Hall of Fame Classic: Notes from the Semi-Finals
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The annual Hall of Fame Classic tipped off early this morning with two semi-final games featuring Connersville vs. Westfield and Cathedral vs. Homestead. I was there at New Castle taking the action from The Largest and Finest High School Fieldhouse…
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Continue ReadingThe annual Hall of Fame Classic tipped off early this morning with two semi-final games featuring Connersville vs. Westfield and Cathedral vs. Homestead. I was there at New Castle taking the action from The Largest and Finest High School Fieldhouse in the World. Here are some quick notes from this morning’s two games.
Westfield 51 Connersville 43
- Westfield would build a 12-point advantage in the third period but ended up having to sweat this one out. Connersville made a late run in the fourth quarter getting it all the way down to a two-point game before eventually falling by eight.
- The Spartans point guard Tobey Billups Tobey Billups 6'0" | PG Connersville | 2022 State IN battled serious foul trouble in the second half and eventually fouled out with a couple of minutes remaining. His absence for much of the final 16 minutes didn’t make things any easier for Connersville.
- Braden Smith Braden Smith 6'0" | PG Westfield | 2022 State IN controlled the game for Westfield despite not even scoring in double-figures. The future Purdue Boilermaker made plays off of the dribble all game long finishing with 8 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists.
- Cam Haffner led the Shamrocks in scoring with 11 points. The senior guard knocked in a couple of big three-pointers at the end of the second and third quarters. Nic Depasquale Nic Depasquale 6'2" | SG Westfield | 2022 State IN and Alex Romack each added 10 points for Westfield as well.
- For Connersville, Kaleb Sparks led the way with 11 points all coming in the second half. The 6’4″ senior forward knocked in three triples in the third quarter.
Cathedral 62 Homestead 50
- This game started off heavily in Homestead’s favor. The Spartans jumped out a 13-5 lead triggering a timeout from Cathedral head coach Jason Delany. Three point shooting and six points from Fletcher Loyer Fletcher Loyer 6'4" | SG Homestead | 2022 State #108 Nation IN would give Homestead a 17-12 advantage after the first quarter. However, their advantage wouldn’t last long.
- The Fighting Irish really got going in the second period as Jaxon Edwards Jaxon Edwards 6'6" | SF Cathedral | 2022 State IN started playing very well, Jaron Tibbs Jaron Tibbs 6'4" | SF Cathedral | 2023 State IN got going, and Xavier Booker Xavier Booker 6'11" | PF Cathedral | 2023 State #4 Nation IN nailed a pick-and-pop three. Cathedral would take a 32-30 lead into the halftime break.
- Homestead hung around through the third quarter as Loyer connected on a pair of threes and scored 10 points in the period.
- In the fourth, the Spartans went completely cold from the field and Cathedral was able to pull away. 6’8″ senior center Jaiden Malichi Jaiden Malichi 6'8" | C Cathedral | 2022 State IN scored 8 of his 10 points in the fourth to help secure the victory.
- Cathedral was led by Jaxon Edwards Jaxon Edwards 6'6" | SF Cathedral | 2022 State IN and Tayshawn Comer Tayshawn Comer 6'0" | PG Cathedral | 2022 State #226 Nation IN who scored 15 and 14 points respectively. Jaron Tibbs Jaron Tibbs 6'4" | SF Cathedral | 2023 State IN added 11 points while Jaiden Malichi Jaiden Malichi 6'8" | C Cathedral | 2022 State IN had 10.
- For Homestead, it was future Purdue Boilermaker Fletcher Loyer Fletcher Loyer 6'4" | SG Homestead | 2022 State #108 Nation IN scoring a game-high 28 points..