Sectional Preview: 32
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 32.
Boonville (3-21) – Lost 1st Rd. Sectional
This past season for Boonville wasn’t an easy one as they only managed to win three games. Now, they are going to try and build something with an extremely young core group. They were very young last year, being mostly underclassmen. They do return two big time scoring options in Glen Rouch and Hunter Bruce. They are similar players with their size at 6’4+ and shooting ability from deep. This isn’t a team that always is able to win a lot of games in a given year but they have the pieces to be a lot better than just three wins.
Evansville Bosse (20-8) – Lost Semistate Finals
The last two year, Bosse has won 39 games and made it to State and Semistate but have yet to get over that hump. This is the final year for their outstanding core group made up of Mekhi Lairy, Jaylin Chinn, Jaylen Minor, and company. They are among the quickest and most potent teams in the state. They are developing their talented post player in Kiyron Powell that should be able to affect the game more this season. They should be among the favorites to win State this year.
Evansville Memorial (13-10) – Lost 1st Rd. Sectional
This Memorial team is one that is likely to go under-the-radar this season but shouldn’t be. They are a very stacked group with a good mix of young and old and a very good on-ball guard in Dylan Penn. They also have guys like Max Braun, Drew Hart, and Sam Devault who all have a ton of size and use it in very different ways. They should be a team that threatens the 20-win plateau this year and will be the odds-on favorite to see Bosse in the Sectional Finals with a solid chance to win that game.
Gibson Southern (15-9) – Lost 1st Rd. Sectional
The last couple years, the teams that have had to face Bosse haven’t really gotten a chance to win many games and last season Gibson Southern was paired up with them in the first round. This is a team that won 15 games last year and they pretty much bring everyone back except Chandler McKee. With a core of Alec Martin, Nick Maurer, and Wes Obermeier, they have plenty to repeat that win mark and with some luck, have a shot in Sectionals again.
Heritage Hills (15-9) – Lost 1st Rd. Sectional
For Heritage Hills, they will look to start a new group of young talent. Last season, they were led in scoring by a freshman, Murray Becher. They also saw Cade Jones, a sophomore, and Simon Scherry, a freshman contribute big minutes and offense. While they lose a big senior in Dalton Selvidge, they gain a really talented incoming freshman in Blake Sisley who, at 6’7, will bring another element to this team. Again, this Sectional will be difficult with Bosse and Memorial but this could be the year before Heritage Hills becomes one of the better teams in the southern part of the state.
Mount Vernon (Posey) (7-19) – Lost Sectional Finals
Last season was a surprising one for Mt. Vernon as they only won seven games but they were able to make it to the Sectional Finals before losing to Bosse. Now, they basically have to start a new roster as they lost their top five scorers from last season. The only player on this roster returning with any significant impact is Junior Sam Thomas. This upcoming season isn’t likely to be one where they are able to compete at the top of this Sectional, not yet.
Contenders For 2017-18: Evansville Bosse, Evansville Memorial, Gibson Southern, Heritage Hills
Prediction: Evansville Bosse
Player to Watch: Mekhi Lairy (Evansville Bosse)