Class 3A Regional Preview: Breakdown
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Sectional play is over and now all of the attention goes to the Regional matchups this weekend. Time to take a look at the pairings that make up the Class 3A Regionals of the state tournament. Regional 5: South Bend…
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Continue ReadingSectional play is over and now all of the attention goes to the Regional matchups this weekend. Time to take a look at the pairings that make up the Class 3A Regionals of the state tournament.
Regional 5: South Bend Washington
The Teams: South Bend St. Joseph’s, Twin Lakes, Hammond, New Prairie
Our Contenders: South Bend St. Joseph’s, Hammond
Player To Watch: Harold Woods Harold Woods 6'3" | SF Hammond | 2021 State IN (Hammond; 2021)
Prediction: It would be a huge upset if one of Hammond or St. Joseph’s didn’t make it past its first round game. So assuming that stays true, it’ll set the stage for a terrific game between the two. The biggest matchup to watch will be in the backcourt with Harold Woods Harold Woods 6'3" | SF Hammond | 2021 State IN (Hammond) and ’JR’ Douglas Konieczny. Both have the ability to score at will, so potentially watching them go at each other on each possession will be fun to watch. I give the slight nod to Hammond due to its more balanced scoring with four players at 10+ points per game.
Regional 6: New Castle
The Teams: New Castle, Northwood, Leo, Mississinewa
Our Contenders: Leo
Player To Watch: Landen Swanner (Mississinew; 2021)
Prediction: Leo has the tougher of the two matchups going up against Mississinewa. Mississinew is led by Landen Swanner who is extremely effective and efficient on the offensive end. If they can get a good showing from Tai McClung Tai McClung 6'4" | SF Mississinewa | 2021 State IN – someone who can be a bit inconsistent at times – then Mississinew has a shot to knock off Leo. If not, I think Leo cruises through this regional and takes down Northwood in the final.
Regional 7: Greencastle
The Teams: Northview, Beech Grove, Greencastle, Guerin Catholic
Our Contenders: Beech Grove, Guerin Catholic
Player To Watch: Joseph Bobilya Joseph Bobilya 5'11" | PG Guerin Catholic | 2021 State IN (Guerin Catholic; 2021)
Prediction: I would be surprised if this wasn’t Beech Grove and Guerin Catholic playing for a chance to go to semi-state. A matchup of the perimeter players will highlight this one, but I think Guerin just has too much firepower with its duo of Joseph Bobilya Joseph Bobilya 5'11" | PG Guerin Catholic | 2021 State IN and Kaleb Edwards Kaleb Edwards 6'2" | SG Guerin Catholic | 2021 State IN to be slowed down, so I think it’s Guerin that comes out of this one.
Regional 8: Washington
The Teams: Heritage Hills, Silver Creek, Connersville, Sullivan
Our Contenders: Heritage Hills, Silver Creek
Player To Watch: Trey Kaufman Trey Kaufman 6'8" | PF Silver Creek | 2021 State #39 Nation IN (Silver Creek; 2022)
Prediction: It’s a big time matchup in the first game of the regional as Silver Creek takes on Heritage Hills. Kaufman and Kooper Jacobi Kooper Jacobi 6'6" | PF Silver Creek | 2021 State IN for Silver Creek against Blake Sisley Blake Sisley 6'8" | PF Heritage Hills | 2021 State IN for Heritage Hills in the frountcourt is going to be a terrific battle. Silver Creek is just too talented from top to bottom, especially when you throw in point guard Branden Northern Branden Northern 5'11" | PG Silver Creek | 2022 State IN into the mix as well. At the bottom, it’s nearly a tossup between Sullivan and Connersville. I give the slight nod to Sullivan due to the firepower that it has offensively with three players averaging at least 15 points per game. Overall, Silver Creek should take this one and should be the team to beat in the Washington Regional.