Semi-State Preview: Jeffersonville

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 Jeffersonville Semi-State, so below is a look at Brownstown Central, Salem, Lawrence North, and Bedford North Lawrence. &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>JEFFERSONVILLE SEMI-STATE</strong></span> <strong>Lawrence North (24-4)</strong>; Sagarin 6 (#6 in Class 4A); Strength of Schedule 3 <strong>Bedford North Lawrence (21-5)</strong>; Sagarin 12 (#11 in Class 4A); Strength of Schedule 26 <strong>Salem (24-3)</strong>; Sagarin 15 (#1 in Class 3A); Strength of Schedule 41 <strong>Brownstown Central (26-3)</strong>; Sagarin 39 (#9 in Class 3A); Strength of Schedule 78 <b>Class 3A Semi-State Matchup:</b> Brownstown Central vs. Salem, 1:00 p.m. EST What a matchup this is to begin Semi-State play. These two schools are located less than 30 minutes from one another, they are Mid-Southern Conference rivals, and until this year they have been Sectional rivals as well. Salem had controlled the series the last few years, winning six in a row, but Brownstown Central righted the ship this season, handing Salem one of its three losses, 54-50, back on December 10. Both teams are well-coached, both teams have experienced players, and both teams have postseason experience, though Salem has obviously been deeper in the tournament recently. Last year the Lions made it to the Semi-State, before falling to Benton Central, who is ironically Northwest of Lafayette and now back in a Northern Semi-State. What's more incredible, is Salem put themselves in this position minus 2018-2019 leading scorer <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/leah-miller/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/leah-miller/">Leah Miller</a></a></strong> (2020), who was lost for the season with an ACL injury. They now turn to a host of skillful players to make up the slack, including post <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/lettie-nice/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/lettie-nice/">Lettie Nice</a></a></strong> (2020), guard <strong>Hope Tomlinson</strong> (2020), wing <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/natalie-noel/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/natalie-noel/">Natalie Noel</a></a></strong> (2022), and forward <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/abigail-ratts/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/abigail-ratts/">Abigail Ratts</a></a></strong> (2022), to name a few. Brownstown forward <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/ashley-schroer/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/ashley-schroer/">Ashley Schroer</a></a></strong> (2020) plays with a nice toughness, some physicality, and one of the better motors in the state. Wing <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/katherine-benter/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/katherine-benter/">Katherine Benter</a></a></strong> (2021) has put together a really nice postseason and compliments Schroer well, plus wing <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/halle-hehman/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/halle-hehman/">Halle Hehman</a></a></strong> (2020) has a great deal of experience. <strong>Class 3A Prediction:</strong> Salem 51, Brownstown Central 46 I think Salem will avenge their early season loss, but it won't be easy. One slight miscue at the wrong time, and Brownstown can win this game. But I think Salem's recent experience in these situations, plus the sour taste of being here a year ago and not advancing, will motivate a balanced and focused Lions squad. <strong>Class 3A X-Factor Player:</strong> <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/lettie-nice/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/lettie-nice/">Lettie Nice</a></a>, 2020, Salem H.S. At 6-1, Brownstown Central doesn't have anyone on their roster with Nice's size, and while she's usually an "opportunistic" scorer, I think she can get 17 points and 12 rebounds, and really solidify the win for the Lions. She'll need to work hard, which she always does, but more importantly she'll need to play with great physicality at the defensive end, and limit the looks the Brownstown forwards get around the paint, without getting into foul trouble herself. She's a game-changer because she's different than anything Brownstown can run out onto the floor personnel-wise. <strong>Class 4A Semi-State Matchup:</strong> Lawrence North vs. Bedford North Lawrence, 3:30 p.m. EST People are talking a lot about a couple of games in the North, but this is one that really stands out to me as a "coin-flip" game. Lawrence North is built on speed and athleticism, and their combination of guards and wings are as good as anyone in the state. <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kristian-young/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kristian-young/">Kristian Young</a></a></strong> (2020) is the water-bug point guard that makes things go, <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jayla-smith/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jayla-smith/">Jayla Smith</a></a></strong> (2021) is the skilled shooter/scorer who can light up a scoreboard quickly, and <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/katie-davidson/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/katie-davidson/">Katie Davidson</a></a></strong> (2020) is the strong, physical type of wing who can get you a basket at any level when needed. Bedford counters with one of the better shooters in the state in <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/chloe-mcknight/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/chloe-mcknight/">Chloe McKnight</a></a></strong> (2021), slashing athlete <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/irye-gomez/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/irye-gomez/">Irye Gomez</a></a></strong> (2021), and highly skilled, traditional point guard <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/karsyn-norman/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/karsyn-norman/">Karsyn Norman</a></a></strong> (2023). Lawrence North brings more athletes to the table, both on the wing and in the frontcourt, including Valparaiso commit <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/lauren-gunn/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/lauren-gunn/">Lauren Gunn</a></a></strong> (2020), but its their ability to pressure the ball in waves that could affect Bedford's stamina. Bedford, however, also has skilled 6-2 post <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/madison-webb/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/madison-webb/">Madison Webb</a></a></strong> (2020), plus the powerful 6-4 <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/peyton-sweet/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/peyton-sweet/">Peyton Sweet</a></a></strong> (2020) could offer them a mismatch inside the Wildcats might not be ready for. I think this is a contrast of styles and personnel, and whoever can enforce their will, will escape with a narrow victory. <strong>Class 4A Prediction:</strong> Bedford North Lawrence 48, Lawrence North 47 This was an absolutely tough call for me, and I can see it going either way for a number of reasons. If Bedford can control tempo and handle pressure, and that's a lot to ask of them, I think it would be equally tough for Lawrence North to score in the half-court against Bedford's set defense. However, if Lawrence North can get out and go, turning Bedford over, then the game favors them. <strong>Class 4A X-Factor Player:</strong> <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/madison-webb/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/madison-webb/">Madison Webb</a></a>, 2020, Bedford North Lawrence H.S. Once again I'm going with another sizeable player in this spot. At 6-2, with good mobility and perimeter skill, Webb contributes a very unique style of play. Yes, she can post and finish around the paint, but she can also knock down the 3-pointer, she's great in the mid-post, and she runs the floor well. If Bedford can handle the Wildcat pressure, I think it's critical to get Webb involved early and often, and get her scoring it so Lawrence North has to make adjustments, alleviating at least some pressure from the Bedford guards. If Webb scores 15+ points and grabs 10 rebounds, I think the Stars win this game.