Semi-State Preview: LaPorte

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 LaPorte High School. All four teams are highly 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 1A NORTH SEMI-STATE Marquette Catholic (25-2) SAG 14; SOS 94 Marquette has been the prohibitive favorite to repeat as Class 1A State Champions since they walked off the floor at Bankers Life Fieldhouse one year ago. Emma & Sophia Nolan (2019) are obviously the headliners doing the most damage on the scoreboard, but you have to worry about Dia Rallings (2019), Emmery Joseph (2019), Claire Salyer (2019), Morgan Crook (2019), and Ally McConnell (2020), who have all shown the ability to put up points and contribute in several other ways. Northfield (25-2) SAG 61; SOS 276 Northfield has a nice blend of experience, youth, and athleticism. They played a tougher schedule this year, but more impressively, they won tough games. Senior guards Ariel Dale and Kelcie Thomson are the heart and soul of this team, and both have started for four years. Kyra Kennedy (2021) is a tremendous athlete who makes plays at both ends of the floor, while Addi Baker (2021) plays mostly inside for the Norse. Emma Hoover (2021), Ally Keaffaber (2019), and Kierston Stout (2021) are also regular contributors. Why Marquette will win: Marquette is tall, talented, and experienced. In Class 1A, there aren’t many more things you could want than that. While I’ll sing the praises of the supporting cast until the end of the season, they have to use the inside game and pound it inside to Emma & Sophia Nolan (2019). That’s a decided advantage they have, as Northfield doesn’t play anyone much taller than 5-8 or 5-9. Why Northfield will win: If Northfield is able to get out in transition, they have multiple players who can attack and make plays at the basket. They also move the ball around very well and shoot it from all five positions. They need to play a sort of disciplined fast pace to keep Marquette on their heels. If Northfield can make this a 70 or 80 possession game and not a slow-down half-court game, I think it creates problems for Marquette. Key Player: There are several Seniors in this game who are headed to play college ball next season, but I think a key player in this one is Northfield Sophomore Kyra Kennedy. He combination of speed, athleticism, and length could really cause problems for Marquette, especially at the defensive end, where she likes to roam around, trap, and create steal opportunities. She is just a different player stylistically, and I think she’ll really need to cause some problems for Marquette if Northfield wants to win this one. Prediction: Marquette Catholic 58, Northfield 44   4:00 P.M. – CLASS 4A NORTH SEMI-STATE Crown Point (28-0) SAG 9; SOS 73 Crown Point has had quite the youth movement. Freshman wing Jessica Carrothers came in this year and has only averaged 22.1 points per game so far. WOW! Sophomore point guard Alyna Santiago has been steady all year, and 6-3 Freshman forward Lilly Stoddard has had a big impact as well. Ellie VanDeel (2019) and Abby Stoddard (2020) are their second and third leading scorers, respectively, and both bring solid play to the wing. Caitlyn Phillips (2019) and Paige Sanborn (2019) add experienced depth to the rotation as well. Hamilton Southeastern (25-1) SAG 1; SOS 8 While Crown Point is currently unbeaten, Hamilton Southeastern has been undefeated against Indiana competition this season as well. Sydney Parrish (2020) is healthy, talented, skilled, and motivated. Amaya Hamilton (2019), Malea Jackson (2019), Tayah Irvin (2019), and Molly Walton (2019) complete the starting lineup with a lot of experience, talent, and skill of their own. Jackie Maulucci (2020), Bailee Poore (2020), Lydia Self (2021), and Lauren Morris (2020) could start for most other teams, but they form one of the better benches in the state and can fill in comfortably when called upon. Why Crown Point will win: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. If Crown Point stays in their lane and plays the way that has gotten them to 28-0, that’s the best approach they can have. The young kids need to keep playing like “environmentally naïve”, talented youngsters, and the vets need to maintain their discipline through any ups and downs they might face. I realize it’s the Semi-State against the #1 overall team in the state, but at the same time, it’s just another basketball game, so keep doing what you’re doing that has gotten you here. Why Hamilton Southeastern will win: They have the talent, skill, and depth to match and exceed just about anyone in the state. Sydney Parrish (2020) continues to be a matchup nightmare game-in, and game-out, that Crown Point better respect, or they will have trouble early on. I think one other advantage no one is talking about, is that Head Coach Chris Huppenthal is the brother of Lake Central Head Coach Joe Huppenthal. Lake Central and Crown Point are in the same conference. Anybody else see where I’m going here? If anyone should be prepared for their Semi-State matchup, it should be Hamilton Southeastern. Key Player: I’ve always been fond of how this kid plays, and while she doesn’t score a lot of points, I think Tayah Irvin (2019) could be a key to Hamilton Southeastern’s defensive strategy. She’s 6-1, super long, and she has incredibly quick feet defensively. She can defend point guards, 2-guards, and wings. If the Royals want, they can put her in full-denial mode on Jessica Carrothers (2022) and make it incredibly tough on the Freshman. Before she had committed to Northern Kentucky, I had several Division-I schools tell me they were recruiting Irvin strictly because of her quick feet and defensive potential. Prediction: Hamilton Southeastern 62, Crown Point 47   Header photo of the Crown Point High School team; photo courtesy of hsweb.cps.k12.in.us.