Indiana State | Archive | March, 2009

By Mike McGraw
Executive Director

Uncle Mike insists it is going to be a strange tournament. After all, it didn’t snow on Tuesday, and everybody knows it is supposed to snow on the first night of sectionals. He contends it is a sign of the apocalypse.

Fittingly, here are his somewhat strange observations of opening-night action …

Class 4A
DeKalb 32, Carroll (Fort Wayne) 31
Slow down game No. 1, and upset No. 1.

Homestead 67, Fort Wayne South 61
How about that! Homestead found a Fort Wayne team they could beat at something when it counts.

Anderson 73, Pendleton Heights 50
The Arabians drew the only team in the field that their freshmen didn’t have enough moxie to handle.

Noblesville 51, Zionsville 45
The Eagles have landed – with a thud. So, by the way, did Uncle Mike’s prediction in this sectional.

Perry Meridian 49, Center Grove 48
This is a nice win for a Falcon squad that has fought hard all year without much to show for it.

Class 3A
Gary Roosevelt 95, Gary Wallace 84
It is tournament time. Roosevelt wins and Wallace loses, and life goes on as normal.

West Lafayette 76, Western 58
The idea of coach Dave Wood leading a team with talent at tourney time should strike fear in the hearts of a lot of 3A teams.

Harding 66, Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran 60
Does anybody north of U.S. 40 ever beat these guys in the tourney?

Danville 60, Crawfordsville 54
We all know Danville is a good team, but the Warriors never blow anybody out.

Washington 41, Heritage Hills 34
That is a very respectable showing for Heritage Hills.

Class 2A
Westview 66, Fairfield 53
They were officially “Yoder-ized.” If you do not get that historical reference, shame on you.

Carroll (Flora) 60, Fountain Central 48 (OT)
You can’t help but root for Carroll. That was a devastating blow they took when Eller went down to injury. They were good enough to make some real noise.

North Miami 71, Cass 36
Thirty-six points and they lost. It is obvious Basil wasn’t coaching. That many points back then would have been enough for a Kings blowout.

Covenant Christian (Indianapolis) 75, Cascade 73 (OT)
The Cadets quietly improved during the season about as much as any team in the state.

Paoli 65, Austin 51
Darn you, Joe Hinton! That is prediction No. 2 down the drain.

Class A
Caston 50, South Newton 47
It doesn’t have any long-range impact, but this is a pretty big upset.

Turkey Run 66, Covington 57 (2OT)
I’ll bet that place was rockin’! They take it seriously out there on the prairie.

Shakamak 53, North Central (Farmersburg) 41
They should be named Smackahack.

North Daviess 57, Loogootee 47
One 600-pound gorilla down and one 600-pound gorilla to go. (Editing note: It’s 800 pounds, you old ****!)

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By Mike McGraw
Executive Director

Uncle Mike sat down to do these predictions on the heels of a 5-for-8 performance on the girls semistates. This once again proves that you are safest to simply go the opposite of what the old codger says. Nonetheless, here are his Class 4A sectional picks.

As an added bonus for our loyal readers, Managing Editor E. Shawn Aylsworth will offer up his sacrificial picks as well – remember, this is the man convinced that three of the most overrated shows in the history of television are “Seinfeld,” “The Office,” and any reality show that is not food-based. Yummy.

Uncle Mike’s picks appear below after Unkey Mike; Aylsworth’s appear after Ed Zeppelin, his catch-all team name for unsuccessful fantasy sports teams across the globe.

Sectional 1 @ East Chicago Central
Unkey Mike: Four of the six teams have winning records in this tourney. There is also a sleeper in the form of Lake Central – despite being 15-5 on the year, nobody is talking about the Indians. Eighth-ranked Munster (19-1) is the favorite on paper. So much of this one will depend on the officiating – a close whistle benefits Munster, a loosely called game benefits several other teams. In the end, I think Munster got the benefit of the draw and will come out of this site. That prediction is definitely made with great hesitation.
Ed Zeppelin: The second-most open field, according to John Harrell’s sectional picks that are based on Sagarin power ratings, the sectional draw, and sectional site. Munster is indeed the favorite, but at only 38.4 percent – still, double digits ahead of East Chicago Central (27.0 percent). But the Mustangs were a 65-48 winner at East Chicago back on Dec. 6. That’s enough for me.

Sectional 2 @ Michigan City
Unkey Mike: Three weeks ago, this would have been a tough one to pick. It isn’t now. Jim East has his No. 14 Merrillville Pirates (15-5) on top of their game coming into the postseason. They will get by tough Valparaiso (17-3) in the second round and take home the hardware.
Ed Zeppelin: Merrillville was a 54-40 home loser Jan. 3 to Valparaiso but a 53-42 winner at Valpo Feb. 20 – so much for home-court advantage. Not surprisingly, Merrillville is favored by a shade (41.8 percent to 41.4 percent) over the Vikings, and the Pirates indeed are hot, having won their last two games over Hobart and Portage by a combined 157-44. (No, that is not a typo.) They’ll see each other in the semis, and I am taking Merrillville.

Sectional 3 @ Mishawaka
Unkey Mike: All four South Bend city schools in this field come in with a winning record. It has been a long time since you could say that, and it is great to see. South Bend Washington is the favorite at 17-4, but I am going to take Clay (15-6). Don’t ask me why, because I really don’t know. It is just a gut feeling.
Ed Zeppelin: Hey, wanna-be fat man: LEAVE THE GUT PICKS TO ME!! Speaking of which, this is gonna have to be a gut pick as “favorite” Adams is at 25.6 percent and Washington is at 24.2. The shocker here is that Penn is having its worst season in forever at 7-13, and the Kingsmen have lost to all five sectional foes (though four were close). All the South Bends are within 2.36 points of each, according to Mr. Sagarin. So I busting out the lasso … and it lands on Clay. Dagnabbit, Mike!

Sectional 4 @ Elkhart Central (well, North Side Gym, actually)
Unkey Mike: This should lead to a great championship tilt between undefeated fifth-ranked Northridge (20-0) and No. 10 Warsaw, which is 18-2. Northridge won the regular-season game by five at Warsaw. In addition, Northridge got the better of it in the draw. I think the Raiders remain undefeated and add “sectional champion” to the resume.
Ed Zeppelin: Interchangeable, Warsaw and Northridge are! Except for the aforementioned draw, which gave Northridge the bye and either Goshen (11-9) or the host Blue Blazers (6-16) in the semis. The RAI-duhhhhhhhhs!

Sectional 5 @ East Noble
Unkey Mike: It should be a battle between 17-3 No. 12 Carroll (Fort Wayne) and sixth-ranked Fort Wayne Snider (20-1). I am not about to bet against Ray Sims in his farewell season. I will take Snider.
Ed Zeppelin: Ditto.

Sectional 6 @ Huntington North
Unkey Mike: No. 9 Marion (17-3) should win this one, but look for the Giants to have a tough time with Jay County (14-6) in the second round – the Patriots under Craig Teagle may be the best-coached team in Indiana. Still, I will take the Giants to survive. By the way, that pick offends every fiber of my rural Grant County upbringing.
Ed Zeppelin: This is Marion we’re talking about. Think Scott Wood isn’t going to have postseason blinders on after what happened against Brownsburg last March?

Sectional 7 @ Lafayette Jefferson
Unkey Mike: Will the real Jeff Bronchos please stand up? Please stand up?? PLEASE STAND UP?!?!?! If No. 15 host Jeff (16-7) is at its best, the Bronchos should win this sectional. I don’t think they will be, so I will take Kokomo (13-7).
Ed Zeppelin: LOL. Good one, McLovin. I was going to bust out the old Jekyll/Hyde thang, but you got there first. The Bronchos won 66-64 at Kokomo five days before Christmas, and they have won eight straight – including three in OT – after getting smoked 86-65 Jan. 17 by Anderson. I know too many people that are connected to Jeff, so I am assuming the doctor will be “in.”

Sectional 8 @ New Castle
Unkey Mike: The real championship game is Tuesday in the opening round, when Pendleton Heights (12-8) plays No. 17 Anderson (17-4). I will take the Indians to win that one as well as the next two.
Ed Zeppelin: Coach Heck threatened to quit if they close The Wigwam. Can you imagine the fire in his postseason pre-game talks? Anderson.

Sectional 9 @ Noblesville
Unkey Mike: Carmel (15-5) is the favorite in this field. In addition, it is always foolish to go against the Greyhounds at the sectional level. So, I am going to go against them. I think the surprise winner here is No. 12 Zionsville (18-2).
Ed Zeppelin: Yes, McLovin. A team ranked 12th is going to be a surprise to potentially three sectional opponents. D’OH! Zionsville’s losses are at Brownsburg and at Carmel, possibly the two best 4A teams in the state a year ago. Athletic Director Greg Schellhase is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet, so I’m leaning toward Zionsville to send out the ’Hounds in the championship round.

Sectional 10 @ Indianapolis Arlington
Unkey Mike: Any prediction here is an absolute guess. The championship should be Round 3 between No. 3 Lawrence North (21-2) and No. 4 North Central (21-1). I am going with the experience … and maybe a little bit with the wily nature of Jack Keefer. Lawrence North will be your winner.
Ed Zeppelin: No mention of seventh-ranked 20-2 Cathedral, Mikey Mike? Anyone with a hint of detective in them has been monitoring Lawrence North’s success from the free throw line all season, and yes I am using the term “success” very loosely. The recipe for sending LN and its litany of 6’7” guys home early is TO FOUL THEM, REPEATEDLY. A deep team with lots of fouls to give can avoid having to deal with some random University of Louisville-bound tree bringing the ball up the floor and creating subsequent havoc. Make the Wildcats shoot 40 free throws, and they’ll miss half of ‘em. Besides, North Central coach Doug Mitchell named me most improved weightlifter in Period 6 back in 1984. You don’t forget that kind of love. North Central.

Sectional 11 @ Center Grove
Unkey Mike: There simply is nobody in this field good enough to pull off the upset over Franklin Central (17-5). Flashes win it easily.
Ed Zeppelin: Unfortunately, McLovin is right. But the standout FC team I saw back in December has faded significantly, and I highly doubt the Flashes will show much electricity past the sectional round.

Sectional 12 @ Pike
Unkey Mike: OK. Here is the pick that will convince you I am insane. Ben Davis enters the tourney 3-16. They will exit at 6-16 with a sectional title. I am really not crazy. The Giants get a breather in Round 1 against a hapless Manual team (the Redskins just haven’t been the same since my then-mulleted business partner, Tim Fishburn, was raining threes on Indy’s southside back in the mid ‘70s). That puts them in the second round against Avon (12-9) which only beat BD by five the first time. Meanwhile, defending 4A state champion Brownsburg has to get past host Pike (both are 11-8). I am saying the Bulldogs will do that then get upset, if you call it that, by Decatur Central (17-3) in the semifinals. Ben Davis handily beat Decatur Central in the regular season.
Ed Zeppelin: Yes, it was me – and not Uncle Mike – who came up with the aforementioned dig on Fishburn. (HAPPY 50TH ON MARCH 23, HERBERT!) OK, we’ll also try this again. A train leaves Kansas City heading west at 35 mph … Decatur Central.

Sectional 13 @ Terre Haute North
Unkey Mike: The team that is favored never wins this sectional, but it will this time. No. 11 Terre Haute South (18-4) is just too good for the rest of this field.
Ed Zeppelin: He’s onto something there with that favorite-never-wins theme. Still, TH South has the bye (one less chance for an upset) and beat Lawrence North, for cryin’ out loud (and ruled from the free throw line!). Braves.

Sectional 14 @ Columbus North
Unkey Mike: Yeah, right. You could pick an All-Star team from the rest of the field, and top-ranked Bloomington South (20-0) would still beat them by 15.
Ed Zeppelin: Yes, and they are getting the College All-Star Game with the NFL Super Bowl champion back together, too. Nimwit. Bloomington South reminds me of the first Muncie Central team that played Lawrence North a few years back in the 4A final – the one that soiled its collective diaper once it stepped on the floor against Oden & Conley. For shame, as that was a great team … But I digress. Um, South!

Sectional 15 @ Seymour
Unkey Mike: It would take an act of Congress for the final not to be between unranked Jeffersonville (16-4) and No. 2 New Albany (20-0). I love it – a civil war when it counts. I say the Bulldogs will take another bite out of the Red Devils. New Albany moves on.
Ed Zeppelin: N’albany, That’s like N’awlins, right?

Sectional 16 @ Evansville Central
Unkey Mike: No. 16 Evansville Harrison (15-5) is the best of a mediocre field.
Ed Zeppelin: Indeed, Harrison is the lowest-rated sectional favorite according to the power numbers (28th in 4A). Calbert Cheaney’s alma also is the only team with a winning record in this five-team field. H … A … double-R, I … s-o-n spells Harrison!

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By Mike McGraw
Executive Director

Uncle Mike starts to get uncomfortable when the schools get bigger. He is kind of afraid of crowds. There is more chance someone will actually see him. Nonetheless, he is venturing forth his sectional picks for the Class 3A battles.

As an added bonus for our loyal readers, Managing Editor E. Shawn Aylsworth will offer up his sacrificial picks as well – remember, this is the man convinced that a pro baseball career was in the offing … till he got moved from catcher to shortstop, from which position he proceeded to commit a possible state-record number of errors.

Yeesh.

Uncle Mike’s picks appear below after Unkey Mike; Aylsworth’s appear after Ed Zeppelin, his catch-all team name for unsuccessful fantasy sports teams across the globe.

Sectional 17 @ Hammond
Unkey Mike: This should be Hammond (13-6) and No. 14 Gary Wallace (14-6) in the final. I will take Hammond because if the Wildcats don’t win, the folks in Gary have nothing to complain about for the next year.
Ed Zeppelin: Hammond Clark (6-14) pulled a 54-52 home upset on Hammond two days after Christmas, but the Wildcats spoiled that gift big-time in an 83-52 rout at their place Feb. 6. Gary Wallace, meanwhile, owns a nine-point Sagarin power numbers advantage – over Gary Roosevelt (9-8). Those two open sectional play Tuesday. I will go with Wally.

Sectional 18 @ Calumet
Unkey Mike: These are words I never thought I would utter in relation to basketball: I will take Griffith (12-8) to win this one. Knox (14-6) has the best record in the field and will offer the opposition for Griffith in round two, but come on – it’s Knox.
Ed Zeppelin: Holy underwhelming favorite, Batman. This is the toughest 3A sectional to pick – and easily the weakest 3A sectional field – according to John Harrell’s sectional picks that are based on Sagarin power ratings, the sectional draw, and sectional site. Knox gets 30.6 percent of the vote, whereas McLovin’s selection, Griffith, is second at 29.5 percent. The team with the worst record, Kankakee Valley (3-17), lost by two to Griffith, one to Knox, and two to Andrean (8-12) in OT – yet got spanked 55-38 by Rensselaer. Eeney, meeney, miney … ohwait. There’s a smallish private school involved. Andrean.

Sectional 19 @ Plymouth
Unkey Mike: No. 7 Rochester (17-3) should win this one easily. However, Rochester as a favorite is a recipe for disaster. Then again, I am used to disasters. I will take the Zebras.
Ed Zeppelin: Rochester is an eight-point favorite over perennial sectional stud host Plymouth, but the Pilgrims (7-13) are having a down year and got de-striped by the Zebras 68-41 back on Dec. 5. Rochester.

Sectional 20 @ Frankfort
Unkey Mike: Five of the six teams have winning records. There are lots of potential pitfalls, but I still like No. 15 Frankfort (15-6) to win it.
Ed Zeppelin: It’s a good thing that the No. 18 West Lafayette (15-6) vs. Western (12-8) opening-round contest is the second game Tuesday – the last time the two got together, it took FIVE OVERTIMES to determine a winner (host West Lafayette, 65-60). Frankfort has the most impressive record among sectional foes, but the Hot Dogs only beat Western by three, at home, Dec. 20. Still, this is case Arena we’re talking about, home of one the worst-edited films of all-time, “Blue Chips.” I’ll take a Hot Dog.

Sectional 21 @ NorthWood
Unkey Mike: No. 18 Lakeland (16-5) always comes in to this as a strong contender, yet the Lakers seldom win a sectional. Many people say that is because the regular-season strength of schedule is not good, and they run into teams that are more battle-tested. I generally go along with that theory. However, this time around I do not think there is anybody that good in Lakeland’s path. I will take the boys from LaGrange.
Ed Zeppelin: My first-ever job interview out of college was in LaGrange, albeit Illinois. I did not get the job … but look where I am NOW!! Lakeland, Whitko (15-5), and NorthWood (11-9) are all within a point of each other in the power ratings, with two others (7-13 schools Columbia City and high-scoring Wawasee) within 10 points. But this bad boy is being played at NorthWood, where the Panthers just beat Whitko by 17 to wrap the regular season. Lakeland beat NorthWood by 30 on Jan. 20, and they should see each other in the semifinals in a rematch of last year’s championship won by Lakeland, 63-56. Whitko, meanwhile, has a clear path to the final. Still, I’ll take NorthWood.

Sectional 22 @ Fort Wayne Wayne
Unkey Mike: It is tough to pick a non-Fort Wayne school in this tourney because the city schools are so well-tested during the season. However, this is just like Sectional 21. I just do not see anybody better than eighth-ranked Peru (16-4).
Ed Zeppelin: Really? The power numbers have Peru, Fort Wayne Elmhurst (12-7), and the host Generals (11-8) all within three points of each other – depending on the way the wind is blowing, a field goal could provide the upset. But Elmhurst and Wayne likely will meet in the semis, whereas Peru faces only 5-15 Maconaquah and 10-10 Norwell to reach the final. Grudgingly, I’ll concur with Uncle Mike’s circus selection.

Sectional 23 @ New Haven
Unkey Mike: It is always hard to pick against Harding at tourney time, but this year the 6-14 Hawks fall to No. 4 Fort Wayne Dwenger (16-4).
Ed Zeppelin: Dwenger.

Sectional 24 @ Muncie South
Unkey Mike: No. 13 Delta (17-4) is good, but not good enough. I will take No. 12 Muncie South (14-6).
Ed Zeppelin: Muncie South did, indeed, defeat Delta Dec. 6, 69-62 (I like alliteration). And both schools are coming in with significant winning streaks (six for the host Rebels, seven for Delta). Muncie South won the sectional championship over Delta last year easily, 67-51, and play a much tougher sked. Criminy, that’s three in a row I agree with Dude on. YIKES!!

Sectional 25 @ Crawfordsville
Unkey Mike: This is the battle between Travis Carroll of fifth-ranked Danville (16-4) and D.J. Byrd of No. 17 North Montgomery (15-5). They are both eventually headed for Purdue. I think when Carroll gets there, he is going to have bragging rights. I will take Danville.
Ed Zeppelin: Danville defeated North Montgomery by two in the sectional on the Chargers’ home floor a year ago, and they rolled to an easier-than-appears 61-53 a victory a couple weeks back before my very eyes. Danville.

Sectional 26 @ Beech Grove
Unkey Mike: Throw them in a hat and pick out a slip of paper. That is as good a way to handicap this field as any. Any of these squads are capable of beating anybody else on a given night. I will take ninth-ranked Roncalli (15-5) because the Rebels drew a bye, and I think they are the most consistent of the group.
Ed Zeppelin: This sectional was an absolute zoo last year. Favorite Indianapolis Howe Academy got smoked 65-50 by Indianapolis Chatard in the opener, while Beech Grove beat Roncalli 70-62 in overtime. Indianapolis Northwest spanked Brebeuf by 15 in the semis, while Beech Grove beat Chatard 47-45 in overtime. Then Beech Grove beat Northwest by two, 49-47, for the title. In other words, there’s no way for this thang to go but down. Brebeuf (12-9), Roncalli, and Howe (14-7) are all within a point of each other in the Sagarin ratings, but I just saw Brebeuf hang tight with host Carmel till a three beat the Braves in the last 10 seconds. I saw how unsettled Braves coach Andy Fagan was after the game, and I just think Brebeuf will find a way to survive here.

Sectional 27 @ Hamilton Heights
Unkey Mike: It would be a major collapse if No. 6 (and 17-3) Mt. Vernon (Fortville) does not win this one.
Ed Zeppelin: Indeed, Mt. Vernon is, by far, the biggest 3A sectional favorite according to Harrell’s site. Fortville rocks.

Sectional 28 @ Madison
Unkey Mike: Third-ranked Batesville (18-2) should use this as a tune-up.
Ed Zeppelin: Yes.

Sectional 29 @ South Vermillion
Unkey Mike: No. 11 West Vigo (17-5) and Edgewood (13-7) are the favorites at this site. The Vikings are having their best season in years; however, they lost 52-42 at home to Edgewood in the regular season, and the Mustangs are much more accustomed to the big stage. I will take Edgewood.
Ed Zeppelin: All that is true. But West Vigo beat 1A power Rockville twice, and Rockville just beat 4A power Terre Haute South. Plus Edgewood is Garrett Butcher-less. My hunch says West Vigo.

Sectional 30 @ Crawford County
Unkey Mike: This is a balanced field. I am going to take No. 18 Salem (16-4), and it is totally a pick from the heart. Salem is the forgotten town down in that part of the state, and it would be nice to see the Lions win one.
Ed Zeppelin: Awwwww. Mikey wikes the underdawg! Actually, Salem is five points better than the rest of the field Sagarin-wise and has the easiest route to the finals. Salem.

Sectional 31 @ Southridge
Unkey Mike: Please. As long as there are Zellers and Miillers in Washington, you have to go with the No. 2 Hatchets.
Ed Zeppelin: (Lee Corso alert!) Not so fast, my friend! Washington only beat 10th-ranked Southridge 35-33 at home two weeks ago, and this is being played in Huntingburg. Were it not for a relatively dreadful draw (Southridge must face 12-8 Vincennes Lincoln and then 10-10 rival Jasper to get to the finals, whereas Washington only has to deal with 4-17 Heritage Hills and 9-13 Pike Central), I would take the Raiders. Then again, Al Davis has proven himself to be a “nidiot.” Defending 3A state champ Washington.

Sectional 32 @ Princeton
Unkey Mike: Let’s see. Top-ranked Princeton is undefeated and playing on its home floor. Call me crazy, but I will take the host. Besides, if the Tigers don’t win, we won’t get to see the rematch with Washington (a 57-50 Princeton road win Jan. 23), and that is the one game fans all want to see take place.
Ed Zeppelin: Yes. Princeton will be favored by nearly two touchdowns should the Tigers meet up with defending sectional champion No. 15 Evansville Memorial (15-6).

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By E. Shawn Aylsworth
Managing Editor

According to the Sagarin power ratings, there are at least big games (pitting teams rated by class in their respective Top 20s) on tap for Week 15 – SECTIONALS – of the 2008 Indiana high school boys basketball season.

Here’s a preview of those big contests via the pertinent numbers taken from John Harrell’s Indiana high school basketball site (rankings are from the latest Associated Press polls):

Tuesday, March 3
Two biggies …

10. INDIANAPOLIS ARLINGTON SECTIONAL
4A #7 Indianapolis Cathedral (20-2) vs. 4A #4 North Central (Indianapolis) (21-1)
GAME TIME: 7:00 PM EST (WJEL, 89.3 FM).
COACHES: Scott Hicks, 160-44 in 9th year at Indianapolis Cathedral. Doug Mitchell, 260-120 in 16th year at North Central (Indianapolis).
SAGARIN RATINGS: North Central (Indianapolis), 99.41, 2nd overall, 2nd in Class 4A. Indianapolis Cathedral, 91.71, 6th overall, 6th in Class 4A.
LAST OUTING: Indianapolis Cathedral defeated Center Grove, 70-50, Feb. 27. North Central (Indianapolis) defeated Harding, 71-49, Feb. 27.
VS. COMMON FOES: Indianapolis Cathedral 7-0. North Central (Indianapolis) 7-0.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Indianapolis Cathedral 226-219, North Central (Indianapolis) 257-197.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Indianapolis Cathedral, 2-0.
LAST MEETING: Indianapolis Cathedral, 66-62, regional, Mar. 8, 1997.

63. NORTH DAVIESS SECTIONAL
Loogootee (12-8) at 1A #7 North Daviess (16-5)
GAME TIME: 6:00 PM EST (WRZR, 94.5 FM; WQTY, 93.3 FM).
COACHES: Mike Wagoner, 12-8 in 1st year at Loogootee. Brent Dalrymple, 110-97 in 9th year at North Daviess.
SAGARIN RATINGS: North Daviess, 72.76, 138th overall, 10th in Class 1A. Loogootee, 69.84, 165th overall, 13th in Class 1A.
LAST OUTING: Loogootee defeated White River Valley, 61-40, Feb. 26. North Daviess defeated Eastern Greene, 50-46, Feb. 27.
VS. COMMON FOES: Loogootee 7-4. North Daviess 8-3.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Loogootee 226-189, North Daviess 227-214.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: North Daviess, 12-2.
LAST MEETING: Loogootee, 44-43, Jan. 9, 2009.

Wednesday, March 4
One biggie …

40. TIPTON SECTIONAL
2A #7 Oak Hill (17-3) at 2A #1 Tipton (20-2)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM EST.
COACHES: Kevin Renbarger, 55-31 in 4th year at Oak Hill. Travis Daugherty, 72-39 in 5th year at Tipton.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Tipton, 88.44, 16th overall, 2nd in Class 2A. Oak Hill, 77.51, 87th overall, 8th in Class 2A.
LAST OUTING: Oak Hill defeated Northfield, 66-49, Feb. 27. Tipton defeated Western, 71-57, Feb. 27.
VS. COMMON FOES: Oak Hill 4-0. Tipton 4-0.
OPPONENTS’ RECORDS: Oak Hill 184-218, Tipton 235-215.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Tied, 1-1.
LAST MEETING: Tipton, 68-64, sectional, Mar. 3, 2008.

Friday, March 6

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By E. Shawn Aylsworth
Managing Editor

The Associated Press has released its 15th and final set of polls for the 2008-09 boys basketball season, and your class leaders as we move into the postseason are 4A Bloomington South, 3A Princeton, 2A Tipton, and 1A Jac-Cen-Del, which takes over the small-school poll lead after Bowman Academy lost its next-to-last regular-season game at 4A South Bend Adams.

The final rankings find an influx of teams at the bottom of the 4A and 3A polls, meaning lots more schools will enter sectionals with a target on ‘em. The final week’s two biggest movers, meanwhile, are both 4A schools: Indianapolis Cathedral (10th to seventh) and Munster (11th to eighth).

Teams are listed by current ranking followed by school and record. Your 69 ranked schools from March 2:

CLASS 4A
1. Bloomington South (20-0)
2. New Albany (20-0)
3. Lawrence North (21-2)
4. North Central (Indianapolis) (21-1)
5. Northridge (20-0)
6. Fort Wayne Snider (20-1)
7. Indianapolis Cathedral (20-2)
8. Munster (19-1)
9. Marion (17-3)
10. Warsaw (18-2)
11. Terre Haute South (18-4)
12. Zionsville (18-2)
12. Carroll (Fort Wayne) (17-3)
14. Merrillville (15-5)
15. Lafayette Jefferson (16-7)
16. Evansville Harrison (15-5)
17. Carmel (15-5)
17. Anderson (17-4)

CLASS 3A
1. Princeton (22-0)
2. Washington (18-2)
3. Batesville (18-2)
4. Fort Wayne Dwenger (16-4)
5. Danville (16-4)
6. Mt. Vernon (Fortville) (17-3)
7. Rochester (17-3)
8. Peru (16-4)
9. Roncalli (15-5)
10. Southridge (15-5)
11. West Vigo (17-5)
12. Muncie South (14-6)
13. Delta (17-4)
14. Gary Wallace (14-6)
15. Frankfort (15-6)
15. Evansville Memorial (15-6)
17. North Montgomery (15-5)
18. Salem (16-4)
18. Lakeland (16-5)
18. West Lafayette (15-6)

CLASS 2A
1. Tipton (20-2)
2. Fort Wayne Luers (17-4)
3. Bluffton (21-2)
4. Winchester (17-3)
5. Lawrenceburg (17-3)
6. Lapel (16-4)
7. Oak Hill (17-3)
8. Wapahani (16-3)
9. Forest Park (15-5)
10. South Knox (17-4)
11. Austin (18-4)
12. Guerin Catholic (14-7)
12. Wheeler (18-3)
14. North Miami (15-5)
15. Carroll (Flora) (16-4)

CLASS A
1. Jac-Cen-Del (18-2)
2. Bowman Academy (16-3)
3. Triton (18-2)
4. Rockville (18-3)
5. Barr-Reeve (18-3)
6. Lafayette Central Catholic (15-6)
7. North Daviess (16-5)
8. Vincennes Rivet (16-5)
9. Monroe Central (15-6)
10. Cowan (14-5)
11. Borden (15-5)
12. Lanesville (15-5)
13. South Central (Union Mills) (16-4)
14. Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian (9-11)
15. Clay City (14-7)
15. North Central (Farmersburg) (14-7)

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By Mike McGraw
Executive Director

Uncle Mike has a special affection for Class 2A. It is the forgotten class of class basketball. The schools are too small to grab headlines, but too big to be romantic in a “Hoosiers” kind of way.

Nonetheless, over the years this class has produced some of the best basketball at the state finals. This time around should be no exception. Here is our resident grump’s predictions, plus Managing Editor E. Shawn Aylsworth’s offering up of his sacrificial picks as well. Remember, this is the man convinced that there was no way his fellow Americans would vote for Dubya. Twice.

Double yikes.

Uncle Mike’s picks appear below after Unkey Mike; Aylsworth’s appear after Ed Zeppelin, his catch-all team name for unsuccessful fantasy sports teams across the globe.

Sectional 33 @ Hammond Noll
Unkey Mike: No. 17 Wheeler is the favorite in the field, but the 18-3 Bearcats’ draw was anything but kind. They should face top challenger Hammond Noll (13-8) in the second round. Still, I am going to take the Bearcats. Wheeler downed Noll easily in the regular season at home, but fell to the Warriors in the Greater South Shore Tournament championship 18 days later. The other item of note here is that the competition in the final is likely to be Lake Station (9-11). Now, Wheeler should have no problem with the Fighting Eagles, but Lake Station has won nine games and, for a school that has been down for as long as this one, 10 total wins and a sectional final appearance is a HUGE step forward.
Ed Zeppelin: Wheeler.

Sectional 34 @ North Judson
Unkey Mike: The title should be decided in the very first game when 13-6 Boone Grove faces 15-5 North Judson. I am going to take the host. The Bluejays are a rare independent in that part of the state, and I think their strength of schedule is a little better. Plus, tradition says North Judson has the edge here.
Ed Zeppelin: Agreed on the two-team dominance, adding that North Judson won the regular-season meeting 57-51 at Home Feb. 7. Like the Beatles, I will go the Bluejay way.

Sectional 35 @ Jimtown
Unkey Mike: Wow, is this one a trap or what? The three contenders are Bremen (14-7), Fairfield (12-8), and Westview (14-7). Westview has beaten Fairfield twice by VERY narrow margins, and the two square off in the opening game. Bremen lost to Fairfield but has the bye. Here is the way I see it. It is very hard to beat a team three times. Therefore, I am going to take Fairfield in the opener. Then, based much on the same kind of thinking, I will take Bremen to avenge the regular-season loss and beat Fairfield in the second round. Bremen will then face a very dangerous Jimtown team because of the way the Jimmies play. Jimtown will slow the game down to the point that every shot is a huge deal. However, I think Bremen figures out a way to win a close one in the final.
Ed Zeppelin: Mike, if a train leaves Kansas City heading west at 35 miles an hour … you get the picture. The draw says that yes, those three teams will all run into each other. Westview made it through here easily a year ago before running into Luers in the semistate. I will go with the Warriors.

Sectional 36 @ Garrett
Unkey Mike: This is another toughie. Fremont at 13-7 has the best record in the field. The Eagles should face Garrett in the final. I will take Fremont because I think they are a little better right now than the overall record indicates.
Ed Zeppelin: Garrett beat Fremont in OT at home back on Dec. 9, and this final will be played on the same court. I’ll go with Garrett.

Sectional 37 @ Clinton Central
Unkey Mike: No. 16 Carroll (Flora) (16-4) is playing without two of its biggest weapons. It won’t matter against this field. I will take the Cougars.
Ed Zeppelin: Carroll.

Sectional 38 @ South Adams
Unkey Mike: This is the big one, and the explosion happens early as second-ranked defending state champion Fort Wayne Luers (17-4) faces No. 3 Bluffton (21-2) right off the bat. Frankly, after the heartbreak of last year, you have to kind of pull for Bluffton. In the end, wishing for poetic justice won’t be enough. I take Luers.
Ed Zeppelin: How messed-up is this? Despite Bluffton’s better record and being ranked just one slot behind Luers, Luers is the biggest favorite among the 16 2A sectionals according to the sectional picks based on Sagarin power ratings, the sectional draw, and sectional site that appear on John Harrell’s website. A year ago, this sectional final score was Luers 66, Bluffton 64 – hardly a blowout, and the Tigers’ only loss of the season. Granted, Luers plays a much tougher sked, but c’mon – this is “Hoosier Hysteria,” people! Go, small public school on improbable postseason run. Bluffton.

Sectional 39 @ Manchester
Unkey Mike: Go North – to Miami. It would take a major upset for 12th-ranked North Miami (15-5) not to win this one.
Ed Zeppelin: Southwood, the other team in the field with a winning record, fell 69-45 at home against North Miami on the last day of January. The boys from suburban Denver – that’s North Miami.

Sectional 40 @ Tipton
Unkey Mike: This field is loaded. Top-ranked Tipton (20-2) is the best team at this location. However, the Blue Devils have a tough opener against a No. 7 Oak Hill team with a talented senior class looking for glory one last time. Fortunately for the Blue Devils, they drew the Golden Eagles in the opener. That means they have plenty of time to prepare, and that also means that Oak Hill (17-3) is going home. Then, a dangerous No. 15 Guerin Catholic team could wait in the final. Still, I think Elston and the boys get through this one.
Ed Zeppelin: Tipton beat Oak Hill 68-64 for the sectional crown a year ago, and the Devils will be favored by two touchdowns on their home court in the rematch. Tipton.

Sectional 41 @ Lapel
Unkey Mike: This is another talented field. Fifth-ranked Wapahani (16-3), No. 8 Lapel (16-4), and fourth-ranked defending state runner-up Winchester (17-3) are all loaded. I will take Jimmie Howell and the host Bulldogs in a minor upset. Winchester is probably the better team, but the Golden Falcons will have to beat a tough Wapahani team on Friday and then come back against the Bulldogs on Saturday. I think that is too much. Lapel will survive.
Ed Zeppelin: Yes Wapahani won 61-57 at Winchester back in the second week of the season. But the defending 2A state runner-up Golden Falcons have been on an absolute ROLL lately, winning their last five games by scores of 80-48, 101-70, 97-56, 90-34, and 71-41. That’s some serious firepower at the right time to bring it to the party. Winchester.

Sectional 42 @ Hagerstown
Unkey Mike: The bottom half of this eight-team bracket is full of decent teams. Whoever survives that half should see Eastern Hancock (11-9) in the final. I am going with Centerville (13-7) to beat the Royals in the title game. My reason is simple: I have to pick somebody.
Ed Zeppelin: The scenario Mike describes would be a rematch of last year’s 57-55 loss by Centerville in its opening sectional game. I am guessing the Bulldogs have been waiting a year for such an opportunity. Centerville.

Sectional 43 @ Indian Creek
Unkey Mike: No. 11 Heritage Christian will win this one, and brother will they have earned it. The Eagles have to get past Triton Central (13-7) or Indianapolis Ritter (14-5) in the second round and Indianapolis Washington (8-12 overall but 2-0 against this field) in the final. They will do just exactly that.
Ed Zeppelin: Heritage Christian just won 52-49 last week at Ritter and was felled 79-75 the week before at sectional host Indian Creek. This thang has toss-up written all over it, but for some reason I have been leaning toward Ritter for awhile. The RAI-duhhhhhhs!

Sectional 44 @ North Decatur
Unkey Mike: I think this is the sleeper sectional in the class. Sixth-ranked Lawrenceburg (17-3), No. 14 Switzerland County (16-5), and South Ripley (8-12) are all good teams. Lawrenceburg has lost to South Ripley and had a war against Switzerland County. Still, I am going with Lawrenceburg. These guys went 9-1 in the Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference, and that is something you just don’t do unless you are really good. You are hearing it here first: The sectional round is not the last you will hear of Lawrenceburg.
Ed Zeppelin: Lawrenceburg.

Sectional 45 @ Eastern Greene
Unkey Mike: No. 13 South Knox will survive an opening-night date with Bloomfield (11-10) and go on to win this one easily.
Ed Zeppelin: Yes, McLovin. Were the Spartans to win that opener, they will have avoided getting ”Greene Countied,” I believe you called it in one of your notebooks. It’s Knox gonna happen as Sparty owns this field.

Sectional 46 @ South Putnam
Unkey Mike: Five years ago, this was the toughest 2A sectional in the state. Now, the best record in the field is 11-8. Covenant Christian (Indianapolis), the 11-8 team, is the favorite here. Tri-West Hendricks (11-10) and Monrovia (8-13) are both capable of playing well enough on a given night to beat the Warriors. Unfortunately for those teams, they face each other in the opening round. Neither is capable, in my opinion, of playing at the necessary level twice in one week. I will take Covenant Christian.
Ed Zeppelin: The opposite end of the spectrum from South Adams here as Speedway (32.9 percent) and Covenant Christian (29.5) represent who-the-heck-knows odds as the two “favorites.” Thus, to the draw. Mike is leaving Speedway out of the equation, but the Sparkplugs also are in the bottom half of the bracket with Tri-West and Monrovia. Advantage, small private school (CC).

Sectional 47 @ Providence
Unkey Mike: This is another loaded field. My heart says I want to see a Brownstown (15-6) versus Providence (16-4) final – I just want to see the unbridled hatred. Unfortunately, I don’t think it is going to happen. I will take 10th-ranked Austin (18-4) to get through the mine field.
Ed Zeppelin: Yes, that’s for sure a three-way buzzsaw. But there’s a small private school playing on its home floor, the 800-pound gorilla so to speak. Providence.

Sectional 48 @ Evansville Mater Dei (well, Boonville, actually)
Unkey Mike: Gee, I am going to go out on a limb here. I will pick some obscure place called Forest Park (the ninth-ranked Rangers are 15-5 and won back-to-back state titles in 2005 and ’06). Face it: I am just a really courageous guy.
Ed Zeppelin: Yes, Mike. When I think of that warrior mentality, it is usually the NBA logo-esque outline of you and your walker that comes to mind. It should be noted that the Rangers, after winning those two state titles, lost in their second sectional game each of the last two seasons. That would be South Spencer (8-13) this year. I repeat, it’s Knox gonna happen. Forest Gump – er, Park.

FINAL THOUGHT: Anybody who can get 11 out of 16 in this class should move to Vegas because this whole field is loaded with really good teams.

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With the Winter sports season in a frenzy, our Mark Gricius once again was a busy man shooting pictures over the last weekend of February. HoosierAuthority.com is your link to all his stuff!

For pictures from the Feb. 27 Hoosier Crossroads Conference boys basketball game between McCutcheon and Class 4A No. 12 host Zionsville, click here!

For girls basketball action from the Class 3A Southport Semistate pitting No. 10 Owen Valley against No. 6 Crawfordsville, click here!

For girls basketball action from the Class 4A Southport Semistate pitting No. 1 Ben Davis vs. No. 7 Mooresville, click here!

Just another nugget from HoosierAuthority.com, your original and bestest Indiana high school sports authority on the planet!

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By Mike McGraw
Executive Director

SOUTHPORT – In order to understand just how good undefeated and top-ranked Ben Davis was in its 59-27 Class 4A Southport Semistate triumph over No. 7 Mooresville, you have to take a look at Mooresville’s resume.

(VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS TO THE LEFT! TO CHECK OUT PICTURES FROM THE BEN DAVIS-MOORESVILLE GAME BY OUR OWN MARK GRICIUS, CLICK HERE!!)

The Pioneers (23-2) came into the game having lost only once all year. They defeated third-ranked Terre Haute South in the opening game of the sectional, important because the only team to challenge Ben Davis this season was Terre Haute South. In short, the Pioneers are a quality team.

That having been said, consider the following statistics.

In the first quarter, Mooresville had nine turnovers, had only three defensive rebounds, and DID NOT score a field goal. The Pioneers’ only points came on six free throws in the period.

In the third quarter, Mooresville simply did not score.

There is obviously a reason why Ben Davis (29-0) is ranked as the top team in America. That reason is suffocating defensive pressure. The Giants galloped to a 20-6 advantage after eight minutes and never looked back.

They did not need to impose the strangling pressure after the first period, and Ben Davis seldom did. The Giants coasted to a 37-21 lead at intermission despite rarely having more than two starters on the floor together in the second quarter.

Coach Stan Benge decided to eliminate any chance of a comeback in the second half by immediately going to a delay offense in the third quarter. At various times in the second half, the Giants ran a four corners, a 1-4 low, and a simple five-out set.

All of these options isolated the more athletic Giants and led to easy baskets when they finally decided to attack the hoop. The tactic both eliminated any chance of a Mooresville rally and kept the score from getting out of hand.

Alex Bentley led the Giant attack with 23 points, scoring on an impeccable selection of shots. The Penn State recruit simply does not take bad shots. Jama Sharp led Mooresville with 14 points in the losing effort.

The victory sets up the 4A state championship game fans have been anticipating all season. Ben Davis will tangle with three-time defending 4A state finalist South Bend Washington (26-0) and the second-ranked Panthers’ star guard, Skylar Diggins.

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