Class 4A Semi-State Preview
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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…
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Continue ReadingWe 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.
The Matchup: Chesterton (28-0) vs. Kokomo (20-7)
Location: Lafayette Jefferson
The Favorite: Chesterton
Player to Watch: Flory Bidunga Flory Bidunga 6'9" | C Kokomo | 2024 State #7 Nation IN (2024) – Kokomo
Breakdown: 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 Travis Grayson Travis Grayson 5'10" | PG Chesterton | 2022 State IN , Justin Sims Justin Sims 6'6" | PF Chesterton | 2024 State IN , and Tyler Parrish Tyler Parrish 6'3" | SG Chesterton | 2024 State IN . In order for Kokomo to get the upset here, guys like Zavion Bellamy Zavion Bellamy 5'10" | PG Kokomo | 2023 IN and Shayne Spear Shayne Spear 6'3" | SF Kokomo | 2023 IN 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.
The Matchup: Indianapolis Cathedral (24-6) vs. Bloomington North (24-3)
Location: Washington
The Favorite: Indianapolis Cathedral
Player to Watch: Xavier Booker Xavier Booker 6'11" | PF Cathedral | 2023 State #4 Nation IN (2023) – Indianapolis Cathedral
Breakdown: 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 JaQualon Roberts JaQualon Roberts 6'8" | PF Bloomington North | 2023 State IN , Tayshawn Comer Tayshawn Comer 6'0" | PG Cathedral | 2022 State #226 Nation IN vs Nick Klaiber Nick Klaiber 6'1" | PG Bloomington North | 2022 State IN , Marco Fitch Marco Fitch 6'0" | PG Bloomington North | 2022 State IN vs Jaron Tibbs Jaron Tibbs 6'4" | SF Cathedral | 2023 State IN , 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 Jaxon Edwards Jaxon Edwards 6'6" | SF Cathedral | 2022 State IN and Jake Davis Jake Davis 6'6" | SF Cathedral | 2023 State IN . 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.