12) – Lost Sectional Final
Monrovia loses their two best players from last year but still return a ton of talent with the forwards they bring back. That doesn’t mean they will be good but rather competitive. Monrovia is going to struggle this year but they will be able to pound the ball inside. This will help them win some games and could help them reach the sectional finals since no one else has height to match in this group.
North Putnam (10-14) – Lost 2nd Rd. Sectional
North Putnam had a better year last year than they have in the past but I think this year they will regress back to what they have been over the past 4-5 years. They lost a lot of seniors last year that played big minutes and don’t really have much to build on. They do return their point guard and they have an intriguing forward who can really score, but that’s about it. I would not be surprised if they win 10 games again but I think they will be down again this year.
South Putnam (6-17) – Lost 2nd Rd. Sectional
South Putnam has the second best player in this sectional and I think that it is Allen Plunkett’s time to shine. Just a junior he has shown flashes of potential but this year he really needs to bring it without the flashiness. South Putnam does bring back a lot of talent and I think this is the year they get over the hump, win 10-12 games and contend for a sectional.
Contenders For 2017-18: Cascade, Cloverdale, Covenant Christian, South Putnam
Prediction: Covenant Christian
Player to Watch: Jalen Moore (Cloverdale)