Bracket Busters: Class 1A
The lottery ball style of selection process used for the Indiana state tournament is somewhat unique to Hoosier hoops fans, but what isn’t unique is what comes next. Everyone anticipates potential matchups, Sectional winners, and possible upsets. In this article,…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe lottery ball style of selection process used for the Indiana state tournament is somewhat unique to Hoosier hoops fans, but what isn’t unique is what comes next. Everyone anticipates potential matchups, Sectional winners, and possible upsets. In this article, it’s the latter that I’m most concerned with, so I took the top five teams in the Sagarin ratings in Class 1A (as of the morning of 1/31/20), and I found the one team and an individual or two from that team who could create chaos as we know it in regards to Regional advancement. Below is a look at the five top-rated teams in Sagarin’s Class 1A rankings, along with a description of what could disrupt them.
1. Loogootee (20-2)
Loogootee has had an outstanding season thus far, with their losses coming to Class 4A Columbus East and Class 2A Linton-Stockton. They are a strong favorite to win Sectional #63, but there is one player who stands out to me as being a problem for them. Sheridan Robbins (2021) of Orleans High School could be that problem. The 5-9 forward is strong, tough-nosed, physical, but also skilled. She can score it at all levels, and she plays with a good motor. This year she has averaged 18.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, plus she’s shooting 33% (40-120) from long range. If she can approach 30 points and post a double-double against Loogootee, she could help Orleans pull the upset.
2. Trinity Lutheran (21-3)
Trinity Lutheran has had similar success as Loogootee, falling only to bigger schools. Class 3A Brownstown Central has gotten them twice, and Class 3A Madison Consolidated knocked them off to finish the regular season. They are the easy choice to win Sectional #62, but Destiney Ramey (2020) of Edinburgh High School can be a nemesis. In a matchup earlier this season, Trinity Lutheran won 71-57, but Ramey went for 25 points while going just 3-14 inside the arc. On the season she has averaged 20.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 3.8 steals, plus she is 35% from outside (49-142). If she can put together a more efficient night shooting it, score around 30 or more points, plus get a little help from her teammates, who knows what can happen this time of year.
3. Morgan Township (20-3)
And we have yet another top ranked Class 1A team with an impressive resume. Morgan Township has lost to Class 3A Knox, Class 3A Kankakee Valley, and Class 4A Merrillville. They have a nice advantage heading into Sectional #49, but there are a couple of teams and individuals they should be a little fearful of. I am going to lean towards Covenant Christian (DeMotte) and 5-10 wing Skylar Bos (2023). Yes, Morgan Township dominated the first outing, but Bos is just a Freshman and has had a consistent season, especially since Thanksgiving. She is long, skilled, and continues to get better and better as she gets more experience. At 14.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 4.3 steals per game, she has triple-double potential, and with an outing of that magnitude, Covenant Christian might have a chance to wreck the bracket.
4. Tecumseh (16-5)
Tecumseh has played a tough schedule, with Class 1A Loogootee (above) being the only team they’ve lost to in their class. Other losses include: Class 4A Evansville North, Class 3A Heritage Hills, Class 2A South Knox, and Class 3A Gibson Southern. In Sectional #64, though, the Braves better be wary of Springs Valley. The alma mater of one Larry Bird, Springs Valley has an impressive post player in 6-0 Jewel McCormick. She continues to be a walking double-double machine, she takes up space in the paint, she’s a very good rebounder at both ends of the floor, and she’s a versatile scorer who can get easy baskets on the block or knock down shots in the mid-post. If Jewel can get going early and often, stay out of foul trouble, and get just a little support from the rest of their roster, she and the Blackhawks have a legitimate shot. It might take a 30-point, 15-rebound effort from McCormick, but she’s more than capable.
5. Greenwood Christian (18-5)
Greenwood Christian’s schedule has some quality opponents, but also more than a few easy games as well. Their losses have come at the hands of Class 1A Trinity Lutheran (above), Class 1A Bethesda Christian, Class 2A Northeastern, Class 3A Indian Creek, and Class 4A Decatur Central. They do have a nice foursome of double-digit scorers on their own roster, but they have done battle year after year with Tindley Accelerated School. Tindley boasts 5-4 guard Aniya Washington (2021), and she can put up points in a hurry. This season, she has a couple of games in the 30s and multiple other games in the 20s. She is strong, tough-nosed, and athletic, and she can go get a shot when she wants. She is averaging 17.1 points, 2.7 assists, and an impressive 4.8 steals per game. If she can get hot, and if Tindley can turn Greenwood Christian over, they can definitely make this a 32-minute nightmare for the Cougars.