Sectional Preview – Martinsville Regional
In this article:
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…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
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 dive on in with Sectionals 57-60 which feed into the Class 1A Martinsville Regional.
Sectional 57: White River Valley
The Teams: Bloomfield, Bloomington Lighthouse, Clay City, Dugger Union, North Central (Farmersburg), Shakamak, White River Valley
The Contender: Bloomfield (21-3)
Player to Watch: Peter Combs Peter Combs 6'6" | PF Bloomfield | 2023 State IN (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 Peter Combs Peter Combs 6'6" | PF Bloomfield | 2023 State IN 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
Sectional 58: Indiana Deaf
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), Maury Lewis Maury Lewis 6'2" | SG Indiana Math & Science Academy | 2023 IN (Indiana Math & Science 2023), Sam Mlagan Sam Mlagan 6'2" | PG Bethesda Christian | 2024 State IN (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 Sam Mlagan Sam Mlagan 6'2" | PG Bethesda Christian | 2024 State IN 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
Sectional 59: Indianapolis Lutheran
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: Max Booher Max Booher 6'3" | SG Greenwood Christian | 2024 State IN (Greenwood Christian 2024), Arlondo Hall Arlondo Hall 5'8" | PG Tindley | 2023 State IN (Tindley H.S. 2023), Dezhon Hall Dezhon Hall 6'3" | PG Pike | 2026 State IN (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 Arlondo Hall Arlondo Hall 5'8" | PG Tindley | 2023 State IN and freshman Dezhon Hall Dezhon Hall 6'3" | PG Pike | 2026 State IN 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
Sectional 60: Edinburgh
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: Caleb Dewey Caleb Dewey 6'3" | SF Edinburgh | 2023 State IN (Edinburg H.S. 2023), Devin Grieshop (Jac-Cen-Del H.S. 2023), Jacob Scruggs Jacob Scruggs 6'1" | PG South Decatur | 2024 State IN (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 Jacob Scruggs Jacob Scruggs 6'1" | PG South Decatur | 2024 State IN 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 Caleb Dewey Caleb Dewey 6'3" | SF Edinburgh | 2023 State IN 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