Prep Hoops Indiana Semi-State Preview – Class 1A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two weeks ago there were 404 teams across four classes battling for a chance to reach Gainbridge Fieldhouse. There are now just 32 teams remaining, eight per class, and only two wins separate teams from the ultimate goal of playing for a State Championship. As always, Prep Hoops Indiana will spend the week previewing the upcoming games. Here is our official preview for the four games in Class 1A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Monroe Central vs. North Vermillion</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monroe Central has quietly been one of the more impressive teams in Class 1A throughout the season. They are 21-4, haven't lost to a 1A opponent, and enter Saturday's Semi-State riding a 10-game winning streak. The Golden Bears also feature a massive interior presence in Ta'Shaun Beatty that most teams in Class 1A can't handle. Beatty, a 6'5" 240-pound unsigned senior center, averages 17.7 points and 14.5 rebounds per game. However, it is sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2553970' first='Luke' last='Morgan'] who actually leads Monroe Central in scoring at 18.3 points per game. North Vermillion is also led by a high-scoring sophomore. 5'11" guard [player_tooltip player_id='2538005' first='Teagan' last='Leonard'] averages 17.8 points per game after putting up 20.5 points per game as a freshman. Teegan Dowers and Graham Young are two more to watch for the 16-11 Falcons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tri-County vs. Triton</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It has been a bit of a Cinderella run to the Class 1A North Semi-State for Tri-County. In order to win Sectional 50 they had to avenge three losses against South Newton, West Central, and Caston. Then, they beat Fort Wayne Canterbury 44-43 in the Regional. They are led by a strong senior class featuring Drew Foster and Gabe Miller in the backcourt who average 13.4 points and 12.3 points per game respectively. Meanwhile, Triton is no stranger to deep runs in the Class 1A State Tournament. Coach Jason Groves who a state title in 2008, finished as the runner-up three more times, and is back in the Semi-State for a second straight season. Gage Rifle and [player_tooltip player_id='2443367' first='Brady' last='Wood'] are two names to watch for the Trojans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Barr-Reeve vs. Liberty Christian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You could certainly make an argument that these are the two best teams remaining in the Class 1A State Tournament. For whatever it is worth, Barr-Reeve and Liberty Christian are ranked #2 and #3 respectively by Prep Hoops Indiana in the final regular season poll. This is Liberty Christian's third straight trip to Semi-State led by junior guards [player_tooltip player_id='2140408' first='Kendrick' last='Martin'] and Tywaine Fuller. However, this season, they've added 6'6" senior center [player_tooltip player_id='2417030' first='Monte' last='Dillard'] to the mix who averages 16.4 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. Martin, an Indiana Junior All-Star candidate, averages a team-leading 17.4 points per game. Barr-Reeve, sporting an impressive 25-1 record, is led by junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='3045017' first='Kierson' last='Lengacher'] at 13.9 points per game. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3148411' first='Jaylon' last='Graber'] adds 11.4 points per game. This will be a great battle at the Hatchet House.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bloomfield vs. Hauser</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class 1A South Semi-State is loaded. Bloomfield and Hauser have both also been ranked in the Prep Hoops Indiana Class 1A Top 10 all season long. [player_tooltip player_id='1560962' first='Blake' last='Neill'], a 6'6" unsigned senior guard, is one of the top scorers in the state averaging 28.2 points per game. The addition of sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2560373' first='Jake' last='Rose'] has made a difference for the Cardinals as well. As for Hauser, Hanover College commit [player_tooltip player_id='2814297' first='Gavin' last='Keller'] averages a team-leading 20.1 points per game. Fellow senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2272841' first='Stryker' last='Gill'] adds 16.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. This matchup will feature two high-powered backcourts from winning programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Predictions</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Triton over Monroe Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberty Christian over Hauser</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->