Canterbury raced out to a huge halftime lead en route to upsetting Churubusco, who was looking for their first sectional in school history. Sophomore guard Jalen Paul dropped 25 points in the victory. Senior post Andrew Kus is a skilled big who can score from anywhere on the floor and operate as a facilitator as well for the Cavaliers. They face Bishop Noll and junior guard Roman Penn. The 5'11 point can beat you by scoring, like when he had 29 points in their sectional semifinal win, or by setting up his teammates,mmike the eight assists he had in the sectional championship game. LaVille came out of the Westview Sectional, and the main reason why is the play of high scoring senior guard Blake Berger, who put up 32 points in the championship victory over Prairie Heights. Senior forward Kyle Kopetski and sophomore guard Adam Steinke are more than capable supporting pieces. They'll need everyone as they face the Warriors of Winamac. They rallied from eight points down heading into the fourth quarter against Rensselaer Central in the sectional final before emerging victorious in overtime. Luke Pugh came in averaging less than five points per game, but scored 21 in the sectional final. Derek Dotlich poses matchup problems for opponents, as he has the strength to score inside yet is skilled enough to make plays on the perimeter.

 

Jeff's pick: Winamac 

Trevor's pick: Fort Wayne Canterbury

 

 

Tipton Regional

Frankton has put together an incredible season, entering regionals with a 23-2 record. Continuing their season past Saturday got a bit more difficult as leading scorer Austin Compton dislocated his shoulder late in the sectional championship game. The rest of the roster is more than capable, with Nick Wright, Maurice Knight, and Brady Ashton, but Compton was their unquestioned leader and best player. They face a talented Fountain Central squad in their third regional in four years. Senior forward Ethan Woodrow is the school's all time leading scorer and rebounder and is coming off a 36 point, 13 rebound performance in the sectional final. He is flanked by wing Koby Pierce, who is the school's all time assist leader. Both are four year starters for the Mustangs. Madison Grant pulled an upset when they took out Tipton in the sectional finals by a 40-39 score. They have six players averaging between six and twelve points per game, led by senior Aaron Dreaden, whose three pointer gave the Argylls their sectional win. A familiar foe await in Oak Hill, who beat Madison Grant twice in the regular season, once in overtime. Senior guard Jon Mauk leads the Golden Eagles, as evidenced by his 21 points in a 67-63 win in the sectional final against Manchester.

 

Jeff's pick: Oak Hill

Trevor's pick: Oak Hill

 

 

Greenfield Regional

There's really no other way to say it; this regional will be an absolute bloodbath. Any one of these four teams could easily cut down the nets at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Park Tudor did that last season behind Trevon Bluiett, but his 36 points per game are gone along with Alex Mack and Austin Shelton. The Panthers don't have much depth, but their starting five is one of the best in the state regardless of class. Western Michigan signee Bryce Moore headlines the group, but Jaren Jackson, Kobe Webster, Evan Frank, and Dwayne Gibson are all threats to take over a game. They face Northeastern and sophomore guard Tyler Smith. He and senior guard Grant Esposito both scored 22 against Hagerstown in the sectional final. Northeastern has only lost to one 2A team all year, Crispus Attucks. Attucks takes on Cloverdale in the second semifinal. Crispus Attucks defeated Triton Central 68-60 for their sectional title, getting 23 points from Isaiah Ware. Forward Darrell Hutchinson has been a beast when healthy, averaging 20 points per game on 70% shooting from the field. The Clovers play an entertaining brand of basketball, led by their backcourt of Cooper Neese and Marquise Moore. Neese is one of the best shooters in the state regardless of class, and Moore was fantastic in the sectional, averaging 20 points a night over the three wins for the Clovers.

 

Jeff's pick: Park Tudor

Trevor's pick: Park Tudor

 

 

Southridge Regional

Linton Stockton won an old fashioned southern Indiana basketball game against South Knox by a score of 36-33 in the sectional championship. The Miners' Josh Dieball, Drew Witty, and Austin Robertson combined for 30 of the 36 points in the win. Coach Joey Hart took the Miners to the state finals in 2013, and looks to do the same this year. They'll first have to beat Evansville Mater Dei, fresh off their 69-64 sectional final win over Forest Park. Mater Dei goes maybe six deep, but that's all they need, as only four players scored in the sectional championship game. Devan Straub and Josh Price led with 23 and 21 respectively. The other semifinal pits South Ripley against Eastern (Pekin). South Ripley is led by a pair of juniors in 6'4 wing Brady Meyer, who dropped 25 points in their sectional final win over Switzerland County, and 6'6 forward Elijah Roepke, who grabbed eight boards in the victory. Eastern won their three sectional games by a combined eight points, so Scott Newcomb's squad will be unnerved if the game comes down to the wire.

 

Jeff's pick: Evansville Mater Dei

Trevor's pick: Linton-Stockton