Regional 12 Preview: Breakdown

Landon Bundy

February 27, 2021 @ 01:49 PM

The high school season is almost over and we are getting locked in for the State Playoffs. It is that time of year where we start looking ahead and previewing each and every Sectional. We begin today at the top.   Sectional 45: Southwestern (Hanover) The Teams: Austin, Clarksville, Henryville, Providence, Southwestern (Hanover), Switzerland County Our Contenders: Southwestern (Hanover), Henryville Player To Watch: [player_tooltip player_id="874163" first="Foster" last="Mefford"] (2021) - Southwestern (Hanover) Prediction: Southwestern (Hanover) is the definite favorite in Sectional 45, and I would expect them to roll past Switzerland County in the opening round. Henryville awaits in the second round, and since these two teams have not played during the regular season, the bye will help Henryville get an entire week to prepare for the game. Nonetheless, I think [player_tooltip player_id="874163" first="Foster" last="Mefford"], Austin Kramer, and [player_tooltip player_id="963912" first="Matthew" last="Williams"] will be too much for the Hornets. On the other side, it is a relative toss-up as Providence, Clarksville, and Austin all played each other tough this season. The numbers say Providence is the favorite, and I expect them to get past Austin fairly easily and avenging their 3-point loss to Clarksville to make the Sectional finals. Ultimately though, Southwestern (Hanover) is the powerhouse of the Sectional and they should roll to their third Sectional title in four years.   Sectional 46: Paoli The Teams: Crawford County, Eastern (Pekin), Paoli, Perry Central, Tell City Our Contenders: Perry Central, Paoli Player To Watch: [player_tooltip player_id="874116" first="Brett" last="Bosley"] (2021) - Paoli Prediction: Perry Central should roll through their first two games of the Sectional with Eastern (Pekin) and Tell City to reach their first Sectional final since 2014 when they won back-to-back Sectional titles. On the other side of the bracket, Paoli will take on Crawford County in a game that Paoli should control and get the win. Then, we will have a battle between Paoli and Perry Central in the Sectional finals as Paoli will look to avenge their 2-point loss in the Sectional finals last season. Perry Central dominated Paoli 68-33 at home just last week, and although I would expect Paoli to put up a much better fight on their home court, Perry Central should prove to be too much and take home their first title in 7 years.   Sectional 47: Eastern Greene The Teams: Eastern Greene, Linton-Stockton, Mitchell, North Knox, South Knox Our Contenders: Eastern Green, Linton-Stockton, North Knox, South Knox Player To Watch: [player_tooltip player_id="783147" first="Lincoln" last="Hale"] (2021) - Linton-Stockton Prediction: Although naming four of the five teams as contenders may seem counter-intuitive, I truly believe that this Sectional is wide-open. South Knox takes on Linton-Stockton on opening night in what should be a tight game to the finish, but I think Indiana State commit, [player_tooltip player_id="783147" first="Lincoln" last="Hale"], will prove too much for South Knox. North Knox should breeze past Mitchell and into the finals thanks to their great draw. On the other side of the bracket, Linton-Stockton will have to take down the host, Eastern Greene, who have already beaten the Miners this season, 62-52, at the end of January. Thanks to the home court and the extra couple of days to rest and prepare, I am going to take Eastern Greene to pull off the upset on their home court. I think the Sectional winner should come out of the bottom of the bracket, but it won’t be easy for any of these teams against North Knox in the finals. Nonetheless, I have the hosts taking home their first Sectional title since 2012.   Sectional 48: Southridge The Teams: Evansville Mater Dei, Forest Park, North Posey, South Spencer, Southridge, Tecumseh Our Contenders: Evansville Mater Dei, South Spencer, Southridge Player To Watch: [player_tooltip player_id="783142" first="Colson" last="Montgomery"] (2021) - Southridge Prediction: Tuesday night in Huntingburg will be one of the best opening nights in 2A across the state with matchups between the top four teams in the Sectional. Evansville Mater Dei will take on the host, Southridge, to start it off. [player_tooltip player_id="783142" first="Colson" last="Montgomery"] is going to be either pitching for Indiana University next season or in the minor leagues after being drafted this summer, but before this, he is not going to want his basketball career to end in the first round of the tournament. Despite Mater Dei’s win during the season, I think Montgomery is the difference on his home court, and Southridge advances. On the other side, South Spencer takes on Forest Park, and despite Forest Park’s best season since their run to State in 2018, South Spencer is just too much for them. South Spencer and Southridge should both roll through their semifinal game and meet in the Sectional title game. The Rebels knocked out Southridge this year, and despite Montgomery’s top-notch season for the Raiders, the team chemistry and all-around scoring ability by South Spencer will be too much and the Rebels will take home their second straight Sectional title.