There are some really good teams whose seasons will end tonight, and that’s a shame. But it’s just another Semi-Final Sectional week in Indiana. Here are the best matchups for tonight:
Pike vs. Plainfield (4A)
This would like having Duke play Michigan this year in the opening round in the NCAA tournament. Yet, here we are. A Top 5 team in the state is going home. The 21-3 Red Devils are stacked with lots of talent coming back even next year or two. They are led by 6’7″ sophomore wing Landon Lampley, an ESPN Top 30 player nationally, Top 15 nationally ranked Isaiah Hill and Top 50 ranked Jahari Miller. They won’t go quietly. Plainfield is no slouch with talent backed by Top 100 senior and Depaul commit Noah Smith (6’8″). But 6’3″ junior guard Harper Baker Lands may be their best player tonight. He has multiple D1 offers and was Peach Jam champion teammates with Pike’s Miller and Hill for Indy Heat. He is a gamer. Him going against Miller tonight will be well worth the $8.00 admission. So who is going home? PBS Prediction: Pike 68-63.
Hamilton Southeastern vs. Fishers (4A)
While these two schools sit about 2 miles from each other, their basketball fortunes are much further apart. The Royals have never won a state title and haven’t won a Sectional in 12 years. They sit at 15-9 on the season. What they do have is 8 straight wins with 2 of them against Top 10 opponents. They are playing with a lot of confidence and have nothing to lose. Landon Osswald has been their best player down the stretch. Fishers is 23-0 with visits to Gainsbridge the two seasons. They’ve only lost two games in the last two years behind the play of junior guards Cooper Zachary and Jason Gardner II, who returns after two months just in time for Sectionals. Senior Kai McGrew also gives the Tigers the best inside weapon on the floor. Ethan Hillsman is another player for the Tigers at 6’7″ that is under recruited so far and is a talented senior. Fishers has worn a shirt with a target on their back all season. Could HSE do the unthinkable and knock Fishers off their perch? PBS Prediction: Fishers 72-64.
Penn vs. South Bend Riley (4A)
Both of these teams have hovered around being ranked in the Top 15 in the state all season. Riley owns a respectable win over Top 10 ranked Lawrence North this season. 6’4″ sophomore Caleb Coolman is a cool one and is a coveted player for Penn. Junior Dakori Parker and senior Tyrese Jones are a handful for Riley. PBS Prediction: Riley 64-58.
Covenant Christian vs. University
First team All-City player Isaac Crane looks to lead his Covenant Christian against University, who lost at least statistically their best player in Josh Henderson about a month ago. Another Josh (Josh McGee) has stepped up and is averaging 19 points and 7 rebounds in the last 5 games after going for 12 points and 5 rebounds prior. Seniors Blake Gray and Faisal Mohamud have been going to work all season. Can they mount another charge and get back to Gainsbridge? PBS Prediction: University 70-60.
Fort Wayne South vs. Homestead
The winner of this game is likely expected to win this Sectional. And then anything can happen. South comes in at 18-4 with Homestead at 17-6. Homestead is lead by junior guard Mack Welker, who is also a Peach Jam (NIke EYBL) Champion. Junior guards Jayvon Irby (12.9 points) and Terrance Jordan (12.3 points) lead the attack for FWS. PBS Prediction: Homestead 65-56.
