In a Regional that will hold its best claim to fame locally as one that will produce a potential semistate opponent for Blackhawk Christian, Class 1A at Frankfort will feature somewhat surprise Sectional champion Southern Wells.
The teams are a combined 27-13 against fellow Class 1A opponents.
The championship game will take place at 8 p.m.
FAVORITE
LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC (22-4)
With wins over the likes of Andrean, Hamilton Heights and Lafayette Jeff, LCC has been successful against a wide variety of programs in different classes this season. They are a perfect 5-0 against Class 1A opponents, but three of those were last week. Like we see locally with Blackhawk Christian, LCC has a tendency to test themselves all year long to get to this position.
6-foot-5 Carson Barrett is a load to handle leading a fairly long and well sized Knights team. He averages team highs with 14.7 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Barrett obviously rebounds well, but is a duel threat as he will have no problem pushing the ball up the floor and the pace in this Regional. Senior David Schwartz averages 14.2 points by being strong getting to the basket too. And LCC has four legit shooters in Clark Barrett, AJ Bordenet, Nathan Webb and Brenner Oliver.
They will face Randolph Southern at 11:30 a.m.
CONTENDER
NORTH VERMILLION (19-8)
The Falcons have won four straight Sectional titles, but have not put together a Regional winning season since 1969. While they have found success under first year coach Jacob Cummings, there has been little reason to expect they can break through unless they come out of a morning game with Southern Wells will a lot of enthusiasm and momentum. They are experienced though with all eight players who play significant minutes being seniors. Led by Trevor Eppert 15.1 points and 6 rebounds per game, they certainly will leave it all on the table on Saturday. They will face Southern Wells at 10 a.m.
THE REST
SOUTHERN WELLS (11-14)
The Regional world was a big one, hard to overcome for Southern Wells last year. This year, they are led by a new coach and Kyle Penrod is one of just four coaches in the state to win a Sectional in their first season as a head coach. The Raiders have been able to, at times, employ a trapping defense that can slow teams down but can Southern Wells adjust as other teams do in the process? Kriegh Roush has stepped up and been a stabilizing inside force for the second straight postseason.
RANDOLPH SOUTHERN (12-12)
Coming in with an even record, the Rebels have their best record since 2001 and first Sectional title since that year as well. It is about where the pleasantries end as well. Their best bet is for a game like their Sectional final win over Union City, where Alex Wigginton got hot and nailed seven three pointers on his way to a game high 23 points. Caleb Wissel also had 16 rebounds in that game but will have to fight to match up with LCC’s height during the Regional morning.
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