Sectional Preview: 1
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 finish by previewing Sectional 1.
Crown Point (22-4) – Lost Sectional Final
Sasha Stefanovic is on to Purdue and that ushers in a new era Crown Point basketball. With him and a few other seniors gone, Crown Point will have to rely on Sam Snodgrass a lot more than last year. Crown Point won’t absolutely be awful it’s just that they will be a substantial step below what they have been.
East Chicago Central (15-10) – Lost 1st Rd. Regional
East Chicago used Jermaine Cousinard to run through sectionals but their star player is no longer with them. They had five seniors leave and this year they will struggle a bit. They have a little height left but no player who can carry the load. It will have to take a full team effort this year to win.
Hammond Morton (15-10) – Lost 2nd Rd. Sectional
Like ECC, Hammond lost a couple guys who really carried the load for them and that will make them appear a lot worse than they are. I do believe that they are going to be pretty decent with junior Teyon Hill returning and I think they will be a solid team due to a few guys they return.
Highland (9-15) – Lost 1st Rd. Sectional
Highland will be much improved this year as they only lose two seniors from last year. Their top four scorers return and two of them are juniors. I expect this year that they flip their record around and compete for a sectional title on the back of their core.
Lake Central (15-12) – Lost Sectional Final
Lake Central had an up-and-down year last year and after losing three guys, it may be the same this year. I think they will still contend with the players they have back as Keon Sellers and Justin Graciano will lead the group of seniors they have looking to breakthrough and win another title.
Lowell (14-10) – Lost 1st Rd. Sectional
Lowell loses a ton of really good guys from last year including sharpshooter Nick Mantis to graduation and this year they will have to rebuild a bit. Grant Monix comes back for his last year and will lead the team and will try and help them reach the title game. I think this is a team that could go either way and will be young.
Munster (13-12) – Lost 2nd Rd. Sectional
Munster loses two seniors from last year and this year they are going to be really improved. I wouldn’t be surprised with a 20 win season from them as they return all their primary talent. Jevon Morris and Eric Jerge are just juniors and they will be the leaders of this team looking to win a sectional.
Contenders For 2017-18: Hammond Morton, Highland, Lake Central, Munster
Prediction: Munster
Player to Watch: Grant Monix (Lowell)