Sectional Preview - Martinsville Regional

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 dive on in with Sectionals 57-60 which feed into the Class 1A Martinsville Regional.   <h2>Sectional 57: White River Valley</h2>   The Teams: Bloomfield, Bloomington Lighthouse, Clay City, Dugger Union, North Central (Farmersburg), Shakamak, White River Valley   The Contender: Bloomfield (21-3)   Player to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1557223' first='Peter' last='Combs'] (Bloomfield H.S. 2023)   Prediction: This one is pretty simple. It will be a shock if anyone besides Bloomfield cuts down the nets at White River Valley. The Cardinals come in to sectional play with a 21-3 record and ranked #1 in Class 1A in the Prep Hoops Indiana poll. Senior center [player_tooltip player_id='1557223' first='Peter' last='Combs'] has had a fantastic season leading Bloomfield to a 5-0 record against the sectional field and 9-0 make against fellow Class 1A opponents. Their closes game versus a sectional opponent was a 16 point win over Clay City who they will face in round one. Sectional 57 is pretty cut and dry. Bloomfield   <h2>Sectional 58: Indiana Deaf</h2>   The Teams: Bethesda Christian, Indiana Deaf, Indiana Math & Science, Indianapolis International, Indianapolis Metropolitan, Traders Point Christian   The Contenders: Bethesda Christian (18-4), Traders Point Christian (16-6)   Players to Watch: Amari Justice (Traders Point Christian 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='1424192' first='Maury' last='Lewis'] (Indiana Math & Science 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='1761698' first='Sam' last='Mlagan'] (Bethesda Christian 2024)   Prediction: Traders Point Christian certainly got the benefit of the draw avoiding both Bethesda Christian and Indiana Math & Science who will likely face-off in the semifinals of the top half of the bracket. Led by senior guard Amari Justice, the Knights are a perfect 3-0 against sectional opponents including a 53-47 win over Math & Science. Bethesda Christian though is the favorite on paper entering with a 18-4 record and a #6 ranking in the Prep Hoops Indiana Class 1A poll. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1761698' first='Sam' last='Mlagan'] has had an excellent season averaging 16.9 points per game. They will begin their journey to cutting down the nets against the host Indiana Deaf. Bethesda Christian   <h2>Sectional 59: Indianapolis Lutheran</h2>   The Teams: Eminence, Greenwood Christian, Indianapolis Lutheran, Indianapolis Tindley, Providence Cristo Rey, Victory College Prep   The Contenders: Greenwood Christian (17-6), Indianapolis Lutheran (14-7), Indianapolis Tindley (11-13)   Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1386511' first='Max' last='Booher'] (Greenwood Christian 2024), [player_tooltip player_id='1252307' first='Arlondo' last='Hall'] (Tindley H.S. 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='1560945' first='Dezhon' last='Hall'] (Tindley H.S. 2026), Lonte Ward (Indianapolis Lutheran 2025)   Prediction: Greenwood Christian comes into the state tournament as one of the hottest teams at the Class 1A level. They are ranked #3 in the Prep Hoops Indiana poll after finishing the regular season with 11 straight victories. However, the draw did not do them any favors as they will face-off with a very talented Tindley squad. The Tigers feature talented backcourt duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1252307' first='Arlondo' last='Hall'] and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1560945' first='Dezhon' last='Hall'] who average 18.4 and 17.7 points per game respectively. On the top half of the bracket, Lutheran earned the buy and will await the winner of Eminence and Providence Cristo Rey that should provide an easy path to the final. Still, the run that the Cougars are on makes it hard to pick against them right now. They defeated Lutheran earlier this season 43-40 as well. Greenwood Christian   <h2>Sectional 60: Edinburgh</h2>   The Teams: Edinburgh, Jac-Cen-Del, Morristown, Oldenburg Academy, South Decatur, Southwestern (Shelbyville)   The Contenders: Edinburgh (13-9), Jac-Cen-Del (14-9)   Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='935747' first='Caleb' last='Dewey'] (Edinburg H.S. 2023), Devin Grieshop (Jac-Cen-Del H.S. 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='1158195' first='Jacob' last='Scruggs'] (South Decatur H.S. 2024)   Prediction: This is a well-balanced sectional with a good first round matchup between Edinburgh and South Decatur and Jac-Cen-Del avoiding both on the bottom half of the bracket. South Decatur features high scoring junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1158195' first='Jacob' last='Scruggs'] who averages nearly 19 points per game and gives them a chance to win every time they step out on the floor. Meanwhile, Edinburgh is the defending champion led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='935747' first='Caleb' last='Dewey'] who stuffs that stat sheet with 19.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. Jac-Cen-Del though is the team that enters with the best record and best draw. They've already beaten South Decatur this year but have yet to face Edinburgh. If they get that opportunity it will be in the championship game. The Eagles are the deepest and likely the most battled tested as well. Jac-Cen-Del

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 dive on in with Sectionals 57-60 which feed into the Class 1A Martinsville Regional.