A lot will be riding on the sectionals this week, including the coveted Mr. Basketball trophy. While no one will win or lose the award this week, an early loss or championship could change the fortune for players vying for the title. Here are the candidates:
Tony Perkins, Lawrence North
Beating the #3 Lawrence Central with their two Mr. Basketball candidates in D’Andre Davis and Nijel Pack, along with 5 other teams in the Class 4A Top 10, gives Perkins an edge. While the Wildcats are currently #2 in the polls, they clearly have done more than any team, and Perkins with his 19.8 average has been the leader and catalyst. He has shown the ability to play on the wing, run a team and is shooting 3s at 37%. And the Iowa commit kept the energy he’s played with since his sophomore year.
D’ Andre Davis, Lawrence Central
Davis, who is committed to Louisville, has been sensational this year and is averaging over 23 points a game leading the Bears to a 22-2 record. Individually, he has put up the numbers but come up short team wise against rival Lawrence North. Can Lawrence Central make a deep run this month?
Nijel Pack, Lawrence Central
The same goes for Pack, the Kansas State recruit. He’s averaging over 18 points and 6 assists for the Bears after being injured in December. There is a possibility that he and Davis could share the award if both perform well and Lawrence Central goes a long way in the tournament.
Anthony Leal, Bloomington South
Leal has lead Bloomington South to a 23-0 record but the competition hasn’t been as fierce as the other candidates. The Panthers do have wins over Class 3A top ranked Silver Creek on a buzzer beater as well as a win over #6 ranked Culver Academy (without Trey Galloway). Still, Leal, the Indiana commit, is one of the top players in the country, and his team sits at the top due to his strong play.
Trey Galloway, Culver Academy
Galloway was injured for 8 games but has been on a tear since his return. Culver has had big wins over Cathedral and Attucks, and he was at his best against Attucks and Sincere McMahon leading Culver with 29 points. If Culver makes a deep run, he could put something on the mind of the voters.
Sincere McMahon, Attucks
Attucks moved up to Class 4A this year and have not skipped a beat. The 18-5 Tigers have not ducked anybody and have played 9 of the Top 20 teams in Class 4A as well getting a win over Class 2A top ranked Fort Wayne Blackhawk. McMahon, who has opened his recruitment from Western Illinois, has been great and averages 28 points to go with 5 assists. He is another player that could get even deeper in the conversation were he to lead Attucks out of the ridiculously stacked Sectional 10.
And the winner is? The winner will come down to who survives this month. A quick exit will make it tough given that there is no clear favorite. Tony Perkins has the best shot heading into the sectionals but Davis and Pack can make a move this week. Leal has the best chance at playing the longest. This will be a very close race.
