Indiana State Finals: X-Factors – Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is going to be a very busy, but also very fun, weekend in Indianapolis. Not only will Gainbridge Fieldhouse host the IHSAA Boys Basketball State Finals on Saturday, but Lucas Oil Stadium is the host of Friday's Sweet 16 and Sunday's Elite Eight games for the Midwest Regional. Personally, I'll be taking in all seven basketball games between the two sites this coming weekend. Before all of that takes place though, we will spend the week highlighting the state finalists. Here is a "X-Factor" from Orleans, Manchester, South Bend St. Joe, and Fishers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2409182"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e2e6978cd6a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Orleans Bulldogs may be the team that most of the state are excited to see make the state championship. While they may be viewed as the Cinderella team, do not be fooled, Orleans is a legit team with good players down in Southern Indiana. One of the top players for the Bulldogs is junior PF [player_tooltip player_id='2409182' first='Nate' last='Brown'], who has averaged 6.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists. Brown is an X-Factor with him being a guy that the Bulldogs will rely on to make plays in the post against a fairly big Clinton Prairie team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ethan Hendrix","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Manchester","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e2e6978ce23"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">All eyes when it comes to Manchester is always on Grace signee [player_tooltip player_id='1297028' first='Gavin' last='Betten'] and rightfully so, but they would not be here if it was not for fellow senior Ethan Hendrix stepping up. He is the second leading scorer behind Betten with his 17.9 points and going into the Class 2A State Championship game vs University, Hendrix is the X-Factor for them. Hendrix has been a great second option for Manchester and has proven he can be a playmaker at many times. If Manchester wants to win, they will need a strong showing from their senior lead guard. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560973"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e2e6978ce74"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Just like that, South Bend St. Joe has returned to Indianapolis for a second crack at winning the Class 3A State Championship. While they did not win last season, they returned all of their key players from a year ago and added more talent, with one of those players being [player_tooltip player_id='1560973' first='Ethan' last='Roseman']. Roseman has fit extremely well with the Huskies all season and has been that main lead guard they needed to take them to new level with his 10.8 points and 7.1 assists per game. It is a heavyweight showdown between them and Crispus Attucks and if the Huskies want to win, Roseman is key in them doing so. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1297097"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e2e6978cec6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It does not get any bigger and better than the Class 4A State Championship against undefeated Fishers and reigning Class 4A State Champs Fishers and the Jeffersonville Red Devils, who are led by 3 D1 players. Every players for Fishers has played such an important role for them this season so it is hard to find just one X-Factor but because of matchups, Taylor signee [player_tooltip player_id='1297097' first='Nathan' last='Baker'] is arguably the most important player for the Tigers on Saturday. Baker will draw the assignment of Northwestern signee [player_tooltip player_id='1388408' first='Tre' last='Singleton'] and will be tasked with make plays in the paint on both ends. If Fishers can win the post battle, it will be because Baker stepped up in a monster way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->