Class 4A North Semi-State Preview
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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…
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Continue Reading64 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: Jevon Lewis (Fort Wayne Wayne H.S. 2024), Chase Barnes Chase Barnes 6'1" | PG Fort Wayne Wayne | 2025 State #355 Nation IN (Fort Wayne Wayne H.S. 2025), Flory Bidunga Flory Bidunga 6'9" | C Kokomo | 2024 State #7 Nation IN (Kokomo H.S. 2024), Markus Burton Markus Burton 5'11" | PG Penn | 2023 State #190 Nation IN (Penn H.S. 2023 – Notre Dame), Jordan Woods Jordan Woods 6'2" | PG Hammond Central | 2023 State IN (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 Jevon Lewis leads them in scoring at 17.0 points per game while sophomore Chase Barnes Chase Barnes 6'1" | PG Fort Wayne Wayne | 2025 State #355 Nation IN adds 13.9 points per game. Senior guard Monte Smith Monte Smith 6'0" | PG Fort Wayne Wayne | 2023 State IN (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 Flory Bidunga Flory Bidunga 6'9" | C Kokomo | 2024 State #7 Nation IN 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 Markus Burton Markus Burton 5'11" | PG Penn | 2023 State #190 Nation IN , is having an absolutely spectacular season averaging over 30 points per game. Fellow seniors Joey Garwood Joey Garwood 6'1" | SG Penn | 2023 State IN and Joe Smith Joe Smith 5'10" | PG Penn | 2023 State IN 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 Jordan Woods Jordan Woods 6'2" | PG Hammond Central | 2023 State IN and junior guard Matthew King Matthew King 6'3" | SG Bosco Institute | 2024 IN 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 Markus Burton Markus Burton 5'11" | PG Penn | 2023 State #190 Nation IN . 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