3A Kankakee Valley Regional Preview
On Sunday, the IHSAA had their Sectional Draw for the upcoming State Tournament. Now, it is time to dive into each Sectional in the state. We continue on with our look at each in our Regional breakdown. Sectional 17: Hammond…
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Continue ReadingOn Sunday, the IHSAA had their Sectional Draw for the upcoming State Tournament. Now, it is time to dive into each Sectional in the state. We continue on with our look at each in our Regional breakdown.
Sectional 17: Hammond Clark (Host): Griffith, Hammond, Hammond Clark, Hammond Gavit, Kankakee Valley, Lighthouse CPA.
Breakdown: In Sectional 17, you have the story of last season in 3A with Griffith. They almost lost their season twice with a fight and then a bus accident. They are back and doing well with a 20-3 record. They are joined, though, by Hammond at the top of this bracket. They face off in the opening game and it is likely for the Sectional Championship. Those two teams are a combined 11-1 against their own Sectional with the one loss by Griffith coming from Hammond. On the other side of the bracket, look for Kankakee Valley to have a shot and make a run at the Championship.
Sectional 18: Rensselaer Central (Host): Andrean, Calumet, Hanover Central, Rensselaer Central, Twin Lakes, Wheeler.
Breakdown: In Sectional 18, you have one of the surprise teams of the season in Andrean. The 59ers have come into their own very quickly after a new coach and some roster changes. They get one of the other big threats in 3A in Twin Lakes in the opening round. Andrean has played the harder schedule and could pull the upset on Twin Lakes. However, things won’t get easier as this is one of the tougher Sectionals in 3A with everyone having 9 wins or more. Wheeler and Rensselaer Central will likely face up in the semifinal game and either could play spoiler in the Championship.
Sectional 19: Jimtown (Host): Culver Academies, Glenn, Jimtown, Mishawaka Marian, New Prairie, South Bend St. Joseph.
Breakdown: In Sectional 19, one of the best teams in 3A is Culver Academies. They have really had a great season with a 19-2 record and some big wins. They get the bye game and would likely face John Glenn in the semifinal. Look for Mishawaka Marian in the top half of the bracket to make it through and meet up with Culver in the final game. Could make for a chance at redemption as Marian has already lost to Culver earlier this season, 51-47.
Sectional 20: Maconaquah (Host): Benton Central, Maconaquah, Northwestern, Peru, West Lafayette, Western.
Breakdown: In Sectional 20, you have a pretty down year for this group of teams but still, there are four teams with double-digit wins. West Lafayette has had the best year and is 4-0 against Sectional opponents including a convincing win over 13-7 Northwestern. They get that Northwestern team straight out of the gate with Maconaquah waiting. The road isn’t really easy for anyone except maybe Peru. Peru would only have to face Benton Central (6-16) and Western (3-18) to make it to the Sectional Championship game where any of Peru, West Lafayette, or Maconaquah wouldn’t really be a surprise winner.