Class 4A Preview: Cathedral vs. Chesterton

<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>Cathedral (25-6) vs. Chesterton (29-0)</h2> <ul> <li>The Fighting Irish are second in the state in scoring at 72.7 points per game. They shoot 50.2% from the field and an impressive 39.8% from beyond the arc.</li> <li>Chesterton is looking to finish off an undefeated season by cutting down the nets on Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It would be the first perfect season since Warren Central’s 32-0 run in 2017-2018.</li> <li>Cathedral head coach Jason Delany is looking to become the first coach in state history to win a championship with three different schools. He won in 2004 at Waldron and 2014 at Arsenal Tech.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Cathedral Player to Watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="868219" first="Xavier" last="Booker"] (2023)- Cathedral’s point guard, [player_tooltip player_id="870212" first="Tayshawn" last="Comer"], is a surefire Indiana All-Star and Mr. Basketball candidate, but Booker is the one who could likely determine the outcome of this game. At 6’11", the 4-star junior has the ability to change the game at both ends of the floor with his shot blocking, rebounding, and above-the-rim finishing. Oh by the way, he also is a good three-pointer. The Fighting Irish are loaded, but Booker is the guy with the highest ceiling to impact the game. Booker is averaging 12.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game.</p> <p><strong>Chesterton Player to Watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="870243" first="Travis" last="Grayson"] (2022)- Grayson has played himself into Indiana All-Star consideration, and even dark horse Mr. Basketball consideration, with an outstanding senior season. The 5’10" senior floor general averages 19.5 points and 5.6 assists per game on impressive 51.7/36.2/82.7 shooting splits. There will be a lot of college coaches at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday evening to watch one of Indiana’s best remaining uncommitted prospects.</p> <p><b>Prediction: </b>There are some surprising faces in the Class 1A, 2A, and 3A state finals. However, in Class 4A, things pretty well worked out how they "should." Representing the north you have undefeated Chesterton who has simply run through opponents all season long. When you are 29-0 you automatically earn the respect of the state and have your opponent’s attention. Coming from the south you have Cathedral who has been the most talented team in Indiana all season long. Their roster is loaded, they played an extremely tough schedule, and have played their best basketball over the last month. Does Chesterton have the pieces to match Cathedral size and athleticism? Can sophomores [player_tooltip player_id="1275807" first="Tyler" last="Parrish"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1158231" first="Justin" last="Sims"] step up against the veteran Irish? We will be treated to a great point guard battle between [player_tooltip player_id="870212" first="Tayshawn" last="Comer"] and [player_tooltip player_id="870243" first="Travis" last="Grayson"] on Saturday night. This could be a heavy-weight battle, but I suspect the Fighting Irish will simply have more firepower in the end. Adding [player_tooltip player_id="868252" first="Jaron" last="Tibbs"], [player_tooltip player_id="1063971" first="Jaxon" last="Edwards"], and [player_tooltip player_id="868251" first="Jake" last="Davis"] to the one-two punch of Comer and Booker will likely be too much for the Trojans.</p> <p><strong>Cathedral 73 Chesterton 65</strong></p>