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.