Things went okay during last week’s sectional round as I posted a 21-6 (78 percent) mark. Heading into Saturday’s regionals, my overall record is 262-80, which allows me to stay at 77 percent for the year.
MARCH 10
CLASS 4A MICHIGAN CITY
Elkhart Memorial (13-12) vs. Valparaiso (20-5): The Vikings escaped with a 50-49 win over Elkhart Memorial on December 16. Jose Soto netted nine points as the Chargers rallied for a 62-50 win over Northridge in the Elkhart sectional final. Brandon Newman poured in 27 points and hauled down 11 rebounds for Valparaiso in 46-43 win over defending champion Merrillville in the Chesterton sectional finale. Matt’s pick: Valparaiso 64, Elkhart Memorial 53.
Riley (24-0) vs. Lake Central (15-12): Shamar Dillard tallied 12 points as the No. 2 Wildcats claimed their third sectional in four years with a 98-58 thrashing of Adams in the Mishawaka final. Jack Davis chipped in 19 points to lead the Indians to their own sectional crown with a 75-46 triumph over Hammond Morton. Matt’s pick: Riley 73, Lake Central 55.
Championship: Elkhart Memorial (14-12) vs. Riley (25-0): Matt’s pick: Riley 72, Elkhart Memorial 54.
CLASS 4A LOGANSPORT
Fort Wayne North (20-5) vs. Zionsville (22-3): Keion Brooks contributed 28 points for the defending state runner-up Legends in a 57-44 win over Carroll (Fort Wayne) for the East Noble sectional title. Nathan Childress recorded 14 points for the Eagles in a 60-50 win over McCutcheon for the Lafayette Jeff sectional crown. Matt’s pick: Zionsville 46, Fort Wayne North 44.
Homestead (18-7) vs. Carmel (18-7): On the way to the 2015 state title, the Spartans slipped past Carmel. 41-37, in the regional final. Onye Ezeakudo had 13 points for Homestead in a 40-39 win over host Huntington North in the sectional finale. John Michael Mulloy racked up 26 points for the Greyhounds in a 46-49 victory over Fishers for the Noblesville sectional championship. Matt’s pick: Homestead 50, Carmel 48.
Championship: Fort Wayne North (21-5) vs. Carmel (19-7): Matt’s pick: Fort Wayne North 58, Carmel 56.
CLASS 3A LAPORTE
Culver Academy (19-6) vs. Hammond (19-5): Deontae Craig helped the No. 4 Eagles earn their second straight sectional title with 21 points in a 48-47 win over No. 6 Marian in the finale at Washington. Amiri Young tallied 16 points for the host Wildcats in a 52-40 victory over Gary West for the sectional crown. Matt’s pick: Culver Academy 61, Hammond 54.
West Lafayette (21-4) vs. Calumet (14-10): Gabe Klinker finished with 15 points for the Red Devils in their 58-36 win against Northwestern for the Frankfort sectional title. Da’Vion Davis contributed 16 points in the Warriors’ 53-39 win over host and defending state runner-up Twin Lakes in the title game. Matt’s pick: West Lafayette 52, Calumet 41.
Championship: Culver Academy (20-6) vs. West Lafayette (22-4): Matt’s pick: Culver Academy 61, West Lafayette 58.
CLASS 3A MARION
NorthWood (18-5) vs. Marion (19-6): In their run to the 2016 state title, the Giants rallied for a 66-62 win over NorthWood in the regional final. Caleb Lung managed 10 points as the host Panthers claimed their fourth sectional championship in five years with a 52-33 win over Lakeland. Freshman Jalen Blackman had 25 points in Marion’s 57-54 win over Mississinewa in the Norwell sectional final. Matt’s pick: Marion 60, NorthWood 56.
New Castle (25-2) vs. Angola (17-8): Niah Williamson helped the top-ranked Trojans capture their own sectional title with 17 points in a 68-45 decision over Delta. Braydon Hart came up with 15 points for the Hornets in a 51-44 overtime victory against Fort Wayne Concordia in the New Haven sectional title game. Matt’s pick: New Castle 70, Angola 57.
Championship: Marion (20-6) vs. New Castle (26-2): Matt’s pick: New Castle 59, Marion 55.
CLASS 2A NORTH JUDSON
Andrean (17-8) vs. Marquette Catholic (13-14): The 59ers posted a 74-62 win over Marquette Catholic on January 10. Kyle Ross finished with 21 points for Andrean in a 75-52 victory against Hammond Bishop Noll for the Whiting sectional title. Colin Kenney ended up with 25 points for the Blazers in a 58-54 win against host Hebron for the sectional crown. Matt’s pick: Andrean 63, Marquette Catholic 59.
Westview (26-1) vs. Fort Wayne Canterbury (11-13): The Cavaliers knocked No. 2 Westview out of the 2016 state tournament with a 54-41 win in the regional opener. Cam Kreiger netted 18 points for Concordia in its 53-46 win against Bluffton for the South Adams sectional championship. Charlie Yoder tallied 23 points as the host Warriors notched their school-best26th win with a 67-28 decision over defending champ Central Noble in the sectional finale. Matt’s pick Westview 57, Fort Wayne Canterbury 47.
Championship: Andrean (18-8) vs. Westview (27-1): Matt’s pick: Westview 62, Andrean 56.
CLASS 2A LAPEL
Covington (23-1) vs. Tipton (20-4): Spencer Pettit managed 13 points as the No. 1 Trojans edged Seeger, 39-35, to claim the Fountain Central sectional title. Lukas Swan added 20 points for the No. 9 Blue Devils in a 63-44 win over host Eastbrook in the sectional final. Matt’s pick: Covington 42, Tipton 39.
Lapel (14-12) vs. Oak Hill (22-5): The Bulldogs got past No. 8 Oak Hill, 52-51, in the regional final on their way to the 2016 state title. Luke Richardson netted 19 points grabbed 14 points as host Lapel upset defending state champion Frankton, 67-65 in overtime, for the sectional crown. Tyce Frank finished with 23 points as the Golden Eagles cruised to an 89-27 win over Lewis Cass in the Manchester sectional finale. Matt’s pick: Oak Hill 45, Lapel 43.
Championship: Tipton (21-4) vs. Oak Hill (23-5): Matt’s pick: Oak Hill 53, Tipton 49.
CLASS 1A CULVER
Gary 21st Century (20-6) vs. Elkhart Christian (19-6): DeAndre Gholston racked up 27 points for the No. 5 Cougars in their 81-37 triumph over Westville for the Kouts sectional title. Jon Burns’ 14 points helped the Eagles capture their first sectional title with a 49-46 win over defending champion Oregon-Davis in the Culver sectional title game. Matt’s pick: Gary 21st Century 65, Elkhart Christian 51.
Covenant Christian (DeMotte) (23-2) vs. Fort Wayne Blackhawk (24-2): Gavin Herrema had 23 points as the Knights picked up their first sectional championship with a 66-63 victory over host Tri-County. Caleb Furst poured in 16 points as the top-ranked Braves rolled to a 75-31 win against Lakewood Park Christian for the Hamilton sectional title. Matt’s pick: Fort Wayne Blackhawk 70, Covenant Christian 49.
Championship: Gary 21st Century (21-6) vs, Fort Wayne Blackhawk (25-2); Matt’s pick: Fort Wayne Blackhawk 73, Gary 21st Century 69.
CLASS 1A FRANKFORT
Southwood (22-3) vs. North Vermillion (15-13): Peyton Trexler recorded 29 points as the No. 3 Kinights captured the Lafayette Central Catholic sectional title with a 96-42 drubbing of Frontier. Chris Ellis led the Falcons to their own sectional championship with 25 points in a 68-46 win over Rockville. Matt’s pick: Southwood 69, North Vermillion 48.
Seton Catholic (8-18) vs. Southern Wells (11-14): Zach Rogers paved the way for the Cardinals with 14 points in a 59-50 win over host Blue River Valley in the sectional final. Jordan Bower came up with 19 points to help the Raiders get by host Wes-Del, 52-51, for the sectional championship. Matt’s pick: Southern Wells 43, Seton Catholic 37.
Championship: Southwood (23-3) vs. Seton Catholic (9-18): Matt’s pick: Southwood 72, Seton Catholic 52.
