Class 2A Preview: Providence vs. Central Noble

<p>Our staff at Prep Hoops Indiana will be providing wall-to-wall coverage of the 112th annual IHSAA Boy’s Basketball State Finals throughout the week. From game-by-game previews, players to watch, recruiting updates, and much, much more this website will be your one stop shop for state finals coverage. Also, you’ll want to be following our staff on Twitter to make sure you don’t miss any of the coverage: <a href="https://twitter.com/BRamseyKSR">@BRamseyKSR</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/kylerstaley">@KylerStaley</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/HSIndianaBball">@HSIndianaBBall</a>. Let’s dive on in to some preview content!</p> <h2>Providence (20-6) vs. Central Noble (28-2)</h2> <ul> <li>Neither program has ever made the state finals before.</li> <li>Central Noble star [player_tooltip player_id="769682" first="Connor" last="Essegian"] is now 10th in state history with 2,508 career points. He will be playing for the Wisconsin Badgers next season.</li> <li>Providence has allowed an average of just 35 points per game in their five game run to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Meanwhile, Central Noble is scoring 63 points on average across their six games.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Providence Player to Watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1273735" first="Casey" last="Thomas Kaelin"] (2023)- Providence has made their surprise run to the state finals via a strong defense and balanced offense. However, it has been Kaelin throughout the season who has provided a needed scoring punch for the Pioneers. The junior wing is averaging a team leading 12.4 points per game and has played his best basketball of the season down the stretch.</p> <p><strong>Central Noble Player to Watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="769682" first="Connor" last="Essegian"] (2022)- Most people around the state have probably heard of the Wisconsin signee. Essegian averaged 26.8 points per game this season, is now 10th in state history in scoring, and will likely finish in the Top 5 for Mr. Basketball. However, many people in Indianapolis and to the south may have yet to see him play. He will get to play on the big stage on Saturday to show off his excellent offensive game as he leads the Cougars to a potential state championship.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Providence has had a fantastic run to the state finals. Their defense is locked in and have gotten enough from their balanced offense to survive and advance. However, there is a reason why the Central Noble Cougars have been a favorite to cut down the nets all season long. The combination of a Mr. Basketball candidate, a pair of Trine University commits in [player_tooltip player_id="1269905" first="Ryan" last="Schroeder"] and big man [player_tooltip player_id="870256" first="Logan" last="Gard"], along with junior guard Conner Lemmon and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1158220" first="Jackson" last="Andrews"], gives Coach Bodey an excellent starting five at the Class 2A level. There will likely just be too much firepower on the Central Noble side for the Pioneers to keep up.</p> <p><strong>Central Noble 61 Providence 50</strong></p>