Sectionals tip off tonight

For the most part, Pilot News area schools received excellent draws for the 111th annual high school boys basketball state tournament that begins statewide tonight and includes 399 teams in four classes. For local teams playing in Class 3a and 2a though, five teams ranked in the top 15 of the state rankings dot their sectional fields.

Does that take the pressure off? Will they be overlooked? Will there be some bracket-busting taking place? Here is an in-depth look at the three sectionals in those two classes involving area teams.

Can Falcons crash the party?

Class 3a Sectional 19 has two of the top 10 teams in the state - Mishawaka Marian (No. 3) and South Bend Saint Joseph (No. 6) - but Glenn is the squad with the most wins in the field. The Falcons (19-4) received one of the byes and has defeated either potential semifinal opponent (SB Washington, Jimtown) by 20 or more points.

Glenn will certainly not take its Friday night game lightly, but a win would give them 20 victories, the first time that has happened since the 2004-05 season that included a regional championship. The Falcons have reached that magic win number just seven times since school consolidation in 1966. Five of those campaigns were under the direction of current argos head coach, Gordon Mosson.

Marian (18-3) and St. Joe (17-4) will most likely duke it out in the other semi. Glenn would be the underdog against both the Knights and Indians, having lost to each during NIC play, but an emotional letdown from the Marian/st. Joe winner would be in Glenn’s favor. Can the Falcons pull off the upset and win the school’s first sectional since doing so as a Class 2a school in 2005? This team already has hardware from winning the East Noble and Bi-county tournaments this season. I think the school would make room for a sectional trophy if that came to fruition.

Key players to watch include:

Glenn - Carter Yung, Brycen Hannah, Silas Kaser

Mishawaka Marian - Richard Brooks, Deaglan Sullivan

SB Saint Joseph - JR Konieczny, Jack Futa, Will Terry

PILOT PHOTO/BEV HARAMIA Bremen’s Seth Libey (24) applies defensive pressure during the Lions’ game with Oregon-davis. The Bremen ‘D’ will get tested with three ranked teams in its sectional.

PILOT PHOTO/BEV HARAMIA Glenn will rely on the senior leadership and play of Carter Yung during sectionals. The Falcons’ first game is Friday with a possible rematch with Marian or St. Joseph looming.