Top Regional Semifinal Games (3A/4A)

<p>It is almost time for the Regional round here in Indiana, so let’s take a look at the top five Regional semifinal games in 3A and 4A across the state of Indiana.  </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong>Homestead vs. Carmel (Regional 2 at Logansport) - Saturday at 9:30</strong></li> </ul> <p>This game is easily the best game of the entire season thus far as #1 Homestead takes on #2 Carmel. This game has so many college players in it, and there are a number of Division 1 players as well. Homestead comes in unbeaten at 25-0. Carmel comes in at 22-2, but both have their losses were by 1 point to Fishers and Warren Central. Homestead is led by future Big Ten players, [player_tooltip player_id="529568" first="Luke" last="Goode"] (Illinois) and [player_tooltip player_id="1063961" first="Fletcher" last="Loyer"] (Purdue). [player_tooltip player_id="963221" first="Grant" last="Simmons"] and [player_tooltip player_id="870214" first="Andrew" last="Leeper"] also average about 20 between the two of them for the Spartans. Carmel is led by [player_tooltip player_id="769662" first="Peter" last="Suder"], [player_tooltip player_id="769678" first="Charlie" last="Williams"], and [player_tooltip player_id="874131" first="Brian" last="Waddell"]. Ultimately, this game is an absolute pick ’em, but a fun matchup inside the game will be the outstanding defense of Josh Whack vs. the outstanding offense of [player_tooltip player_id="1063961" first="Fletcher" last="Loyer"]. This matchup very well could decide the game. No matter the outcome, this is a game that no basketball fan should miss.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong>Connersville vs. Sullivan (Regional 8 at Washington) - Saturday at 1:00</strong></li> </ul> <p>Sullivan comes in at 21-3 with their 3 losses coming to Bloomington South and Greencastle, who both won their Sectional, and North Daviess by one in overtime. Connersville comes in after absolutely dominating Greensburg in the Sectional title game, and the Spartans are the best defensive team in the state, allowing under 38 points per game this year. The Spartans are led on the offensive end by [player_tooltip player_id="1063975" first="Tobey" last="Billups"] and <strong>Jonah Graham</strong>, and <strong>Kaleb Sparks</strong> helps out on the defensive end as these three players average 4 steals per game combined. Sullivan is led by their offensive trio of [player_tooltip player_id="870315" first="Rocco" last="Roshel"], [player_tooltip player_id="870312" first="Randy" last="Kelley"], and <strong>Jackson Hills</strong>. This will be a true offense vs defense battle all the way.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong>Northview vs. Beech Grove (Regional 7 at Greencastle) - Saturday at 10:00</strong></li> </ul> <p>Northview comes in at 17-7, and the Knights have won 10 of their last 11. Beech Grove has won their last 7 and comes in at 18-5. There is not much to compare these two teams as they have not played one another this year, and they have no common opponents. Northview is led by a pair of seniors, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="874184" first="Caleb" last="Swearingen"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963932" first="Brevin" last="Cooper"]</strong>, and a sophomore, <strong>Drew Cook</strong>. This trio averages over 43 points per game for the Knights. Beech Grove is a very unselfish team that usually has 7-8 players score in a given game. The Hornets are led by Gavin Mitchell and Jadyn Curry at around 11 points per game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong>Carroll (Fort Wayne) vs. Lafayette Jeff (Regional 2 at Logansport) - Saturday at 12:15</strong></li> </ul> <p>This game is definitely in the back-burner due to the Carmel-Homestead game to start the day, but this game is going to be very good itself. Lafayette Jeff comes in at 24-2 with their lone losses coming on the road to Indianapolis Tindley and McCutcheon. Carroll (Fort Wayne) comes in at 18-6, and all 6 losses have come by single digits to top-level opponents. Lafayette Jeff is led by Northwestern commit, [player_tooltip player_id="783143" first="Brooks" last="Barnhizer"], who is probably the favorite to win Mr. Basketball this year, as well as [player_tooltip player_id="874137" first="Ashton" last="Beaver"] and Jacob Collicott. Carroll is led by [player_tooltip player_id="870219" first="Jalen" last="Jackson"] at 23 points, 8 boards per game, as well as [player_tooltip player_id="1077019" first="Ryan" last="Preston"] and [player_tooltip player_id="963923" first="Sam" last="Strycker"].</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong>Valparaiso vs. South Bend Riley (Regional 1 at Michigan City) - Saturday at 11:00</strong></li> </ul> <p>South Bend Riley comes into Regional with an 18-6 record after an upset victory over South Bend Adams in the Sectional finals. The Wildcats are led by [player_tooltip player_id="569313" first="Blake" last="Wesley"] with 28 points per game, and Jackson Copley and Phillip Robles help out with 11 and 12 points per game. Valparaiso comes in with a 20-5 record, and the Vikings are led by their trio of [player_tooltip player_id="647244" first="Clayton" last="Maclagan"], [player_tooltip player_id="870239" first="Breece" last="Walls"], and [player_tooltip player_id="874152" first="Colton" last="Jones"]. This is the first meeting between these teams since 1999, and I believe that this one could really go either way.</p>