Class 3A Semi-State Preview
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We are down to just 16 teams still competing in the 112th annual IHSAA Boy’s Basketball State Tournament. That means we are into the semi-state round which will take place this Saturday. Our staff at Prep Hoops Indiana will be…
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Continue ReadingWe are down to just 16 teams still competing in the 112th annual IHSAA Boy’s Basketball State Tournament. That means we are into the semi-state round which will take place this Saturday. Our staff at Prep Hoops Indiana will be previewing each semi-state game this week where the winners will be playing in the state finals next week. First up, we have Class 3A.
The Matchup: Mishawaka Marian (23-3) vs. Leo (21-5)
Location: Elkhart
The Favorite: Leo
Player to Watch: Caedmon Bontrager Caedmon Bontrager 6'8" | PF Leo | 2022 State IN (2022) – Leo
Breakdown: If you go back to the regular season with how both of these teams performed, you probably would have expected to see this game. Both teams are pretty evenly balanced and are led by forwards each with Leo having Bontrager and Mishawaka Marian having Kaleo Kakalia Kaleo Kakalia 6'6" | PF Mishawaka Marian | 2022 State IN . Leo has pretty much ran through every team they have faced this post season and Mishawaka Marian has had a few close calls. Other guys to watch out here in the game are Richard Brooks Richard Brooks 6'3" | SF Mishawaka Marian | 2022 State IN , D.J. Allen D.J. Allen 6'7" | PF Leo | 2022 State IN , Luke LaGrange Luke LaGrange 6'5" | SF Leo | 2022 State IN , Ayden Ruble Ayden Ruble 6'2" | SG Leo | 2022 State IN , Brody Hiteshew Brody Hiteshew 6'3" | SG Leo | 2022 State IN , Deaglan Sullivan Deaglan Sullivan 6'2" | PG Mishawaka Marian | 2023 State IN , Trey Hiteshew Trey Hiteshew 6'3" | PG Leo | 2024 State IN , and others. Just think the supporting cast of Leo is going to help push the Lions to the state championship game again.
The Matchup: Beech Grove (20-6) vs. Sullivan (25-2)
Location: Washington
The Favorite: Sullivan
Player to Watch: Anthony Ball Anthony Ball 6'6" | PF Decatur Central | 2023 State IN (2023) – Beech Grove
Breakdown: This is a matchup that not many would have probably expected in semi-state. Beech Grove has kind of went on a somewhat magical with an easier road here with the beast of a power forward ball carry them. Randy Kelley Randy Kelley 6'0" | PG Sullivan | 2022 State IN and Sullivan can make the same case due to the incredible game winning shots that Kelley has made this post-season but overall the Golden Arrows have been a pretty consistent team this season. This will easily be the best team that Beech Grove will play this post-season by far and honestly I strongly feel that they do not have the talent to keep up with Kelley, Jackson Hills Jackson Hills 6'5" | PF Sullivan | 2022 State IN , and Rocco Roshel Rocco Roshel 5'10" | SG Sullivan | 2022 IN . Really good see this on being a blow out in favor of Sullivan.