Tony’s State Predictions
Tony’s State Predictions Here is my breakdown of the Final Four, State Predictions, Surprise Teams, and some Players to Watch for each Class as I put together all of my thoughts and evaluations from the year of watching high school…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingTony’s State Predictions
Here is my breakdown of the Final Four, State Predictions, Surprise Teams, and some Players to Watch for each Class as I put together all of my thoughts and evaluations from the year of watching high school basketball. Here is how I see the month of March unfolding:
Final Four Predictions
4A: Fort Wayne North Side, South Bend Riley, North Central, New Albany
3A: Culver Academies, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers, Indianapolis Attucks, Evansville Bosse
2A: Churubusco, Oak Hill, Indianapolis Broad Ripple, Providence
1A: Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian, Lafayette Central Catholic, Indianapolis Tindley, Wood Memorial
Breakdown
After an interesting season of high school basketball, the case could be made for many teams to make a run to the Final Four in their respective classes but the list above are some of the teams that put it together all year long. Fort Wayne North Side has talent in their starting five but will rely heavily on a six/seven player rotation in the postseason. Many would want to see a Fort Wayne North Side and South Bend Riley rematch after the way their most recent game ended. The North Central and New Albany game may prove to be better as we would have a matchup of high major talent. In 3A, Culver Academies have a relatively easy run to the Final Four but I have Fort Wayne Bishop Luers knocking out a strong NorthWood team. Very easily could see NorthWood take that Regional. Indianapolis and Evansville Bosse will have a much tougher route to get to the Final Four. The winner of the Indianapolis Attucks and Brebeuf Jesuit could be the team entering the Final Four. Churubusco has been a quiet team this season but have been putting together quality wins as of late. Oak Hill and Indianapolis Broad Ripple should be teams to keep a close eye on as Indianapolis Broad Ripple is going to be a tough team to knock out in March. I picked Providence to come out of their Regional but it could very easily be Barr-Reeve with the season that they are having. Blackhawk Christian’s roster continues to thin as they will be without their big man and a slasher from the wing but they should still make it through their Regional. Lafayette Central Catholic and Indianapolis Tindley will be the two teams to keep an eye on in the Sectional and Regional rounds as Indianapolis Tindley is heavily favored in Class 1A. Wood Memorial has proven that they know how to win games but will need to be playing at a high level to make it to the Final Four.
State Predictions
4A: Fort Wayne North Side
3A: Culver Academies
2A: Indianapolis Broad Ripple
1A: Indianapolis Tindley
Breakdown
Although many people are high on North Central to be their favorite for the 4A State Title, I look at North Side and see all the pieces necessary to pull it off. Jaylen Butz and Keion Brooks Jr. will need to be playing basketball at an elite level but I do believe they have what it takes to take it home. In 3A, Culver has put together a very strong season and have plentiful scoring options from freshman to senior. If their defense can step up in the postseason, I like their chances to make a run at the State Title. Indianapolis Broad Ripple has multiple players that seem to have the winning mentality and could easily be the sleeper pick to win the State Title in 3A. Indianapolis Tindley may have been the easiest pick out of all of the classes for the State Title. They have talent that other Class 1A teams cannot matchup with including Eric Hunter Jr.
Surprise Teams
4A: Castle
3A: Griffith
2A: Churubusco
1A: Tri-County
Breakdown
Castle has a lot of pieces that matchup well with most 4A teams including having Nunge playing at a high level comes the end of the season. They will not be an easy out for any of their opponents unless they beat themselves. In Class 3A, Griffith has been having a strong season with only one loss to another 3A school. I look for Griffith to surprise a few people and beat some teams that people don’t think that they should. Churubusco will most likely surprise everyone that gets a chance to watch them play. Jalen Paul has been playing at an outrageous level this season and has instilled the winning mindset and mentality in his team. I look for them to break through to Regionals (first-time in school history). Tri-County is also another team that has been flying under the radar with a strong season and could continue that level of play into their sectional.
Players to Watch
4A: Jaylen Butz – Fort Wayne North Side
3A: Jamal Harris – Indianapolis Attucks
2A: Sam Colbert – Indianapolis Broad Ripple
1A: Carson Barrett – Lafayette Central Catholic
Breakdown
Jaylen Butz, the Depaul commit, has been having a strong season on both ends of the floor this season for Fort Wayne North Side. If they are going to put together a state run, Butz will need to continue his dominance on the glass and be a rim protector for the Legends. He has put together multiple double-double games this season with a few 20-20 games in there. He will need to play at that level for Fort Wayne North Side to make it to the State Championship. Jamal Harris is one of the most athletic players in the state and is an integral part to Indianapolis Attucks making a state run this year. He falls into the shadows at times behind Nike Sibande but the junior wing has had some really strong games where he looked unstoppable. He will definitely be a player to watch if Indianapolis Attucks wants to make some noise in the postseason. Sam Colbert is a huge key to Indianapolis Broad Ripple down the stretch. His ability to get into the gaps and create opportunities for himself or his teammates will be huge in late game situations. If Indianapolis Broad Ripple wants to win the rings, Colbert will be crucial. It could very well be the case the Lafayette Central Catholic will see Indianapolis Tindley in the State Title game and Carson Barrett will have to be everything that he has been and more for his team. Barrett has shown glimpses of excellence and near triple-double performances as a freshman. Lafayette Central Catholic has experienced players around him, but Barrett is the player that really makes this team go.