4A Regional Championship | Castle vs New Albany

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A modern day David vs Goliath matchup at the 4A Regional at Southridge on Saturday. The Cinderella Story Castle Knights started the season 0-8 and rallied in the second half of the season to win the 4A Evansville Sectional to come into the matchup at 9-16. The Knights run an 8-man rotation since the sectional led by Junior Guard Cam Rutledge at 10 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks. Senior Wing Matt Dillman follows at 9.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. The addition of 6'3” Senior Forward Connor Richards was a boost in the section for the Knights with a double-double in the semifinals against Evansville North with 10 points and 11 rebounds while averaging 8 points and 6 rebounds in the two games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The New Albany Bulldogs come into the Regional riding an eight game winning streak and winners of twelve of their last thirteen games by an average of 20 points per game. The Bulldogs steam-rolled through Sectional 15 behind Four-Star Nationally Ranked 6'5” Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2382148' first='Noah' last='Washington'], one of the states more versatile offensive weapons. The Bulldogs also feature 5'9” Senior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='1563826' first='TJ' last='Washington'], who holds an offer from Dean College. The Bulldogs also feature one of the premier freshman in the state in 6'3” Wing [player_tooltip player_id='2888227' first='Karson' last='Stoudemire'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can Castle continue their cinderella run or will the Bulldogs advance to their first semi-state since 2018? Here is the recap of the Class 4A Regional Championship between Castle and New Albany:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Starting Lineups</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Castle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Cade Baker | 5'10” | Freshman | Guard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Cam Rutledge | 6'5” | Junior | Forward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Matt Dillman | 6'1” | Senior | Guard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Carter Bobe | 5'11” | Senior | Guard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• Connor Richards | 6'3” | Senior | Forward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Albany</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• [player_tooltip player_id='2382148' first='Noah' last='Washington'] | 6'5” | Sophomore | Guard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• [player_tooltip player_id='2888227' first='Karson' last='Stoudemire'] | 6'3” | Freshman | Wing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• [player_tooltip player_id='2125697' first='Reece' last='McKee'] | 6'0” | Junior | Guard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• [player_tooltip player_id='1563826' first='TJ' last='Washington'] | 5'9” | Senior | Guard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• [player_tooltip player_id='2831119' first='Seth' last='Winslow II'] | 6'4” | Junior | Wing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Game Recap</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Castle knew coming in the game they would have their hands full with New Albany and did they ever. The Bulldogs combination of speed, size, and athleticism was too much for the Knigbts. From the opening tip, the Bulldogs led by Freshman Wing [player_tooltip player_id='2888227' first='Karson' last='Stoudemire'] and Senior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='1563826' first='TJ' last='Washington'] set the tone building a 21 point halftime lead. With a quick 7-0 run to start the 3rd Q, the Bulldogs all but put away Castle going on to win 80-44 to win the Class 4A Regional Championship and advancing to their first semi-state appearance since 2018. New Albany had three players in double figures led by Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2888227' first='Karson' last='Stoudemire'] with 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. Senior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='1563826' first='TJ' last='Washington'] also with 17 points to go with 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Superstar Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2382148' first='Noah' last='Washington'] rounded out the double digit scorers with 11 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Castle was led by Senior Guard Matt Dillman who knocked down four three-point shots on his way to 12 points. 6'5” Junior Forward Cam Rutledge got hot late in the game finishing with 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists in the loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Player of the Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2888227' first='Karson' last='Stoudemire']: 17 points | 4 rebounds | 3 assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3556830,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/IMG_6284-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1773523883.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/IMG_6284-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1773523883.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3556830" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6'3” Freshman Wing [player_tooltip player_id='2888227' first='Karson' last='Stoudemire'] was dominant from the opening tip to the final buzzer in New Albany's Regional Championship Victorh over Castle. The physical wing showed his versatility on both ends of the floor turning defense into offense early, while showcasing his all around skill on the offensive end with his ability to play inside and out. He uses his size and strength to his ability being able to play through contact on drives while also being able to guard any position on the floor defensively. He played with a high motor and put his stamp on this game in more ways than just scoring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->