Prediction time.
How will the high school basketball semistate games play out? Let’s get into it (I was 22-10 on regional picks last week):
Class A
At Lafayette
Monroe Central (21-4) vs. North Vermillion (16-11), 10 a.m.
Monroe Central reached this round of the tournament last year, losing to Kouts by six points. Will that experience matter? The Golden Bears have a rebounding machine in 6-4 senior Ta’Shaun Beatty (17.7 ppg, 14.5 rebounds) who pulled down 26 boards in last week’s win over Southwood. Sophomore Luke Morgan (18.3 ppg, 2.7 assists) is the leading scorer for No. 7 Monroe Central, which also relies on 5-9 senior Jackson Konkle (11.1 ppg, 4.6 assists). North Vermillion has a rising star in sophomore Teagan Leonard (17.8 ppg, 4.1 rebounds).
Pick: North Vermillion is playing its best basketball. But I’ll take Monroe Central by 6.
Tri-County (16-10) vs. Triton (23-3), noon
Fourth-ranked Triton survived a battle from Marquette Catholic in the regional, winning 53-51. The Trojans are trying to get back to the state finals for the fifth time – first since 2013 – under coach Jason Groves. Triton is a balanced group led by sophomores Julian Swanson (12.4 ppg, 3.3 rebounds, 37.1% 3-pointers) and Brady Wood (12.0 ppg, 3.4 rebounds, 36.5% 3-pointers), along with senior Jayden Overmyer (10.1 ppg, 4.3 rebounds) and Gage Riffle (8.9 ppg). Triton County is a veteran team with seniors Drew Foster (13.4 ppg, 4.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists) and Gabe Miller (12.3 ppg).
Pick: Triton by 9.
Championship: Monroe Central by 3. I like the Golden Bears mix of inside-outside scoring. I’ll call for a first state finals appearance for the brown and gold.
At Washington
Barr-Reeve (25-1) vs. Liberty Christian (19-7), 10 a.m.
Good one here. Liberty Christian makes the 153-mile journey to the Hatchet House. Barr-Reeve has a seven-mile trip.
But you can count on a good battle from No. 9 Liberty Christian no matter how long it takes to arrive. The Lions, coached by Norman Anderson Jr., have been tested by 3A and 4A programs all season, defeating teams like Crispus Attucks and Lawrence Central. This is a deep team led by junior Kendrick Martin (17.4 ppg, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.5 steals), senior Monte Dillard Jr. (16.4 ppg, 9.6 rebounds), freshman Kamaries Allen (9.3 ppg) and junior Tywaine Fuller Jr. (9.1 ppg, 3.6 assists). No. 2 Barr-Reeve was pushed last week by West Washington in the regional, winning 55-53. Junior Kierson Lengacher (13.9 ppg, 2.6 assists, 2.5 rebounds) and sophomores Jaylon Graber (11.4 ppg, 4.0 rebounds), Braxton Neidigh (10.1 ppg, 3.3 rebounds) and Josh Miller (8.2 ppg, 4.1 rebounds) are the top scorers for coach Heath Howington.
Pick: I waffled on this one. I’m going Liberty Christian by 3.
Bloomfield (19-8) vs. Hauser (25-2), noon
Can Blake Neill carry Bloomfield to the state finals? The 6-6 senior is averaging 27.6 points and 9.8 rebounds per game after leading the Cardinals past Cloverdale in the sectional championship and Northeast Dubois in the regional. Third-ranked Hauser was here a year ago, losing a 69-67 heartbreaker to state champion Orleans. The Jets are a more balanced team with Gavin Keller (20.3 ppg, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists), Stryker Gill (16.2 ppg, 5.9 assists, 5.4 rebounds) and Kameron Blair (10.0 ppg, 5.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists) all averaging in double figures.
Pick: These games at the Hatchet House are going to be awesome. I’ll take Hauser by 5.
Championship: Liberty Christian has played a tough schedule but so has Hauser. The Jets’ two losses came to 4A Columbus North and 3A Mt. Vernon (Posey) by a combined six points. Hauser by 4.
Class 2A
At Muncie
Fort Wayne Luers (15-11) vs. Oak Hill (25-1), 10 a.m.
Luers is a battle-tested team with all but one of its losses coming to 3A and 4A programs. The Knights held off a late run against Bremen last week in the regional. This group is led by seniors Ayle Taylor (13.8 ppg, 5.8 rebounds) and Carmani Davis (13.4 ppg), junior T.J. English (10.1 ppg, 4.0 rebounds) and sophomore Zen Szaferski (9.7 ppg, 4.9 assists. No. 2 Oak Hill is not an especially big team but it has plenty of skill, led by junior Jace Tonagel (15.8 ppg, 6.0 assists), freshman Will Tonagel (14.2 ppg, 3.7 assists), senior R.J. Shugart (11.7 ppg, 40% 3-pointers) and junior Kevaunte Simmons (8.5 ppg, 3.2 rebounds).
Pick: I expect this to be a challenging test for Oak Hill. The Golden Eagles pull away and win by 7.
Westview (25-1) vs. Lapel (21-5), noon
No. 3 Westview has won 24 consecutive games. Two more and the Warriors will be in the state finals for the first time since the 2014 team ran into Trevon Bluiett and Park Tudor. Junior Austin Schlabach is coming off a 33-point game in a 63-59 win over No. 7 Gary 21st Century. He is averaging 19.3 points, 5.4 assists and 5.1 rebounds on the season but this is far from a one-man team with senior Kaden Grau (18.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 52.1% 3-pointers) and junior Daniel Yoder (11.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists) also top producers. No. 9 Lapel has won 11 consecutive games with a balanced group led by junior Owen Garber (16.2 ppg, 3.9 rebounds) seniors Devin Craig (13.3 ppg, 3.5 assists), Luke Jones (11.8 ppg, 2.8 rebounds) and Tyler Cash (11.1 ppg) and sophomore Liam Ko (9.9 ppg, 5.2 rebounds).
Pick: Another good one. Westview by 4.
Championship: OakHill vs. Westview would be a great matchup. Westview by 2.
At Southport
Parke Heritage (24-4) vs. Triton Central (23-3), 10 a.m.
No. 4 Parke Heritage knows the route to the semistate. This is the fourth consecutive regional title for the Wolves, who have been sidelined in this round by Linton-Stockton, Brownstown Central and University the past three years. Parke Heritage, which was locked in last week in a 66-46 win over Centerville, has a balanced attack with seniors Treigh Schelsky (15.8 ppg, 3.5 assists, 39% 3-pointers) and Isaac Pickel (10.5 ppg, 7.6 rebounds), juniors Carter Crum (13.5 ppg, 7.0 rebounds) and Brenden Goins (7.5 ppg, 3.8 assists, 44% 3-pointers), and sophomore Joel Miller (8.9 ppg). No. 6 Triton Central will be a challenge. The Tigers, coming off a 57-51 win over Cardinal Ritter in the regional, are paced by program all-time leading scorer, senior Eli Sego, who is averaging 22.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists. Junior Jackson Faust (7.3 ppg, 2.1 assists), sophomore Brody Hartman (6.6 ppg, 3.3 rebounds), junior Henry Kemper (5.7 ppg, 4.0 rebounds), senior Grant Long (5.3 ppg, 2.2 assists) and junior Brayden Hoover (4.2 ppg, 2.3 assists) are also key players for coach Mark James.
Pick: Park Heritage by 5.
Linton-Stockton (24-4) vs. Austin (17-8), noon
No. 8 Linton-Stockton took down top-ranked and previously undefeated Paoli 55-51 in the regional Saturday. The Miners are led by 6-3 senior Conner Daily (19.0 ppg, 5.5 rebounds), 6-4 senior Paul Oliver (16.3 ppg, 7.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists), 6-4 junior Kaden White (7.7 ppg, 4.0 rebounds) and 5-8 senior Jackson Miller (7.0 ppg, 6.5 assists). This is Linton-Stockton’s sixth regional championship since 2013. Meanwhile, Austin is a regional champ for the first time since 2002. The Eagles, who started the season 1-5, might just be at the start of something big. Freshman Micah Mohler (21.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 36.7% 3-pointers), sophomore Tracen Roush (14.7 ppg, 3.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.6 steals) and junior Braxton Barger (11.9 ppg, 3.6 rebounds) will be back for coach Brent Jameson.
Pick: Linton-Stockton by 6.
Championship: I think this is the year Parke Heritage gets through. Wolves by 3.
Class 3A
At Logansport
New Haven (20-7) vs. Delta (16-10), 10 a.m.
Don’t sleep on New Haven. The Bulldogs knocked off Columbia City earlier this season in overtime. Tamar Baskerville is coming off a big 20-point game in last week’s 64-49 regional win over West Lafayette. Coach Brandon Appleton has a balanced group that really gets after it on defense. Delta took out Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian, 40-30, last week in the regional. The Eagles want a slower pace. Delta has a lot coming back next year other than senior Lucas Bragg (11.0 ppg, 2.6 rebounds). Other top players are sophomore Ryan Lynch (9.8 ppg, 3.0 assists), junior Chase Phillips (9.1 ppg, 6.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists) and freshman Walker Johnson (8.7 ppg, 6.2 rebounds).
Pick: New Haven by 8.
Columbia City (23-4) vs. East Chicago Central (15-12), noon
Sixth-ranked Columbia City advanced to the semistate for the first time in 15 years with a 55-33 win over Hanover Central last week. Coach Matt Schauss’ Eagles have some firepower led by 6-4 senior Landon Richmond (19.5 points, 7.9 rebounds), senior Owen Marshall (13.5 ppg, 4.5 rebounds), sophomore Ian St. John (9.3 ppg, 38% 3-pointers) and senior Trey Deckman (6.4 ppg, 4.6 assists). East Chicago Central is the upstart after avenging a regular season loss to Gary West in the sectional championship. The Cardinals then knocked off Mishawaka Marian, 78-74, in the regional. Seniors Jamarie Pollard (13.0 ppg, 3.8 rebounds) and Joseph Watkins Jr. (10.3 ppg, 4.7 rebounds) are leaders but the Cardinals have freshmen Naji Meux (10.7 ppg, 5.0 rebounds) and Mekhi Gillis (7.5 ppg, 2.9 rebounds) on the rise.
Pick: Columbia City by 9.
Championship: I’m going to take Columbia City to avenge the loss to New Haven and win by three in overtime.
At Seymour
Roncalli (18-7) vs. Silver Creek (28-1), 10 a.m.
Can anyone slow down the runaway train that is top-ranked Silver Creek? The Dragons have been absolutely dominating everyone in their path since losing to Crown Point at the Hall Fame Classic. This group is led by Richmond recruit Dane Caldwell (16.6 ppg, 8.3 rebounds) and Stony Brook commit Kasen Daeger (14.2 ppg, 43% 3-pointers). Other top players are junior Brandon Hunter (12.2 ppg, 10.6 assists), senior Dane Sprigler (10.9 ppg, 42% 3-pointers) and juniors Brody McLaughlin (6.0 ppg, 4.7 rebounds) and Lucas Linderman (5.4 ppg, 3.2 rebounds). Roncalli will need to keep Silver Creek’s offense in check. Senior Conner Kesler (14.0 ppg, 4.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists) was unable to play in the second half of the regional win over Northview due to injury. The Royals are a veteran group with seniors Joe Taylor (12.7 ppg, 7.8 rebounds) and Luke Feldman (11.9 ppg, 43% 3-pointers), juniors Will Hegwood (7.4 ppg, 4.0 assists, 3.1 rebounds) and Joey Ortman (6.7 ppg, 3.3 rebounds in six games), and sophomore Caleb Maurer (5.4 ppg, 2.3 rebounds).
Pick: Silver Creek by 12.
Cathedral (22-5) vs. Princeton (23-3), noon
Great matchup here between No. 2 Princeton and No. 3 Cathedral.
Princeton made it to this game last year, losing to Crispus Attucks by six. The Tigers are led by 6-7 senior Edwin Holmes (15.2 ppg, 9.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 2.3 steals), sophomore guard Quintyn Voltz (14.5 ppg, 3.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists) and seniors Demarcus Newson (12.0 ppg, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists) and Drew Wilkas (10.9 ppg, 4.0 rebounds). Cathedral has similar firepower with Detroit Mercy commit Keaton Aldridge Jr. (17.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.4 steals), Mount St. Mary’s commit Julien Smith (15.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 41% 3-point shooter), junior Braylon Pippins (9.2 ppg, 4.0 rebounds), senior R’Mani Wells (7.1 ppg, 3.2 rebounds), sophomore Tristan Lloyd (6.6 ppg, 45% 3-pointers) and junior Skylar Rodgers (6.5 ppg, 2.6 rebounds) among the top group.
Pick: Cathedral by 5.
Championship: If you like offense and this is the matchup, get to Seymour on Saturday night. I’ll take Silver Creek by 4 in a high-scoring battle.
Class 4A
At Elkhart
Northridge (25-1) vs. Homestead (20-6), 10 a.m.
Sixth-ranked Northridge has been on a tear, including a 73-67 win over No. 8 South Bend St. Joseph in the regional. Indiana Wesleyan commit Brady Scholl went off for 33 points and 17 rebounds in that win, the first regional title for the program. The 6-7 Scholl is averaging 24.6 points and 11.8 rebounds. Hayden Johnson (13.9 ppg, 36% 3-pointers), Hayden Gorball (6.6 ppg, 3.6 rebounds) and Karsyn Rumfelt (5.8 ppg, 3.6 rebounds) are also key players for Northridge. Homestead is led by juniors Mack Welker (21.4 ppg, 10.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists) and Jake Coolman (12.4 ppg, 3.6 assists), and sophomore Ryder Imel (9.4 ppg, 42% 3-pointers).
Pick: Northridge by 8.
Crown Point (23-1) vs. Fort Wayne Snider (20-7), noon
Second-ranked Crown Point is two wins from the promised land. Can the Bulldogs win their first semistate and clinch a state finals berth? Coach Clint Swan’s team is led by 6-6 Illinois-Chicago commit Dikembe Shaw (17.3 ppg, 5.9 rebounds), Bellarmine commit Mason Darrell (13.0 ppg, 2.3 assists), senior Kingston Rhodes (10.9 ppg, 2.2 assists), senior Bryce Peters (8.8 ppg, 4.2 assists) and sophomore M.J. Wilson (8.5 ppg, 2.4 rebounds). Snider pulled off one the stunner’s of the tournament, beating Carmel last week in the regional. The Panthers are by senior Xavier Wilson (15.6 ppg, 4.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists), junior Trell Hogue (11.4 ppg, 2.8 assists), junior Ketron Paschall (9.0 ppg, 6.7 rebounds), sophomore Chance DeRossett (8.5 ppg, 3.5 rebounds) and senior Jordan Woods (8.1 ppg, 3.4 rebounds).
Pick: Crown Point by 6.
Championship: I think this is the year Crown Point gets it done. Bulldogs by 4.
At New Castle
Mt. Vernon (25-3) vs. Decatur Central (20-6), 10 a.m.
Fourth-ranked Mt. Vernon can’t afford a letup here after last week’s big regional win over No. 3 Pike. I don’t think the Marauders will let that happen. They have the experience of playing in this game last year against Jeffersonville. Purdue-bound point guard Luke Ertel (24.5 ppg, 9.9 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.9 steals) leads the way, along with 6-8 junior Max Vise (13.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists). Other key players for the Marauders include Jack Guerre (8.4 ppg), junior Owen Daugherty (5.6 ppg) and senior Jamaree Collins (5.4 ppg). Decatur Central, coming off its first regional title, will counter with senior Elyas Zapata (14.1 ppg, 7.2 rebounds) and juniors Makeil Baker (13.0 ppg, 3.3 assists), Nash Sigmund (12.6 ppg) and Devin Colbert Jr. (11.4 ppg, 4.5 assists). Sophomore Lavell Love (8.0 ppg, 4.7 rebounds) and senior Michael Norton (6.3 ppg, 5.3 rebounds) are also key players.
Pick: Mt. Vernon by 9.
New Albany (22-5) vs. Terre Haute North (24-3), noon
Great matchup here. No. 7 Terre Haute North has won 22 consecutive games coming into this one. The Patriots can really shoot it from the perimeter. North is led by senior Cam Fennell (12.8 ppg, 4.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists), junior Blake Hammond (11.5 ppg, 4.7 rebounds), senior Brady Klopfenstein (10.7 ppg, 4.4 rebounds), junior Tyler Renn (9.8 ppg, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists) and senior Gavin Woelfle (9.7 ppg, 4.4 assists). Fennell shoots 53% from the 3-point line and Woelfle and Klopfenstein are better than 40%. Ninth-ranked New Albany likes to play a fast tempo. Standout sophomore Noah Washington (22.0 ppg, 4.2 rebounds, 39% 3-pointers) is the headliner, but he has plenty of help from freshman Karson Stoudemire (12.8 ppg, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists), senior T.J. Washington (11.5 ppg, 2.9 assists, 42% 3-pointers) and junior Reece McKee (9.9 ppg, 4.6 assists).
Pick: Had a tough time picking this one. I think I’ll go with the more experienced Terre Haute North by a bucket. But this looks like a tossup to me.
Championship: This will be a tough one. Mt. Vernon by 4.
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649. Get IndyStar’s high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter. And be sure to subscribe to our new IndyStarTV: Preps YouTube channel.
