Regional 2 Preview: Breakdown
In this article:
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.…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe 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 5: East Noble
The Teams: Carroll (Fort Wayne), DeKalb, East Noble, Fort Wayne North, Fort Wayne Northrop, Fort Wayne Snider
Our Contenders: Carroll (Fort Wayne), Fort Wayne Snider
Player To Watch: Jalen Jackson Jalen Jackson 6'2" | PG Fort Wayne Northrop | 2022 State IN (2022) – Carroll (Fort Wayne)
Prediction: Carroll went on the road to beat Snider 65-63 late in January, and I have to think that Carroll’s experience will give them the edge they need to pull it out. No matter what, this potential championship round matchup will be outstanding with Ryan Preston Ryan Preston 6'2" | SG Fort Wayne Carroll | 2021 State IN , Jalen Jackson Jalen Jackson 6'2" | PG Fort Wayne Northrop | 2022 State IN , and Sam Strycker Sam Strycker 6'4" | PF Fort Wayne Carroll | 2021 State IN vs. Karson Jenkins Karson Jenkins 6'1" | PG Fort Wayne Snider | 2022 State IN , Aidan Lambert, and Jade Moore.
Sectional 6: Columbia City
The Teams: Columbia City, Fort Wayne South, Fort Wayne Wayne, Homestead, Huntington North, New Haven
Our Contenders: Homestead
Player To Watch: Fletcher Loyer Fletcher Loyer 6'4" | SG Homestead | 2022 State #108 Nation IN (2022) – Homestead
Prediction: Homestead is 22-0 this season and the undisputed #1 team in the state. They are 16-0 against 4A schools with wins over Cathedral, Warren Central, Lawrence North, North Central, and Fort Wayne Blackhawk among others. They are the definite favorite to win the state title, and after beating their Sectional opponents by an average of 36 points per game this season, they shouldn’t have a problem winning Sectional. Huntington North was the only Sectional opponent that lost by under 30, so this first-round matchup could be their toughest. New Haven got the bye and a fairly easy second-round matchup with the winner of Fort Wayne Wayne and Columbia City, so they should have a chance to upset the Spartans in the Sectional finals.
Sectional 7: Marion
The Teams: Harrison (West Lafayette), Kokomo, Lafayette Jeff, Logansport, Marion, McCutcheon
Our Contenders: Lafayette Jeff, McCutcheon
Player To Watch: Brooks Barnhizer Brooks Barnhizer 6'5" | SF Lafayette Jeff | 2021 State #203 Nation IN (2021) – Lafayette Jeff
Prediction: This Sectional opens up with a bang with a battle of two of the top players in the state of Indiana, Brooks Barnhizer Brooks Barnhizer 6'5" | SF Lafayette Jeff | 2021 State #203 Nation IN and Jalen Blackmon Jalen Blackmon 6'2" | PG Marion | 2021 State #244 Nation IN , as Lafayette Jeff takes on Marion in a monster matchup. Harrison (WL) is waiting in the wings with a bye to take on the winner. McCutcheon definitely is the winner of this draw with a bye and the winner of Logansport/Kokomo on Friday. McCutcheon took down Lafayette Jeff during the regular season, but my guess is that Jeff fights through their tough draw and avenges this loss to McCutcheon to take home the Sectional title.
Sectional 8: Carmel
The Teams: Carmel, Fishers, Hamilton Southeastern, Noblesville, Westfield, Zionsville
Our Contenders: Carmel, Fishers, Westfield
Player To Watch: Jeffrey Simmons Jeffrey Simmons 6'7" | PF Fishers | 2022 State IN (2022) – Fishers
Prediction: Carmel is the obvious favorite in this Sectional at 19-2 and the #2 team in the state, but Fishers was able to beat them just two weeks ago in a low-scoring, defensive battle. Also, Westfield is always dangerous with the firepower of Braden Smith Braden Smith 6'0" | PG Westfield | 2022 State IN . The Sectional opens on Monday with Fishers v. Hamilton Southeastern and Zionsville v. Westfield. Carmel will have a tough semifinal matchup as Fishers beat them earlier in the season, and the winner of Zionsville/Westfield should be able to take down Noblesville. This Sectional is always a classic with close games throughout the entire tournament, and although Carmel is the favorite, upsets always happen in Sectional 8. This one is one that you don’t want to miss.