Post by whiteshoes on Oct 17, 2009 6:09:32 GMT -5
Sectional 1 – This sectional could be titled the Duneland Athletic Conference sectional as all but two of the teams are from that conference. Therefore the conference champions from Merrillville would have to be considered the favorites going in. The Pirates finished unbeaten, three games better than the second place team. Munster is one of the outsiders and has a win against Lake Central, a Duneland member, albeit the last place team in the conference. Look for Merrillville to defend their sectional championship with a win over Chesterton in the final.
Sectional 2 – The annual Penn Invitation could be a little more interesting this year what with Mishawaka's win over the Kingsmen two weeks ago. However, the loss to South Bend Washington leaves some questions about the Cavemen and LaPorte is not a gimme in the first round. It should set up for an interesting rematch between Mishawaka and Penn in the final.
Sectional 3 – Realignment moved the Kokomo Wildcats into this sectional this year and the draw has them matched up immediately against the defending champions from Ft. Wayne Snider. Kokomo has not been tested this year due to a weak conference schedule. Snider does not appear to be as strong as normal so there are signs that the Wildcats could knock them off here. However, the Panthers have a lot of pride and will not cede their sectional without a fight. The winner should advance to the regional as the remainder of the field does not appear to present a challenge to either of these teams.
Sectional 4 – It did not take the Fishers Tigers long to establish themselves as a power in the region as the new school won the always tough Hoosier Crossroads Conference title. We will find out exactly how far they have come as they face perennial power Carmel in the second round. Carmel has not lost to a 5A school this year and won the powerful MIC conference this year. Last years state runner-up appears poised to make another run at the title. The winner of their second round match up is not guaranteed a championship however, as the Royals of Hamilton Southeastern await the winner in the sectional championship game.
Sectional 5 – Warren Central appears to be the class of this sectional going in with an improving Richmond squad as the only team that appears capable of derailing the Warriors from moving on to the regionals. Southport has been competitive in each of it's outings this year but do not appear to have the strength to handle the Warriors of Warren Central in the final game.
Sectional 6 – If the first round goes as expected, this sectional will have some very interesting second round games. Pike vs. Ben Davis and a Brownsburg-Zionsville rematch should provide for some entertaining games. Zionsville beat Brownsburg 7-0 two weeks ago at home so the teams appear to be very closely matched. Pike and Ben Davis both lost to Center Grove by nearly identical scores which would indicate that they are similar in strength. I like Pike and Zionsville to emerge to play for the championship with the Eagles of Zionsville capturing their first 5A championship.
Sectional 7 – Columbus East makes it's 5A debut in this sectional as the Olympians attempt to establish themselves in their first year at this class. They enter the playoffs unbeaten again and will be tested in the second round by the defending state champions, the Trojans of Center Grove High School . A very good Martinsville awaits the winner in the championship game which should be a very interesting sectional.
Sectional 8 – Not a lot to get excited about in this sectional as it appears that a Floyd Central-Castle championship game should be in the offing. Bedford-North Lawrence has a win over Floyd Central but will be hard pressed to get around Castle for a rematch.
Sectional 2 – The annual Penn Invitation could be a little more interesting this year what with Mishawaka's win over the Kingsmen two weeks ago. However, the loss to South Bend Washington leaves some questions about the Cavemen and LaPorte is not a gimme in the first round. It should set up for an interesting rematch between Mishawaka and Penn in the final.
Sectional 3 – Realignment moved the Kokomo Wildcats into this sectional this year and the draw has them matched up immediately against the defending champions from Ft. Wayne Snider. Kokomo has not been tested this year due to a weak conference schedule. Snider does not appear to be as strong as normal so there are signs that the Wildcats could knock them off here. However, the Panthers have a lot of pride and will not cede their sectional without a fight. The winner should advance to the regional as the remainder of the field does not appear to present a challenge to either of these teams.
Sectional 4 – It did not take the Fishers Tigers long to establish themselves as a power in the region as the new school won the always tough Hoosier Crossroads Conference title. We will find out exactly how far they have come as they face perennial power Carmel in the second round. Carmel has not lost to a 5A school this year and won the powerful MIC conference this year. Last years state runner-up appears poised to make another run at the title. The winner of their second round match up is not guaranteed a championship however, as the Royals of Hamilton Southeastern await the winner in the sectional championship game.
Sectional 5 – Warren Central appears to be the class of this sectional going in with an improving Richmond squad as the only team that appears capable of derailing the Warriors from moving on to the regionals. Southport has been competitive in each of it's outings this year but do not appear to have the strength to handle the Warriors of Warren Central in the final game.
Sectional 6 – If the first round goes as expected, this sectional will have some very interesting second round games. Pike vs. Ben Davis and a Brownsburg-Zionsville rematch should provide for some entertaining games. Zionsville beat Brownsburg 7-0 two weeks ago at home so the teams appear to be very closely matched. Pike and Ben Davis both lost to Center Grove by nearly identical scores which would indicate that they are similar in strength. I like Pike and Zionsville to emerge to play for the championship with the Eagles of Zionsville capturing their first 5A championship.
Sectional 7 – Columbus East makes it's 5A debut in this sectional as the Olympians attempt to establish themselves in their first year at this class. They enter the playoffs unbeaten again and will be tested in the second round by the defending state champions, the Trojans of Center Grove High School . A very good Martinsville awaits the winner in the championship game which should be a very interesting sectional.
Sectional 8 – Not a lot to get excited about in this sectional as it appears that a Floyd Central-Castle championship game should be in the offing. Bedford-North Lawrence has a win over Floyd Central but will be hard pressed to get around Castle for a rematch.