Prep Hoops Indiana Daily: 10 Sectional Semifinal X-Factors
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We are down to 256 remaining teams in the 114th Annual IHSAA Boys Basketball State Tournament. On Friday night, that number will be cut in half. Then, by Saturday evening, there will be just 64 teams remaining as they cut…
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Continue ReadingWe are down to 256 remaining teams in the 114th Annual IHSAA Boys Basketball State Tournament. On Friday night, that number will be cut in half. Then, by Saturday evening, there will be just 64 teams remaining as they cut down their respective nets. Prep Hoops Indiana will continue to be your one-stop shop throughout the postseason with live game coverage and unparalleled content before, during, and after the action. Let’s take a look at 10 “X-Factors” who have a potential to flip outcomes on in Friday night’s semifinal round.
Andrean took care of business against Illiana Christian 64-54 on January 8th. The Fighting 59ers face the 15-9 Vikings again in the semifinals of Sectional 33 at Bowman Academy. Austin averages 12.9 points per game and is a constant threat from beyond the arc. His scoring ability will be needed if they are to advance to Saturday’s championship game.
Sectional 29 at Greensburg High School is wide open entering the semifinal round. The first time Lawrenceburg took on Greensburg, the Pirates came out on top 46-42 in two overtimes. Bobo, a 6’5″ junior forward, will be the player to watch for the Tigers if they are to avenge their loss on Friday night. He is averaging 10.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game.
Denning scored 15 points in Columbia City’s 68-49 victory over Homestead back in January, but this is a different Spartans team now. If the Eagles want to advance to the Sectional 6 final on Saturday they will need another strong performance from their senior guard.
An under-the-radar post presence in Indiana’s Class of 2025, Dunmore averages 8.8 points and a team-leading 7.1 rebounds per game for the 13-10 Avon Orioles. His interior strength will need to be a difference-maker once again for Avon to move to the Sectional 12 championship game with a win over Terre Haute South.
Friday night will feature a rubber match between Franklin and Whiteland. Whiteland won the first matchup on January 9th 67-64, but then lost to the Grizzly Cubs 58-55 in overtime on January 19th. Edwards averages 12.9 points per game and will be a key piece for the Warriors if they are to advance to the Sectional 14 championship game.
One of the two dynamic guards for Pike Central, Gish averages 15.2 points per game for the Chargers who will look to avenge a 63-40 loss to Princeton on December 8th. However, both of these teams having something in common in that they each pulled upsets over Heritage Hills this season. In order to come out on top this time around, Pike Central will need a big game from Gish.
Highlights
A lot of people are anxiously awaiting a Sectional 46 rematch between Class 2A #1 Brownstown Central and #2 Providence. However, don’t count out the hosts who are ranked #8 with a 21-3 record. If they have any hopes of pulling off the upset in the Sectional Semifinals, 6’5″ junior forward Landon Kidwell Landon Kidwell 6’6″ | PF Southwestern (Hanover) | 2025 IN will likely serve as the Rebels’ X-Factor. He is averaging 11.7 points and a team-leading 6.9 rebounds per game.
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Rhoades is averaging 13.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game for Mishawka Marian as they have won 13 straight games entering Friday night’s contest against South Bend St. Joseph. The Knights won this matchup 54-51 just a couple of weeks ago. In order to extend their winning streak, and advance to the Sectional 19 championship game, they will need a big night from Rhoades around the basket.
This high-scoring junior guard has been a big reason why South Central (Elizabeth) has had their best season in two decades. The Rebels already knocked off Borden once this season, 65-64 back on December 8th, but they will need a big night from Thomas in order to get the job done again.
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This 6’8″ big man committed to Olivet Nazarene could be the difference for 17-5 Warsaw on Friday night as they take on 18-4 Concord. If they are able to reverse their 56-45 regular season loss to the Minutemen his size and presence on the perimeter will likely be a major factor.