4A State Tournament: The Inside Look

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eight teams, five days, and a 4A field loaded with stars, defensive grit, and contrasting styles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's your inside look at the 4A Class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Big Picture Of The 4A Class</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Overall theme of the class: <strong>Extensive Guard-Play. Every team within the 4A Class that has made this State Tournament is lead by impressive guard play at the top, followed by consistent and efficient role players to back them. The guards of this group lead this Class. That has been the case all Winter long. When a team has ample success within 4A, it's usually because of their 1, 2, or 3. </strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Average margin of victory among qualifiers: <strong>+24.7 PPG</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Combined record of the field: <strong>172-12</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>How many returning state players: <strong>38+</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>How many teams that were here last year: <strong>5</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Favorites </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop Heelan Crusaders (23-0): </strong>BH comes into this State week undefeated at 23-0 with some bad intentions on their mind. They are led by a group of three future D1 prospects in [player_tooltip player_id='777232' first='Melina' last='Snoozy'], [player_tooltip player_id='582806' first='Trishelle' last='Miller'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1305404' first='Ella' last='Otten']. They follow that up with some solid role players, who know what their job is out on the floor and that has brought them a lot of success so far this Winter. If you are looking at prospects, depth of roster, and overall system then you would be foolish to say that anyone but BH is the favorite here. It might not be by a huge margin but until proven otherwise, I'd say this is one of fours team's to beat within the 4A Class. They are a team with a real shot at the 4A Title as thing currently stand. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DCG Mustangs (21-2): </strong>DCG grabbed the #1 seed in the 4A Class to start off this State Tournament. The Mustangs return to the Casey Center with a deep roster on hand themselves. They might not have the fire power at the top of their line-up like Bishop but they have several different individuals that know how to chip in as a collective to really impact a tight contest. Their main scoring threat is only averaging 15 PPG but then if you look at their next two top scorers on hand they are at 13 and 11 PPG, sticking pretty close as a whole. That's how it is in every positive statistical category for this group. They know how to play team basketball and that is going to give them a shot at this 4A Title if they play their cards correctly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Norwalk Warriors (21-2): </strong>Norwalk was in a similar position last Winter when they made it to this point in the season. They made it to the second round, eventually falling to the future 4A Champs, Xavier. The Warriors return this time around playing against the exact same team in Round 1 as last time, Central DeWitt. If they can surpass that challenge, they will be sitting in the Semi's with vengeance on their mind. This team has demonstrated this Winter that they are a Top 3 team within the 4A Class. They have put up massive totals against their competition, they have shown us all the pieces they have at their disposal at every position, and they are returning with almost the same exact roster as a season ago. That experience gives them an edge against others that might not be as ready for the spot light. This next week is a marathon, not a sprint. Whoever prepares the best and shows up on the actual game day is going to bring home the title and that could be the Norwalk Warriors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Team All Defense</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waverly-Shell Rock Go-Hawks (22-1):</strong> The Go-Hawks had a .500-type schedule this Winter and they handled it convincingly for the most part. Their only loss on the season came against highly ranked 3A Mount Vernon, 29-50 at home. Other than that they have won their other games convincingly because they rely on their defense. They do have a D1 prospect in [player_tooltip player_id='833966' first='Lizzy' last='Frazell'], who can score it at Will at 6'0 but they thrive holding opponents to low totals. They play helped really well, always watching each others backs. They limit their opponents to one shot attempt per possession and that helps them slow down whoever they are playing. Teams as a whole are only scoring 30 PPG against this team moving into Round 1 of this State Tournament. They have the tough task of facing against DCG right away but everyone knows defense travels so we will see how things play out. If the Go-Hawks can make it a sloppy contest, anything could happen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Dark Horses</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CCA Clippers (20-2):</strong> When CCA has been tested against elite teams, they have shown some of the holes within their game but the holes are easily fixable and the Clippers are picking up momentum at a rapid pace again after their second win of the Playoffs on Tuesday evening. The Clippers would be described as a group that has a star SG in [player_tooltip player_id='509225' first='Averie' last='Lower'], a glue CG in [player_tooltip player_id='782232' first='Lena' last='Evans'], and a whole lot of other pieces that can step up at any moment to hit big shots. Prospects like [player_tooltip player_id='1323000' first='Kennedy' last='Stratton'], [player_tooltip player_id='885073' first='Lydia' last='Keller'], or Zel Evans. When this team is firing on all cylinders and confident, they can be anyone and any given night. They run great sets within the half court, they aren't afraid to push in transition, and they don't settle. They hit a lot of three's but that's not because they are settling. That's by design. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Central DeWitt Sabers (23-1):</strong> You have to count Central DeWitt as a Dark Horse on the fact that no one has really spoken amount them this Winter other than their local reporters and myself at times when we have highlighted their front-court. The Saber are a tricky team. Their front court is very legit in [player_tooltip player_id='598490' first='Ava' last='Putman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1060063' first='Kinley' last='Birt']. Those two have worked off each other for years behind other very talented guards so they know what's up. They played last year when they made the State Tournament and came up short. They are hoping this go-around will be a little different. They pulled Norwalk in Round 1 yet again so they are going to be able to show what they are really made of against another impressive bucket-getter. Whoever survived that will pull DCG or Waverly in the Semi's. As you can tell, it's not going to get any easier but that's the point. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>4A: The Class By The Numbers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lowest Opponent PPG: <strong>Waverly-Shell Rock (30 PPG)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li> Highest 3PT %: <strong>DCG (36.3 %)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li> Fastest Scoring Team: <strong>Bishop Heelan (71.5 PPG)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Assist Leader: <strong>Central DeWitt (17.9 APG)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li> Most Physical: <strong>CCA (36 RPG)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Players You Need To Know</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Bucket Getter: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='883552' first='Braylyn' last='Birmingham'] (30.1 PPG - 52%)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Floor General: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='582806' first='Trishelle' last='Miller'] (3.5 Assist-Turnover Ratio)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Rim Protector: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='833966' first='Lizzy' last='Frazell'] (1.7 BPG)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Microwave: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='509225' first='Averie' last='Lower']</strong> <strong>(20.8 PPG)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Glue Player: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='782232' first='Lena' last='Evans'] (17.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.4 APG, 4.3 SPG, 1 BPG)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Motor: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='502100' first='Macy' last='Comito'] (20.3 PPG, 3.3 APG)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->