Prep Hoops Indiana Semi-State Preview – Class 1A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two weeks ago the IHSAA State Tournament started with over 400 teams across four classes competing for a coveted trip to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. We crowned 64 Sectional champions and then, on Saturday, cut the field in half with 32 Regional champions. Now, those teams will compete in the Semi-State round with two games on Saturday, March 22nd ultimately dwindling the field down to two teams per class. Let's preview the four games in Class 1A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 1A North Semi-State @ Lafayette Jeff High School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10:00 a.m. - Kouts (23-4) vs. Monroe Central (19-6)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kouts entered the state tournament ranked #8 in the Prep Hoops Indiana Class 1A Top 10 and is now the fifth highest ranked team remaining. The Mustangs are led by a trio of juniors, [player_tooltip player_id='1559321' first='Lucas' last='Kleckner'], Eli Harper, and Landon Garrett. As for Monroe Central, the Golden Bears have gotten hot at the right time winning seven straight games entering Saturday's Semi-State. 6'4" senior forward Easton Foster is a dominant force for Monroe Central inside averaging 21.7 points and 10.0 rebounds per game while freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='2553970' first='Luke' last='Morgan'], who averages 12.0 points per game, has quietly been one of the top freshmen in Class 1A this season. Kouts is more battle tested, but don't sleep on the Golden Bears in this matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>12:00 p.m. - Triton (23-4) vs. Clinton Prairie (24-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clinton Prairie continues to march forward after surviving an overtime scare against Lafayette Central Catholic in the Regional. Otherwise, the Gophers have largely been rolling through their competition featuring a 22.8 points per game scoring margin. Senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1297051' first='Jake' last='McGraw'], who recently surpassed the 2,000 career point milestone, and [player_tooltip player_id='1296973' first='Alex' last='Farley'] are the stars that carry Clinton Prairie. However, it was junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2895353' first='Nick' last='Curtin'] who stepped on Saturday to help them advance. For Triton, the backcourt duo of senior [player_tooltip player_id='2391223' first='Tanner' last='Witt-Hoyo'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2399000' first='Gage' last='Riffle'] have led the Trojans to yet another postseason run under head coach Jason Groves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 1A South Semi-State @ Seymour High School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10:00 a.m. - Orleans (22-4) vs. Hauser (24-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It doesn't get much better than this matchup in the Class 1A South. Prep Hoops Indiana Class 1A #2 Orleans against #4 Hauser. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1297109' first='Rylan' last='Crocker'] leads the Bulldogs in scoring at 16.1 points per game while shooting an incredible 83-204 (40.7%) from three-point range. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2813537' first='Alex' last='DeWitt'] is one to watch as well as he averages 13.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, for Hauser, four players score in double-figures. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2812935' first='Collin' last='Buck'] leads the way with 14.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Then, seniors Ledger Gelfus and [player_tooltip player_id='1381454' first='Taeshaun' last='Tungate'], along with junior Gavin Keller, add 13.0 points, 11.3 points, and 10.7 points per game respectively. These are two very talented, well-balanced ball clubs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>12:00 p.m. - Liberty Christian (18-8) vs. Clay City (25-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clay City comes in as the the #1 team in Class 1A with a sparkling 25-1 record. Their only loss this season to Class 3A Northview, 40-35, who finished 24-3 on the season. The Eels are led by senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1297024' first='Ethan' last='Edwards']. He has had an outstanding season, and career, for Clay City as they look to continue their journey to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. However, Liberty Christian is as talented as any team in Class 1A. Last season, led by a trio of freshmen, the Lions made it to the Final Four. Now, those guys are sophomores and back in the Semi-State once again. [player_tooltip player_id='2140408' first='Kendrick' last='Martin'], [player_tooltip player_id='2414946' first='Tamarje' last='English'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2267054' first='Tywaine' last='Fuller'] will be a handful for Clay City to contain.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Predictions - Class 1A North</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kouts over Monroe Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clinton Prairie over Triton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clinton Prairie over Kouts</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Predictions - Class 1A South</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hauser over Orleans</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clay City over Liberty Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hauser over Clay City</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->