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SECTIONAL 20 @ NorthWood
Projected Winner: NorthWood
This is an interesting sectional with a couple of below .500 teams, a couple of just above .500 teams, and then the two who are a combined 37-9. Tippy Valley got the best draw in the sectional as their path to a Sectional Title game will go through teams with losing records and meanwhile state ranked (AP) NorthWood will have to go through both of the teams with winning records. However, based on success in the regular season, and this being at the Panther Pit, NorthWood has the advantage in Sectional 20.
Player You Can’t Miss: Ian Cooksey
The Senior Guard averages 15 pts a game for the Vikings, and Tippy Valley has seemed to go as he goes throughout the course of the regular season. If he can get hot against West Noble and then Wawasee, he could ride that wave into Saturday night and do something special. Momentum is everything in March and Cooksey has all of it right now.
Don’t Be Surprised If: Columbia City makes things interesting
While their draw was not ideal, the Co-NE8 Champion Eagles are a scrappy team who has had plenty of success before. If they can hold their own through the first half and give themselves a fighting chance, watch out for Columbia City. There is no doubt they will have their hands full, but with this group of players they will not quit. Landon Richmond is one of the NE8’s top scorers heading into postseason play and coming off a win over Bishop Luers, it is time to make sure the Eagles get more credit.
SECTIONAL 21 @ Garrett
Projected Winner: Blackhawk Christian
This Sectional is arguably the best in the area. The top 3 teams in here are a combined 54-16 (Angola, Blackhawk, and Garrett). Outside of the top 3, you have East Noble who is so tricky to play against as they have been a banged up, up and down team all season… but when they are hot, there are not many teams who can stop them. Leo is another up and down team in this one, but like their NE8 rival, can find ways to win games. As for DeKalb, they got a much needed win over Heritage to sort of build some momentum into the postseason where they drew NE8 opponent Leo (in which they had a shot at the buzzer to win it). Concordia Lutheran had an unlucky draw where they will face Blackhawk Christian and then Bishop Dwenger drew East Noble (The Saints gave them a run in the first half, but fell apart in the 2nd falling 68-51). There are a lot of familiar foes in this sectional with coaches who know one another, teams who know one another, but it just seems Blackhawk Christian is the favorite in this one.
Player You Can’t Miss: Kellen Pickett
Is anyone surprised here? The Wright State commit averages 20 pts per game and is considered the best player in Fort Wayne. Pickett is 8-0 in Sectional play including a State Title. He is going to be hungry to make himself a 2 time State Champion and you almost feel for whoever has to guard him. It will be extremely interesting down the stretch as Garrett’s Isaiah King has to be the toughest matchup for Pickett, but the Railroaders will have to go through Angola and Leo/DeKalb in order for that matchup to become a reality.
Don’t Be Surprised If: Garrett makes a run
The Railroaders are undefeated at Bateman Gymnasium this season; having an unbeaten home regular season for the first time since 1972. Guess where Sectional 21 is? Bateman Gymnasium. Garrett has a tough tough test in the opening round against rival Angola, which is by far the best first round matchup. If the Railroaders can get past the Hornets they would either rematch DeKalb or play Leo, in which they will be favorites in both. Once again though, they will have to go through Angola for the third time to even start that run.
SECTIONAL 22 @ Bellmont
Projected Winner: New Haven
Sectional 22 definitely is not the most eye appealing sectional around, but this one could get interesting. All teams in this one have double digit losses with a combined record of 61-73. The 2 best teams (New Haven and Heritage) drew byes. Saturday Night’s matchup is projected to be Heritage and New Haven, but March is for upsets… and there are a lot of upset candidates here. Bellmont has been playing a lot better than what they started as, Norwell will always be a tough team, and Marion is hungry for a title. However, all eyes point to Co-NE8 Champion New Haven to come out of this one.
Player You Can’t Miss: Tarvar Baskerville
The Sophomore Guard for New Haven enters the postseason averaging 13 pts per game and will be looking to carry his impressive regular season even further. Baskerville is looking to make his name known around the area and leading his team to a sectional title is one way to do that.
Don’t Be Surprised if Norwell gets hot
The Norwell Knights enter the tournament 11-11. Not losing. Not winning. It is like a fresh 0-0 start for Norwell and their draw with 9-13 Mississinewa (who they beat by 7 in the regular season) could propel them into the semifinals against New Haven. If the Knights can hit from beyond the arc, they will be a tough team to handle.
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