Hoosier Hysteria Begins: A local sectional preview

Craig February 19, 2013 0

By CRAIG DRAGASH
ISL Correspondent

As we enter the final week of the regular season for Indiana High School Boys Basketball, all 403 teams now know who their opponents will be as the draw for the 2013 state tournament took place on Sunday. As I watched the pairings on WTTV, I saw pictures of teams who had met to watch the draw together, similar to what various teams do for the NCAA tournament in March. Needless to say, the excitement is in the air as we approach the opening round next week. Hoosier Hysteria is almost here!

Here’s a preview of what fans can expect to see from local teams as we head into sectional play:

Class 4A

Carmel (Sectional 8)

Contenders: Carmel, Hamilton SE, North Central

Could be a factor: Noblesville, Fishers

Players to watch: Michael Volovic, James Crowley, Carmel; Zak Irvin, Hamilton SE; Eron Gordon, Darius Latham, North Central; Jaylon Brown, Fishers; Sam Philpott, Noblesville; Andrew Dakich, Derrick Smits, Zionsville.

Carmel, currently ranked #4 in Class 4A, is the defending 4A state champ, and has been ranked #1 on two separate occasions this season. Hamilton SE defeated Carmel on the road recently, and Southeastern has its hands full with North Central in the first game. HSE defeated North Central 82-77 in December. Fishers defeated Carmel early on, and Dave McCollough has proven to have Noblesville playing its best during tournament time. It is quite possible that the 4A champ could come out of this sectional once again.

Warren Central (Sectional 10)

Contenders: Lawrence North, Cathedral, Tech

Could be a factor: Warren Central

Players to watch: Basil Smotherman, Lawrence North; Collin Hartman, Mo Evans, Jalen Coleman, Cathedral; Trey Lyles, Tech; Devin Davis, Warren Central

Basil Smotherman has led Lawrence North to a bounce-back season after a disappointing one last year. They have the highlight matchup of the opening round of this sectional when they face a healthy Cathedral team. The Irish have rattled off 12 wins in a row since dropping back-to-back contests vs. Carmel and Detroit Romulus, and they may be the hottest team going into the tournament. Tech, currently ranked #7 in 4A, is on the other side of the bracket, which sets up for a potential matchup with the LN/Cathedral winner. Tech defeated Cathedral in overtime in early December. Warren Central is 11-8, but all eight of their losses have come against top teams in the area, and with IU-bound Devin Davis, the Warriors will be a tough out for any team they face.

Decatur Central (Sectional 11)

Contenders: Pike

Could be a factor: Ben Davis

Players to watch: Zavier Turner, Taishaun Johnson, Jordan Pickett, Pike; Tony Wills, Ben Davis; Anthony Johnson, Decatur Central

Senior-laden Pike is the heavy favorite in this sectional, but the Red Devils only defeated Ben Davis by one in late November. Decatur Central features Anthony Johnson, who is averaging 25.5 points per game, including a season high 41 against South Bend Washington in late December.

Class 3A

Mt. Vernon (Sectional 26)

Contenders: Mt. Vernon, Guerin Catholic

Could be a factor: Brebeuf

Players to watch: Aaron Brennan, Guerin Catholic, CJ Coleman, Stephen Turner, Mt. Vernon; P.J. Thompson, Brebeuf

Guerin is the defending 3A state champ, and they got a good draw in a tough sectional with a bye in the first round, then facing the winner of the Mt. Vernon/Brebeuf contest. Mt. Vernon recently dropped its first contest of the season to New Palestine and is currently ranked #2 in class 3A. Brebeuf, led by high scoring junior P.J. Thompson, could have something to say about the outcome of this sectional.

Class 2A

Broad Ripple (Sectional 42)

Contender: Park Tudor

Could be a factor: Broad Ripple

Players to watch: Trevon Bluiett, Park Tudor; Devone Daniels, Marshall

Park Tudor is the favorite here, although Broad Ripple won 45-41 on February 9. Marshall is 12-6 but hasn’t played the level of competition that other teams in this sectional have.