Tuesday's Top Tips: 3/3 - SECTIONALS!

Sectional play begins for the vast majority of teams across Indiana tonight or tomorrow night, and there are obviously some great, highly-competitive games to look forward to. Today, P-Hoops features eleven win-or-else games from all across the state. These include top ranked teams, outstanding players, and in one game, two teams ranked within the top seven of the 4A polls will face off, meaning one of the best teams in the state will have their season conclude this evening. Wow! Let's take a look at the eleven must-see match-ups for the first Tuesday of high school March Madness!

Sectional 3: South Bend Clay (15-6) vs. South Bend Riley (15-6) at Mishawaka - Clay and Riley are two of the top teams from South Bend. They faced each other once this year on February 6th, and Clay was victorious by the score of 66-59. The Colonials were rolling, but they have lost two of three, dropping games against Warsaw and Elkhart Memorial. The Wildcats have won their last two games, beating Elkhart Christian and Adams.

Sectional 4: Warsaw (18-2) vs. Concord (13-7) at Elkhart Central - Warsaw is a team that was rolling along and building unbelievable momentum on their way to the tournament. They had just notched a huge win over Bishop Luers, then the number one team in 2A, but their two games since then have been a struggle. They needed overtime to beat a 6-16 Elkhart Central team, and then they lost their final regular season game to Carroll. They have a great point guard in sophomore Nic Moore. Concord has won four games in a row, but the Minutemen lost their previous match-up with the Tigers back on January 23rd, 77-63.

Sectional 6: Marion (17-3) vs. Ft. Wayne North (13-7) at Huntington North - The Giants are a top-ten team in 4A, but they lost their most recent game against another Ft. Wayne squad, the Snider Panthers. Marion has two D1 seniors in Scott Wood (NC State) and JaRob McCallum (UW Milwaukee), who is coming off a bruised tailbone. The Redskins are reeling a bit, losing two in a row and four of their last seven games heading into Sectionals. They do have a big-time weapon though in high-scoring senior guard Justin Jordan, who should be a great spring signee for a lucky college team.

Sectional 7: Logansport (12-8) vs. Lafayette Jeff (16-7) at Jeff - The Bronchos should win this one, as they are red hot and playing on their home floor. The Berries started the season strong but are losing steam fast, losing six games in their last eight tries. Jeff, on the other hand, began the season below expectations, but have since hit their stride, winning eight consecutive games. They are powered by high-scoring junior guard Jesse Berry, and their big boy, Shane Wyant, controls the middle with his great strength and hard work.

Sectional 8: Pendleton Heights (12-8) vs. Anderson (17-4) at New Castle - Playing at historic New Castle Chrysler Fieldhouse is always a treat, and especially when your postseason life depends on it. In a match-up of two potentially (especially if misconstrued) politically incorrect named squads, the Arabians and the Indians, it will come down to more than a nickname. Heights has won four in a row since starting 8-8 and appear to have things going well. Anderson has been hot all year, winning nine of their last ten games behind the strong play of Troy Taylor. This should be a good one.

Sectional 9: Zionsville (18-2) vs. Noblesville (12-8) at Noblesville - The Millers hold a distinct advantage being able to play on their home court, but the Eagles are flying high after their best regular season in recent memory. Since losing to Carmel, who is part of Sectional 9, Zionsville has won four in a row. Noblesville, too, has won four straight, getting hot at the right time. The Millers lost two the Eagles by seventeen earlier in the year during a five game slide, but they seem to have recovered nicely. With the play of Chris Welker, Jack Isenbarger, and Demetrius Lawson, the Eagles may be too tall a task for the Millers, even at home.

Sectional 10: Cathedral (20-2) vs. North Central (21-1) at Arlington - This is the down side of not seeding Sectional play: one of the best teams in the entire state will be done after their first game of the postseason. Cathedral, led by seniors Errick Peck, Kelsey Barlow, and Jarrett Hamilton are the number seven team in 4A. North Central's only loss came in their second match-up with Lawrence North, after winning the first one in the Marion County Tournament. The Panthers feature great guard play with Terone Johnson, Damon Ellison, and freshman D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera, and they have a good post presence with 6'8 senior Justin Reid. This highly anticipated match-up will probably make for some serious water cooler conversation tomorrow morning.

Sectional 17: Gary Roosevelt (9-8) vs. Gary Lew Wallace (14-6) at Hammond - This game features two of Gary's hottest teams. The Roosevelt Panthers have won three games in a row, getting going at the perfect time. Lew Wallace lost their final regular season game against Munster, but they feature some fantastic talent such as sophomore Branden Dawson, who reportedly holds offers from D1 schools including Purdue. The Hornets won the regular season match-up between the two schools recently on February 20th by the score of 74-67, so this game should be hotly contested.

Sectional 26: Indianapolis Northwest (9-11) vs. Brebeuf Jesuit (12-8) at Beech Grove - Northwest has had an up-and-down year, and with the news that coach Victor Bush is likely moving on to another job, the Space Pioneers look to send him out in style behind the play of junior Ronald Ross, an All-City performer. Brebeuf will be a tough match, as they boast one of the stingiest defenses around. The Braves won their earlier game on February 12th in a tight one, 56-54.

Sectional 34: Boone Grove (13-6) vs. North Judson (15-5) at North Judson - The Blue Jays have a distinct advantage playing at home, where they beat the Wolves on February 7th by the score of 57-51. Boone Grove needs to get things going fast, since they lost their last two games heading into the postseason. North Judson is also struggling a bit, losing two of three, but winning their final game against Kankakee Valley.

Sectional 63: Loogootee (12-8) vs. North Daviess (16-5) at North Daviess - I just like saying Loogootee. One of my favorite words. However, they are also a formidable team, and despite having the lesser of the two records, actually beat the Cougars earlier this year (1/9). Since that loss, Daviess has rolled off ten wins in a row, while the Lions have lost six of ten. Can they recover the magic and beat the Cougars on their home floor again? We'll have to wait and see.

Check back tomorrow for the results of these games and highlights from others.