Tony’s State Playoff Predictions
The start of the high school season is right around the corner. We each put together a look at our State Predictions for the upcoming season. Here is a look at who I think will shine come March.
Class 1A
Regional Champions: Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian, Southwood, Indianapolis Tindley, Barr-Reeve
Semi-State Champions: Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian and Indianapolis Tindley
State Champion: Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian
Fort Wayne Blackhawk is easily the biggest team with great depth at the guard position in the entire state, let alone Class 1A. With three guys standing 6’9” and over, with one of the best distributing point guards in the state, there will be very few teams that would stand in the way of the Braves on the way to state. Indianapolis Tindley, led by Eric Hunter, will find themselves fighting a little harder this season to get back to the State Championship game. When it comes to the State Finals, Blackhawk should knock off the defending State Champions with their size and depth. If this is the state matchup, it’ll boast some of the best guard combinations in the state.
Class 2A
Regional Champions: Oak Hill, Indianapolis Scecina, South Knox, and Marquette Catholic
Semi-State Champions: Oak Hill and Indianapolis Scecina
State Champion: Oak Hill
If Indianapolis Scecina can make it past Howe, they have a great chance to make it to state. They have dynamic scorers and will be a team that really shuts some of the top prospects down. They should see South Knox in Semi-State but that team is made to win games now. If they aren’t ready for that matchup, it could be a different outcome by Scecina should have a rather easy ride to state. Oak Hill is the same way and shouldn’t face anyone that would knock them out before they see Marquette Catholic. I look for Oak Hill to take advantage of their roster and path to state and come away as IHSAA Class 3A State Champions.
Class 3A
Regional Champions: Culver Military Academy, Indianapolis Crispus Attucks, Evansville Bosse, New Castle
Semi-State Champions: Culver Military Academy and Evansville Bosse
State Champion: Culver Military Academy
Culver Military Academy will find themselves as the team that everyone circles on their schedule up North. They have a dynamic set of players in the backcourt and enough size and experience to get them through a tough Regional. New Castle has some of the best players on the wing in the 3A Class but will be outplayed by the young and skilled Culver backcourt. Crispus Attucks will rely heavily on their experience to get them back to Regionals. They graduated leadership and their most prolific scorer in Nike Sibande. Evansville Bosse will be waiting at Semi-State again but there length and athleticism will propel them to the State Championship game. Overall, Culver will have too much talent and depth for Bosse in the State Championship game and will walk away as champions.
Class 4A
Regional Champions: Fort Wayne North Side, South Bend Riley, Indianapolis Cathedral, New Albany
Semi-State Champions: Fort Wayne North Side and Indianapolis Cathedral
State Champion: Fort Wayne North Side
Fort Wayne North Side is looking to return to the State Championship game this season. They will miss having the likes of Jaylen Butz down low to grab every rebound but they’ve added some pieces this season that will help them down the line. If they can pull it together, I think the Semi-State Championship Game up north comes down to the wire between them and South Bend Riley. Cathedral is deep, long, athletic, and are poised to have a championship season. I imagine that their depth and versatility will be too much for a Romeo Langford led New Albany team to take down in Semi-State. If the Legends from Fort Wayne can get their chemistry down and get the new guys to buy-in, I think they have a great chance at avenging their Runner-Up finish from last season.