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!