Tuesday/Wednesday Night Class 1A Sectional Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The IHSAA Tournament got underway on Tuesday Night as every team in the state is vying for a chance to represent their class at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in the State Championship later this month. Tuesday Night I was in attendance for Sectional 64 First Round matchup between the Evansville Christian Eagles and the host Wood Memorial Trojans. Wednesday Night I made the trip up to Sectional 62 hosted by Loogootee where I saw the host Lions face off with the Barr-Reeve Vikings in Night 2 of Sectional 62. Here are the Standouts from the first two nights from the Southwest Indiana Class 1A Sectionals:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tuesday Night Sectional 64</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wood Memorial</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2625556' first='Parker' last='Conder'] | 6'5” | Senior | Forward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior forward started fast impacting the game on both ends of the floor in Wood Memorial's opening night win over Evansville Christian in Sectional 64. At 6'5”, he played with a high motor making him a matchup problem for the Eagles to handle with their young post player that started the game. Conder was great on the defensive end as a rim protector as well as rebounding while he was able to get tough buckets around the basket and even getting a three to fall early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: </strong>12 points | 7 rebounds | 3 blocks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2625553' first='Houston' last='Schoonover'] | 6'2” | Senior | Guard | Committed to Franklin College</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Franklin Commit [player_tooltip player_id='2625553' first='Houston' last='Schoonover'] played the game with an aggressive and physical mentality on every play that I'm not sure I've seen out of him. He was relentless getting two feet in the paint and was able to score in a multitude of ways while playing through contact. Was off all game from the three-point line but didn't settle and was able to affect the game on the defensive end with his rebounding.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: </strong>25 points | 7 rebounds </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2997398' first='Chad' last='E. Sullivan'] | 5'11” | Senior | Guard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Early on the senior all-conference guard struggled with turnovers. Forcing the issue and trying too hard to make plays. In the second half he really settled in commanding the offense by being a threat to score and facilitate. He did a really good job getting downhill and making the right reads to either score or dish it off an open teammate for a layup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: </strong>7 points | 7 rebounds | 8 assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evansville Christian </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3276225' first='Hunter' last='Redd'] | 5'11” | Senior | Guard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Evansville Christian Senior Guard was a non-factor offensively in the first half of the Eagles loss to Wood Memorial on Tuesday night, but was really impressive scoring the ball in a variety of different ways in the second half. He's a confident scorer that shoots it well from deep range. Early in the 3rd Quarter, he was starting to get into his bag scoring eight quick points. Knocked down two deep threes and was able to get in the lane. He's a tough shot taker, but also a tough shot maker with a smooth stroke while elevating making his shot difficult to contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: </strong>14 points | 1 rebound </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3278417' first='Michael' last='Ragland'] | 6'1” | Junior | Guard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ragland was the most potent offensive player for Evansville Christian on Tuesday night. He's a quick and shifty combo guard that has the ball on a string. Showed great ability to get to his spots on the floor with ease. He's a confident shooter off the catch, but is really good off the bounce showcasing his elevation in his shot from midrange as well as from deep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: </strong>16 points | 1 rebound | 2 assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday Night Sectional 62</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Loogootee</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1560987' first='AJ' last='Foster'] | 6'2” | Senior | Guard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loogootee Senior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='1560987' first='AJ' last='Foster'] was the best player on the floor in the first round matchup with Barr-Reeve on Wednesday night. From the opening tip, he was in attack mode and didn't let up. He plays with a combination of speed and physicality. Quick first step allows him to get to his spot while being strong enough to play through bumps on his way to the basket. He was really good in the midrange getting to his spot and rising up over defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: </strong>15 points | 3 rebounds | 4 assists | 2 blocks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2617855' first='Cooper' last='VanHoy'] | 6'0” | Sophomore | Guard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To start the game, it seemed VanHoy was bothered by the pressure that the Vikings defense was putting on him. Struggling to initiate offense and wasn't able to create any separation to look for his own shot. Middle of the 3rd Quarter he was able to get open a show off the beautiful stroke knocking down three 3's in the second half. He possesses a nice compact release with the ability to shoot it with deep range. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: </strong>10 points | 2 rebounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Barr-Reeve</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3045017' first='Kierson' last='Lengacher'] | 6'1” | Junior | Guard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quiet first half for [player_tooltip player_id='3045017' first='Kierson' last='Lengacher'] with both teams struggling to put any points on the board in the low scoring first half. The 6'1” Junior Guard exploded in the third quarter scoring four and-one's in the quarter. Loogootee simply couldn't stay in front of him when he came off the dribble hand-off at the top of key and got downhill with a full head of steam. He was able to finish through contact with both hands as well as convert at the free throw line leading the Vikings to the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: </strong>15 points | 2 rebounds | 2 assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3527814' first='Josh' last='Miller'] | 6'2” | Sophomore | Forward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In practically every game this season that I've covered of the Barr-Reeve Vikings, [player_tooltip player_id='3527814' first='Josh' last='Miller'] has come up big in every single one of them. The left handed sophomore forward has an unorthodox game. He's crafty getting in the lane without being the quickest or most athletic player. He possesses a soft touch over his right shoulder. He showed the ability to play on the perimeter and be a threat to score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: </strong>12 points | 4 rebounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2797665' first='Braxton' last='Neidigh'] | 6'3” | Sophomore | Wing/Forward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neidigh could very well be the best college prospect for the Vikings. Is combination of length and athleticism mixed with his unique skill set stands him apart. In the Vikings opening round win over Loogootee, Neidigh was aggressive early on getting in the lane where he was able to finish with a soft touch. He's a high motor versatile player on both ends of the floor with a jump shot that continues to improve. He's able to guard multiple positions with his length and quickness and is a really good rebounder with the ability to push the ball in transition and make good decisions with excellent court vision.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: </strong>9 points | 3 rebounds<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->