1A Regional Breakdown

This week, P-Hoops will preview all 32 games that are going down this weekend, looking at each Regional class by class. Today, we will look at the eight 1A Regional games that are taking place all across the state, picking winners for each individual game, and also picking the overall winner of each. After this Saturday, the four Semistate teams will be set in stone, playing for a chance to compete at Conseco Fieldhouse. Let's take a look at the eight 1A games, with a breakdown for each team and the P-Hoops Prediction for each!

Triton Regional

Triton (21-2) vs. Bethany Christian (15-8) - The Trojans are playing on their home floor, which is a major advantage for them, but one they may not need. They are currently ranked as the number three team in the class, and were ranked atop the 1A polls for weeks during the regular season. They beat Westville, Oregon-Davis, and Argos by an average of 23.7 points to advance to the Regionals. The Bethany Bruins had won five of seven heading into Sectional play, and then rolled through Keystone, Canterbury, and Lakewood Park on the way to the Blackhawk Sectional title. They won by an average of 17 points per game. Despite their run to the title, I expect the Bruins to be easily handled by Triton, who will advance to the Regional Final.

Caston (4-19) vs. Bowman Academy (18-3) - As much as one hates to say it, this one should really be a laugher. Caston pulled a monumental upset by winning their Sectional, and they will need to do the impossible again, and even more so, to knock of Bowman, the number two ranked team in the 1A class. The Comets beat South Newton, Tri-County, and Pioneer by a combined five points on the way to their championship. The Eagles, under the direction of coach Marvin Rea, have burst onto the scene in their first year of IHSAA eligibility. They have had huge wins over 4A schools like East Chicago and South Bend Washington, and romped over their Sectional opponents by a margin of 28.3 points per game. They are led by a bevy of talent, including one of the best freshmen in the state in 6'6 forward DeJuan Marrero. The Eagles should win handily.

Winner of Triton Regional: Bowman over Triton, 71-62.

Frankfort Regional

Monroe Central (18-6) vs. Daleville (14-8) - Monroe Central beat Union (Modoc), Seton Catholic, and Blue River on the way to their Sectional title, winning by an average margin of 24 points per game. The Golden Bears, the ninth ranked team in 1A, are led by seniors Chuck Miller (14.6 ppg) and Landon Whitehead (11.3 ppg), and by sophomore Logan Thomas (11.7 ppg). Daleville won a pair of games straight before rolling through their Sectional, defeating White's, Liberty Christian, and Southern Wells. The White's game was a rout, but the other two were competitive, and the Broncos won by an average of nine points. This one will be close, but I think the Golden Bears will come out on top.

Lafayette Central Catholic (18-6) vs. Rockville (21-3) - This should be one of the best 1A games of the tournament, with two top ten teams going head-to-head. The Knights are the number six team in the class, and show it as they rolled through their Sectional by an average of 18 points a game. They are led by one of the best seniors in the state in Dru Anthrop. He is stuffing the stat sheet, scoring 23.8 points, pulling in seven boards, dishing out four assists, and getting 3.4 steals per game. He gets help from Chris Mills and Connor Mackey, both averaging about nine points a game. Rockville is led by Indiana State-bound RJ Mahurin, a 6'8 forward who can do it all for the Rox, the number four team in 1A. He scores 23.4 points and gets 7.4 boards and an astounding 4.6 blocks per game. They rocked their Sectional foes by an average of 28.7 points. Although these are two great teams, I like LCC to win, as they are better prepared by playing such a tough schedule.

Winner of Frankfort Regional: Lafayette Central Catholic over Monroe Central, 81-70.

Martinsville Regional

Bethesda Christian (16-7) vs. Waldron (10-12) - The Patriots got hot at the right time, as they won six of their final seven games heading into Sectionals, where they beat Attucks, Fall Creek, and Tindley by an average margin of 15.7 points, all on their home floor. They have several weapons to choose from, most notably Cam Roark (15.3 ppg), Mike West (15.1 ppg), and Justin Oglesby (13.9 ppg). Waldron overcame the odds in winning their Sectional, blowing out Morton Memorial, and then beating Southwestern and Edinburgh by a combined eleven points. It was a weak Sectional, in which all seven teams had a combined 51-99 record. Due to that fact, I expect Bethesda to triumph, using their fast-breaking style to defeat the Mohawks.

Jac-Cen-Del (21-2) vs. Clay City (17-7) - These two squads are both in the top 15, with the Eagles as the top ranked team in the class, and the Eels coming in at number fifteen. Jac-Cen-Del relies on a trio of great players in Matt Gehl (20.7 ppg, 8 rpg, 5 apg), Blake Sutton (14 ppg, 4.5 apg), and Tim Arnett (11 ppg, 6rpg). They demolished Oldenburg Academy and Rising Sun, and then beat South Decatur by twelve to win the Sectional. The Eels won a tough White River Valley Sectional which featured North Central (Farmersburg) and Shakamak. They had lost two in a row heading into the postseason, but they proceeded to smash Holy Cross and Union (Dugger) before pulling off a four point win over Shakamak in the title game. In this one, I think the Eagles will swallow the Eels up, winning in a tight on.

Winner of Martinsville Sectional: Jac-Cen-Del rolls over Bethesda, 68-50.

Loogootee Regional

North Daviess (19-5) vs. Tecumseh (16-8) - The Cougars, the number seven team in 1A, won one of the most controversial games in Sectional history, as they benefited from a disallowed three-pointer to pull off a one-point win against rival Barr-Reeve. They then proceeded to beat Vincennes Rivet, 51-45, in the finals. They are one of the hottest teams in the state with thirteen consecutive wins, and are led by Thomas Nugent and Logan Wagler. The Braves once again rolled through their Sectional, winning by an average margin of 21.3 points per game, giving them their eleventh consecutive title. However, they have only advanced past Regionals twice, once winning the State Title in 1998-1999. They are powered by Krieg Oxley, who scores about 20 points per game, and Rex Nuhring, who puts about about ten points a game. The Cougars should continue the trend of the Braves being bounced after Sectionals, winning in a close game.

Borden (18-5) vs. Northeast Dubois (14-9) - The Borden Braves are ranked number eleven in the class, and are led by high-scoring Chris Beam, who averages over twenty a game. They eased through their Sectional, beating three teams by an average of 25 points. The Jeeps from Northeast Dubois pulled a relative upset, beating Orleans 50-49 in the Sectional final. They beat the other two teams by an 19 point average margin. With comparable records and tough schedules, this should be a good one, but I think the Braves will outlast the Jeeps in the end.

Winner of Loogootee Regional: North Daviess beats Borden, 55-51.

1A Semistate Match-ups: Bowman Academy vs. Lafayette Central Catholic, and Jac-Cen-Del vs. North Daviess

Check back tomorrow for the P-Hoops Regional Picks for the 2A class!