Semi-State Preview: LaPorte

Last weekend, 64 teams dwindled down to 16...four in each of four classes, ready to do battle in the Semi-State this Saturday, to determine four State Champions the following weekend. The Semi-State round of the tournament is just a single game, paired with another game from one of the other classes. This year, the IHSAA has chosen to use LaPorte, Logansport, Jasper, and Jeffersonville as its host sites. In this article, I will focus on the two games at the LaPorte Semi-State, so below is a look at NorthWood, Benton Central, Penn, and Northwestern. &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>LAPORTE SEMI-STATE</strong></span> <strong>Northwestern (28-0)</strong>; Sagarin 1 (#1 in Class 4A); Strength of Schedule 85 <strong>Penn (27-2)</strong>; Sagarin 9 (#8 in Class 4A); Strength of Schedule 32 <strong>Benton Central (26-3)</strong>; Sagarin 25 (#4 in Class 3A); Strength of Schedule 173 <strong>NorthWood (26-3)</strong>; Sagarin 32 (#6 in Class 3A); Strength of Schedule 69 <b>Class 3A Semi-State Matchup:</b> NorthWood vs. Benton Central, 1:00 p.m. EST For whatever reason, Benton Central was in the South bracket last year, but they made it to Bankers Life Fieldhouse to finish as the Class 3A State Runner-Up. The Bison roster consists of a nice combination of experience, skill, and discipline, plus they are well-coached and play hard. NorthWood won their first Sectional title in six seasons due to the interior play of <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kate-rulli/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kate-rulli/">Kate Rulli</a></a></strong> (2020) and <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/maddy-payne/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/maddy-payne/">Maddy Payne</a></a></strong> (2020). They form one of the best interior high-low duos in the state, and they play with great motors as well. Wing <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/alea-minnich/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/alea-minnich/">Alea Minnich</a></a></strong> (2021) plays with length and versatility, plus she and guard <strong>Kendal Miller</strong> (2021) pose a threat shooting it from the perimeter. Benton Central has their own "big" to turn to in <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/audrey-strawsma/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/audrey-strawsma/">Audrey Strawsma</a></a></strong> (2020). She was outstanding in last season's state tournament run, and she has been equal to the task this Winter. Toss in forward <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kelsey-coffman/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kelsey-coffman/">Kelsey Coffman</a></a></strong> (2020), guard <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/tressa-senesac/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/tressa-senesac/">Tressa Senesac</a></a></strong> (2022), and wing <strong>Kennedy Tolen</strong> (2022), and you have the beginnings of another potential State Finalist. Coffman is a "glue" kid who does a little of everything well. Senesac continues to improve, and her ability to handle the ball and knock down shots, makes her difficult to defend. And Tolen is another capable shooter/scorer you can't leave alone. I think this game comes down to execution, ball-control, and who can manage to play the way they want the most. <strong>Class 3A Prediction:</strong> Benton Central 43, NorthWood 41 This predicted score might be ambitious, as my gut tells me this will be a defensive battle. I think this game comes down to the final minute, with a few free throws being exchanged, but I lean towards Benton Central's recent tournament success to give them the ever so slight edge. Once misstep down the stretch, though, and this could very easily go in favor of the Black Swish of NorthWood. <strong>Class 3A X-Factor Player:</strong> <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/tressa-senesac/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/tressa-senesac/">Tressa Senesac</a></a>, 2022, Benton Central H.S. In my opinion, both teams have solid forwards and interior play, and I don't see that changing a great deal in this game. To me, I think it's going to be which backcourt steps up, and Senesac had some big moments last weekend. I feel like she keeps it rolling, and in doing so, she puts the Bison in a position to make that return trip to Bankers Life Fieldhouse. With her speed and quickness, I think she is able to get to the basket on occasion against NorthWood, draw some fouls, plus I can see her being a difference-maker at the defensive end of the floor. <strong>Class 4A Semi-State Matchup:</strong> Penn vs. Northwestern, 4:00 p.m. EST These two teams are on the same path, but they have gotten here in very different ways. While Penn has won three tournament games by 23 or more points, they had consecutive one-point nail-biters in both the Sectional Championship game and in the morning Regional game. Northwestern has won each postseason game by 27 points or more so far, including impressive Regional wins over then 23-1 Fishers and then 26-1 Homestead last weekend. Penn will need to play a "clean" game in terms of limiting turnovers, staying out of foul trouble, and giving up little to no second chance opportunities to a Tigers team who doesn't really need any additional help. The dynamic backcourt of leading scorer <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/trinity-clinton/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/trinity-clinton/">Trinity Clinton</a></a></strong> (2021), elite athlete <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kaitlyn-costner/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kaitlyn-costner/">Kaitlyn Costner</a></a></strong> (2021), knockdown shooter <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/reganne-pate/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/reganne-pate/">Reganne Pate</a></a></strong> (2020), and pass-first point guard <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jordyn-smith/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jordyn-smith/">Jordyn Smith</a></a></strong> (2021) can definitely help Penn take care of the basketball, but they must value each and every possession. Penn's 6-2 forward <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/antreese-shelton/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/antreese-shelton/">Antreese Shelton</a></a></strong> (2020) must play much stronger than her slender frame might suggest, and they'll need big minutes from <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jada-patton/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jada-patton/">Jada Patton</a></a></strong> (2022). For Northwestern, the formula remains the same...<strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/madison-layden/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/madison-layden/">Madison Layden</a></a></strong> (2020) and <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kendall-bostic/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kendall-bostic/">Kendall Bostic</a></a></strong> (2020) just need to continue leading this team as they always have. If they do that, and <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/klair-merrell/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/klair-merrell/">Klair Merrell</a></a></strong> (2020) and <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/mckenna-layden/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/mckenna-layden/">McKenna Layden</a></a></strong> (2023) are their usual selves, they could again prove to be way too much for any opponent this weekend. <strong>Class 4A Prediction:</strong> Northwestern 63, Penn 45 Penn is a very nice team, and in any normal season, Penn is one of four or five teams I'm picking to have the best shot at a state title. But in this matchup, it will be tough for them. The Kingsmen have a lot of similarities in personnel to Fishers, who also had a great season, but last weekend Northwestern got little resistance from them, and I think this week will provide a similar result. <strong>Class 4A X-Factor Player:</strong> <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/antreese-shelton/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/antreese-shelton/">Antreese Shelton</a></a>, 2020, Penn H.S. At 6-2, Shelton is an extremely long, fluid, and bouncy athlete. She has always flashed major potential, so she has the opportunity to really be the key for the Kingsmen. If she can use all of that athletic ability, her solid motor &amp; energetic nature, and her versatile skillset to really dominate in the mid-post, I think Penn can keep this game a lot closer than most people expect. But this might take a 20-point game and/or a double-digit rebounding effort out of her to get that done. If she can hurt the Northwestern defense on the inside, it might help to collapse them a little and allow the perimeter players to get going.