4A Semistate Preview
Outlook: Richmond: Southport (22-6) vs. New Albany (25-1) 3 p.m. This is a mammoth battle of two great teams and plenty of great players. Southport has Joey Brunk continuing his impressive postseason play and Paul Scruggs. Then New Albany has…
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Richmond:
Southport (22-6) vs. New Albany (25-1) 3 p.m.
This is a mammoth battle of two great teams and plenty of great players. Southport has Joey Brunk continuing his impressive postseason play and Paul Scruggs. Then New Albany has Romeo Langford who is not just making a name for himself as the top sophomore in the state but potentially one of the best in the nation. New Albany and Langford are going to push the pace in this game, especially to avoid letting Brunk get into position defensively. Southport slowed the game down in finally beating Pike and its strong game, but New Albany is another step up. This is why the Bulldogs are the slightest of favorites according to Sagarin, but this game should be a thrilled with either team coming out on top.
Lafayette Jefferson:
Warsaw (25-1) vs. McCutcheon (27-3) 6 p.m.
It’s a battle of styles in this one. The Tigers will be more than happy to sit back and play this in the halfcourt, where as McCutcheon will trap and play its 3-2 zone to force issues for Warsaw. The big factor here is if Warsaw is able to handle Robert Phinisee. The sophomore guard has been impressive and had a great regional final in carrying the Mavs to the title. For Warsaw to win, it can’t let McCutcheon create turnover and find holes against its defense from outside. Players like Eddy Collins getting out could spell the end for the Tigers. McCutcheon is the favorite in this one, but Warsaw has been playing everyone tough all year and always sticks to its gameplan. Look for the Mavs to win, but it won’t be easy.
How Tough was the Road?
Southport — Opponents record combined: 88-40 – .687
The biggest thing for Southport was finally defeating Pike. That’s what the huge hurdle was to start and it overcame it. Then, Terra Haute South is a great team, but everyone thought it was Southport-North Central in that regional. With TH South playing a great game and pulling the upset, the road for Southport got a bit easier. Still, it’s been a good run against a lot of solid teams if not any of the state’s best.
New Albany — Opponents record combined: 73-31 – .702
The most impressive run as New Albany had a very hard regional. Defeating Evansville Reitz and Bloomington South in the same day was an impressive feat. The sectional may not have been the toughest, but having those two games and winning both, including an overtime contest against South means this team is ready for the challenge of Southport.
Warsaw — Opponents record combined: 68-36 – .654
The easiest road to semistate belongs to the Tigers. It did face Crown Point who was the biggest surprise for a sectional winner, but beyond that there hasn’t been any great teams the Tigers have faced in the postseason. McCutcheon very well could be the toughest test Warsaw has faced all season.
McCutcheon — Opponents record combined: 87-38 – .696
The Mavs had a challenge in regional in defeating Carmel in overtime and then taking down the defending state champs in Homestead. It’s sectional was a bit easier but had some solid tests, but this is a team that has faced plenty of strong teams throughout the year and earned its place in the final four.