Prep Hoops Indiana Semi-state Preview – Class 2A

<!-- 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:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/03/prep-hoops-indiana-semi-state-preview-class-1a-2/">Class 1A Preview</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gary 21st Century vs Wapahani (Michigan City)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starting off for Class 2A north is a monster showdown between Gary 21st and Wapahani, arguably the two favorite teams to represent the north in Indianapolis in two weeks. For the most part, bother of these teams have had a pretty smooth path to getting to semi-state and took care of business in Regionals last week with Gary 21st getting big win over Bishop Luers and Wapahani surpassing Western Boone. The balance of both of these teams is pretty solid but the matchup to watch here will be between two of the top 2026 guards in the state, Terrrence Hayes and [player_tooltip player_id='1561131' first='Camden' last='Bell'], both who are the leading scorers for their respective teams. Wapahani was in the position just a year ago and they have redemption on their mind as they look to get back to Indianapolis, and this time, get the win. Winner of this one likely going to Indianapolis. <strong>The Prediction: Wapahani</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Manchester vs Jimtown (Michigan City)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you wanna talk about 2 teams that have just steamrolled their way to getting to semi-state in Class 2A, you gotta look at both Manchester and Jimtown. Something tells me that when these two teams face, it's not going to be as easy as it has been up to this point. All eyes will be on Grace signee [player_tooltip player_id='1297028' first='Gavin' last='Betten'] with his 26.4 point per game but he will have his time with Jimtown senior center [player_tooltip player_id='2391222' first='Branden' last='King'], who is bringing in 17.4 points and 8.0 rebounds a game up to this point. You can probably expect both of these guys to show out but it may come down to which of Betten and King get help from their running mates, with Manchester's senior guard Ethan Hendrix or Jimtown senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1297022' first='Dylan' last='Fey']. It is a top heavy matchup where you could flip a coin as far as who comes out here. For me, I like the team with the best player on it and that is Manchester. <strong>The Prediction: Manchester</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Parke Heritage vs Forest Park (Washington)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When it's comes down to south half of Class 2A, both games just feel like heavyweight matchups and the first one we have on tap is Parke Heritage and Forest Park. When looking at south part of Class 2A, these probably the two toughest teams out of the four so you know it is going to very physical. Forest Park coming off arguably the biggest upset in the Class 2A postseason with them knocking off the favorite South Ripley, but they are in for another tough one when they face arguably the best remaining player in Class 2A, [player_tooltip player_id='1560965' first='Treigh' last='Schelsky'] as well as his stud teammates in [player_tooltip player_id='2140339' first='Carter' last='Crum'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1297106' first='Renn' last='Harper']. If Forest Park is going to want to repeat another big win, it will need a ton of help from their rising start sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2140403' first='Kamdon' last='Partenheimer']. This game, for me, comes down to experience and Parke Heritage has been to this point a few more times in recent years and they are a team that has what it takes to make it to Indianapolis. <strong>The Prediction: Parke Heritage </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Linton-Stockton vs University (Washington)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Out of the four games that make up Class 2A, this one is probably my favorite matchup as it's just two teams you don't often see, or ever, go head-to-head. Respectfully, both Linton and University have both had two really strong seasons and have had to go through some teams to get to this point. Linton escaped a very good Providence team in Regionals while University got a one point win over Triton Central so there was a strong chance that neither team could have made it to this point. University has a pair of guard in senior [player_tooltip player_id='2277819' first='Max' last='McComb'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1282878' first='Blake' last='Gray'] but may not have a guy that can matchup with Linton's [player_tooltip player_id='1560992' first='Paul' last='Oliver'] so this could be a game where either team may try to make the other play to their style. Whichever team can do that, comes out the victor. <strong>The Prediction: University</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Final Predictions</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wapahani over Manchester</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parke Heritage over University</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->