State Finals: What To Watch For
Posted On: 03/23/18 8:46 PM
The State Finals are finally upon us and will end a great 2017-18 season of Indiana High school basketball. Throughout the tournament there were some upsets and some break out performances. We saw a few teams fall short of the State Finals that were preseason favorites to get there and we saw some favorites bow out in sectional play. This year, we have some great matchups that will be sure to captivate the Bankers Life Fieldhouse crowd.
By The Numbers:
Games: 4
Teams Playing: 8
Coverage:
Mason Asher
Jared Rigdon
1A Championship: Southwood (25-3) vs. Morristown (27-2) 10:30 AM
Southwood comes into this one fresh from taking down 1A North favorite Fort Wayne Blackhawk. They are a tough team that plays with a ton of heart. Morristown is led by a trio of players including Marian commit Hayden Langkabel. Langkabel has the ability to take a game over just like he did in semi-state. This should be a high scoring game in which both teams look to push the pace and get to the basket.
Key Players:
Hayden Langkabel (Morristown) – 26.6 PPG, 6.1 RPG
Peyton Trexler (Southwood) – 19.7 PPG, 5.1 APG
2A Championship: Oak Hill (25-5) vs. Forest Park (25-4) 12:45 PM
Oak Hill is built like a team to win the championship. They are long and tough and their roster is full of guys who have experience. This group has played together for a long time and they are looking to finally breakthrough and win a championship. Forest Park is a bit of an unknown coming into the game as they suddenly have made a run this year. Forest Park is young but they have a ton of talent. They will be able to matchup with Oak Hill in this one.
Key Players:
Caleb Middlesworth (Oak Hill) – 16.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG
Sam Englert (Forest Park) – 16.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG
3A Championship: Culver Academy (22-6) vs. Ev. Bosse (25-4) 6 PM
Culver and Bosse met earlier this year, with Bosse taking home the victory 74-64. Culver has six losses and has played a really tough schedule. Both teams have a flurry of players who they can turn to for scoring and that makes this game potentially very high scoring game. Both of these teams want this title really bad so it is going to be a great game.
Key Players:
Mekhi Lairy (Evansville Bosse) – 26.4 PPG, 6.8 APG, 5.3 RPG
Trey Galloway (Culver) – 14.8 PPG, 5.2 RPG
4A Championship: Carmel (21-7) vs. Warren Central (31-0) 8:15 PM
This will be the second time that these two teams meet this year. Warren Central won that one, obviously, and they look to complete a perfect season. Carmel has been in a groove as of late and are always a dangerous team come tournament time. They are healthy and peaking at the right time. Warren Central has been amazing this year pulling off every single game that has been close, including a come from behind win over New Albany. Warren Central and Carmel is going to be a great cap to the season.
Key Players:
John Michael Mulloy (Carmel) – 15.0 PPG, 8.2 PPG
David Bell (Warren Central) – 12.0 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 3.9 APG
How to Watch
TV: Fox Sports Indiana
Livestream: http://ihsaatv.org
Radio: http://www.ihsaa.org/Portals/0/boys%20sports/boys%20basketball/2017-18/201718%20BBB%20State%20Finals%20Radio.pdf
