4A Regional 1: Preview
The end of the season is fast approaching and we are doing a ton of looking ahead over the next few days as we begin to preview the first weekend of the Indiana State Tournament. Today, we are looking at…
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Continue ReadingThe end of the season is fast approaching and we are doing a ton of looking ahead over the next few days as we begin to preview the first weekend of the Indiana State Tournament. Today, we are looking at the four Sectionals that make up the Michigan City Regional.
Sectional 1: East Chicago Central
Contenders:
Munster*
Gary West
Lake Central
Merrillville
East Chicago Central
Highland
Hammond Morton
Draw Results: Munster got a great draw as they avoided Gary West and Lake Central. Only Merrillville is a threat on the top half of the bracket. Lake Central is a team that is capable of an upset and getting Gary West with a week plus to game plan is a great scenario.
Sectional Notes: One team in this Sectional is above all of the others and that is Munster. They have dominated this season, ranked in our Top 10 in 4A and are 7-0 against teams in their Sectional. But, Lake Central and Gary West have been very good this year. They need to be playing their best ball late here as Munster beat LC by 19 and 9 in their two meetings this season. Munster and Gary West have yet to play so that meeting could be the one to watch. Not sure if any of Merrillville, East Chicago, Highland, or Hammond Morton has shown enough this year to really be involved.
My Predictions: Going with Munster here. They are just the best team on paper and has a coach in Mike Hackett that knows how to win and win at the 4A level. Bye game, easier path, time to plan, should be the favorite.
Sectional 2: Valparaiso
Contenders:
Chesterton*
Valparaiso
Crown Point
Lowell
Hobart
Portage
Draw Results: This draw is fairly balanced with the top two teams on opposite sides and really that is about all you can hope for. Valparaiso getting the bye game is helpful especially as their first potential matchup doesn’t look too difficult. Chesterton should have a path to the Championship game but could have been easier.
Sectional Notes: This Sectional looks like it is Chesterton’s to lose but don’t be shocked if there are some big upsets. Crown Point and Valparaiso have been solid this year and could have a chance to make some noise. Crown Point has really been tested this season and have some wins that could help late. Not sure Hobart or Portage have the offensive firepower to outplay any of those top teams. Lowell has won some games but doesn’t have what we would classify as a “good” win.
My Predictions: Chesterton is the pick here but wouldn’t be surprised with a Valparaiso upset as they do have the easier path and only lost to them by 3 just a few days ago. Crown Point won’t be a pushover for Chesterton but they have beaten them twice this season by double-digits.
Sectional 3: LaPorte
Contenders:
Culver Academies*
South Bend Adams
Michigan City
South Bend Riley
LaPorte
Mishawaka
Plymouth
Draw Results: The way the draw laid out, it is hard not to feel happy if you are Culver Academies. Michigan City and South Bend Adams on the opposite side and only having to play just one of those guys at most is a huge win. South Bend Riley could have had some success as they have beaten 3 teams in this Sectional, but they didn’t get lucky with this draw.
Sectional Notes: This Sectional could go any number of ways. Culver does look like the far-and-away favorite and have been great since Trey Galloway came back off the shelf but Michigan City and South Bend Adams have both been impressive in their own ways. Adams only loss to a Sectional opponent was to Michigan City by 5 earlier this month. Outside of that, Adams has wins over Northrop, Mishawaka Marian, Franklin Central, South Bend Washington, and South Bend St. Joseph. They have shown they can beat top teams. Riley doesn’t look like it has enough talent, nor does any of the other three teams.
My Predictions: Culver Academies should win this but if Michigan City or South Bend Adams get rolling, it won’t be a walk in the park. Both teams have enough offense to keep up with them.
Sectional 4: Elkhart
Contenders:
Northridge
Elkhart Memorial
Warsaw
Goshen
Penn
Elkhart Central
Concord
Draw Results: The team this worked out for the best might end up being Warsaw. Northridge does get a little easier start but they haven’t exactly blow teams away in conference this year. They have had to grind. Warsaw gets Goshen, who they beat by 10, and then Penn or Elkhart Central who are good teams but within reason for them.
Sectional Notes: This is a very interesting Sectional as all the teams are pretty evenly matched with their strength of schedule but the results are wildly different. Only Northridge and Elkhart Memorial have winning records among Sectional opponents but Warsaw has a solid record overall and only lost to Northridge by 4 points during the season. Penn has been a powerhouse for some time but they are in a down year, as is Concord. Northridge does look like the best team on paper but they haven’t been too convincing to be the favorite without being blind to the Sectional draw.
My Predictions: Northridge gets the slight edge here as it is much more likely that they get to the Championship game than anyone else but could see as many as four teams with better than 20% chance to win here. Not an easy Sectional at all.