This Saturday represents arguably the best day all season of girls’ basketball – regionals. Four teams, three games, one title.
OTH is breaking down each regional involving area programs.
We wrap things up at the Marion Regional in Class 4A.
MARION REGIONAL
Projected Winner: Noblesville
Yes, Homestead entered the playoffs as the No. 1 team in Class 4A, but it is the squad that handed the Spartans’ long regular-season loss that is the favorite here.
Back in November, Noblesville went on the road to Homestead and trounced the Spartans by 21 points. The Millers were able to pressure the ball and force numerous turnovers, which ended up being the difference in the game.
While it has been three months since that matchup, the same questions remain. Can Homestead handle the defensive tenacity showcased by Noblesville? Can it avoid handing the Millers easy points with turnovers?
We won’t have long to find out as the two teams square off in the first semifinal.
Senior player you can’t miss: Ayanna Patterson, Homestead
The Indiana Miss Basketball favorite will need to have a huge Saturday for the Spartans to emerge with a regional title. Her dominance is obvious, and she has become an even greater matchup nightmare in her final prep season.
Can Homestead get the ball to Patterson enough to find a way to topple Noblesville? Even with the best player on the floor, if you cannot find ways to feed her the rock and instead are forced into turnovers, things won’t end well.
Don’t be surprised if: Snider is in the mix at night
While everyone is salivating over the Noblesville-Homestead matchup, Northwestern and Snider is no joke.
Snider has lost just once since mid-November, a road loss at Homestead that was quite the matchup as the two teams traded blows.
The Panthers are a youthful team, meaning the moment will either be a bit too big for them on Saturday, or they are too young to understand the situation.
If Snider can play carefree, they can win in the semifinal matchup and catch the winner of the other semifinal perhaps a bit unaware at night.
SATURDAY SCHEDULE
Noblesville (21-4) vs. Homestead (23-1), 10 a.m.
Northwestern (19-4) vs. Snider (19-3), noon
Championship, 8 p.m.
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