Prep Hoops Indiana Class 3A State Championship Preview

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">New Haven</h2>   The New Haven Bulldogs are headed to the Class 3A State Championship for the first time in school history. The Bulldogs have been on a tear during the state tournament winning their six games averaging 65.3 points per game and winning by an average of 16.5 points In Game 1 of the Semi-State, 6'5” Senior Forward [player_tooltip player_id='3565469' first='Daylen' last='Jackson'] scored 8 straight points finishing with 12 for the game as four Bulldogs were in double figures as they defeated Delta 63-49.   Junior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2140444' first='Tarvar' last='Baskerville II'] was huge in their Semi-State Championship victory over Columbia City scoring a game-high 17 points, 15 of them coming in the 4th Quarter going 5-5 from the free throw line while hitting the game winning shot with 2.4 seconds left to seal the 59-55 win. Senior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2892459' first='Jadrien' last='Ezell'] knocked down four 3's on his way to 16 points while 6'5” Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2882680' first='Marquaylon' last='Johnson'] contributed 8 points in the championship game.   The Bulldogs have had an historic season winning the schools first ever basketball regional championship and now have the opportunity to bring home the Class 3A State Championship.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tournament Path</h2>   Sectional: Mississinewa (69-51); Bellmont (63-25); Marion (74-60)   Regional: West Lafayette (64-49)   Semi-State: Delta (63-49); Columbia City (59-55)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cathedral</h2>   The Cathedral Fighting Irish have been a top 2 team in Class 3A all season long and flexed their muscles throughout their state tournament run averaging 83.8 points per game and an average margin of victory of 27.5 points. The Irish kept it rolling in Game 1 of the semi-state defeating #3 Princeton 85-64 behind 24 points from Mount St. Mary's Commit [player_tooltip player_id='1561435' first='Julien' last='Smith']. Athletic 6'5” Junior Forward [player_tooltip player_id='2140333' first='Braylon' last='Pippins'] controlled the paint finishing with 14 points while Detroit Mercy Commit [player_tooltip player_id='1561135' first='Keaton' last='Aldridge Jr'] finished with 11 points.   In the Semi-State Championship game it was the [player_tooltip player_id='1561135' first='Keaton' last='Aldridge Jr'] show as the 6'3” Senior finished with 29 points in the Fighting Irish 73-68 win over #1 Silver Creek.   Cathedral makes their way back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the first time since 2022 when they won the 4A State Championship. This is the Irish first Class 3A State Championship appearance since the 1997-1998 season.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tournament Path</h2>   Sectional: Indianapolis Shortridge (100-51); Indianapolis Herron (95-25); Indianapolis Attucks (81-63)   Regional: Brebeuf Jesuit (69-67)   Semi-State: Princeton (85-64); Silver Creek (73-68)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Players</h2>   New Haven   • [player_tooltip player_id='2140444' first='Tarvar' last='Baskerville II'] | 6'2” | Junior | Guard (16.3 ppg)   • [player_tooltip player_id='2892459' first='Jadrien' last='Ezell'] | 6'3” | Senior | Guard (10.8 ppg)   • [player_tooltip player_id='2882680' first='Marquaylon' last='Johnson'] | 6'5” | Junior | Guard (6.3 ppg)   • [player_tooltip player_id='3565469' first='Daylen' last='Jackson'] | 6'5” | Senior | Forward (6.5 ppg)   • [player_tooltip player_id='2837232' first='Lavell' last='Ledbetter'] | 6'4” | Junior | Forward (8.2 ppg)   Cathedral   • [player_tooltip player_id='1561135' first='Keaton' last='Aldridge Jr'] | 6'3” | Senior | Forward | Committed: Detroit Mercy (18.1 ppg)   • [player_tooltip player_id='2414964' first='Owen' last='Peterson'] | 6'3” | Junior | Forward (5.2 ppg)   • [player_tooltip player_id='2140333' first='Braylon' last='Pippins'] | 6'5” | Junior | Forward (9.3 ppg)   • [player_tooltip player_id='2140441' first='Skylar' last='Rodgers'] | 6'1” | Junior | Guard (6.6 ppg)   • [player_tooltip player_id='1561435' first='Julien' last='Smith'] | 6'1” | Senior | Guard | Committed: Mount St. Mary's (15.6 ppg)