Sectional Draw Reactions – Class 1A
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It is officially almost time for Indiana High School Basketball to enter into the most exciting time of year. We have made it through over three months of regular season action and now culminate with a win-or-go-home state tournament. Here…
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Continue ReadingIt is officially almost time for Indiana High School Basketball to enter into the most exciting time of year. We have made it through over three months of regular season action and now culminate with a win-or-go-home state tournament. Here at Prep Hoops Indiana our staff will be previewing all 64 sectionals around the state over the next several days. Let’s take a broader look at the sectional draws in Class 1A.
Most Intriguing Sectional – Sectional 63 @ Loogootee
North Daviess came out of the gauntlet that is Sectional 63 last season to win the Class 1A state championship. Then, the Cougars were moved up to Class 2A before ultimately electing to compete in the Class 3A state tournament. That opened things up, but there are still multiple teams here with ultimate aspirations of cutting down the nets at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Class 1A #2 Orleans (20-2) and Class 1A #5 Loogootee (15-7) are both still in this sectional along with traditional powerhouse Barr-Reeve (12-10). Orleans will have the smoothest trip to the finals, but either way it is likely a collision course between the two Top 5 programs. Junior wing Ian Hall Ian Hall 6'2" | SG Orleans | 2024 IN leads a balanced attack for the Bulldogs while unsigned senior guard Peyton Bledsoe Peyton Bledsoe 6'4" | SF Loogootee | 2023 State IN is one of the elite scorers at the 1A level. This sectional will be a meat grinder as always.
State Title Favorite – Bloomfield
Bloomfield has earned the right to be considered the Class 1A state championship favorite. 6’7″ senior center Peter Combs Peter Combs 6'6" | PF Bloomfield | 2023 State IN has had an excellent season anchoring the Cardinals attack around the basket. Their only losses this season were to Class 4A North Central and then a pair of losses to Class 2A #1 Linton-Stockton. Meanwhile, they have defeated teams such as Terre Haute South, Evansville Christian, Loogootee, North Daviess, and Bloomington South. They are battled tested and ready for the state tournament atmosphere. However, they will begin with a relatively tough test in their sectional against 16-6 Clay City. The Cardinals are 5-0 against sectional opponents though with their closest win being by 16 points. They should have no problem advancing to the regional round.
Best First Round Matchup – Tindley vs. Greenwood Christian
The Greenwood Christian Cougars have moved all the way up to #3 in the Class 1A rankings after winning their last 10 straight. Their only loss to a 1A opponent came against Bethesda Christian which they have since avenged with a recent 23-point victory. Junior guard Max Booher Max Booher 6'3" | SG Greenwood Christian | 2024 State IN has had an excellent season leading the Cougars with about 16 points per game on 38% three-point shooting during their winning streak. As for Tindley, they play a tougher schedule than most teams at their level so their 11-13 record is a little misleading. They have a talented backcourt duo of senior Arlondo Hall Arlondo Hall 5'8" | PG Tindley | 2023 State IN (21.1 points per game) and freshman Dezhon Hall Dezhon Hall 6'3" | PG Pike | 2026 State IN (17.1 points per game). This will be a heck of a way to tip off the action in Sectional 58 hosted by Indianapolis Lutheran.