Check out the latest bracket projections using the updated Section2Basketball.com computer rankings. Every tournament takes into account each team’s current ranking and their current path to the title. Teams are broken down into 4 different categories based on their overall chance to win it all according to the rankings. They are as followed:
Each team is automatically classified into 4 categories based on their pre-tournament odds of winning their respective bracket. Here’s the key:
>= 25% chance to win= Favorite
>= 10% & < 25% chance to win= Contender
>= 5% & < 10% chance to win= Dark Horse
< 5% chance to win= Long Shot
Only 1 team between both the girls and boys side has won a Sectional title, since I’ve been running the numbers the last 5+ years, that hasn’t been classified as a “Favorite” or “Contender”. The 2017-18 Voorheesville girls team was considered a “Dark Horse” pre-tournament and took home the crown as the #6 seed.
Class AA Breakdown before the tournament starts.
A few questions based on the numbers:
Are there any clear cut teams that are the favorite to win the title?
Yes. The Shen girls lost only one game in the section (vs Averill Park, 51-50). This team is deep, talented and well coached. They are also dealing with a dangerous group of teams in this bracket this season and if they don’t play their best they can be knocked off in a semi-final or final game. #2 Shaker and #3 Albany are playing well when it counts.
Is there a team seeded #4 or below that could that could win a couple games, reach the final or win the classification?
Yes. #4 Colonie, #5 Columbia and #6 Bethlehem. Columbia and Colonie face off in the quarter finals and Bethlehem will play Albany.
Additional thoughts:
The 6 teams below Shen, (the five mentioned above) and Saratoga are really bunched together. No result would surprise me in this classification along the way.
Two quarter final round games that are projected to be really close are Albany vs Bethlehem and Columbia vs Colonie.
Class A Breakdown before the tournament starts.
A few questions based on the numbers:
Are there any clear cut teams that are the favorite to win the title?
Averill Park is the overwhelming favorite to win their eighth straight Section 2 title. Burnt Hills is having a great season and are the Warriors greatest threat to keep their title streak alive.
Is there a team seeded #4 or below that could that could win a couple games, reach the final or win the classification?
Not really, but if #4 Catholic Central and #5 Amsterdam play slightly above their season long performance they could give Averill Park or Burnt Hills a scare. Same being said for #3 Queensbury.
Additional thoughts:
South Glens Falls vs Emma Willard seems to be the closest matchup on paper in the opening round.
Class B Breakdown before the tournament starts.
A few questions based on the numbers:
Are there any clear cut teams that are the favorite to win the title?
Yes. Schalmont. They’ve played up out of their classification and have a couple of wins over AA schools. They are a veteran team that is talented. That combination is going to be difficult to beat for four straight quarters.
Is there a team seeded #4 or below that could that could win a couple games, reach the final or win the classification?
Yes. #4 Ichabod Crane, #5 Albany Academy, and #6 Fonda. If the seeds hold it will be Ichabod/Albany Academy and Fonda/#3 Catskill quarter final games. Those four teams along with Mechanicville loom as the biggest threats to Schalmont.
Additional thoughts:
#7 Broadalbin-Perth vs #10 Ravena is as a sneaky good contest in the first round.
Class C Breakdown before the tournament starts.
A few questions based on the numbers:
Are there any clear cut teams that are the favorite to win the title?
Two. Duanesburg and Greenwich. These teams have been the top two teams in this class all season. They ended the season with almost identical ratings. When running the bracket analysis Greenwich seems to have the easier draw in the bottom half of the bracket. Other than Berne-Knox they avoid the next five highest rated teams. The ratings suggest that Duanesburg will make it out of their side of the bracket even though they have a much tougher draw. Barring a big upset a Greenwich vs Duanesburg final is most likely.
Is there a team seeded #4 or below that could that could win a couple games, reach the final or win the classification?
#4 Corinth and # 5 Maple Hill could get to the semi-finals. #3 Berne-Knox looks to be on a collision course with Greenwich in the semi finals if the seeding holds true to form.
Additional thoughts:
Cambridge vs Mayfield, Maple Hill vs Hoosick Falls and Whitehall vs Schoharie look like fantastic first round games.
Class D Breakdown before the tournament starts.
A few questions based on the numbers:
Are there any clear cut teams that are the favorite to win the title?
Yes. Hartford from the Adirondack League is the top seed and the favorite to win Class D.
Is there a team seeded #4 or below that could that could win a couple games, reach the final or win the classification?
#4 Northville. However, getting a potential matchup with Hartford is a tough draw in the semi-finals.
Additional thoughts:
#2 North Warren vs #7 Bishop Gibbons looks like a toss-up in the quarter finals.