Semi-State Preview: Jeffersonville

What another eventful weekend, as there were a number of games that came down to the wire, even a handful of overtime games, but at the end of the day last Saturday, 16 teams advanced to the Semi-State Round of the IHSAA State Tournament. Tomorrow, we will see eight of those teams earn the right to advance to Bankers Life Fieldhouse and the State Finals on February 23rd. Below is a look at the four teams and the two matchups to take place this Saturday, February 16th, at Jeffersonville High School. Three of the four teams are ranked within their respective classes, and this should make for an entertaining and competitive day of basketball.   SAG = Current 2018-2019 Multiclass Sagarin Rating; SOS = Current 2018-2019 Strength of Schedule *All Game Times Are Eastern Time*   1:00 P.M. – CLASS 2A SOUTH SEMI-STATE Winchester (25-3) SAG 45; SOS 166 Winchester is coming off of a State Finals appearance last season, and they are hungry for the Championship this year. But the Golden Falcons will have to get through the Wildcats first. Madeline Lawrence (2020), Shelby Miller (2019), Becca Chamberlin (2020), Hannah Graft (2019), and Kira Robinson (2019) make up one of the most potent starting lineups in the state in Class 2A. Sarah Graft (2019) also plays a key role off the bench for them. Evansville Mater Dei (17-10) SAG 123; SOS 157 Evansville Mater Dei has had their ups and downs, but they would likely credit their schedule with helping them through to this point. The Wildcats are led this year by a pair of Seniors in forward Jossie Hudson and guard Hannah Wininger. Sophomore post Mariah Dickerson provides a big boost inside after returning in January from an ACL injury, but they have also gotten solid play from Emily Beckerle (2021), Kelsey Carr (2019), Olivia Effinger (2019), and Alaina Spahn (2019). Why Winchester will win: This is pretty easy…they have unfinished business from a year ago. Yes, they are the deeper, more talented team in this matchup, but they have played the last month or so on a mission to put themselves right back where they were a year ago…with a chance at a Class 2A State Title. Why Mater Dei will win: The big key for Mater Dei will be patience. If they can handle Winchester’s runs and limit them to four or six points, not ten or twelve, and understand that Winchester will come out emotional, then I think that gives Mater Dei its best chance. They have to play sound defense early each quarter and try to get a couple of stops and a couple of easy scores to begin each stanza, hopefully frustrating Winchester into doing some uncharacteristic things. Key Player: Winchester feeds off of emotion, and off of no player more than Maddie Lawrence (2020). If she can get going early, I think it could be a long day for Mater Dei. If the Wildcats can limit Lawrence early on, cause her to be at least a little frustrated, that could affect the rest of the Golden Falcons and turn this into a dogfight. Prediction: Winchester 53, Mater Dei 44   3:00 P.M. – CLASS 4A SOUTH SEMI-STATE Lawrence North (21-6) SAG 6; SOS 4 With everyone thinking North Central or Warren Central might win Sectional #10, it was Lawrence North who prevailed, and they added a Regional title to that for an encore. Sophomore guard Jayla Smith (2021) has been a real treat to watch this year, and she’ll only get better. A Junior class that consists of Katie Davidson, Kristian Young, Lauren Gunn, Justis Odom, and Kalyn Ervin has been the backbone of this team. They’ve also gotten contributions from their lone Senior, Maddie Howe. Castle (23-4) SAG 15; SOS 78 The Knights are getting good production from veterans Jessica Nunge (2019) and Hannah Hood (2019), plus occasional explosive play from talented newcomer Natalie Niehaus (2022). Josie Freeman (2020) is another player with good experience, but they’ll need McKenna Tutt (2019), Carly Harpenau (2020), Allison Willis (2019), Kial Mitchell (2019), Paige Hopkins (2019), and/or Mikele Niehaus (2019) to step up over the weekend in order to knock off the deep Wildcats. Why Lawrence North will win: Lawrence North’s sheer athletic talent gives them an advantage. They don’t just start a couple of nice athletes, they play several athletes with speed, bounce, and length throughout their entire rotation. Obviously, they will have to do some other things skillfully, but they need to get out and pressure the ball defensively, drive the ball to the rim offensively, and use what physical advantage they have. Why Castle will win: Castle relies upon good coaching, discipline, and great effort. They have beaten some of the best teams in Southern Indiana this year, and they’ve dismantled several really good teams as well. When they take care of the basketball and get the shots that they want, they are tough to beat. If they handle Lawrence North’s pressure and manage to turn it over minimally, I think they jump into the driver’s seat for this one. Key Players: This game might come down to how a couple of youngsters, Jayla Smith (2021) and Natalie Niehaus (2022), play in the bright lights of Semi-State. Both have had great years, and both are elite talents. They obviously can’t be passive and “shy” with the ball, but they also can’t do what a lot of young players do, and that’s think they can win this thing alone and force the action too much. They both need to just breathe, relax (as much as possible), and try to settle into the flow of the game as early as possible. Prediction: Lawrence North 58, Castle 57 in overtime   Header photo of the Evansville Mater Dei team during Regional play; photo courtesy of MaCabe Brown of the Evansville Courier & Press at courierpress.com.