Sectional Draw Reactions – Class 3A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 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 3A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Most Intriguing Sectional - Sectional 23 @ Peru</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anytime you see a sectional field with two 20-win teams, two other who have won at least two-thirds of their games, and a fifth who is above .500 it is going to grab your attention. Norwell and Oak Hill are ranked #8 and #10 respectively in the Prep Hoops Indiana Class 3A poll as 20 game winners. It was early in the season, but Norwell won their matchup over Oak Hill 76-50. You can expect the Golden Eagles, who have won six straight to end the season, to be ready for some revenge. However, 14-7 Peru led by junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1158198' first='Matthew' last='Roettger'] who averages 19.2 points per game and will make for a tough out in the semifinals. [player_tooltip player_id='1784929' first='Bauer' last='Maple'] (26.6 points per game) and [player_tooltip player_id='1747066' first='Josiah' last='Ball'] (20.0 points per game) are two other high scoring players who will make Maconaquah dangerous as well in the top half of the bracket. This is likely Norwell's sectional to lose, but it won't be easy to cut down the nets at Peru with all of the talent across the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>State Title Favorite - NorthWood</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers are on an absolute roll to finish off the season. They have won 13 straight including several blowout victories that have led to building their average margin of victory to over 22 points per game. Led by Huntington signee [player_tooltip player_id='1226596' first='Cade' last='Brenner'] and Grace signee [player_tooltip player_id='1391324' first='Ian' last='Raasch'] this is the best team in the Class 3A field coming into the tournament. Brenner averages 17.6 points per game while Raasch is at 15.6 points per game. 6'7" sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1297122' first='Tyler' last='Raasch'] and junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1225303' first='Ethan' last='Wolfe'] provide some additional depth for the Panthers who have reached back-to-back regional championship games. They will get a test in the Sectional 20 championship game against 20-3 West Noble, but that was a game they won on the road earlier this season. NorthWood is battled tested, has the top end talent, and the depth to make it all of the way and cut down the nets at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Best First Round Matchup - Heritage Christian vs. Brebeuf Jesuit</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Less than two weeks ago these two Indianapolis area rivals played and Brebeuf Jesuit came away with a 54-52 victory. Purdue signee [player_tooltip player_id='868229' first='Myles' last='J. Colvin'] gives Heritage Christian a chance to win every time they step on the floor, but with just an 11-11 record success has been very marginal this year. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1275802' first='Reis' last='Butcher'] was excellent defensively the first time around, but you can expect Colvin will be ready to prove he can lead the Eagles on a state tournament run. Look for junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1578390' first='Evan' last='Haywood'] to be the key in this one for the Braves. He is averaging 14.2 points per game to lead Brebeuf while senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='935746' first='Merrick' last='Macaluso'] is averaging 12.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. There is definitely better overall talent and depth on the Brebeuf sideline, but Colvin's 20+ points per game can keep them in any game. This will be a a fun one to watch on Tuesday night at Indianapolis Shortridge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->