Boys basketball: SVM Scouts 1A/2A sectionals

2A BYRON

When: Today, Wednesday, Friday

Where: Byron High School

Teams: Seneca (25-4), Newman (24-4), Aurora Christian (19-11), Winnebago (29-0)

Players to watch: Conlan Callahan, Seneca jr. G; Kyle Moore, Newman sr. F; Jacoby Posley, Winnebago sr. G; Ryan McQuade, Aurora Christian sr. G; Matt Reinke, Winnebago sr. G; Peyton Schrag, Seneca sr. G; A.J. Sharp, Newman jr. G; Ryan Suttle, Aurora Christian sr. G

Outlook: Newman has won 10 straight and hasn't tasted defeat since a 63-36 loss to St. Bede on Jan. 18. The bad news? St. Bede fell 52-50 in a regional final to Seneca, who the Comets draw in Wednesday's sectional semifinal. The Fighting Irish have won three sectional titles, the last in their 2006 state title campaign. Another came the year before, when they took third in the state. Newman, meanwhile, won its second sectional title last season, its first since 1980. Like Newman, Christian is hot, having won seven in a row, and McQuade was still recovering from injury when the Eagles lost to Winnebago 70-57 at home Jan. 29.

Favorite: Winnebago

Dark horse: Newman

SVM prediction: Seneca

1A EASTLAND

When: Today, Wednesday, Friday

Where: Eastland High School

Teams: Eastland (27-3), Erie (18-12), Aquin (25-2), River Ridge (19-9)

Players to watch: Dalton Shaner, Eastland jr., G; Jacob Johnston, Erie sr., G/F; Ty Hartman, Eastland sr., F; Connor Saad, Erie sr., G; Nolan Brannick, Aquin sr., C; Andrew Martin, Aquin jr., G; Brendan Dauphin, River Ridge so., G; Cody Landwer, River Ridge sr., G

Outlook: Eastland has won 16 games in a row, last falling against Hinckley-Big Rock on Jan. 4. They ran the table in the NUIC West. Erie is one of three teams to beat the Cougars, in the finals of the West Carroll Tournament back on Dec. 15. Erie has the sectional's top player in senior guard/forward Jacob Johnston, who averaged 44.5 points in regional wins over Indian Creek and Paw Paw. Aquin went 14-0 in the NUIC East, and the Bulldogs' lone defeats are to nonconference powers Winnebago and Immaculate Conception. River Ridge is the sectional underdog, after taking third in the NUIC West. The Wildcats were beaten 62-37 by Eastland on Jan. 31.