Postseason stories
Top-ranked Andrean and disruptions caused by pandemic among things to watch
The sectional pairings were released Thursday. Here are 10 storylines to keep in mind.
1. Andrean, which plays in Class 2A Sectional 33, is ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press poll for a reason. The 59ers are really good. They play at Boone Grove in the first round. Andrean could meet Rensselaer in the sectional final, which would be a rematch of the 2019 final. But Wheeler could have something to say about that. The Bearcats likely will play Rensselaer in the second round.
2. Merrillville plays at home against Crown Point in Class 6A Sectional 1. Merrillville is the favorite in that game, with one caveat. Crown Point always plays the Pirates tough. The Bulldogs have won three of the past four playoff games and have several weeks to prepare after a positive COVID-19 test in the school forced the cancellation of their final two regular-season games. That could be good or bad. Lafayette Jefferson, which is ranked No. 2 in the AP poll, likely will come out of the other bracket. It’s a difficult draw for the Pirates, who are ranked No. 6.
3. Chesterton, Penn and Elkhart are evenly matched in Class 6A Sectional 2. Elkhart, ranked No. 5 in the AP poll, is the slight favorite. But quarterback Chris Mullen gives the Trojans a chance in any game. They open at home against Penn. The Trojans have never won a sectional. This is a good chance for them to end that drought.
4. The de facto championship game in Class 5A Sectional 9 is the opener between Michigan City, which is ranked No. 7 in the AP poll, and No. 3 Valparaiso. Their regular-season matchup was canceled after a Valparaiso player tested positive for COVID-19.
5. Lowell and Hobart are on track to meet in the Class 4A Sectional 17 final. Hobart plays at Gavit in the first round, and Lowell plays at home against Morton. The Red Devils likely will have to play a scrappy Highland team in the second round. Lowell is ranked No. 6 in the AP poll, and Hobart is ranked No. 8. Their regular-season meeting also was canceled because of a Lowell player’s positive COVID-19 test.
6. In Class 3A Sectional 25, three teams — Hanover Central, Twin Lakes and Knox — have a chance to win. Twin Lakes plays the Wildcats in the first round. In
Class 1A Sectional 41, North Judson looks like the favorite. The Blue Jays could play Winamac, which they beat in the regular season, in the final.
7. It’s worth saying again. Andrean appears to be the best team in the state in 2A. The 59ers have great skill players in running back Ryan Walsh, quarter
back Joe Cimino and receiver Nick Flesher. The 59ers are underrated defensively and are an offensive juggernaut, averaging more than 37 points per game. No. 3 Pioneer and No. 2 Eastbrook could be opponents in later rounds.
8. It’s an unprecedented season. At least 17 schools from
Northwest Indiana haven’t played a full regular season because of COVID-19 issues. This adds a new dynamic for teams like Crown Point, Hobart, Lowell, Merrillville, Michigan City and Valparaiso. Each of these teams would’ve had one game in the books against its first-round opponent in a normal season.
9. Valparaiso will have played just five regular-season games, the fewest of any Northwest Indiana team that started the season on time. Will the lack of game action affect teams’ play? It’s something that can’t be accounted for.
10. Finally, it’s likely there will be games that won’t be played. There has been a COVID-19 disruption in Northwest Indiana every week of the season. If a team can’t play, the game is recorded as a no-contest, and the team that had to cancel is out of the tournament. Its opponent moves to the next round.