Preseason Team Rankings: #9

<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 #9.</p> <p><b>1A #9: Greenwood Christian</b><br /> Last year, Greenwood Christian was able to make their first Regional since 2013-14 season. Coming off a 16-11 season and some late season success, Jonny Marlin and GC are looking to make a run again this year. They are losing a few key pieces in Payton Modlin and Quentin Steele but they also return their top 3 scorers. The Mccorkle brothers will be huge this year but also add in Andrew Anderson on the wing and you have quite a bit of offense coming back with size as well for a 1A team. It will be them and Indianapolis Tindley who will be very young in their Sectional so there is a real chance to make it back again this year to the second weekend.</p> <p><strong>2A #9: Southwestern (Hanover)</strong><br /> Southwestern is in the middle of one of their best runs in school history. Over the last two years, they have won 49 games to just 5 losses and have back-to-back Sectional Championships. While the loss of Tyler Kramer and Hunter Mefford does hurt their depth, they bring back most of their offense including Matt Williams and Foster Mefford. This was a very balanced and system-run offense so it might be next-man-up time and they have enough pieces to make a run in 2A. While Southridge, Linton-Stockton, and Paoli are also in the South in 2A, their Sectional isn't too difficult and helps them get off to a quick start.</p> <p><strong>3A #9: Greencastle</strong><br /> In the last 3 years, Greencastle has become a really strong program goign 46-28 in head coach Bryce Rector's tenure. They won their first Sectional since the 2003-04 season. Now, they are setup to make a real run with a really deep and talented roster. Led by Brody Whitaker and Benton Parmley, thier top 2 scorers from last season, Greencastle has plenty of scoring options in this deep junior class. Look for Cade Plew and Nick Sutherlin to be the next up for this group. Their Sectional continues to be good but not great and their Regional got quite a bit easier with Attucks moving up to 4A. This could be the year.</p> <p><b>4A #9: Lawrence North</b><br /> Lawrence North is a team that has had a ton of regular season success but playing in their ridiculous Sectional has not afforded them many opportunities to get deep in the tournament. The last time they got out of Sectionals was 2014-15 when they lost to Brownsburg in Regional Semifinals. This year, their Sectional is about as easy as it is going to be with North Central still rebuilding and Cathedral regrouping with youth. LC will still be the best team in their Sectional, though. With Tony Perkins back, he should be the guy to watch here but as always, they are loaded with Dorean Hatton, D.J. Hughes, Shamar Avance, Duane Montgomery, and transfer Chris Gunn. The talent is there like always but can they put it together to overtake the best teams in the state.</p>