Preseason Team Rankings: #18

<p>It’s now creeping up on the start of the high school season and we are looking to start our series of previews on some of the best teams in the state. Today, Eric Gardner and Kyler Staley join up to start our deep dive into some of these teams.</p> <p>Our series will take a look at the best teams in the state for each class with our rankings. Starting at #50 and going to #1, we will look at each class ranking across all classes starting now with #18.</p> <p><b>1A #18: Seton Catholic</b><br /> 1A this year will be a little more wide open than in the past few years and look for a team like Seton Catholic to hover around the better teams this eyar. With Jacob Moynihan and Jaden Swiderek back, they bring back 2 of their top 4 scorers and their size returns as well in Moynihan. They will need to see a few others step up but they haven't really had issues with that in the past. Add in the fact that their Sectional ins't tough at all this year and they are one of the top teams in their Regional. Might have some tough points in this season but should have a great season.</p> <p><strong>2A #18: Blackford</strong><br /> Blackford will have one of the best scorers we have seen in a while in their backcourt in Luke Brown. He's setup to have a massive season. But he has a little help this year maybe more so than in the past two. Looks for guys like Brandon Stroble and Dalton Willmann to step up along with a pair of interesting freshman. Dayton Hoover and Dawson Hundley are both capable of helping the now 2A program step up in a better spot. Blackford has gotten some wins during the regular season over the last two years but can't breakthrough in the Sectional. Now, moving down, they get an easier road but will still have Tipton staring at them.</p> <p><strong>3A #18: Brownstown Central</strong><br /> Brownstown Central is coming off a year in which they graduated six seniors and all of their starters. This will be a whole new team. However, this won't be the first time and he does have some new seniors stepping up. They should be deeper than they have been in the past and while they might take an initial step back, head coach Dave Benter just knows how to develop and win. The last time he won less than 10 games in a season, it was 1999. If there is a discussion of schools that you know will be ready to play in March regardless of circumstances, Brownstown Central is at the top of that list.</p> <p><b>4A #18: Gary West</b><br /> Over the last few years, Chris Buggs and Gary West have been gearing up for a big run and that might start now. Although they have moved up to 4A, this team is absolutely stacked with talent. Quimari Peterson and Jalen Washington are two DI talents that are going to be major factors to stop as an inside-out duo. They also have a ton of depth with Parion and Paris Roberson as well as some young players that could play a role. Their schedule isn't made to be easy as they travel a ton and play some high-level teams. They should be geared up to go come Sectionals.</p>