Championship Tradition

We are 12 years into the multi class era, and amid talk of a potential realignment to three classes, this year's boys basketball state tournament appears to be as wide open as it's ever been. Since its inception in 1998, there have been 44 class basketball state champions. Fifteen of them have come from the metropolitan Indianapolis area, and three other teams have finished second. Seven of the 11 Class 4A champs have come from Marion County, and last year's winner, Brownsburg, came from the surrounding area. Only one year (2000) has the 4A championship game not had a team from Central Indiana. So how's this year's crop of Indianapolis-area schools going to fare? Let's see. The best of the best in Class 4A Brutal. In a word, that's how to describe the path necessary to win Arlington's Sectional 10 tournament. Talented is another way to describe the players leading these contenders. Three of the top 10 teams ranked in the AP poll in early February reside in this sectional - Lawrence North, North Central and Cathedral. Lawrence North's talent and depth along the front court is staggering. By now Stephen Van Treese, a 6-8 senior, and 6-9 junior Dominque Ferguson have become household names. Ferguson is Kentucky-bound, and Van Treese is Louisville-bound. Speaking of Louisville, 6-7 junior Justin Martin, 6-5 sophomore Ryan Taylor and 6-10 sophomore Michael Chandler are also recruits. Meanwhile, Jeff Robinson, a 6-9 forward, is committed to Purdue. Swapping wins with Lawrence North during the regular season, North Central topped the Wildcats in the Marion County Tournament, winning with pressure defense, outside shooting and penetration. Led by Purdue recruit Terone Johnson, a 6-2 junior guard, the Panthers showcase one of the top freshmen in the state, D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera. North Central has talent up front, too, in 6-8 senior Justin Reid. As far as depth up front and in the back court, Cathedral is the most balanced among this trio. They have star power in Kelsey Barlow and Errick Peck. At 6-5, Barlow, a Purdue recruit, is as talented of a wing as there is in the state, and Cathedral is downright scary when he is on his game. Peck has been a varsity starter since his freshman year, and he is a double-double machine. His steady play has been the backbone for Cathedral. Barry Flynn, a 6-6 senior, 6-8 senior Joe Bender and 6-8 junior Kevin Owens give the Irish the bodies and length to battle the Wildcats up front. It will be a surprise if one of those three teams doesn't advance to the regional at Hinkle Fieldhouse, but Arlington, Broad Ripple and Lawrence Central have the talent to upset any of them. Keep an eye on Broad Ripple's young guys, especially 6-5 sophomore guard Steven Jamison and 6-2 freshman guard Ron Patterson. Lawrence Central's 6-5 freshman forward Jeremy Hollowell bears watching as well. Rounding out the rest of the Class 4A Indianapolis Regional will be ... Center Grove Sectional 11: Franklin Central looks to emerge again from this tourney. As the defending champs, both Purdue-bound Patrick Bade, a 6-8 senior forward, and senior guard Casey Coons, who is committed to Taylor University, steer the ship. Noblesville Sectional 9: Zionsville is having their best regular season this decade. Their stars are juniors Jack Isenbarger, a 6-3 guard, and Chris Welker, a 6-5 forward. Carmel has won the sectional two of the past three years. Morgan Newton leads the way, but keep an eye on 6-10 freshman reserve AJ Hammons. Noblesville and Hamilton Southeastern have both battled injuries throughout the season. The Royals played without Charlie Duffy, a 6-6 senior wing, for five games. Fishers relies on the kind of back court pressure that young teams live and die with. Sophomore point guard Phil Miller makes them go. Pike Sectional 12: What about defending champion Brownsburg? They look strong with the back court trio of 5-11 senior J.D. Crosby, 6-1 senior Austin Fish and 6-1 sophomore Torrey Nibbs, but plenty stands in their way of a repeat. Decatur Central returns all its key components from last year, especially 6-5 senior forward Blake Beasley. Plus, the Hawks are having their best regular season in well over 20 years. Only once this decade - last year to be exact - has Pike not won the sectional. Sophomores Marquis Teague and Chandler Thomas, along with junior Khristian Smith are all talented and capable of big games. Avon's season has been a roller-coaster ride. Sophomore Kendall Griffin, a 6-5 guard, leads them in scoring. Senior guard Darian Mikel has made some big shots along the way. It is tough to figure out Ben Davis. With Greg Rice, a 6-0 senior point guard leading the way, the Giants have the ability to surprise but have struggled this season. Class 3A teams carry big names Crawfordsville Sectional 25: Danville's Travis Carroll, a 6-9 junior and Purdue recruit, appears set to lead the Warriors to back-to-back sectional titles. In his way will be North Montgomery and future Purdue teammate DJ Byrd. Beech Grove Sectional 26: Roncalli and Howe are probably the best on paper. Aaron Evans has had an all-star caliber year for Roncalli. Howe has the talent and depth to reach Conseco Fieldhouse. They are led by Jordan Manual, a 6-8 junior, and 5-8 sophomore point guard P.J. Boutte. Northwest has a win over Howe during the regular season and Ronald Ross, a 6-3 junior, has been a great addition this year for the Space Pioneers. Brebeuf Jesuit's schedule has prepared it well for tournament play. Bishop Chatard is a little down this year and Beech Grove will fight an uphill battle, but then again, they are the defending sectional champs. Hamilton Heights Sectional 27: Mt. Vernon looks strong with a solid junior class in 6-7 forward De'Armond Davis, 6-4 guard P.J. Hubert, 6-4 guard Jake Stafford and 6-6 forward Daniel Turner. However, Hamilton Heights, behind 6-8 senior forward Nick Hartley, has found a second scoring weapon in 6-6 sophomore guard Austin Etherington, who has returned from knee surgery. Class 2A teams face tough sectional tasks Lapel Sectional 41: Host Lapel won a Class A state title in 2005, but it has not won a sectional since. Ranked most of the year, the Bulldogs face a tough test this year in perennial 2A favorite Winchester, which is also ranked and led by Wright State commit, Tyler Koch a 6-5 wing. Indian Creek Sectional 43: Heritage Christian looks to be a strong favorite. The Eagles feature 6-5 senior Tommy Eggleston, 6-1 senior point guard Durrell Davis and 6-7 junior Jake Brown. Keep an eye on 6-6 freshman Joel Smith and on Washington's dynamic junior point guard Brandon Demmings. Park Tudor starts two freshmen: 5-9 point guard Yogi Ferrell and 6-1 shooting guard JP Rapp. With the potent scoring duo of Kyle Bradley and Brett Brunson, the Panthers are capable of being inhospitable. South Putnam Sectional 46: Health has been a factor for both Tri-West and Covenant Christian this season. Tri-West played several early-season games without three to four starters, but junior star wing Randall Lowe carried the load in their absence. Covenant Christian, understandably, relies heavily on Andrew Smith. The 6-10 senior is headed to Butler, and if the Warriors get strong guard play, he is good enough to carry them through to state. Tipton Sectional 40: Guerin Catholic could see the toughest road. Ranked much of the year, the Golden Eagles are tournament tough, despite some late-season losses. Ryan Nowicki, Michael McMahon and the Golden Eagles will be challenged by Tipton. The Blue Devils feature Indiana University recruit Derek Elston, a 6-8 senior, and sophomore point guard Greg Dickey. Not to be overlooked are Oak Hill and Madison-Grant. -