By Colin Altevogt
Girls Basketball Coordinator
Before I begin with the final column of this season, let�s take a look back at last week�s prediction results.
A little frustrated with the way my picks were going, I lamented on how bad I was at projecting winners. The plan worked beautifully. After anti-jinxing myself, I rolled last week, going 7-1 while correctly predicting that a) Jimtown would defeat Oak Hill in overtime, b) Columbus East would win a nailbiter (not a very bold prediction given the Olympians tournament history this season), and c) the score of the Wood Memorial game down to one point.
Of course, after patting myself on the back, I�ll probably end up 0-4 this time around. But that�s the nature of the beast.
Class A State Championship: Oregon-Davis vs. Wood Memorial
This is the game I know the least about. Both teams advanced with relative ease in the semistate. Both have defeated top schools (Oregon-Davis bounced No. 2 Fort Wayne Canterbury while Wood Memorial upset No. 1 Bloomfield) to advance from the regional round. I doubt either team is too shocked to be playing for the state title so I don�t expect anyone to be the happy to be here team.
A couple weeks ago, a knowledgeable coach gave me the inside scoop on the single A tournament. He called the regional match-up between
John Harrell�s odds: Oregon-Davis 77.5%, Wood Memorial 22.5%
Pick: Oregon-Davis 58, Wood Memorial 54.
Class 2A State Championship: Jimtown vs. Heritage Christian
Besides a close win in the regional semifinal against No. 2 Southwestern (Hanover), Heritage Christian has been straight destroying any team in its path up to this point. The Eagles are so dominant that I begin to wonder if they will choose to play up in the 3A tournament next season to get a shot at schools like
Jimtown advanced to its first state finals with an overtime win in a controversial contest (check out the message board for all the details) against No. 3 Oak Hill last week. After many close calls in the tournament, including ousting last year�s runner-up Westview in the sectional, the Jimmies have the look of a team of destiny. Unfortunately, that destiny is most likely to get throttled by Heritage Christian at Conseco.
John Harrell�s odds: Heritage Christian 81.5%, Jimtown 18.5%
Pick: Heritage Christian 63, Jimtown 45.
Class 3A State Championship: Wawasee vs. Brebeuf Jesuit
Perhaps the most stunning upset of the tournament (and my only incorrect pick last week) was Wawasee�s victory over star-studded St. Joe�s. The Warriors, who are playing in their first state title game since 1985, knocked off No. 5 and No. 1 in order to get here. Of course, every team wants to win the game. Still, Wawasee might be the happy to be here team.
With a run to the state finals, Brebeuf center has all but cemented herself as Miss Basketball in Indiana (more on this later). The Braves have come from a team of one girl to a legitimate state championship favorite since I first saw them lose to Warren Central in November. Improved play by Phillips� teammates has been key. A desire by Phillips, who has yet to make a final college decision, to prove herself has been big as well. And, let�s face it, a relatively easy road (big potential match-ups with No. 7
Yet, none of that matters now. Don�t forget, in IU�s magical tourney run in 2002, they only beat one team seeded within five spots of them before reaching the Final Four (they also beat second-seeded Oklahoma to advance to the national championshiop). The rest of their opponents were all teams coming off upsets to reach that stage. But you know what? I still wear the T-shirt.
John Harrell�s odds: Wawasee 52.2%, Brebeuf 47.8%
Pick: Brebeuf 56, Wawasee 51.
Class 4A State Championship:
My favorite from day one,
On the other hand, Columbus East has the look of a team of destiny. Each and every game the Olympians have played in this season has come down to the last possession in regulation, two of those even going into overtime. Shelby Ross, who should be Miss Basketball if the Olympians pull off the upset and Brebeuf does not win, has carried this team on her back (and bad ankle). A team of destiny is something to be reckoned with. Remember, the last two Super Bowl champions (
Is it fate that Columbus East wins the state championship this year? If so, do we start saying that Skylar Diggins can�t win the big game?
No and no.
John Harrell�s odds: SB Washington 64.2%, East 35.8%
Pick: SB Washington 72, East 60.
Remember to continue checking back after the games. Following the state finals, we will be announcing the Hoosier Authority All-state teams, including coach of the year and player of the year.
So what do you think? Share your thoughts in our Girls Basketball forum.
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