Sectional Preview: New Castle Regional
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. Time to take a look at…
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. Time to take a look at the pairings that make up the New Castle Regional.
Sectional 21: Wawasee
The Teams: NorthWood, Lakeland, West Noble, Tippecanoe Valley, Wawasee
Our Contenders: NorthWood, West Noble, Tippecanoe Valley
Player To Watch: Cade Brenner Cade Brenner 6'3" | SG NorthWood | 2023 State IN (2023) – NorthWood
Prediction: This is arguably the most bottom heavy draw in any 3A Sectional with NorthWood getting a bye and West Noble and Tippecanoe Valley facing off with each other in the opening round. NorthWood getting a bye here is a huge advantage because they are arguably the best team in this Sectional. The West Noble and Tippecanoe Valley is going to be a battle and it honestly going to come down to which 2023 prospect is going to have the better game between Nolan Cumberland Nolan Cumberland 6'3" | SG Tippecanoe Valley | 2023 State IN and Austin Cripe Austin Cripe 6'3" | SG West Noble | 2023 State IN . Going to go with West Noble here to advance to the semis before falling to NorthWood. Once NorthWood advances to the finals, expect an easy win over host Wawasee as the Panthers win their 3rd straight Sectional.
Sectional 22: Garrett
The Teams: Leo, Fort Wayne Concordia, Woodlan, Garrett, Fort Wayne Luers, Angola, Fort Wayne Dwenger
Our Contenders: Leo, Woodlan, Fort Wayne Dwenger, Fort Wayne Concordia
Player To Watch: Caedmon Bontrager Caedmon Bontrager 6'8" | PF Leo | 2022 State IN (2022) – Leo
Prediction: At first glance at this bracket, Luke LaGrange Luke LaGrange 6'5" | SF Leo | 2022 State IN and Leo got the best draw by far as they have an easy path to the finals only having to go through a poor Angola and Fort Wayne Luers team. The bottom half of the bracket is where things get a little more challenging to pick. Concordia got a good opening draw vs host Garrett, which they should win but the best game in Sectional 22 that opening round will be Joe Reidy Joe Reidy 6'7" | SF Woodlan | 2022 State IN and Woodlan vs Preston Ross Preston Ross 6'8" | PF Bishop Dwenger | 2023 State IN and Fort Wayne Dwenger. I like Woodlan to not only escape from Dwenger but to beat Concordia in the semis for a meetup with Leo, who they will actually play on 2/25 this week. Should get a better understanding of how Woodlan matches up with the loaded Leo team but until proven wrong, Leo is the team to beat in Sectional 22.
Sectional 23: Norwell
The Teams: Mississinewa, Norwell, Oak Hill, Eastern (Greentown), Bellmont, Heritage
Our Contenders: Norwell, Oak Hill, Bellmont
Player To Watch: Luke McBride Luke McBride 6'1" | PG Norwell | 2023 State IN (2023) – Norwell
Prediction: Only fitting that the host Norwell gets the best draw here. In the opening round, the Knights will play a poor Heritage team before going onto the semis to face an Eastern (Greentown) team will give them a slight challenge but should ultimately defeat. The favorite of the bottom half is the 16-4 Oak Hill Golden Eagles who will likely play Bellmont after they defeat Mississinewa. Oak Hill and Norwell are destine to meetup in the finals for a rematch from there Dec. 2nd battle which saw Norwell win 47-35. Just like the outcome this past December, Norwell will win this one as well.
Sectional 24: New Castle
The Teams: New Castle, Hamilton Heights, Yorktown, Delta, Jay County, Muncie Burris
Our Contenders: New Castle, Jay County, Delta
Player To Watch: Jackson Wors Jackson Wors 6'4" | PF Delta | 2024 State IN (2024) – Delta
Prediction: Kind of like Sectional 21, this one is another lopsided bracket in Class 3A with New Castle, Jay County, and Hamilton Heights all on the top half. The winner of Sectional 24 will likely be decided by whoever wins the Trey Miller Trey Miller 6'1" | SG New Castle | 2022 IN and New Castle vs Jay County opening round game. Feel like the home court advantage will help push New Castle not only past Jay County but will get them all the way to the finals after they beat Hamilton Heights in the semis. As far as the bottom half, that really is Delta’s side to lose and Yorktown and Muncie Burris two very beatable teams. That sets up solid clash between New Castle and Delta and I think with an even more fired up Trojan fanbase in attendance, they will be able to win their 2nd straight Sectional championship.