Ranking the Top 10 Sectional Semifinals to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome to tournament time in Indiana. On Tuesday night, Sectional action tipped off across the great Hoosier state as teams began their quest to reach Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Then, on Wednesday night, we finished off the first round matchups before the semifinals are played on Friday. Unfortunately, this time of year also means that teams will see their seasons come to an end. Half of the 256 teams that suit up on Friday night won't get a shot to play for a championship on Saturday. That is the exciting and heartbreaking dichotomy of this time of year. As always, Prep Hoops Indiana will be your one stop shop for everything you need to know throughout the 114th Annual IHSAA Boys Basketball Tournament. Let's take a look at the 10 best matchups on Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#10 - Loogootee vs. Barr-Reeve (Sectional 63 @ Loogootee)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two teams are no stranger to success and are very familiar with each other. Loogootee knocked the Vikings out of last season's Sectional, but Barr-Reeve won the regular season matchup this time around 43-41. Any basketball fans down in southern Indiana should make it a point to catch this game at one of the best gyms in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#9 - Blackhawk Christian vs. Adams Central (Sectional 37 @ Bluffton)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sectional 37 at Bluffton High School is loaded and will feature two great semifinal games. However, this matchup is especially intriguing as it could be the more even matchup. [player_tooltip player_id='1763448' first='Isaac' last='Schultz'] versus [player_tooltip player_id='1364589' first='Kellen' last='Pickett'] will be a fun matchup to watch inside, but [player_tooltip player_id='1277730' first='Isaac' last='Smith'] on the wing could be the difference maker for Blackhawk Christian, the defending Class 2A state champions, who will be seeking their seventh straight Sectional championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#8 - Indianapolis Lutheran vs. Tindley (Sectional 59 @ Indianapolis Lutheran)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending Class 1A state champion Lutheran Saints will get tested in a battle of Top 10 teams as they take on Tindley at 6:00 on Friday evening. These two teams have one combined loss to fellow Class 1A teams this season, and that was all of the way back on December 9th when Lutheran lost to Greenwood Christian who is also here in the Sectional 59 field. Tindley freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2266897' first='Kenneth' last='Lampley'] III is one of the top Class of 2027 prospects in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#7 - Southwestern (Hanover) vs. Brownstown Central (Sectional 46 @ Southwestern Hanover)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a chance that [player_tooltip player_id='1158245' first='Jack' last='Benter'] and the Class 2A #1 ranked Braves of Brownstown Central run away with this one, but Southwestern (Hanover) is another Top 10 that has won 21 games. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1761700' first='Jamison' last='Lewis'] is a name to know for the Rebels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#6 - South Bend St. Joseph vs. Mishawaka Marian (Sectional 19 @ South Bend Washington)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It has been a tale of two seasons for Mishawaka Marian as they were once 4-8, but have since rattled off 13 straight victories. During that run, they knocked of South Bend St. Joseph 54-51. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1297002' first='Chase' last='Konieczny'] and company will be out for revenge in this Sectional 19 semifinal matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5 - Terre Haute North vs. Brownsburg (Sectional 12 @ Terre Haute South)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It'll be an under-the-radar great night of basketball at Class 4A Sectional 12 at Terre Haute South High School. [player_tooltip player_id='1172872' first='Jordan' last='Lomax'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1293376' first='Grant' last='Porath'] led Brownsburg to a win over Plainfield in the first round, but their reward is a 20-win Terre Haute North squad waiting for them in the semifinal round. The Patriots are as well-balanced as any team in the state featuring a strong eight-man rotation led by [player_tooltip player_id='1275782' first='Kavish' last='Reddy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1158180' first='Braden' last='Walters'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4 - Franklin vs. Whiteland (Sectional 14 @ East Central)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fans will be treated to a much-anticipated rubber match in the Sectional 14 semifinals at East Central High School. Whiteland won the first battle 67-64 in the Johnson County Tournament, but then the Grizzly Cubs quickly turned around and won 58-55 in overtime. Franklin features Eastern Kentucky signee [player_tooltip player_id='1275780' first='Micah' last='Davis'] who is averaging 25.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. As for Whiteland, they have four scorers in double figures led by [player_tooltip player_id='1578410' first='Jaskirat' last='Banwait'] with 15.1 points per game. [player_tooltip player_id='1539479' first='Gavin' last='Stubbe'], [player_tooltip player_id='1297024' first='Ethan' last='Edwards'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1384407' first='Wiatt' last='McLaughlin'] all are between 11.9 and 13.5 points per game as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3 - Fishers vs. Hamilton Southeastern (Sectional 8 @ Noblesville)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It doesn't get much better than another Mudsock rivalry game on the big stage of the semifinals at Sectional 8. This game will be played in front of a sold out crowd as usual, but it'll be a neutral floor at Noblesville High School. Fishers, who is 22-1 and ranked #2 in the Prep Hoops Indiana Class 4A Poll, won the regular season matchup 64-57. [player_tooltip player_id='2079500' first='Keenan' last='Garner'] and company will look to take down the rival Royals once again, but Purdue football commit [player_tooltip player_id='1275826' first='Donovan' last='Hamilton'] and his teammates won't go down without a fight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2 - Lawrence North vs. Crispus Attucks (Sectional 10 @ Lawerence North)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can't go wrong if you are deciding between attending Sectional 8 at Noblesville or Sectional 10 at Lawrence North. This will be a high-powered matchup between two of the best teams in the state of Indiana. Back on December 19th, Lawerence North defeated Attucks 72-71, so you know to expect a competitive game once again. [player_tooltip player_id='1297019' first='Dezmon' last='Briscoe'], [player_tooltip player_id='1275771' first='Ron' last='Rutland III'], [player_tooltip player_id='1297004' first='Chris' last='Hurt'], [player_tooltip player_id='1158227' first='Mason' last='Lewis'] and company versus [player_tooltip player_id='1296979' first='Azavier' last='Robinson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1158213' first='Kobi' last='Bowles'], [player_tooltip player_id='1729136' first='Brennan' last='Miller'], [player_tooltip player_id='1509229' first='Kai' last='McGrew'] and company.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1 - Noblesville vs. Westfield (Sectional 8 @ Noblesville)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The game of the night in Indiana. Our most recent Prep Hoops Indiana Class 4A Poll has these two teams ranked #3 and #4 respectively. Westfield got the better of the regular season matchup, defeating the Millers 58-54, but we know it'll be tough to beat them a second time. There is obviously a lot of talent to watch in this one too. Indiana All-Star candidates [player_tooltip player_id='1158209' first='Aaron' last='Fine'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1275749' first='Trey' last='Buchanan'] will battle it out in the backcourt along with others like [player_tooltip player_id='2079499' first='Nic' last='Book'], [player_tooltip player_id='1534261' first='Justin' last='Curry II'], [player_tooltip player_id='1275012' first='Hunter' last='Walston'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1561054' first='Baron' last='Walker']. The semifinals at Sectional 8 have been sold out since early Thursday morning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->