Instant Classic: Princeton versus Rochester

What a game! This was surely one of the most hotly contested State Finals games of all time. Rochester led by eight at halftime, 37-29, behind some hot shooting by Bruce Grimm, Jr. and the rest of the Zebra squad. A defensive change at half by coach Tom Weeks turned the game into Princeton's hands in the third quarter, but the entire final frame was a back and forth affair. In the final two minutes, Rochester erased a five-point deficit behind three three-pointers, two from Grimm, sandwiched between a couple buckets by the Tigers. The final three by Grimm tied the game, but the Tigers came down the floor and sophomore Rontray Chavis scored and was fouled, and hit the free throw. Rochester answered again on two Grimm free throws, which was again followed by two freebies by senior Trevor George. After a kicked ball, Rochester had the ball on the side with 3.2 seconds remaining. Luckily for Rochester, Grimm had some magic remaining. Taking the inbounds pass, Grimm hit a fading three pointer to tie the game as the clock ran out, sending the game into overtime. The three was Grimm's sixth, which tied the State Finals record, which Grimm would later break with his seventh trey in the extra period. The seventh three was from so deep, many onlookers could have sworn he shot it from Monument Circle. Rochester's Colt Meadows tied the game up with almost a minute and a half, 70-70, on two free throws. Marc Bowers put the Zebras up by two with a minute on two more charity shots. Princeton soph Jalen Packer missed two free throws, but Dontray Chavis gobbled up the offensive rebound and put it back in with about forty seconds to play. With 22.8 seconds to play, Rochester called timeout and went for the last shot. The Zebras bled the clock until six seconds, when Grimm pulled up for three, letting fly with under three seconds. The shot was just short, and the game went to a second overtime, tied 72-72. Princeton started the second OT with an offensive rebound by Rontray on which he was fouled, and made the free throw. Grimm then came down and hit a midrange jumper. The game wet back and forth with Princeton up one until Dontray made a basket with just over two minutes. Austin Lowell followed that up with a basket. Jordan Simmons of Princeton made a two, and then Grimm hit his eighth three to tie it at 79-79 with under a minute. Princeton held the ball until under ten seconds when they took a three pointer, which missed, but Dontray got an offensive rebound, shot, missed, but was fouled with 2.9 seconds to play. He hit both, and Rochester called timeout, 81-79. Would it be a Brownsburg redux? Coach Rob Malchow set up a play for a baseball pass, which was intercepted, and the Tigers pulled out an astounding win. Grimm did all he could for the Zebras, hitting those eight record treys and scoring 40 points!!!! Wow! He was 14 for 29 from the field and eight of ffteen from three point range. As a team,the Zebras hit fifteen threes, a state record, but they were outscored 44 to 12 in the paint by the Tigers. Princeton becomes the eleventh undefeated champ in Indiana state history. Rochester's Brody Schoen won the Trester Award. Sixth man Dontray Chavis was awarded the MVP award after going scoreless in the first half, but finished with 14 points and four big boards, including three huge offensive ones, but it really could've gone to anyone on Princeton, and Grimm as well. Rontray Chavis finished with 25 points, Trevor George had 20 points, and Jordan Simmons had a dozen. Congrats to both teams and coaches, especially winning coach Tom Weeks.

Luers Tops Brownstown Central

In a game that was, for nearly three quarters, much more competitive than most anticipated, the Knights of Ft. Wayne Bishop Luers were able to pull away from the Brownstown Central Braves, 67-49. Until the last few minutes of the third frame, the Knights and Braves went back and forth, with the Braves even taking a one-point lead in that quarter. After falling behind, a pair of big threes by senior guard Lawrence Barnett put the Knight up for good. Brownstown held junior superstar Deshaun Thomas in check for a while, implementing multiple defenses, including a box-and-one, all geared towards slowing the future Ohio State Buckeye down. It worked for a while, but Thomas' ability finally took over, putting on a show for most of the second half, finishing with 34 points. Thomas' scoring, which today moved him into eleventh place all-time in Indiana state scoring, coupled with outstanding pressure defense, especially by sophomore guard Kenny Mullen, spelled defeat for the Braves. Brownstown Central was led by 6'7 senior Blaze Ayers with 17 points. Congratulations to coach James Blackmon and the Knights on the second straight State Championship!

Jac-Cen-Del Beats Triton

The Eagles of Jac-Cen-Del won their first ever State Championship, beating the defending champs Triton Trojans, 66-55, in this morning's 1A title game. The Eagles got a huge game from 6'2 senior leader Matt Gehl, who scored 26 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Gehl had a huge third quarter, scoring 15 points, and in one span, making eight consecutive field goals. Blake Sutton added 19 points for the winners, going nine for ten from the free throw line. Eagles senior Gerald Hardesty was the winner of the 1A Aurthur L. Trester Mental Attitude Award. Griffyn Carpenter led the Trojans with 14 points, and seniors Joel Meister and Colton Keel added twelve each. Congrats to coach David Bradshaw and Jac-Cen-Del on their great season!

Deshaun Thomas: Best Scorer Ever?

Ft. Wayne Bishop Luers junior Deshaun Thomas is arguably the best player in Indiana, regardless of class. In fact, in spite of the fact that there is so much great talent in the Hoosier state, it's very hard to make an argument for anyone besides Thomas as the premier baller. He is the state's leading scorer and rebounder and has been verbally committed to Ohio State since his freshman season. The 6'7 forward currently has 2,200 career points heading into the final game of his third high school season, and former-Bedford North Lawrence and Indiana University star Damon Bailey's all-time scoring mark is firmly in his sights. If Thomas goes scoreless tomorrow (a prospect that is highly unlikely), he will need just over 900 points next season to break Bailey's mark, or an average of about 34 points per game. Is t possible? Certainly. Will it happen? Time will tell! Read the link below for more details of Thomas' scoring exploits.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090326/SPORTS0203/903260446/1057/SPORTS02

Dominique Ferguson to Open it Up?

Lawrence North junior wing Dominique Ferguson finds himself in an unusual position. As one of the top 25 players in the nation in the 2010 class, he is a highly coveted recruit. He was, and possibly still is, committed to the University of Kentucky, but in the wake of the Billy Gillispie firing, his once clear future has become murky. His father, Deon, was recently quoted in the Louisville Courier-Journal as saying that there is a "strong possibility" that his son would re-open his recruitment. In all likelihood, local schools such as IU and Purdue would make overtures to the 6'9 forward, as would Big East power Louisville, who already have four of his LN teammates either signed or verbally committed. Here is Jody Demling's interview with the elder Ferguson. You may have to scroll down a bit. Enjoy!

http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/demling/blog.html

Peck Commits: Cornell!

The Big Red of Cornell recently received a commitment from one of the best unsigned players in the state of Indiana, scoring a verbal from 6'6 Cathedral forward Errick Peck. Peck led the Irish in scoring and rebounding this season, finishing with a top-ten ranking in the 4A class before losing to North Central in a sectional thriller. Congrats to Errick and best of luck in your future endeavors, playing for a great, tournament team, and getting a wonderful education. Linked is an article from a Cornell hoops blog detailing the verbal, including quotes from Irish head coach Scotty Hicks. Enjoy!

http://cornellbasketball.blogspot.com/2009/03/recruiting-news-more-on-errick-peck.html

Luers versus Brownstown Central

Each of the State Finals games has a favorite, to be sure, but none moreso that Bishop Luers. The Knights are set to face Brownstown Central, who pulled off a ten-point upset against Winchester, preventing the Golden Falcons from getting a rematch against the team that beat them in the Finals last season. Luers is possibly the best team in the entire state and have a bevy of talent including 6'7 junior Deshaun Thomas, a top ten national player committed to Ohio State, and senior guard Lawrence Barnett, an IU football recruit. They are one of the highest scoring teams in the state and play a fantastic schedule, including games against Lawrence North, Snider, and Chicago Curie. Brownstown is not being given much of a chance in the 2A game, but that doesn't mean they don't have any talent, or that they lack confidence. They have two solid bigs, including 6'7 junior Taylor Wischmeier and 6'6 senior Blaze Ayers, who combine for nearly thirty points a game. Here is a recent article on the 2A game. Enjoy!

http://blogs.indystar.com/preps/archives/2009/03/at_uphill_battl.html

Update on Princeton and Others

One of the two remaining undefeateds in Indiana basketball are the Princeton Tigers. Behind the solid play of senior wing Trevor George and a trio of talented sophomores, Dontray and Rontray Chavis and Jalen Packer, the Tigers have pieced together a spectacular season and gained the attention of national polls. They also have had top recruiters come through to check out their super-sophs, including IU head coach Tom Crean. Here is an IndyStar article updating their progress as they move to the State Finals, and some short updates on other contenders. Enjoy!

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090322/SPORTS0203/903220357/1160/SPORTS0203

Terone Johnson Garners Award

North Central junior Terone Johnson, a 6'3 Purdue recruit, added quite an honor to his already impressive hoops career. The shooting guard was recently named the 2008-2009 Marion County Player of the Year. Johnson led the Panthers to a 23-2 mark while averaging around 25 points per game, losing in a sectional final thriller to Lawrence North. Check the link to read about Johnson's award, as well as who joins him on the All-Marion County First and Second Teams.

http://blogs.indystar.com/preps/archives/2009/03/johnson_named_m.html

State Final Match-Ups Set!

Here are the match-ups, by class, that will be played next Saturday at Conseco Fieldhouse:

1A STATE FINAL: Jac-Cen-Del versus Triton

2A STATE FINAL: Brownstown Central versus Bishop Luers

3A STATE FINAL: Princeton versus Rochester

4A STATE FINAL: Bloomington South versus Ft. Wayne Snider

Bloomington South Beats Franklin Central

In a game that was much closer than expected, a 59-55, the undefeated number one ranked Panthers from Bloomington South held off an inspired Franklin Central team to move on to the State Finals. It was a well played game, but a run at the end of the third quarter gave the Panthers a nine point lead heading into the final frame, in which they were able to hold on for the victory. Here are some notable stats for both sides.

BLOOMINGTON SOUTH STATS

Jordan Hulls - 20 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals
Dee Davis - 12 points, 3 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals
Spencer Turner - 8 points, 4 rebounds
Erik Fromm - 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists
Jake Mulinix - 4 points

FRANKLIN CENTRAL STATS

Patrick Bade - 16 points, 8 rebounds
Casey Coons - 21 points, 7 rebounds

Franklin Central Confident

As stated yesterday, the Southport Semi-State game featuring Bloomington South and Franklin Central is not the first time these teams have met this year. Back in January, the Panthers whipped the Flashes 77-45, a 32-point defeat for the Indianapolis-area team. Since then, Franklin Central has made some serious improvements, leading them to a big upset win over Lawrence North in regionals, advancing them to the final four. Their best player is 6'8 senior Partick Bade, a Purdue recruit, who has had an outstanding postseason, including two 20-plus point efforts in regionals. Included is a recent IndyStar article about the Flashes and what they believe are their improved chances to knock off the undefeated Panthers. Enjoy!

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090321/SPORTS0203/903210442/1057/SPORTS02

Greensburg's Upset Chances Take Hit

The Greensburg Pirates, currently on a miracle run in the 3A State Playoffs, already face the unenviable task of taking on the undefeated, number one ranked Princeton Tigers in today's semi-state game, about to get underway in Lafayette. Now, unfortunately, the Pirates have recently learned that they will have to play without leading scorer and rebounder Latroi Wright, a 6'3 guard who averages over 16 points and seven rebounds a contest. Wright was ruled ineligible for the game by the school due to a code of conduct violation, which was revealed on the trip to practice at Seymour's gym leading up to today's game. This development in very unfortunate for a team that is already severely undermanned as compared to the Tigers. Provided below is a link detailing Greensburg's run and the sad ruling for their team.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=3995531&type=story

Semi-State Breakdown: Munster versus Snider

In the final breakdown leading into Semi-State Saturday, we turn our attention to the other 4A game featuring two teams with a combined two losses. The Munster Mustangs are a great defensive team ranked eighth in the state, while the Panthers thrive on the offensive end and come in sixth in the polls. Let's start by going deep with the Mustangs.

Munster Mustangs

Coach: Mike Hackett was 24-1 this season, leading the Mustangs to their first sectional and regional title in his tenure. In his ninth season at Munster, he has accumulated an impressive 161-47 record.

Scoring Averages: Munster scores 61.6 points per game while they only allow 40.2 points against.

Losses: at Merrillville (4A) 58-49.

Roster: by scoring average

Brian Stolarz: 11.2 points
Alex McGuire: 9.8 points
Krste Ruiz: 8.2 points
Tony DiCostanzo: 6.0 points
Kyle Ritz, Jr.: 3.8 points

Strengths: Munster hangs their hats on stellar defense, only allowing 40 points a game. They are also very unselfish offensively, with only one player in double digits. Stolarz is a tough match, with size and good athleticism.

Weaknesses: Saying they are a defensive team is another way of saying they struggle offensively. If they get down big, it will be hard for them to come back, knowing they are not built to put up big numbers.

Snider Panthers

Coach: Ray Sims was 24-1 in his 12th season as Snider's head man, leading them to their third sectional and first regional in that span. His overall record there is 173-95. This is his 19th overall season as a head coach, amassing a 242-202 record.

Scoring Averages: The Panthers score 69. points and give up 53.8 points against.

Losses: vs. Bishop Luers (2A) 66-57.

Roster: The Panthers feature five seniors who have played together for four season. Jonathan Sims leads them with 15.5 points a game. Six-five forward Reggie Hearn scores 15 points and 6'6 post Brad Sneary averages 14 points. Spencer Anderson is a deep threat who scored 18 points in the regional finals, while Carl Miller is a defensive standout.

Strengths: Senior leadership and experience is a big key for Snider. This group is good, and they are very comfortable with each other and have a deep trust in each other. They also have four legit scoring options who can go off in any particular game in all four seniors, besides Miller.

Weaknesses: While the seniors have played together for four seasons, this will be the first time they have advanced past regionals, so there might be some "big stage jitters." Their depth is a question mark too, and beyond their five seniors, there isn't much to go to.

P-Hoops Prediction: Snider will prevail in this one, able to overcome Munster's great defense, moving on to face South in the title game!

Semi-State Breakdown: Franklin Central versus Bloomington South

Folks, today let's turn our attention to the two 4A Semi-State games going on this weekend. Four great teams are still alive, vying for the largest class' top honor. Who will advance to Conseco Fieldhouse? Let's first go deep with the Franklin Central - Bloomington South match-up.

Franklin Central

Coach: Mark James led the Flashes to a 21-5 mark this season, his 24th at the helm for Franklin Central. In that time, he is 366-187, winning five sectionals and one regional since 1993. He has a 409-214 overall record in 27 years of coaching.

Scoring Averages: The Flashes score 58.6 points per game and give up 48.0 points against.

Losses: vs. LCC (1A) 65-59, at Lawrence North (4A) 53-39, at Bloomington South (4A) 77-45, at Decatur Central (4A) 54-50, at Pike (4A) 60-49.

Roster: by scoring average, with notable stats

Patrick Bade 6'8 Sr - 17.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 66% FT
Casey Coons 5'10 Sr - 11.5 points, 4.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 86% FT, 47% 3FG (60 for 129)
Jordan Weidner 6'1 Jr - 10.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 80% FT, 38% 3FG (38 for 100)
Brian Higdon 6'3 Sr - 8.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 73% FT
John Goodlow 6'2 Soph - 4.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 59% FT
Kyle James 6'0 Soph - 3.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.3 steals, 41% 3FG, 50% FT
Joe Talhelm 6'3 Sr - 1.3 points, 1.2 rebounds, 33% 3FG

Strengths: Bade, a Purdue recruit, is playing possibly his best ball ever. He is easily the best big man in this game, and his size, athleticism, and versatility will give any defender problems. Coons is a heady point guard who rarely turns it over and keeps the Flashes running. They are also full of confidence right now after knocking off Lawrence North in regional play, which they were not given much of a chance to do.

Weaknesses: As stated above, FC has already played South once this season, with disastrous results, losing by 32 points. The Panthers are one of the top teams in the nation, and this game may be out of reach for the Flashes, no matter how good they are.

Bloomington South

Coach: JR Holmes led the Panthers to a 24-0 mark this year and a number one state ranking, as well as a top ten national ranking. In his 27th year at South, he has amassed a staggering 461-169 mark, including seven sectionals, four regionals, and one semi-state title since 1993. Overall, in his 39th year of coaching, Holmes has a 604-287 record.

Scoring Averages: The Panthers score 75.0 points per game and give up 49.9 points defensively, over a 25 point differential.

Losses: None, and their closest game this year was a six point win over Detroit Country Day. Their closest games against Indiana opponents are two elven point wins in postseason play.

Roster: by scoring average

Jordan Hulls- 15.9 points
Dee Davis - 13.1 points
Spencer Turner- 12.1 points
Eric Fromm- 9.8 points
Chaz Cooper- 6.1 points
Jake Mulinix- 5.5 points
David Blackwell- 3.1 points
Marcus Etnier- 2.5 points
Rickey Washington- 2.1 points
Curtis Payton- 1.6 points

Strengths: Guard play. Hulls is the best leader in the state and is the likely choice for Mr. Basketball. His stats aren't eye-popping, but he does so much for one of the best teams in the nation, as the engine who makes them go. Davis and Turner are in the back court with Hulls, forming a deadly trio. Hulls runs the show, Davis slashes, and Turner is deadly from the outside. They also have a winners mentality, expecting to come out on top. So many good things to say about them.

Weaknesses: There aren't many. Their size is not overwhelming, but adequate, but Fromm is 6'8 and should be able to make Bade work for what he gets.

P-Hoops Prediction: South wins big again, and moves on to the title game.

Bowman Academy Wants Do-Over

Bowman Academy was coasting in it's regional semifinal game against Caston, a game which they won 55-28, when the unthinkable happened. Star freshman DaJuan Marrero was whistled for two technical fouls, one for a dunk in which he was ruled to hang on the rim and one for slapping the glass on an attempted block, which resulted in an automatic one-game suspension per IHSAA rules. Marrero therefore had to sit out the regional final game against the third ranked Triton Trojans, which Bowman lost 60-58. Eagles head coach Marvin Rea believes that the technicals were unwarranted, but more than that, they were not unsportsmanlike in any way. The rule's wording in the written law states that the techs must be "unsportsmanlike" to result in the automatic suspension. Currently, IHSAA commish Blake Ress believes that any and all technicals are unsportsmanlike, and therefore Marrero's suspension was upheld. Rea doesn't buy it. He wants a chance to play Triton again, with his full squad, something that is highly unlikely to occur. I've included a link with the story about Rea and the rematch. Check out the videos to the right that show the dunk and the slap and form your own opinion. Mine? The techs should not have been called, either of them. He did not hang too long after the dunk, and if he hung at all, it was because there were two Comets beneath him. And the slap is in no way malicious, in my humble opinion. Take a look.

http://nwi.com/articles/2009/03/19/sports/indiana_prep_sports/docc009aa9030b66cfb8625757e000e7f54.txt

Semi-State Match-ups: Delta versus Rochester

The other 3A Regional game features two highly ranked teams, great individual players, and one of the most experienced and highly regarded coaches in the state. The Delta Eagles are having a great year, currently ranked number thirteen in the 3A polls. Rochester has one of the best guards in the class in Bruce Grimm Jr. and are currently rated as the seventh best squad in the class. Let's go deep with the Eagles to begin.

Delta Eagles

Coach: Paul Keller, an Indiana coaching legend, led Delta to a 22-4 mark this season, which is his seventeenth year with the Eagles. In that time, he is 271-129, with five sectionals, three regionals, two semi-states, and two State Championships, one in 1997 and one in 2002. Overall, Keller is in his 24th year as a head coach, amassing an impressive 357-192 record.

Scoring Averages: The Eagles score 60.0 points per game and allow only 45.0 points against.

Losses: at Muncie South (3A) 69-62, at Monroe Central (1A) 55-53, at Muncie Central (4A) 57-51, at Mt. Vernon (3A) 56-52 in 2OT.

Roster: No season stats were available for the Eagles. They are led by a great back court of Skylar Case, who scored 40 points between their two regional games, and Greg Heban, who had 23 points in the regional semifinal. They are both experienced seniors. Seth Smoot, a 6'3 senior, also had 10 points in the regional finals. Other contributors include seniors Dane Humphrey (6'4) and Josh Farmer, juniors Logan Young (6'4), Tanner Wehlage, and Jake Smedley, and sophomore Jake Bryan (6'3).

Strengths: Guard play is a big plus for Delta. Case and Heban are both great with the ball, good shooters, and overall scoring threats. They have above average size, with four kids at 6'3 or taller, led by seniors Smoot and Humphrey. They are also a stellar defensive team, allowing only 45 points a game, so they can rely on that when their shots are not falling. They are experienced and determined, feeling they were given a raw deal last season against Harding. They also have a fantastic coach who has a wealth of game experience and savvy to draw upon.

Weaknesses: Scoring the ball. Outside of Case and Heban, the Eagles do not really have a consistent third scoring option. Also, they may not have someone who will be able to keep up with the Zebras star Bruce Grimm Jr.

Rochester Zebras

Coach: Rob Malchow led Rochester to a stellar mark of 22-3 in his seventh year as their coach. Overall, Malchow has a 106-56 record in that span, winning four sectionals and this years' regional.

Scoring Averages: The Zebras score 68.4 points a game while allowing only 46.5 points against, nearly a 22-point disparity.

Losses: at Warsaw (4A) 72-60, at Whitko (3A) 76-73, at Peru (3A) 63-56.

Roster: by scoring average, with notable stats.

Bruce Grimm Jr. 6'0 Sr- 26.9 points, 5.8 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 steals, 76% FT, 55/148 from three (37%)
Brody Schoen 6'1 Sr- 12.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals, 77% FT, 39/104 from three (38%)
Colt Meadows 5'10 Jr- 8.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, 23/66 from three (35%)
Evan Hoff 6'0 Soph- 8.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, 88% FT, 43/112 from three (38%)
Austin Lowe 5'11 Sr- 8.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 3.5 steals
Marc Bower 6'3 Jr- 4.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.0 steals
Collin Harris 6'3 Soph- 3.2 points, 2.1 rebounds
Nate Bacham 5'11 Soph- 2.2 point, 1.5 rebounds

Strengths: Grimm, and East Tennessee State recruit, is a scoring machine, but is not one dimensional. He is lightning-quick, able to penetrate and break down defenses to create for his teammates (nearly six assists per game). They are also a superb three point shooting team. On the year, they are 167 for 455, which is 37% as a team, a fantastic clip from deep.

Weaknesses: Size will be an issue for the Zebras. As good as their guard play is, their interior play is not quite up to par. Grimm can score in a variety of ways, and he'll have to since the Eagles have much bigger players on average. The only Zebras at 6'3 are Bowers and Harris, and they combine for just eight points and a smidge over six boards a game. Also, the Zebras don't have the recent experience of Delta, losing last year in sectional play.

P-Hoops Prediction: I really think it comes down to how well Grimm has been playing. During their postseason run, he is averaging 31.2 points per game, including a 45-point outburst against Mishawaka Marian and a 36-point effort against Griffith. I just don't think Delta has an answer for him, therefore the Zebras will advance and meet the Princeton Tigers in the 3A State Final!

Semi-State Match-ups: Greensburg versus Princeton

Today we begin looking at the two larger classes in the state by previewing both 3A Semi-State games, starting with one that appears, on the surface, to be one with a heavy favorite. The Greensburg Pirates, a team that has lost eight games on the year, will take on the undefeated, number one ranked Princeton Tigers, a team loaded with young, D1 talent. Is this game as lopsided as it seems? Well, this postseason has been full of big upsets pulled of my seeming underdogs, so let's take a look!

Greensburg Pirates

Coach: Stacy Meyer is 16-8 in his third year at Greensburg, accumulating a 34-33 record overall. He has five more seasons as a head coach outside of Greensburg, and his overall mark is 92-89. This is his first sectional and regional title at the helm of the Pirate ship.

Scoring Averages: The Pirates score 59.3 points per game and allow 52.1 points against.

Losses: at Lawrenceburg (2A) 63-49, vs. Batesville (3A) 78-72, at East Central (4A) 54-42, at Batesville (3A) 61-57, at Jac-Cen-Del (1A) 74-71, at South Dearborn (3A) 66-62, vs. Lawrenceburg (2A) 63-30, vs. East Central (4A) 55-53.

Roster: No immediate stats available online for the Pirates. Some of their top players include Latroi Wright, who scored 26 points in their regional title game, and Greg Dougan and Elijah Harter, who scored 14 and 11 points respectively in the same contest. Other main contributors include Ty Miller, Andrew Dougan, and Jacob Evans.

Strengths: The Pirates are riding high after pulling upsets of both Roncalli and North Montgomery in regional play, so they are emotionally pumped to play. Those emotions and the sense of belief they have gained in themselves could push them to play above their level versus a team who clearly has more talent. They also have a star in Wright, who averaged 20 points a game in regionals against two very good teams. Another strength is outside shooting, led by Harter, who had three triples against the Chargers.

Weaknesses: Depth will be a challenge versus the Tigers, who have many interchangeable parts, including a 6'4 double-digit scoring, athletic freak (Dontray Chavis) coming off the bench. They also will struggle to keep up with the speed and athleticism of Princeton.

Princeton Tigers

Coach: Tom Weeks is 27-0 this season at the helm, and is 61-37 overall in his fourth year with the Tigers. This is his first sectional and regional title as a head coach.

Scoring Averages: Princeton averages a whopping 74.3 points per game while holding their opponents to just 53.6 points.

Losses: None, but they had close three-point wins over Evansville Bosse (3A), Evansville Harrison (4A), Southridge (4A), and Jasper (3A), and they won a two-point thriller against Evansville Central (4A).

Roster: by scoring average
Rontray Chavis 6'4 Soph: 17.3 points
Trevor George 6'3 Sr: 15.1 points
Jalen Packer 6'2 Soph: 14.3 points
Dontray Chavis 6'4 Soph: 11.1 points
Jordan Simmons 6'1 Jr: 8.9 points
Brandt George 6'2 Sr: 4.6 points
Jake Thacker 6'5 Jr: 3.1 points
Justin Simmons 6'0 Soph: 2.0 points

Strengths: They are the undefeated, number one team in 3A for a reason. They have a ton of weapons, great athleticism, solid rebounding and front court play, and a heady point guard in Packer who is an extension of the coach on the floor. They are not great outside shooters, but they are capable from three-point land, and so must be challenged. Losing the George twins next season will hurt, but Princeton should be a 3A contender for the next two seasons as well.

Weaknesses: Outside shooting, as stated before, is not a strength, but not really a weakness either. Lack of experience could hurt too, as this is their first trip past sectionals under Coach Weeks, but the Pirates are in the same boat (pun intended). If they don't get too overhyped, Princeton should have a decided advantage in almost every facet of this game.

P-Hoops Prediction: Princeton just has too many weapons for the Pirates to contain. Greenburg's magical run will come to an end at the hands of the Tigers, who will move on to Conseco. Who will they face? Check back later to see the breakdown of the other 3A Semi-State, featuring the Rochester Zebras and the Delta Eagles!

Dru Anthrop, Griffyn Carpenter, and Rontray Chavis Article

Good tidbit from the Indy Star this morning about how some of the teams still vying for a State Championship are led by less heralded players than other squads. Sure, there are many teams left that have D1 players and Mr. Basketball candidates (Hulls, Bade, Koch, Deshaun), but others are equally as good of teams, but with less well-known kids. Here's an article with a quick look at three of the players who will be leading their teams in the semi-state round, hoping to move onto Conseco next weekend. Enjoy!

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090319/SPORTS0203/903190456/1160/SPORTS0203

Check back later this morning for previews of both 3A Semi-State games!

Semi-State Match-ups: Bishop Luers vs. North Judson

Just like the other 2A Semi-State game, this one features a highly ranked team versus an unheralded squad who has beaten the odds to get to this points. Luers, the defending State Champs who have been considered a favorite all year long, is the highest ranked team left in the 2A tourney, at number two. They knocked off the number one ranked Tipton Blue Devils in regional play on their way to the final four. North Judson is outside of the rankings, but has had a great year nonetheless. They are a team without a star, a team that relies on true team play, a team that has different kids step up each night. Without a doubt, they are one of the feel-good stories of the postseason. Let's go in depth with each team, starting with the heavily favored Knights of Luers.

Bishop Luers

Coach: James Blackmon sits at the helm of the 21-4 Knights. He is in his fifth season as Luers coach, compiling an 84-32 record, which includes three sectionals, two regionals, one semi-state, and one State Championship, coming last season in a 69-67 thriller over Winchester.

Scoring Averages: Luers scores an impressive 73.1 points per game and allows 59.2 points against.

Losses: vs. Lawrence North (4A) 69-57, at Chicago Curie 65-58, vs. Snider (4A) 66-56, at Warsaw 59-54.

Roster: by scoring average, with notable stats

Deshaun Thomas 6'7 Jr - 31.7 points, 15.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.6 blocks, 1.6 steals, 33% 3FG (54 made), 58% FG, 75% FT
Evan Blackmon 6'1 Soph - 11.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 steals, 70% FT
Lawrence Barnett 6'0 Sr - 10.4 points, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 62% FT
Kenny Mullen 5'9 Soph - 9.3 points, 4.8 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 54% FT
Sean Day 6'6 Sr - 5.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, 45% FT
Eric Sorg 6'3 Soph - 3.5 points, 34% 3FG (18 made)
Jake Kuhn 6'3 Sr - 3.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 33% FT
Dmitri Gholston 6'3 Sr - 2.3 points, 2.2 rebounds

Strengths: Much like Winchester, the Knights have very few, maybe zero, chinks in their armor. They seem to have everything: size, scoring options, defense, great guard play, and a superstar who is the best player in the state in Thomas, an Ohio State commit. Teams who have tried to negate Thomas' effect on a game have found it hard to do, and if relatively successful, Barnett and Blackmon have stepped up and produced big numbers. Their defense is intimidating, having two players averaging nearly three blocks a game (Day and Thomas).

Weaknesses: Their biggest flaw may be free throw shooting, with Thomas and Blackmon the only Knights better than 70% from the line. Outside of that, they are nearly unbeatable.

North Judson

Coach: Ryan Bales, a graduate and former star for the Bluejays, is in his third year as head coach of North Judson. This year, they are 20-5 and have an overall record of 37-31 under Bales. In his one year as a head coach outside of North Judson, Bales 10-11, giving him and overall record of 47-42. This is his first sectional and regional championship at North Judson.

Scoring Averages: The Bluejays score 57.3 points on average and allow 48.6 points against.

Losses: at Knox (3A) 48-36, at Noblesville (4A) 55-38, vs. Rensselaer Central (3A) 54-41, vs. North Miami (2A) 59-52, vs. Rochester (3A) 66-47.

Roster: No specific stats were found for the Bluejays. They have a solid scoring spread with their top scorer averaging only 11.4 points, with many players thereabouts in their average. Here are their main contributors.

Myles Thies - Sr
John Eckert 6'6 Fr
Chandler Hochstedler 6'4 Jr - 10 points, six rebounds
Scotty Elsea - Sr
Luke Gross - Sr
Drake Barrett - Sr
Kendall Hochstedler 5'9 Fr - 4 points, 2 assists, 2 steals

Strengths: The main thing this team has going for them is a sense of compete solidarity and a great community behind them. They are the David facing a mighty Goliath. But, we all now how that turned out. It will take a truly Davidian effort to knock the Knights from their perch.

Weaknesses: The Bluejays have no match for Thomas (not that any team in the state does) and will likely not be able to slow him down. They are lacking in quickness and athleticism as compared to Luers, too. In general, they are outmanned, out-quicked, out-athletic-ed, out-everythinged by Luers.

P-Hoops Prediction: I expect Luers to win big, but North Judson has earned the right to be there and will give their best, making their community proud. Attached is a great article about the North Judson community. Enjoy.

http://www.post-trib.com/sports/highschools/1482853,judson.article

Semi-State Match-ups: Winchester vs. Brownstown Central

With the games for 1A already covered, P-Hoops will now turn to the great match-ups in the 2A class. Let's start by looking at the 2A game at the Southport Semi-State, which pits the Golden Falcons of Winchester against the Braves of Brownstown Central. Winchester is one of the hottest teams in the state, winning seventeen games in a row and climbing to fourth in the 2A polls, while the Braves are a bit of an underdog, outside of the rankings, but a great team on a winning run as well. Let's start by going deep with the Golden Falcons, last year's 2A State Runners-up.

Winchester

Coach: Chip Mehaffey is an Indiana coaching legend who earned his 300th career win earlier this season. In twenty years of coaching, he has amassed a 305-148 record. In his 13 seasons at Winchester, his record is an astounding 241-68, which includes eight sectionals, six regionals, and three semi-state titles, falling in the title game all three times. Mehaffey endured some instability at the start of the year, which many speculated could lead to his resignation, but things have calmed down since then.

Scoring Averages: Winchester scores an impressive 70.5 points per game and allows only 50.7 points against.

Roster: by scoring average, with notable stats

Tyler Koch 6'6 Sr (Wright State signee) - 22.2 points, 7.3 rebounds 87% FT
Neal Beshears 6'6 Jr - 14.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 84% FT
Levi Cross 6'2 Sr - 12.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 79% FT, 46% 3FG
Andrew Haney 6'0 Sr - 9.9 points, 8.8 assists, 92% FT
Cody Woodbury 6'0 Soph - 7.0 points, 43% 3FG
Brandt Miller 6'8 Soph
Dustin Durham 6'4 Jr

Strengths: Koch is one of the best players in the entire state, and with a continued great tourney run, has an outside chance at Mr. Basketball. He is a for-sure Indiana All-Star, however. He is virtually unstoppable on the offensive end, as he can shoot it from outside, slash with the best of them, and take mismatched guards into the post and score over them with his size. The Golden Falcons are also a great outside and free throw shooting squad, led by Cross and Woodbury. They have a ton of weapons, scoring over 70 points a night. Their overall size for a 2A team is a big advantage, too, and it shows up as they allow right at 50 points per game. They also have great experience, being in the title game the last two seasons, so they are primed for this challenge.

Weaknesses: There truly aren't many when it comes to Winchester. They seem to have everything going in their favor on most nights. Depth could be considered an issue, as they really only have five main contributors, but those five a very, very good. At the start of the year, team chemistry and behavioral issues were a major factor in starting 4-3, but that obviously seems to be in the past. One problem they have is sometimes letting teams back into games, or playing to the level of their competition, which could be a problem.

Brownstown Central

Coach: Dave Benter led the Braves to an impressive 19-6 mark this season. In his eleventh year at the school, he has compiled a 165-93 record, winning three sectionals, two regionals, and one semi-state title in 2003-2004, falling to Jimtown in the title game.

Scoring Averages: The Braves average 58.4 points per contest and allow 43.7 points against.

Losses: at Scottsburg (3A) 56-52, vs. Barr-Reeve (1A) 65-52, at North Daviess (1A) 42-38, at Paoli (2A) 61-58, at Austin (2A) 60-55, vs. Orleans (1A) 51-39.

Roster: by starters scoring average, with notable stats

Taylor Wischmeier 6'7 Jr - 16.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 1.3 steals, 60% FG, 78% FT
Blake Ayers 6'6 Sr - 12.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 60% FG, 72% FT
Allman Spencer 6'3 Soph - 11.3 points, 45% 3FG (51 made), 85% FT
Michael Leitzman 6'0 Jr - 4.9 points, 3.3 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 71% FT
Ryan Shoemaker 6'0 Jr - 3.5 points, 4.3 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 65% FG, 62% FT
Jeff Turmail 5'10 Sr - 4.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 82% FT, 43% 3FG
Chris Hinton 6'2 Sr - 2.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, 75% FT

Strengths: The Braves have two great big boys in Wischmeier and Ayers, which could pose problems for Winchester. In all likelihood, Koch will have to guard one of them, and the hope has to be that their size will get the Winchester star into early foul trouble. They also share the ball well, having three players averaging two and a half assists or better. They control the boards against most teams as well, but Winchester has size as well. They are a solid free throw shooting team, hitting the freebies at well over a 70% clip.

Weaknesses: They are not a low scoring team by any stretch, but compared to the Golden Falcons, the Braves may not have the overall team firepower to keep pace. Their depth could also be an issue. Their outside shooting is an issue as well, outside of Spencer. Turmail shoots it well too, but his chances are limited, hitting only 19 on the year, or less than one a game.

P-Hoops Prediction: With so many weapons and a great star like Tyler Koch, coupled with a hot team with loads of experience, I fully expect the Golden Falcons to handle this test against the Braves and be back in the title game for the third year in a row. Who will they face? Check back later for the breakdown of the other 2A Semi-State game.

Semi-State Match-ups: Jac-Cen-Del versus North Daviess

This morning P-Hoops will begin by breaking down the other 1A Semi-State match-up featuring the number one ranked team in the class, Jac-Cen-Del, and the number seven team, North Daviess. The Eagles have only lost two games all season long, while the Cougars are thanking their lucky stars to even be in this game. There has been much made of their win over Barr-Reeve during sectional play, where a game-winning shot by the Vikings was called of, despite replay showing clearly showing the shot should have counted. Despite the controversy, North Daviess is still a great team, and this should be a fantastic, highly competitive game. Let's begin by going in-depth with the Eagles.

Jac-Cen-Del

Coach: David Bradshaw led the Eagles to a 23-3 mark this season, and is 191-104 overall in his 13th year at the school. In his tenure, Jac-Cen-Del has won four sectionals and two regional titles.

Scoring Averages: Jac-Cen-Del averages 68.7 points per game and allows a mere 48.4 points against.

Losses: The Eagles' only two losses came to the same squad, 3A powerhouse Batesville led by Evansville recruit Colt Ryan. One loss was by a 72-62 margin, and the other was a 65-54 loss.

Roster: by scoring average, with notable stats

Matt Gehl 6'2 Sr - 20.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 3.5 steals, 1.4 blocks, 65% FG, 66% FT
Blake Sutton 5'10 Sr - 13.6 points, 4.6 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 47% 3FG, 67% FT
Tim Arnett 6'3 Sr - 11.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 blocks, 77% FT
Trevor Arnett 6'3 So - 8.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 40% 3FG
Gerald Hardesty 6'4 Sr - 5.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 38% FT
Shane Adams 5'9 Jr - 3.7 points
Craig Houk 5'6 Sr - 2.2 points, 1.1 steals, 34% 3FG
Spencer Purdy 5'11 Jr - 2.1 points, 1.3 rebounds

Strengths: Gehl is one of the best players in all of 1A, and he is extremely versatile and tough to stop, much like LCC's Dru Anthrop. They are also very effective at controlling the glass, despite being a team with average height. Three players average 6.5 rebounds or more. Also, they are accustomed to winning, and have a winners mindset.

Weaknesses: Outside of Sutton, they do not have any real, consistent deep threats. Team will be apt to pack it in against everyone except Sutton and challenge the Eagles to beat them from deep. Gehl and others do most of their damage inside. Also, they have free throw shooting liabilities, most notably Hardesty (38% FT), who, while being a great rebounder and defensive presence, can't be counted on in close games or end of regulation situations.

North Daviess

Coach: Brett Dalrymple has led the Cougars to a 21-5 mark this season and is 115-97 in his ninth season at the helm for North Daviess. In his time there, they have won three sectionals and one regional.

Scoring Averages: The Cougars score 53.7 points per game and allow 43.7 points against.

Losses: vs. Washington (3A) 61-58, at North Central-Farmersburg (1A) 51-46, at Vincennes Rivet (1A) 57-39, vs. South Knox (2A) 63-41, vs. Loogootee (1A) 44-43.

Roster: very few stats available

Thomas Nugent 6'4 Sr - 20.8 points
Logan Wagler 6'3 Sr - double digit points
Kendall Wittmer 6'0 Jr - double digit points
Stetson Townsend 6'5 Jr
Jacob Miller 6'3 Sr
Jano Davis - Jr
Lucas Swartzentruber - Sr

Strengths: Size. The Cougars have solid size for a 1A squad. Their best player, Nugent, is a 6'4 versatile forward who can take you inside and out. Their two starting guards, Wagler and Wittmer, are gritty performers who have been in big game situations throughout their varsity careers. They also have the advantage of playing with the freedom that comes from being an underdog, as many foresee the Eagles as the prohibitive favorite in this one.

Weaknesses: They are undermanned defensively and it will take a great effort from them to limit Gehl, Sutton, and the elder Arnett. If they get into foul trouble, they are not too deep. This would be especially troublesome if Nugent picked up a few early ones. Their already limited scoring (53.7 ppg) goes way down with him out of the game. The rest of the team only averages 33 points per contest.

P-Hoops Prediction: The Eagles have too many weapons for the Cougars to deal with. The two studs, Gehl and Nugent, should wash each other out in terms of production, so I think the game will come down to the other options and role players. In my opinion, Jac-Cen-Del has more depth and punch outside of their star, which is what will give them the hard fought win in the end. It will be the Eagles and the Knights next week at Conseco!

Semi-State Match-ups: Triton versus Lafayette Central Catholic

This week, P-Hoops will take some time to break down each individual game of the remaining eight, taking an in-depth look at the teams' season, their coach, their roster, and their tournament history. Today, we begin by looking at the 1A pairing from the Lafayette Semi-State, where the Triton Trojans will take on the Lafayette Central Catholic Knights. Both teams are currently ranked in the 1A polls, with Triton at number three and LCC at number six. Let's start by going deep with the Trojans, who will basically be playing a road game against the Knights.

Triton Trojans

Coach: Jason Groves is 23-2 in his fourth year at Triton, with an overall record of 73-22. In his four years, the Trojans have won two sectionals, two regionals, a semi-state, and a state championship, which came with last year's 25-2 squad.

Scoring Averages: The Trojans average 64.0 points per game and allow only 46.2 points against.

Losses: vs. Bremen (2A), 45-42 in OT, and vs. Rochester (3A), 70-64.

Roster: by scoring average

Colton Keel: 6'4 Sr (Bethel recruit) - 16.2 points
Griffyn Carpenter: 5'11 Soph - 15.3 points
Joel Meister: 6'0 Sr - 13.3 points
Ben Montalbano: 5'8 Jr - 4.8 points
Cody Carpenter: 5'10 Sr - 4.3 points
Austin Davis: 6'3 Soph - 3.8 points
Taran Holderman: 6'1 - 3.0 points
Zac Moriarity: 6'1 - 3.0 points

Strengths: Keel is an inside-outside threat who can score on anyone in the state. Carpenter is a dead eye shooter, having several games with multiple threes hit on the year, including a five-trey outburst against Bowman Academy in the Regional Finals. Meister is a lightning quick guard who blows by defenders with a quick first step creating for his teammates, and himself.

Weaknesses: Size and depth. Only one player (Keel) at 6'4. Outside of their top three, there is very little scoring punch.

Lafayette Central Catholic

Coach: David Barrett is 20-6 in his fourth season, compiling an overall record of 78-26. During his tenure, the Knights have won four sectionals and three regionals.

Scoring Averages: The Knights average 67.3 points per contest and allow 54.1 points against.

Losses: vs. Frankfort (3A) 66-51 - vs. McCutcheon (4A) 54-51 - at Zionsville (4A) 63-61 - at Carmel (4A) 74-56 - at Frankfort (3A) 56-49 - and at Lafayette Jeff (4A) 87-83 in OT.

Roster: by scoring average

Dru Anthrop: 6'0 Sr - 22.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 3.4 steals
Chris Mills: 6'3 Soph - 10.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.9 steals
Connor Mackey: 6'3 Jr - 9.0 points, 5.1 rebounds
Elliot Zak: 5'11 Jr - 7.7 points, 6.6 assists
Brett Haan: 6'3 Soph - 7.3 points 41 threes made (team lead)
Dylan Blackwell: 6'2 Sr - 4.8 points, 2.3 rebounds
Jake Talley: 6'1 Jr - 3.3 points, 3.1 rebounds
Adam Zimmerman: 5'10 Jr - 2.2 points

Strengths: Anthrop might be the most versatile player in all of 1A. He does so many things well, so it is hard to limit his effectiveness and his impact on a game. They also share the ball well, with two players averaging a combined 10.6 assist per game (Anthrop and Zak). They protect the ball well, playing two point guards at a time with those same two players. And their playing in their home city.

Weaknesses: Team shooting from outside. The Knights have made only 144 of 433 three point attempts this year, which is a 33% clip. No too bad, but not something opposing coaches will lose sleep over. Free throw shooting outside of Anthrop. If it's a close game and you need to foul someone, the Knights have plenty of options. Mackey, Haan, Blackwell, and Talley all shoot below 56% from the stripe, with Haan getting low honors at 44% (11/25).

P-Hoops Prediction: These two teams are clearly two of the best in all of 1A, as they are two of four remaining squads in the class. Both teams have experience and have "been there before," in a sense, winning in the postseason. Triton has the claim as the defending champ, and the edge of knowing they beat LCC last year in a 52-51 Semi-State thriller. The Knights have the best player in this game in Anthrop and are playing in their home town. Because of those facts, I like the Knights to avenge last years' season-ending loss to the Trojans and win in a great game, 63-61.

Top Regional Performers

Sorry for the long absence this weekend. I was working out of town and caught up in the games and family stuff, so did not have a chance to write. Here is a look at some of the top performers from this wild weekend's regional games. Some great performances by some great players, and some unheralded kids stepping up big for their teams.

* Munster got 24 total points from Krste Ruiz and 22 total from Justin Gill in their two wins.

* South Bend Clay was led by Brad Cameron's 14 points in their loss.

* Elkhart Memorial got 25 total points from Karvel Anderson in their two games.

* Valpo's Hayden Humes scored 13 points in a loss to Memorial.

* Snider won their regional behind their trio of seniors: Jonathan Sims (32 total points, 27 in finals), Reggie Hearn (22 points in one, 19 points and 11 boards in the other) and Brad Sneary (16 points and 14 rebounds in opener).

* Anderson got 29 points from Troy Taylor in their loss.

* Marion guard Scott Wood scored 24 points in their win over Kokomo, and JaRob McCallum scored 38 points in the two games combined.

* Patrick Hopkins led Kokomo with 18 points and 12 rebounds in their loss to Marion.

* Lawrence North got 23 points over two games from Dominique Ferguson, and 21 points from Justin Martin in that same span.

* Partick Bade of Franklin Central may have had the best Saturday of any player in the state, going for 25 points on LN, and 22 on Pike in the opener.

* Khristian Smith led Pike with 18 points and Marquis Teague added 14.

* Jordan Hulls of Bloomington South had 29 points and 12 assists combined in their 2 wins.

* Donnie Hale of New Albany had 12 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks in their loss to South.

* Jake Odum scored 30 points in Terre Haute South's win and 15 in their loss. Adam Tanoos had 20 points in their win.

* Evansville Harrison got 21 points from Chase Boberg and 17 points from Yamon Woolfolk in their loss.

* North Mont's DJ Byrd scored 34 points in the opening win before falling to Greensburg.

* Aaron Evans scored 14 points for Roncalli in a loss to Greenburg.

* Rochester's Bruce Grimm Jr. scored 27 points in their championship win.

* Skyler Case of Delta had 40 points in their two wins.

* Whitko freshman Logan Irwin scored 54 points in two games.

* Harding got 20 points from Rodrick Smith in their loss.

* Cody Zeller of Washington scored 15 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in a loss to Salem.

* Trevor George of Priceton had two huge games, combining for 44 points and 25 rebounds in the wins. Rontray Chavis scored 38 points in the same span.

* North Judson freshman John Eckert scored 20 points in two wins.

* Donnie Ketchum scored 20 points for Wheeler in a loss to the Bluejays.

* North Miami's Greg Miller scored 21 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in a win over Carroll.

* Tipton's Derek Elston scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in a loss to Luers.

* Luers got a combined 49 points and 26 rebounds from Deshaun Thomas, and Lawrence Barnett scored 27 points over those 2 games.

* Tyler Koch of Winchester scored 28 points, grabbed 18 boards, and blocked five shots in their title win over Lawrenceburg. Levi Cross had 21.

* Erik Gray had 17 points and Tyrone Walker had 14 in their loss to Lawrenceburg.

* Griffyn Carpenter had 21 points for Triton as they beat Bowman in the title game.

* Christopher Bond scored 22 and pulled down 18 boards for Bowman in the title loss.

There are many other top performers and these are just some of the very best. Congrats to all the teams for a well-played regional Saturday!

Preview of Tipton vs. Luers

One of the best games of the weekend is, without a doubt, the 2A match-up of number one ranked Tipton versus number two ranked Bishop Luers. The game features two of the state's mega-stars in Tipton's 6'9 forward Derek Elston, an IU signee, and Luers' 6'7 junior Deshaun Thomas, an Ohio State recruit. The Ft. Wayne Journal-Gazette did a nice feature on the game today, and the link is provided below. Enjoy!

http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090313/SPORTS05/303139993/1092/SPORTS05

4A Regional Breakdown

Today is the fourth and final installment of the P-Hoops Regional Breakdowns, and we now turn our attention to perhaps the most anticipated bunch of match-ups: the 4A Regionals. There is great talent permeating this group of teams, which have a combined 304-65 record. The least amount of wins any of the remaining sixteen teams is 13, which is a great season for most any team in the highly competitive class. Without further delay, here is the P-Hoops 4A Regional Breakdown!

Michigan City Regional

South Bend Clay (18-6) vs. Munster (22-1) - The Clay Colonials have had a great season thus far, and came out on top as the cream of the crop for all South Bend teams. They defeated Riley in a six-point game to open sectionals, went on to roll over Mishawaka, and then defeated Washington in a 61-60 thriller. They are a versatile team, where any one player can lead them on any given night. George Jones, an Indiana Wesleyan recruit, leads the charge, scoring 14 points per game. Munster's only loss this year came to Merrillville during the Pirates big run. The Mustangs won their three sectional match-ups by an average margin of 22.3 points, beating Gary West 59-43 in the final. Forward Brian Stolarz is one of many scoring options for Munster, as he puts up around 12 points a game. I like Clay in a back-and-forth affair.

Valparaiso (20-3) vs. Elkhart Memorial (13-9) - The Vikings, despite their great record, were picked by many to lose in sectional play to Merrillville, but great game planning, including a triangle-and-two junk defense, baffled the opposition and gave them the title. After beating Chesterton by four in a double overtime nail-biter, Valpo then beat the Pirates and Crown Point by five points each to advance. The Vikings are led by Hayden Humes, a 6'7 versatile forward and Toledo recruit, who scored right at 15 points per game. Memorial went on a run at the end of the year, beating two teams that are Regional qualifiers, beating Harding, a 3A team, and destroying South Bend Clay, 81-58. They then built on that momentum to upset two highly ranked teams in Warsaw and Northridge to win the sectional title. Karvel Anderson is their horse, putting up almost 21 points per game. I think the magic continues to work for the Chargers, and they pack up the Vikings and ship them back home in a tight one.

Winner of Michigan City Regional: Clay over Elkhart Memorial, 65-63.

Marion Regional

Ft. Wayne Snider (22-1) vs. Anderson (22-4) - The Panthers have been a dominant force in the Ft. Wayne area for years, and this season may have been the best example of it. They dominated the Summit Athletic Conference, going 9-0 in league play. Their only loss was to Bishop Luers in a holiday tournament, but they avenged that loss by beating the Knights in conference play. After a bye, they beat East Noble by eleven and Dekalb by twenty to advance to regionals. The Panthers have a three-pronged, senior-laden attack led by Jonathan Sims, who scores about 14 points per game. He is backed by fellow seniors Brad Sneary, who is 6'6, and Reggie Hearn, a 6'5 forward. Both average in double digits. The Indians, who got great new recently regarding the continued use of the famed Wigwam, also handled their sectional with relative ease. After beating Pendleton Heights by 23, they beat Highland and Muncie Central in much closer games, by seven points apiece. Troy Taylor leads the way for Anderson, and is a double-double waiting to happen. I think the size of Snider will hurt the smaller Indians team, giving the Panthers a hard-fought win.

Kokomo (15-7) vs. Marion (20-3) - The WildKats have had a great season that included big wins over teams like Tipton and Noblesville. They have dealt with injuries all season long, but they are finally healthy and playing to potential. They won two tough sectional games to advance, beating the home team from Lafayette Jeff, 63-59, and then overcoming an inspired McCutcheon team 63-60 in overtime. The Kats rely on the play of two great seniors in 6'7 forward Patrick Hopkins (12 points, 9.4 rebounds) and Alan Arnett (12.2 points). The Giants will have the advantage of playing at home, and playing with two potential Indiana All-Stars in Scott Wood (NC State) and JaRob McCallum (UW Milwaukee). After receiving an unexpected battle from Ft. Wayne North Side which included a 40-point outburst from Justin Jordan, Marion then handled their two remaining sectional foes with ease. Their production comes from Wood (25 points), McCallum (16 points) and big man Mikel Brigham (12.4 points, 10.4 rebounds). Kokomo has a size advantage, but I think the Giants have too many weapons, and Marion should advance.

Winner of Marion Regional: Snider over Marion, 78-74.

Indianapolis Regional (at Hinkle Fieldhouse)

Lawrence North (24-2) vs. Hamilton Southeastern (15-7) - The Wildcats faced a tough test in sectional play once they had handled Broad Ripple and Warren Central, each by over 17 points. LN was able to win the Sectional 10 dream match-up over North Central, the number four team in 4A, in a back-and-forth game which they won in the end 68-63. The Wildcats resemble a D1 roster, led by four Louisville recruits (Stephan Van Treese, Justin Martin, Ryan Taylor, and Michael Chandler) and one Kentucky recruit (Dominique Ferguson). The Royals are coming off their first-ever sectional title in which they beat Noblesville and upset Carmel for the championship. They are led by 6'7 forward Charlie Duffy, who averages 12.8 points per game, and Zach Starr, who scores right at 12 points. They also get great play from Tyler Wheeler and freshman Gary Harris, both of who average almost nine points apiece. HSE can take great joy in winning their first ever sectional, a huge feat for any team in Indiana, but the fin stops here. The Wildcats will simply be too much for the Royals, with their blend of size, strength, and speed.

Franklin Central (19-5) vs. Pike (13-8) - The Flashes rolled through a relatively weak Center Grove Sectional, destroying Perry Meridian 62-36, and shutting down Whiteland 40-25. Two seniors rule for the Flashes, with Purdue-bound 6'8 forward Patrick Bade averaging 17 points and seven rebounds, and Wheaton-bound point guard Casey Coons scoring 12 points and dishing out five assists per game. Franklin Central defeated Pike during the Marion County Tournament, but the Red Devils, playing well of late, beat the Flashes 60-49 near the end of February. Pike had a close call in sectional play, in the form of a buzzer-beating basket to beat Brownsburg in the opener, but they then handled Decatur Central and Ben Davis to win the title. They are led by super-sophomore Marquis Teague and get great play from 6'5 junior Khristian Smith. With how hot Pike has been and how inspired their play is as of late, I like the Red Devils to make it two for three against the Flashes in a great game.

Winner of Indianapolis Regional: Lawrence North over Pike, 70-55.

Seymour Regional

New Albany (23-0) vs. Bloomington South (22-0) - A dream match-up of two undefeated teams highlights the morning session of the Seymour Regional. New Albany, ranked number two in 4A, had a great season behind the play of 6'7 junior forward Donnie Hale, who averages right about 20 points, ten rebounds, four blocks, and over two steals per game. Other top Bulldog performers include defensive stalwart TeNale Roland (12.8 points, 4.3 assists) and Brett Martin (12.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.4 blocks). They walked through sectionals, beating their opponents by an average margin greater than 25 points. Bloomington South is the number one team in the state, and a top five team in the nation. They have beaten all challengers, including a signature win over Detroit Country Day back in February. The Panthers looked a little disjointed in sectionals, winning by a less-than-expected fourteen and eleven points over their opponents. They are led by Jordan Hulls, an IU recruit who is the likely Mr. Basketball for 2009. He averages 16 points per game and is the engine that makes the top-ranked Panthers go. He is aided in his cause by two sophomore guards, Dee Davis (13 points) and Spencer Turner (12 points). They get solid inside play from 6'8 junior Eric Fromm (10 points). I think South's killer schedule has better prepared them for this moment in the spotlight, and the Panthers will come out victorious in this titanic clash.

Evansville Harrison (17-5) vs. Terre Haute South (20-4) - The Harrison Warriors reigned supreme in Evansville this year, and are the only team from the city still alive. They defeated Reitz and Castle, both by ten or more, to advance to Regional play. They are led by senior guard Kendal Brown, a Southern Illinois recruit, who is the schools' all-time leading scorer. The Braves received fantastic news when they learned that star point guard Jake Odum, and Indiana State signee, would be healthy and recovered in time for the postseason. Without him, chances were bleak for them when their hopes had previously been so high. Odum is back and rolling, helping move the Braves through sectional play, defeating Plainfield and Mooresville, both by seven points. Odum averages 21.9 points, 7.8 boards, 6.4 assists, and 3.6 steals per game, stuffing the stat sheet. He is helped out by three serious snipers in the form of John Michael Jarvis (13.8 points, 58 threes made, 39% threes), Ian McIntyre (11.7 points, 62 threes made, 36% threes), and Anthony McGill (10.9 points, 57 threes made, 42% threes). I think the guard oriented Braves attack will put an end to the Warriors season.

Winner of Seymour Regional: Bloomington South over Terre Haute South, 70-64

Final Four: To recap, the teams I see advancing to Semi-State are South Bend Clay, Snider, Lawrence North, and Bloomington South.

Check back later to see how all four classes of Regionals shape up!