The Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) boys basketball regionals are set to kick off on March 9, 2024, featuring a competitive lineup of teams from Central Indiana. After a thrilling sectional championship, where the No. 10 Carmel Greyhounds secured a surprising 50-49 victory over the top-ranked Fishers, anticipation is high for their next match.
Carmel will face the Snider Panthers, who are making their first appearance in the regionals in four years. The Greyhounds will have to navigate this matchup without junior point guard Cash Daniels, who averaged 13.7 points and 5.4 assists per game but received an ejection during the sectional final. Despite this setback, Coach Ryan Osborn leads a team with significant experience, featuring seniors Evan Harrell (15.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg), Julian Vogt (9.7 ppg, 53% 3-point shooting), and Ben Bremer (6.6 ppg, 45% 3-point shooting). The prediction favors Carmel by 14 points.
One of the most anticipated matchups of the day is between No. 3 Pike and No. 4 Mt. Vernon. Their previous encounter ended in a dramatic 84-81 overtime win for Pike, which saw a record of 30 made three-pointers. Both teams will have key players returning from injury, including Mt. Vernon’s senior Luke Ertel (24.1 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 6.9 apg) and Pike’s Landon Lampley (14.8 ppg). Analysts expect a tightly contested game, with Pike predicted to win by three points.
The match at Southport featuring Lawrence Central and Decatur Central promises to be another highlight. Lawrence Central, despite a less impressive record, displayed its potential with a 70-57 victory over Lawrence North for the Sectional 10 title. Junior Jeremiah Bellamy (7.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg) shone with a 19-point performance in that game. On the other hand, Decatur Central is aiming for its first regional title in program history, led by senior Elyas Zapata (14.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg). This matchup is expected to be tight, with Lawrence Central favored to win by two points.
In another intriguing contest, the underdog No. 10 Brebeuf faces off against No. 3 Cathedral. Brebeuf has struggled historically against Cathedral, having lost 25 consecutive games in this series. However, with an 11-game winning streak and a narrow loss earlier in the season, Brebeuf enters the game with renewed confidence. The Braves are led by junior Chace Ford (12.6 ppg) and senior Austin Ford (11.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg). Cathedral boasts a deeper roster, featuring seniors Keaton Aldridge Jr. (17.8 ppg) and Julien Smith (16.1 ppg), with predictions favoring Cathedral by six points.
The regional action also includes the fourth-ranked Northview facing Roncalli, both teams known for their resilience and experience. Northview’s leading scorer, sophomore Quinn Lewis (15.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg), will be a key player alongside senior Brayden Goff (14.2 ppg). Roncalli’s seniors, Conner Kesler (14.5 ppg) and Joe Taylor (12.5 ppg), will look to exploit any weaknesses in Northview’s defense. Roncalli is expected to edge this match by three points.
Other contests include No. 9 Lapel, aiming for a deeper run in the tournament after a dominant sectional performance, facing Blackford, led by standout sophomore Amarian Leggett (26.4 ppg). Lapel’s balanced attack, with all five starters scoring over 40% from the three-point range, gives them an edge, with predictions favoring Lapel by eight points.
The day’s matches promise excitement and showcase the depth of talent in Indiana high school basketball. With each team aspiring for victory, fans can expect an electric atmosphere and memorable performances as they vie for a chance at the semistate.
