Since there were not many first-round upsets, the Friday night games around the state are loaded. Indiana Basketball Source discusses the top sectional games across the state.

 

 

Games are streamed on IHSAATV.org.

 

No. 7 Gary West Side vs Lake Central

The December meeting was a blow-out win for West Side, but Lake Central did not have Kyle Ross. LC played well during the final month of the season. They beat Crown Point and McCutcheon during that stretch. Ross and Nate Oakley will have to play big, literally and figuratively, against the size and talent of West Side. The Cougars are led by seniors Quimari Peterson, Chrishawn Christmas, Parion Roberson, and junior star Jalen Washington. West Side fought late-season injuries but look full strength now.

 

Crown Point vs. Valpo

Valparaiso is fresh off a narrow victory over Chesterton. The Vikings use a balanced attack with Mason Jones, Cooper Jones, Colten Jones, Breece Jones, and Clayton MacLagan providing the scoring punch. Grant Comstock missed the opening sectional game with an injury. Crown Point is not playing its best basket right now, but Ty Smith, Drew Adzia, AJ Lux, David Brown, and Jake Oostman are a strong starting five that are more than capable of winning this sectional.

 

No. 9 North Central vs. No. 10 Attucks

Attucks had a closer than expected game against Tech in the opening round before Isaiah Stafford and James Smith pulled the Tigers to the victory. Attucks will need to be sharper against a surging North Central team. The Panthers were a different team the second half of the year with junior guard Leland Walker leading the way. The dynamic guard has improved his decision-making this season. Mike Elliott, BJ Williams, and Shilo Jackson are difference makers as well.

 

No. 4 Lawrence North vs. No. 5 Warren Central

It is Sectional 10, so there is another top-five match-up. Both teams had tough opening games – LN separated themselves from Cathedral and WC came from behind to beat Lawrence Central. Lawrence North relies on Shamar Avance and CJ Gunn for most of its scoring. LN went to another gear when shots started to fall in the second half for Avance against Cathedral. DJ Hughes will need to stay out of foul trouble against Warren Central’s size. The Warriors are a veteran, balanced team. Seniors Malik Stanley, Sean Black, Gabe McNary, and Donald Coats want to get a sectional title. The junior class is strong as well with Tae Davis and Chandler Jackson. When Davis started to score at the basket against LC, Warren Central took its first lead of the game. This should be a great battle.

 

Floyd Central vs. Jeffersonville

During the regular season, the Highlanders beat Jeffersonville 54-44. Expect this one to go to the wire as Jeffersonville is riding a seven-game winning streak. The signature win came against Castle in overtime. Will Lovings-Watts and Brandon Rayzer-Moore are a potent duo that can carry the Red Devils to a sectional title. Floyd Central is led by Air Force commitment Jake Heidbreder. He recorded a 42-point game late in the season against Columbus East. FC has supporting options in Caleb Washington, Cole Herritt, Brady Moore, and Wesley Celichowski. This will likely be a lower-scoring game.

 

Evansville Reitz vs. Evansville North

The Evansville schools meet with a chance to move to the sectional championship game. The individual match-up between Owen Dease (Reitz) and Chandler Moore (North) will go a long way in deciding the outcome. Dease had a great senior year but can be inconsistent. When he plays well, Reitz is hard to beat. Moore is North’s most consistent scorer. He is a smooth athlete that scores well at the basket and spotting-up at the three-point line. Ryan Caddell is a fantastic shooter for North. He made 51 three-pointers this season.

 

3A No. 5 St. Joe vs. 3A No. 3 Mishawaka Marian

These rivals always make things interesting. These are two of the best 3A teams in the state. Notre Dame signee JR Konieczny is trying to beat Marian for the first time since his freshman season. As a senior, he is averaging 30 points and eight rebounds a game. St. Joe is a big team with other scoring options as well – Jack Futa, Will Terry, and Cole Hatkevich. Marian is a balanced team with Deaglan Sullivan and Richard Brooks leading the way. Brooks hit a new gear down the stretch. Marian has size and athleticism with Ky’rell Franklin, Kaleo Kakalia, and Dar’e’on Thornton. This will be a hotly contested game.

 

Danville vs. Greencastle

Kobe Ward, as he has frequently this season, saved Danville from a first-round loss. He hit a late three against Crawfordsville to push the Warriors to the victory. Greencastle hopes to repeat its January performance against Danville. The Tiger Cubs won that meeting 65-56. Brody Whitaker is a do-it-all guard for Greencastle. He will need to be sharp for Greencastle to notch another win.

 

3A No. 9 North Harrison vs. 3A No. 2 Silver Creek

Silver Creek is a large favorite in this one, but North Harrison beat the Dragons earlier this season. Purdue signee Trey Kaufman sat that game out with an ankle injury. Kaufman had a dominant senior season, and Kooper Jacobi and Branden Northern are clicking as well. North Harrison will need great games from LT Hatton and Logan McIntire to win this one. Hatton has the size and skill to give Silver Creek problems. Can North Harrison handle Silver Creek’s pressure defense, especially from Northern?

 

Bosse vs. Heritage Hills

Both of these teams were highly ranked at one point but fell a bit by the end of the year. Bosse is on a five-game slide right now and has lost seven of eight. HH lost each time it played a solid team this season – Barr-Reeve, Castle, Forest Park. Can Blake Sisley get the Patriots over the hump against a reeling Bosse team? Bosse is led by juniors Julian Norris and Matthew Wagner. Each is capable of 25 points in any game. Norris and Wagner need to be efficient and aggressive to get Bosse back on track.

 

Bowman Academy vs. Illiana Christian

Bowman Academy pulled off the upset of Andrean in the first round, and Illiana Christian won its debut sectional game. This game features two high-scoring guards – Koron Davis (Bowman) and Logan Van Essen (Illiana). It might be as simple as that individual match-up to decide the winning team. Both want to get to the basket off the dribble.

 

Churubusco vs. 2A No. 5 Central Noble

Familiar foes meet again. Churubusco beat CN early in the season before Central Noble avenged the loss in late January. The loss to Churubusco is the only blemish on Central Noble’s record. Landen Jordan and Jackson Paul have been posting gaudy numbers lately. In the past, Connor Essegian, Sawyer Yoder, and Logan Gard have held that duo in check. Central Noble will need to contain Churubusco’s senior tandem to advance.

 

2A No. 7 Park Tudor vs. 2A No. 3 Covenant Christian

This might be the best match-up of the night. There is no doubt Covenant Christian is a 2A contender, and Park Tudor is a sneaky option. PT has won nine games in a row. The Panthers have a great rotation with Ronald Johnson, JC Glenn, Jermaine Coleman, and Malachi Archey. The talent is there to make a deep tournament run. CC played a great schedule and walked away with a 19-4 regular-season record. Trey Flatt, BJ Lomax, and Brock Buckley are not afraid of any competition. It will be surprising if this is not a fantastic game.

 

1A No. 1 Barr-Reeve vs. North Daviess

Barr-Reeve was the top 1A team from start to finish this season. Curt Hopf, Brycen Graber, and Hagen Knepp can play with anyone in the state. It would be a major upset if North Daviess wins, but the Cougars nearly did it in January. BR won that meeting 39-38. Barr-Reeve ended North Daviess’ season last year as well. Will ND get over the hump?