Class 4A Semi-State Preview

<p>We are down to just 16 teams still competing in the 112th annual IHSAA Boy’s Basketball State Tournament. That means we are into the semi-state round which will take place this Saturday. Our staff at Prep Hoops Indiana will be previewing each semi-state game this week where the winners will be playing in the state finals next week. First up, we have Class 4A. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>The Matchup: Chesterton (28-0) vs. Kokomo (20-7)</strong></p> <p><strong>Location: Lafayette Jefferson</strong></p> <p><strong>The Favorite: Chesterton</strong></p> <p><strong>Player to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id="1363488" first="Flory" last="Bidunga"] (2024) - Kokomo</strong></p> <p><strong>Breakdown: </strong>This is a very fun matchup on paper. Chesterton is still the only undefeated team remaining in the state but they are facing one of the best prospects in the state in Bindunga. It is two different styles of basketball with Chesterton will look to space it out a bit whereas Kokomo will hammer it inside to their athletic freak of a center. The problem with this Kokomo team is that they are not as deep as Chesterton is. Bidunga is the main guy for them so it is easy for Chesterton to focus in on but on the other end, Kokomo has to worry about [player_tooltip player_id="870243" first="Travis" last="Grayson"], [player_tooltip player_id="1158231" first="Justin" last="Sims"], and [player_tooltip player_id="1275807" first="Tyler" last="Parrish"]. In order for Kokomo to get the upset here, guys like [player_tooltip player_id="1202993" first="Zavion" last="Bellamy"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1042500" first="Shayne" last="Spear"] will need to step up. Until proven wrong, I have to go with the team that has won 28 straight to come out of this one.    </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>The Matchup: Indianapolis Cathedral (24-6) vs. Bloomington North (24-3)</strong></p> <p><strong>Location: Washington</strong></p> <p><strong>The Favorite: Indianapolis Cathedral</strong></p> <p><strong>Player to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id="868219" first="Xavier" last="Booker"] (2023) - Indianapolis Cathedral</strong></p> <p><strong>Breakdown: </strong>I think out of the 8 games scheduled this weekend, it does not get any bigger than Cathedral vs Bloomington North. This is especially true when you think of the player matchups with the likes of Booker vs [player_tooltip player_id="868224" first="JaQualon" last="Roberts"], [player_tooltip player_id="870212" first="Tayshawn" last="Comer"] vs [player_tooltip player_id="870215" first="Nick" last="Klaiber"], [player_tooltip player_id="1152148" first="Marco" last="Fitch"] vs [player_tooltip player_id="868252" first="Jaron" last="Tibbs"], and so many other sneaky good ones. Both teams have taken a slightly different path as Bloomington North has gone through nail biters and Cathedral has for the most part cruised to get here cause they have been so dominant. The key here really just comes down to who has the most talent on the floor and that is Cathedral. Bloomington North may be able to stop 3 guys but then you have to worry about others guys like [player_tooltip player_id="1063971" first="Jaxon" last="Edwards"] and [player_tooltip player_id="868251" first="Jake" last="Davis"]. Cathedral has been the best team all season and it will take a lot from Bloomington North’s big three to get the job done here. Cathedral should continue their path to a state championship.   </p>