THE FAVORITE
CENTRAL NOBLE
For the first time since 1998, the Cougars claimed a share of the NECC title and minus that one blemish to co-champion Westview, they have essentially been flawless, at least in the record. And while they maybe aren’t getting the respect they deserve with a 23-1 record, this is a team that has to be supremely confident right now.
There is depth for Central Noble, maybe more so than ever, even with Connor Essegian’s high end scoring leading the way. Sawyer Yoder has been really tough to defend across the board recently for the third ranked team in Class 2A. The don’t have to go deep, but it is nice to know you can regularly have eight guys contributing in some way for you. It is hard to have that kind of depth and be so successful where they winning by almost 21 point per game (64 to 43.4).
THE CONTENDER
CHURUBUSCO
Busco means business and they are used to hard, grind it out games, which is a perfect trait to have come the postseason. They’ve won some of these grinders, including a recent win over Eastside, and lost some too, including a recent loss to North Side. But at the end of the day, they know how to play tough at a high level. We could talk all day about how hard of a matchup it is to guard Landen Jordan’s size, length and athleticism. And as teams have throw more and more at him this season, Jackson Paul has been so smooth and so good taking control of games and Luke McClure has upped his contributions too.
What makes Busco a top contender in this Sectional though? Their freshman have grown so much in IQ, tempo and aggression. The Eagles had a lot to build in getting those guys ready and they have gotten to a level where they aren’t playing like freshmen anymore. This isn’t a three trick show at this point so a possible third showdown with Central Noble, who they’ve lost to twice, is still intriguing.
THE OTHERS
WESTVIEW
The Warriors are 16-6, but have lost their last two and three of their last six heading into the postseason. Not the kind of trend you want if you are Westview. One of those losses cost them an outright NECC title but they were still able to share with Central Noble. What kind of refocus have they gotten from those losses especially with a tough Sectional draw ahead of them including a first round showdown with Central Noble?
No one player makes or breaks a team and that is so true with Westview, who have seen a substantial number of names step into big offensive roles since midseason. Yes, the Warriors are at their best when Mason Yoder is at his best, but the rise in the games of Brady Yoder, Lyndon and Luke Miller has made this team fun to watch. They too can grind out wins and have the experience to be a threat.
EASTSIDE
This is a tricky one. Eastside also has a really goof record at 15-7 and are probably one of the area’s most underrated teams heading into the postseason. Can they win the close ones? They’ve been able to take Churubusco and Westview into deep waters this season, but weren’t able to close out those wins. Only two of their losses, to Central Noble and hot shooting DeKalb, have been double digits. It shows that the Blazers can play with almost anyone but will need an extra push to get over the hump with three of the teams they’ve lost to in this Sectional.
Watch Hugh Henderson this coming week. He isn’t always at the front of the Blazer scoring load, but he has had an ability to make impactful shots and moments throughout this season. Eastside isn’t the “top” contender here but they are right there on the cusp.
PRAIRIE HEIGHTS
The Panthers have struggled in a rebuilding year that saw them have to replace their top two scorers from the previous three seasons. They have a few seniors, but the brunt of the responsibility has fallen on freshmen, sophomores and juniors including sophomore Chase Bachelor, who started a lot as a freshman; he is averaging 11.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Their draw doesn’t do them any favors being on the same side as the top three teams in the Sectional.
BREMEN
The lone team outside of the NECC in this Sectional, this is foreign land for Bremen as they’ve only played one other team in this Sectional; just a nine point loss to Central Noble. Their issue is consistency; they haven’t strung together more than three wins in a row and since that win streak in early January ended, they are 3-11 after starting 6-2. 6-foot-2 Carson Miller is tough on the interior and can shoot a little bit too, averaging a near double double.
FAIRFIELD
It has been a really tough year for the 2-win Falcons with minimal senior leadership so they’ve been looking more at the younger guys to make a big splash. They have about the best draw that they could ask for, but there is no easy draw in this Sectional. Braedon Helms and Owen Miller lead the way while senior Dalton Cripe is also able to make an impact.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Logan Gard, Central Noble: Central Noble can do a lot of good things but so much pressure is taken off when Gard is strong inside. There are games he needs to do it more than he does in others. But either way, when Gard is playing strong, the momentum and the enthusiasm of the team shines.
Brady Yoder, Westview: The Warriors need a consistency in shooting the ball to get through this Sectional and Yoder can provide that. Sometimes streaky, if Yoder can get hot, then it alters every team’s defensive game plan.
Drew Pliett, Churubusco: When you talk about freshmen for this team filling roles, Pliett has been important. Early in the season, teams would try to body the freshman ball handler but as the season has gone on, his confidence and own physicality has risen. Pliett is a more than competent ball handler that now has the drive to match.
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