Scouting local boys basketball sectionals
Records through Wednesday
Class 4A E.C. Central Sectional
Tuesday
Lake Central (13-6) vs. E.C. Central (15-3), 7 p.m.
Wednesday
Highland (3-16) vs. Morton (4-15), 6 p.m.
Munster (19-2) vs. Lowell (5-13), 7:30 p.m.
Friday
West Side (6-11) vs. Lake Central-E.C. Central winner, 6 p.m.
Highland-Morton winner vs. Munster-Lowell winner, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 7:30 p.m.
Favorite: Munster. Darkhorse: E.C. Central.
Defending champ: Munster.
All-Sectional Team
G -- Michael Harris, E.C. Central, 6-2, Sr., 17.7 ppg, 4.5 apg, 2.2 spg
G -- Joe Crisman, Munster, 6-4, Jr., 15 ppg, 4 rpg
G -- Austin Richie, Lowell, 6-0, Jr., 26.1 ppg, 2.2 apg, 1.9 spg
F -- Glenn Robinson III, Lake Central, 6-4, So., 16.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.3 spg
F -- Brian Stolarz, Munster, 6-4, Jr., 10 ppg, 5 rpg
The Times' breakdown: The Mustangs finally broke through last March inside the Baratto Center, the first time in nine years for coach Mike Hackett. The defending regional champions are 6-0 against the field in this tournament. Plus, the 'Stangs have no one with more than five wins on their side of the bracket. Munster beat E.C. 68-60 on Dec. 12. But the Cards have a tougher draw, with Lake Central first and, if they win, West Side later. The Cougars took E.C. into overtime on Jan. 28. E.C.'s at home but Munster has the best draw. It's a pick-'em kind of game.
-- Steve Hanlon
Class 4A Michigan City Sectional
Tuesday
Chesterton (7-12) vs. Valparaiso (17-2), 6 p.m.
Crown Point (7-12) vs. LaPorte (12-7), 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday
Hobart (5-14) vs. Merrillville (16-3), 6 p.m.
Portage (3-17) vs. Michigan City (10-9), 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Chesterton-Valparaiso winner vs. Crown Point-LaPorte winner, 6 p.m.
Hobart-Merrillville winner vs. Portage-Michigan City winner, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 7:30 p.m.
Favorite: Valparaiso. Darkhorse: Merrillville
Defending champ: Valparaiso.
All-Sectional Team
G -- Brandon Clark, Merrillville, 5-10, Jr., 11.9 ppg, 4.8 apg
G -- Michael Albrecht, Crown Point, 5-11, Jr., 19.3 ppg, 3.5 apg
F -- Brad Karp, Valparaiso, 6-4, Sr., 14.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg
F -- Dustin DeMuth, LaPorte, 6-3, Sr., 16.0 ppg
F -- Jeremiah Jones, Merrillville, 6-3, Jr., 16.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.3 apg
The Times' breakdown: Can anyone other than Valparaiso or Merrillville capture the title? It's highly doubtful. They are 1-2 in the Duneland Athletic Conference and neither have lost to anybody in the field, so it should be a championship rematch. Chesterton could make things interesting for the Vikings if Mitch McGary is able to play effectively. The 6-foot-10 junior center will return to action after missing the last five games with mononucleosis. Senior-laden LaPorte has the shooters to pose a threat if they all are on at the same time. The Slicers pushed Merrillville twice, but they are on the other side of the bracket with Valpo, which has drilled them twice. Valpo defeated Merrillville by three on its court while the Pirates topped the Vikings by five in OT last week on their floor, turning this one into a toss-up.
-- Jim Peters
Class 3A Roosevelt Sectional
Tuesday
Gavit (11-8) vs. Clark (5-14), 7 p.m.
Friday
Lew Wallace (13-4) vs. Hammond (11-8), 6 p.m.
Roosevelt (10-7) vs. Gavit-Clark winner, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 7:30 p.m.
Favorite: Lew Wallace. Darkhorse: Roosevelt.
Defending champ: Roosevelt.
All-Sectional Team
G -- LaTroy Taylor, Lew Wallace, 6-2, Sr., 18.4 ppg, 3.4 apg, 5.0 spg
G -- Thomas Pierce, Roosevelt, 6-5, Sr., 19 ppg, 10 rpg, 5 apg, 5 spg
G -- Branden Dawson, Lew Wallace, 6-6, Jr., 25.4 ppg, 16.9 rpg, 5 spg, 5 apg
F -- Grant Brooks, Hammond, 6-3, Sr., 16.4 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.8 spg
F -- Cedric Smith, Gavit, 6-6, Sr., 15 ppg, 8 rpg
The Times' breakdown: The Hornets have not won a sectional since 1996, when Wallace was one game from making it to the Final Four. It's been a long time coming. And waiting. Even with the Region's top player in Dawson, Renaldo Thomas' team could not get past Roosevelt in the sectional opener last March. A solid Hammond squad stands in the way of another Wallace-Roosevelt title game. Last Friday the Hornets beat the Panthers 77-68. It seems like there's nothing stopping the Hornets but the Hornets themselves. But until they cut down the nets it's anybody's sectional to win.
-- Steve Hanlon
Class 3A Knox Sectional
Tuesday
Rensselaer (12-7) vs. Kankakee Valley (3-16), 6 p.m.
Knox (11-8) vs. Calumet (6-13), 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Andrean (11-8) vs. Rensselaer-K.V. winner, 6 p.m.
Griffith (13-7) vs. Knox-Calumet winner, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 7:30 p.m.
Favorite: Griffith. Darkhorse: Andrean.
Defending champ: Griffith.
All-Sectional Team
G -- Peter Sepulveda, Griffith, 6-1, Sr., 13.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2.4 spg
G -- John Morgan, Andrean, 6-1, Sr., 12.9 ppg, 1.7 apg, 1.9 spg
G -- Nick Davidson, Andrean, 6-3, Fr., 13.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 5 apg
F -- Kyle Terpstra, Griffith, 6-5, Sr., 14.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.2 apg
C -- Ben Davisson, Rensselaer, 6-10, Jr., 18.2 ppg, 12.7 rpg, 2.2 bpg
The Times' breakdown: Last season the Panthers won their first sectional title since 1973 with a heart-pounding 56-54 win over Andrean. Griffith is 4-0 against the sectional field, having played everyone but Knox. The Panthers beat Andrean 67-51 in the regular season. The biggest issue in this sectional is the distance. Knox is over 100 miles round-trip from Griffith, and the Redskins only lost by a point to the Panthers in last year's semifinal. This time they will be at home and that could be worth a few points.
-- Steve Hanlon
Class 2A Boone Grove Sectional
Tuesday
Boone Grove (16-4) vs. North Newton (3-16), 5:30 p.m.
North Judson (13-6) vs. Hebron (9-9), 7 p.m.
Friday
Winamac (3-16) vs. Boone Grove-North Newton winner, 5:30 p.m.
Culver Community (7-13) vs. North Judson-Hebron winner, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 7 p.m.
Favorite: Boone Grove. Darkhorse: North Judson.
Defending champ: North Judson.
All-Sectional Team
G -- Michael Eleftheri, Boone Grove, 5-9, Sr., 15.3 ppg
G -- Kendall Hochstedler, North Judson, 5-11, So., 13.1 ppg, 3.8 apg, 2.4 spg
C -- John Eckert, North Judson, 6-7, So., 15.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg
F -- Ryan Reynolds, Boone Grove, 6-5, Sr., 14.4 ppg
F -- David Ortiz, Hebron, 6-3, Sr., 15.4 ppg
The Times' breakdown: The host Wolves and Bluejays are bracketed away from each other, so the championship should fittingly pit the two teams who are head and shoulders above the field. The time is now for a Boone Grove squad whose first seven players are all seniors. Eleftheri and company have not hoisted a sectional trophy in their careers and don't want to leave without one to their credit. Experience is on the Wolves' side even though North Judson reached the semistate last season. The Bluejays' top two players, Hochstedler and Eckert, are sophomores. Boone won 68-56, also on its floor, Feb. 6. Three of North Judson's four other losses were by one point. Boone enters the postseason on an eight-game winning streak.
-- Jim Peters
Class 2A Lake Station Sectional
Tuesday
River Forest (14-6) vs. Wheeler (19-1), 7 p.m.
Friday
Bishop Noll (15-4) vs. Lake Station (11-9), 6 p.m.
Hanover Central (17-3) vs. River Forest-Wheeler winner, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 7:30 p.m.
Favorite: Wheeler. Darkhorse: Bishop Noll.
Defending champ: Wheeler.
All-Sectional Team
G -- Kendall Coleman, Bishop Noll, 6-1, Sr., 16.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.7 spg
G -- Nick Bollenbacher, Hanover Central, 6-0, So., 14.8 ppg, 1.6 apg, 2.4 spg
G -- Ricky Garcia, River Forest, 5-6, So., 13.8 ppg, 1.3 apg, 1.1 spg
F -- Ian Enriquez, Lake Station, 6-7, Sr., 10.9 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.2 apg, 2.6 spg
F -- Andrew Rudakas, Wheeler, 6-5, Sr., 15.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.45 spg
The Times' breakdown: Wheeler won the sectional title last season, when the games were played at Bishop Noll. Neither a change of venue nor the field's greater overall success should keep the Bearcats from repeating. Rudakas, senior guard Petar Todorovic (12.7 ppg) and junior forward Najee Bailey (12.0 ppg) lead a Bearcats team that has already earned lopsided regular-season wins against all of its sectional foes except Hanover Central, which hasn't faced Wheeler this season. Still, there's always the possibility of an upset, and Wheeler and Bishop Noll have gone back and forth as champs for the past few seasons.
-- Nate Ulrich
Class A Morgan Twp. Sectional
Tuesday
Morgan Twp. (13-5) vs. Washington Twp. (5-13), 7 p.m.
Wednesday
Bowman Academy (18-1) vs. LaCrosse (4-14), 6 p.m.
Kouts (5-12) vs. Whiting (2-17), 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Campagna Academy (6-6) vs. Morgan Twp.-Washington Twp. winner, 6 p.m.
Bowman-LaCrosse winner vs. Kouts-Whiting winner, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 7:30 p.m.
Favorite: Bowman Academy. Darkhorse: Morgan Twp.
Defending champ: Bowman Academy.
All-Sectional Team
G -- Brandon Grubl, Morgan Twp., 6-1, Jr., 22 ppg, 2.3 apg, 1.9 spg
G -- Tyrae Robinson, Bowman Academy, 6-1, Sr., 16 ppg, 2 apg, 2 rpg, 2 spg
G -- Elliott Bajda, Whiting, 6-0, Jr., 22.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.4 spg
F -- Christopher Bond, Bowman Academy, 6-4, Sr., 18 ppg, 10 rpg, 5 spg
C -- DeJuan Marrero, Bowman Academy, 6-5, So., 16 ppg, 11 rpg, 3 spg
The Times' breakdown: Just when people began to think the host Cherokees could make another run at top-ranked Bowman, Morgan Twp. lost to one-win Whiting 73-67 in overtime last Saturday. There is no question about this tournament. If the Eagles play their game and play smart basketball, they will cut down the nets. No team here can match Bowman's speed, quickness or athleticism. Saturday night should be a good one anyway though. Morgan is 9-2 at home this year with both losses coming to Boone Grove.
-- Steve Hanlon
Class A Triton Sectional
Tuesday
Michigan City Marquette (8-10) vs. Triton (18-2), 5:30 p.m.
South Central (14-6) vs. Westville (5-14), 7 p.m.
Friday
Argos (11-9) vs. Michigan City Marquette-Triton winner, 5:30 p.m.
Oregon-Davis (5-13) vs. South Central-Westville winner, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 6:30 p.m.
Favorite: Triton. Darkhorse: South Central.
Defending champ: Triton.
All-Sectional Team
G -- Matt Richie, Oregon-Davis, 6-2, Sr., 15.6 ppg
G -- Griffyn Carpenter, Triton, 6-2, Jr., 18.8 ppg
C -- Jake Kitchell, South Central, 6-8, Sr., 23.3 ppg, 15.9 rpg, 5 apg, 3.3 bpg, 2.2 spg
F -- Eric Baum, South Central, 6-5, Sr., 14.9 ppg
F -- Scott Sanders, Argos, 6-3, Sr., 22.1 ppg
The Times' breakdown: The 2009 state runner-up Trojans remain the team to beat, particularly on their home floor. Though they have lost twice in their last four games, they own an impressive 8-1 mark against 3A and 4A schools. Carpenter was the No. 2 scorer on last year's team, which knocked off Bowman Academy in the regional final. Triton owns a 20-point win over Argos, which defeated South Central 50-41. The Satellites have beaten Westville and O-D handily, so they are in good position to be around on Saturday night, when the does-it-all Kitchell would make his last bid for his first sectional title. But someone other than Baum will have to have a big night to make that happen against Triton.
-- Jim Peters
Class A Triton Sectional
Tuesday
Michigan City Marquette (8-10) vs. Triton (18-2), 5:30 p.m.
South Central (14-6) vs. Westville (5-14), 7 p.m.
Friday
Argos (11-9) vs. Michigan City Marquette-Triton winner, 5:30 p.m.
Oregon-Davis (5-13) vs. South Central-Westville winner, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 6:30 p.m.
Favorite: Triton. Darkhorse: South Central.
Defending champ: Triton.
Class A Tri-County Sectional
Tuesday
Tri-County (10-9) vs. Caston (4-16), 6 p.m.
Wednesday
Covenant Christian (4-16) vs. West Central (13-6), 5 p.m.
North White (1-17) vs. South Newton (7-14), 6:30 p.m.
Friday
Pioneer (9-10) vs. Tri-County-Caston winner, 5 p.m.
Covenant Christian-West Central winner vs. North White-South Newton winner, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 6:30 p.m.
Favorite: West Central. Darkhorse: Pioneer.
Defending champ: Caston.
The Times' breakdown: In its first year in the IHSAA tournament, Covenant Christian has to drive 40 miles south on I-65 to face the team with the best record in the sectional. West Central and Pioneer are right next to each other in the Sagarin ratings and should meet for the title, and West Central should earn its first crown since 2005 and the right to be clobbered by Bowman in the first round of the regional.
-- Paul Trembacki
