NCISAA State: Key Matchups 1A and 2A

<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> An inevitable battle in our </span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">1A championship</span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> matchup for the state championship Saturday will be competitive. United Faith oof care of business against Grace Christian to advance to the championship game Saturday. [player_tooltip player_id="1241681" first="Dorien" last="Johnson"] has decided to play his best basketball at the right time, racking up a </span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">huge </span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">27 points. A strong first half, confidently shooting the ball, and created chaos defensively. The 2022 combo guard will be a focus for the Knights of Greenfield. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The Knights defeated Crossroads convincingly, holding a thirty-point lead in the third quarter behind their senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="848068" first="Aaron" last="Murphy"]. The Queens commit looks to finish his high school carer off with a high school championship. An unorthodox guard that has amazing finishing ability at the rim. An above-average defender with good body control that constantly gives defense fits. The sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1076333" first="Hampton" last="Evans"] scored in a variety of ways, notching 25 points in the final four matchup. High IQ player with a very high ceiling.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">United Faith will look for big-time contributions and timely baskets Saturday from Winthrop commit [player_tooltip player_id="932129" first="Xavier" last="McKelvy"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1241681" first="Dorien" last="Johnson"]. Senior [player_tooltip player_id="1111219" first="Marcus" last="Willis"] keeping the game at a good pace and putting the wings in position to score at their best ability in half-court sets could prove to be the difference. A timely elite performance by backcourt running mate senior KJ Peten would be amazing for this Greenfield team that is prepared to fight tooth and nail for the state championship.</span></p> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Key Matchup: [player_tooltip player_id="932129" first="Xavier" last="McKelvy"] vs [player_tooltip player_id="848068" first="Aaron" last="Murphy"]</span></strong></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The </span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">2A Championship</span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> will feature a talented Tigers team from Trinity Academy, facing off against The Burlington School. [player_tooltip player_id="848082" first="Noah" last="Ross"] has been nothing short of dominant in the playoffs for the Tigers, scoring 19 points and affecting the game defensively late in the fourth quarter to secure a win over Gaston Day to advance in the playoffs. Arguably the best junior guard duo in the state, Kevin Vanderhorst(22) and Trevor Barret(15) are coming off of exponential performances as well. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">They will have their hands full with one of the best defensive teams in the State in TBS, led by an experienced group of seniors that are willing to do whatever they can to become state champions. A big fourth quarter in which they score 29 points to defeat Wayne Country Day away from home was a huge morale booster for this team going into Saturday. [player_tooltip player_id="1237808" first="Kendrell" last="Brooks"] gave unnecessary boost off the bench, with a huge second half. Timely buckets and a lot of tenacity of the defensive side of the ball. Finishing with 14 points and 2 assists. Unsigned senior that is willing to do the dirty work to help his team win. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">A dog fight indeed we will have on Saturday when these teams match up and I think if these teams begin to get up and down the court, this could call for a very entertaining game for the </span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">2A State Championship</span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">.</span></p> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Key Matchup: [player_tooltip player_id="838046" first="Sam" last="Perez"] vs [player_tooltip player_id="577871" first="Avion" last="Pinner"]</span></strong></p>