Class 3A North Semi-State Preview

Kyler Staley March 15, 2023 @ 09:31 AM

64 Sectionals became 16 Regionals which are now down to 8 Semi-States. Obviously, that last number is a little different than in years past because the IHSAA flipped the two-game Regional and single game Semi-State format this season. Also, a “re-draw” was held on Sunday as an added wrinkle prior to the Semi-State round. After beginning with approximately 100 teams per class we are now down to the final eight and that will be cut to just four by Saturday evening. Then, two teams from each class will survive and advance to the IHSAA State Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. As we have prior to each round of the state tournament, our staff at Prep Hoops Indiana is here to give you all of the information that you need ahead of Saturday's games. Let's dive on in and take a look at the Class 3A North Semi-State being hosted by Elkhart City High School.   The Matchups: Delta (18-9) vs. Glenn (17-10) at 10:00 a.m. followed by NorthWood (25-2) vs. Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (13-13). Championship game is schedule for 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time   Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1295334' first='Jackson' last='Wors'] (Delta, 2024), [player_tooltip player_id='1295310' first='D'Amare' last='Hood'] (Delta, 2024), [player_tooltip player_id='1275827' first='Jayden' last='Furney'] (Delta, 2024), [player_tooltip player_id='1391323' first='Brycen' last='Hannah'] (John Glenn, 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='1226596' first='Cade' last='Brenner'] (NorthWood, Huntington commit, 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='1391324' first='Ian' last='Raasch'] (NorthWood, Grace commit, 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='1556504' first='Brock' last='Bontrager'] (NorthWood, 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='1225303' first='Ethan' last='Wolfe'] (NorthWood, 2024), [player_tooltip player_id='1297122' first='Tyler' last='Raasch'] (NorthWood, 2025), [player_tooltip player_id='1049161' first='Preston' last='Ross'] (Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, 2023), [player_tooltip player_id='1158223' first='Caleb' last='Lehrman'] (Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, 2024)   Game 1 Analysis: The Delta junior trio of Wors, Hood, and Furney are playing at high level right now and are carrying the Eagles this postseason. Overall, Delta has pretty much dominated on up to this point when by double-digits vs Centerville, Hamilton Heights, and New Castle. They did have a tough game vs Peru in Regional only winning by 7 but overall, it has not been the toughest rout for Delta. Glenn on the other hand had a similar route but you could argue they much tougher teams like Tippecanoe Valley, Culver Academy and recently South Bend Washington to get here. While it has been Glenn as a team that has gotten them to this point, 2023 power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1391323' first='Brycen' last='Hannah'] has helped with this success a ton. It will be very interesting to see how how Delta matches up with Hannah because they do have a lot options they could go with. Expecting this one to be tight throughout.   Game 2 Analysis: You always want to be playing your best basketball around this time and that is exactly what Bishop Dwenger is doing at this time. Since February 15th, the Saints have won seven straight and now enter with a 13-13 record. [player_tooltip player_id='1049161' first='Preston' last='Ross'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1158223' first='Caleb' last='Lehrman'] have been stellar as of late and are a big reason why Dwenger has went on this run in the postseason. However, other beating a really good Fort Wayne Concordia team, you cannot deny that their path has been one of the more easier ones to get to this point. NorthWood, on the other hand, is right where you would have expected them to be at this point in the season. The Panthers, led by one of the better players in the in-state 2023 class [player_tooltip player_id='1226596' first='Cade' last='Brenner'], have been one of the best teams at the 3A level all season. They have absolutely dominated on their way here and have not shown any signs of struggle. Dwenger has had a very good run getting here, but I think that finally comes to an end this weekend. NorthWood is on a mission.   Prediction: Delta over Glenn, NorthWood over Fort Wayne Bishop, NorthWood over Delta

64 Sectionals became 16 Regionals which are now down to 8 Semi-States. Obviously, that last number is a little different than in years past because the IHSAA flipped the two-game Regional and single game Semi-State format this season. Also, a “re-draw” was held on Sunday as an added wrinkle prior to the Semi-State round. After beginning with approximately 100 teams per class we are now down to the final eight and that will be cut to just four by Saturday evening. Then, two teams from each class will survive and advance to the IHSAA State Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. As we have prior to each round of the state tournament, our staff at Prep Hoops Indiana is here to give you all of the information that you need ahead of Saturday's games. Let's dive on in and take a look at the Class 3A North Semi-State being hosted by Elkhart City High School.