Class 4A North Semi-State Preview

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 4A North Semi-State being hosted by Michigan City High School.   The Matchups: Fort Wayne Wayne (21-4) vs. Kokomo (22-4) at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (game is played in Central Time Zone) followed by Penn (27-1) vs. Hammond Central (26-1). Championship game is schedule for 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time   Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1578417' first='Jevon' last='Lewis'] (Fort Wayne Wayne H.S. 2024), [player_tooltip player_id='1297001' first='Chase' last='Barnes'] (Fort Wayne Wayne H.S. 2025), [player_tooltip player_id='1363488' first='Flory' last='Bidunga'] (Kokomo H.S. 2024), [player_tooltip player_id='1049169' first='Markus' last='Burton'] (Penn H.S. 2023 - Notre Dame), [player_tooltip player_id='1049160' first='Jordan' last='Woods'] (Hammond Central H.S. 2023 - Eastern Illinois Football)   Game 1 Analysis: The Generals of Wayne have turned in one of the most impressive turnarounds in recent history from last season to this season. After winning just four games in 2021-2022 they have piled up 21 wins this year including 13 straight on their way to a Regional title. Most impressively, Wayne is still built for the future as well. Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1578417' first='Jevon' last='Lewis']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jevon-lewis-2/"></a> leads them in scoring at 17.0 points per game while sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1297001' first='Chase' last='Barnes']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/chase-barnes/"></a> adds 13.9 points per game. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1556502' first='Monte' last='Smith']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/monte-smith/"></a> (10.8 points per game) is the only senior that receives consistent playing time. This is a talented bunch who will continue to try and surprise people around the state. However, getting by Kokomo and superstar center [player_tooltip player_id='1363488' first='Flory' last='Bidunga']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/flory-bidunga/"></a> will be no easy task. The Wildkats have won back-to-back Regional championship now on the back of the 6'10” Bidunga who is averaging 19.7 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting an incredible 82% from the field. It'll be hard for the Generals to match his size around the basket, but their athleticism could factor in. For Wayne to have a chance it'll have to be Lewis, Barnes, and Smith lighting it up in the backcourt because you know Bidunga is going to get his and then some inside.   Game 2 Analysis: All these two teams have done all season is win basketball games. The Kingsmen lost to undefeated Ben Davis in the Hall of Fame Classic opener but have otherwise posted an average winning margin of 31 points per game. Indiana Mr. Basketball front-runner, Notre Dame signee [player_tooltip player_id='1049169' first='Markus' last='Burton']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/markus-burton/"></a> , is having an absolutely spectacular season averaging over 30 points per game. Fellow seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1391326' first='Joey' last='Garwood']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/joey-garwood/"></a> and [player_tooltip player_id='1272962' first='Joe' last='Smith']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/joe-smith/"></a> help to provide additional firepower in the backcourt. Meanwhile, Hammond Central has quietly put up an equally impressive season having only lost to Whitney Young (IL) by five points back on December 27th. Eastern Illinois football commit [player_tooltip player_id='1049160' first='Jordan' last='Woods']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jordan-woods/"></a> and junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1384393' first='Matthew' last='King']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/matthew-king/"></a> are the two primary players to watch for the Wolves, but they have a deep roster full of young talent. You can expect this game, featuring #2 and #3 in the state, to turn into an uptempo affair. At the end of the day, it is hard to bet against [player_tooltip player_id='1049169' first='Markus' last='Burton']. If any backcourt has the athleticism and length to contain him it is that of the Hammond Central Wolves, but it is still hard to imagine anyone being effective enough to truly slow him down. It'll likely take an off night from Burton to see the Kingsmen go down before the state finals at this point.   Prediction: Kokomo over Fort Wayne Wayne, Penn over Hammond Central, Penn over Kokomo

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 4A North Semi-State being hosted by Michigan City High School.