Well, I don’t think we’ve learned much. Lake Central, Cathedral, Bloomington South, Penn, and Lawrence Central will factor into the state run in some way shape or form, which is what many people figured before the season even started.  I think whoever wins state will have to beat at least one of these five teams if not multiple.

This past year in basketball everyone agreed the team that won state was not the most talented. So it made me wonder what makes a state championship team.  Last year’s baseball state champion, Fort Wayne Carroll, shocked the state by knocking off Connersville, Kokomo, Munster, and Cathedral from regionals on. Three of the four were ranked and were expected to beat Carroll. So in my mind, the State Champion depends on numerous factors, but what are those?

  1. Talent --- you will not win state without talent.
  2. Pitching --- You do not need an incredibly deep staff, but you better go at least two deep on the mound. Without two arms that can carry you, you will be in trouble. These guys will not always be the two hardest throwers in the state, but are guys that can flat out pitch.
  3. Seniors--- every year, a senior led team seems to be around at the end. It is their last year of high school baseball and for many their last game they will ever play.  It seems they just give more than their fellow underclassman, and are a tougher out when it comes to tournament time.
  4. Team Chemistry--- the most underrated characteristic of a state title contender. I always ask, “How does this team or that team seem to always overachieve?”  It is typically team chemistry. If your guys like each other, they play better for one another.
  5. Luck---- whether it is the luck of the draw, a rainout on a key day, an unforeseen injury, or just peaking at the right time, at the end of the day there will be one piece of the puzzle that will fall in to place just based on luck.

Top 3 teams within the state in each class that meets these requirements (in no Order)

4A

Bloomington South

Cathedral

Lake Central

3A

Andrean

New Pal

Kankakee Valley

2A

Forest Park

Providence

Tell City

1A

North Central (Farmersburg)

Cowan

Lafayette Central Catholic