Sectional Preview: Martinsville Regional

<p>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 the pairings that make up the Martinsville Regional.</p> <p><strong>Sectional 57: White River Valley</strong></p> <p><strong>The Teams: </strong>Bloomfield, Shakamak, White River Valley, Clay City, Bloomington Lighthouse, North Central (Farmersburg), Eminence</p> <p><strong>Our Contenders: </strong>Bloomfield, Shakamak</p> <p><strong>Player to Watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="870307" first="Baylin" last="Graf"] (2022) - Bloomfield</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>No disrespect to the other teams competing at White River Valley, but the sectional championship is likely being played Tuesday night in the first round between Bloomfield and Shakamak. The 17-6 Cardinals won this matchup at Shakamak 66-34 back on December 3rd, but senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="870310" first="Coy" last="Gilbert"] and the Lakers have rattled off eight straight wins heading into sectional play. This certainly could be an entirely different ball game than the one played back in early December. Watching [player_tooltip player_id="870307" first="Baylin" last="Graf"] and [player_tooltip player_id="870310" first="Coy" last="Gilbert"] battle it out will be a fun matchup this evening.</p> <p><strong>Sectional 58: Bethesda Christian</strong></p> <p><strong>The Teams: </strong>Traders Point Christian, Indiana Deaf, Indianapolis Metropolitan, Indianapolis Riverside, Indianapolis International, Indiana Math &amp; Science, Bethesda Christian</p> <p><strong>Our Contenders: </strong>Indianapolis Metropolitan, Bethesda Christian</p> <p><strong>Player to Watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1267650" first="Omari" last="Ferguson"] (2022) - Indianapolis Metropolitan</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>When just looking at the records you would generally assume that this is Bethesda Christian’s sectional to lose. However, when you actually watch the teams play, you know that Indy Met has a very good chance to cut the nets down this weekend. The Pumas may be just 10-12, but they play a very difficult schedule and have primarily lost to 3A and 4A teams. These two are on opposite sides of the bracket so we will have to wait until Saturday for this matchup.</p> <p><strong>Sectional 59: Indianapolis Lutheran</strong></p> <p><strong>The Teams: </strong>Providence Cristo Rey, Greenwood Christian, Central Christian, Indianapolis Lutheran, Victory College Prep, Indianapolis Tindley</p> <p><strong>Our Contenders: </strong>Indianapolis Tindley</p> <p><strong>Player to Watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1174129" first="Aaron" last="Humphrey"] (2022) - Indianapolis Tindley</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Greenwood Christian has a solid team that has a 15-9 record, 16-8 Central Christian has a pair of talented seniors who can compete with anyone, and Indianapolis Lutheran is 15-5 and have spent time in Class 1A Top 10 this season. However, Tindley is a legitimate Class 1A state title contender. It would be very surprising to see anyone besides the Tigers cutting down the nets on Saturday night. 6’5" senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="1174129" first="Aaron" last="Humphrey"] averages 17.7 points and 9.5 rebounds per game while junior 6’4" wing [player_tooltip player_id="868226" first="Jayden" last="Pinkston"] adds 12.3 points for Tindley.</p> <p><strong>Sectional 60: Southwestern (Shelbyville)</strong></p> <p><strong>The Teams: Rising Sun, Jac-Cen-Del, Hauser, Morristown, Southwestern (Shelbyville), Oldenburg Academy, Waldron</strong></p> <p><strong>Our Contenders: </strong>Jac-Cen-Del</p> <p><strong>Player to Watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="870287" first="Wyatt" last="Day"] (2022) - Jac-Cen-Del</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>The Eagles of Jac-Cen-Del are playing their best basketball at the right time of the season. They have won seven straight games and finished the regular season with a 17-5 record including going a perfect 4-0 against sectional opponents. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="870287" first="Wyatt" last="Day"] is averaging 20.1 points per game and senior wing Caleb Simon adds 18.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game for a very good one-two punch. Waldron will likely be the championship game opponent, but Jac-Cen-Del already beat the Mohawks by 26 points this season.</p>