Outside the Huddle’s resident frog Bounce is previewing every area sectional and giving our thoughts on who to watch.
We continue our look at Class 3A with the sectional at Woodlan.
THE FAVORITE
LEO
Yes, despite losses in three of their last four games – including two to potential sectional foes Bishop Dwenger and Woodlan – the Lions still head to Woodlan as the top team to beat.
The combination of inside power and outside shooting prowess will be tough for anyone to stop. Yes, Bishop Dwenger and Woodlan were both able to knock off the Lions recently, but Bounce is buying into the belief that the late-season struggles have been turned into great teaching points for Coach Cary Cogdell.
THE CONTENDERS
BISHOP DWENGER
Four straight wins, including three against teams with double-digit victories on the season, have the Saints entering the postseason with as much confidence as they have had all season.
Bishop Dwenger has the size and length to give teams like Woodlan and Leo problems. Coach Matt Kostoff’s squad is a perfect 3-0 against teams in the sectional and has not lost a game to a 3A team all year long.
Led by Brenden Lytle in the backcourt, there is a lot of experience throughout the roster, which can be the difference in the clutch in the playoffs.
WOODLAN
Led by double-double machine Joe Reidy and a cast of youngsters around him, the Warriors are that sneaky threat in this sectional that many may be overlooking.
There is no doubting that the Warriors are playing their best basketball and are fresh off a victory over Leo.
Woodlan has won three straight just once this year. Can they find the consistency to do it this week and capture a sectional championship for the first time since 2014.
THE OTHERS
ANGOLA
Coach Brandon Appleton’s first season as head coach on the boys side of the things has been a mix of good and not so good. If anything, they have been consistently inconsistent.
Unfortunately, the draw did Angola no favors. The Hornets will kick things off against Leo, a team that beat them by 19 points in early February.
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN
If the playoffs had begun a month ago, the Cadets would have been a prime candidate to be a contender at Woodlan. Victories over the likes of Snider and New Haven in January had Coach Phil Brackmann’s team flying high.
However, Concordia Lutheran went 0-fer in February, not winning a single game in six tries. Woodlan will be a tough matchup in the opening round, and the Cadets will have to shake off a last-second loss to Columbia City last Friday and refocus quickly.
BISHOP LUERS
Just how far can Naylon Thompson take the Knights? That truly is the question for this team. While the supporting cast around Thompson has potential, it is Bishop Luers’ leading scorer that will have to have a huge week in order for Coach Fonso White’s team to be a threat deep into the week.
GARRETT
In a sectional full of teams that have a potential to get hot and win a few games, the Railroaders are the one left out of that conversation. Garrett has just two wins over Hamilton and Fairfield this season and is 0-5 against 3A competition.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Naylon Thompson, Bishop Luers: One of, if not THE best player in the entire sectional. Thompson can fill the bucket from inside and out and is very good at finishing at the hoop. He will have to have a huge week for Bishop Luers to contend, something he is perfectly capable of doing.
Blake Davison, Leo: The unquestioned leader on the floor for the Lions, Davison is a proven scorer who is also as good of a facilitator as anyone in the sectional field. He always seems to come up with clutch plays in a pinch.
CJ Pieper, Bishop Dwenger: Pieper does so many things for Bishop Dwenger that do not show up on the box score. In a sectional with a lot of proven post players, Pieper will be important in the lane against the likes of Joe Reidy, DJ Allen and others.
SCHEDULE
SECTIONAL 22 AT WOODLAN
Tuesday
Concordia Lutheran (7-13) vs. Woodlan (9-10), 7 p.m.
Wednesday
Bishop Luers (8-14) vs. Garrett (2-17), 6 p.m.
Leo (18-3) vs. Angola (11-12), 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Bishop Dwenger (11-9) vs. Concordia Lutheran/Woodlan, 6 p.m.
Bishop Luers/Garrett vs. Leo/Angola, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 7:30 p.m.
These opinions represent those of Bounce and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow Bounce on Twitter at Bounce_OTH
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