Class 3A Preview: Beech Grove vs. Mishawaka Marian

<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>Beech Grove (21-6) vs. Mishawaka Marian (24-3)</h2> <ul> <li>Each team won their respective conferences during the regular season. Beech Grove was a perfect 7-0 in the Indiana Crossroads while Marian went 10-1 in the Northern Indiana Conference.</li> <li>Both teams are making their first state title appearance and are riding double-digit winning streaks into Saturday’s game.</li> <li>Mishawaka Marian shoots an incredible 41% from beyond the arc, the best mark of anyone playing at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Beech Grove Player to Watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="868242" first="Anthony" last="Ball"] (2023)- At 6’6" with great physicality, Ball will be a difference-maker inside against Marian. He averaged 15.1 points and 8.5 rebounds this season while shooting 66% from the field. The Hornets will need him to be a dominant force around the basket if they want to cut down the nets.</p> <p><strong>Mishawka Marian Player to Watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1049162" first="Deaglan" last="Sullivan"] (2023)- Sullivan is a dynamic playmaker that has played his way into Indiana Junior All-Star contention. He is averaging a team-leading 16.8 points per game to go along with 4.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists. His ability to get to the basket and dictate the pace of the game could be the difference for the Knights.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Mishawaka Marian has an elite backcourt with Sullivan and senior [player_tooltip player_id="769703" first="Richard" last="Brooks"], along with junior sharp-shooters [player_tooltip player_id="1295304" first="Jackson" last="Price"]. Around the basket they feature 6’6" [player_tooltip player_id="870217" first="Kaleo" last="Kakalia"], junior Darieon Thornton, and sophomore backup [player_tooltip player_id="1384443" first="Zion" last="Rhoades"]. They are a complete team that can hurt you in a variety of ways. Beech Grove relies heavily on their big man [player_tooltip player_id="868242" first="Anthony" last="Ball"] but have gotten strong guard play during their state tournament run as well. Jeremiah Tate and Jeremiah Alexander provide some length and driving ability on the perimeter to create and inside-outside threat with the 6’6" Ball. Both teams are athletic and have some size, but the Knights have a few more weapons and likely will win the battle in the backcourt. Marian also is a better perimeter shooting team. For the Hornets to win they will need a big game from Ball inside and continued strong play from their junior guards.</p> <p><strong>Mishawaka Marian 67 Beech Grove 61</strong></p>