March 22, 2025
What a day of semi state basketball around the state of Indiana on Saturday. Games from Elkhart all the way down to Washington were being played. There were upsets and record- breaking performances. In ERAs pre-season preview we correctly predicted the 3A and 4A championship games, Fishers v. Jeffersonville and SB St. Joe’s v. Attucks. We also completely whiffed on University being unranked in our 2A poll and Orleans coming out of a loaded 1A south. We appreciate some chaos and like to see the underdogs and unexpected teams make their runs in March. The madness yesterday at Seymour, where all 3 games were very competitive and two of the three games coming down to the very end was extremely fun as a neutral fan. The environment that Liberty Christian, Clay City, Hauser, and Orleans brought looked second to none in the entire state. Even being 1A schools, entire towns and communities came out to support their school. As you can see from the pictures at the bottom, Seymour was packed and there’s not much better than a crowded and loud Seymour gym in March. And even better than that all the games lived up to the hype.
4A Notes
- Another week another Fishers title. Fishers continued to look like a juggernaut beating both opponents by 25+. Senior guard Justin Kirby had himself a day putting up 21 points in Game 1 and 16 points in the night cap. If Kirby and the Tigers can complete the back 2 back state titles I believe Kirby makes it onto the Indiana All Star Team. Speaking of all star Crown Point’s juniors Mason Darrell put himself in the conversation for Jr. All Star with 23 points in the semi state finals. SB Riley and Homestead have some good underclassmen (Tyrese Jones and Mack Welker) and look to get back again next year.
- Jeffersonville exercised their semi state finals demons by coming back from 10 down in the morning to beat Mt. Vernon and holding on against a very good LN squad. MV’s junior guard and Purdue commit Luke Ertel has solidified himself as the Mr. Basketball frontrunner going into next season. LN got 23 points from senior Azavier Robinson but will return top 10 juniors Brennan Miller and Kai McGrew (barring a move to prep or transfer). This is Jeff’s first time in the state champ. game since Sherron was on the court in 1993 rather than on the sidelines. Jeff has been stopped 1 game short in 1995, 2000, 2010, 2013, and 2024. Michael Cooper and Tre Singleton both looked like top 5 players in the state on Saturday @ New Castle.
3A Notes
- East Chicago, Delta, Maconaquah, and heavily favored SB St. Joe’s came into Logansport on Saturday. Giving up 88 points to your opponent and a 40 piece from an individual (Josiah Ball) usually means and automatic L for your team. Not for SB St. Joe’s who put in a single team record 115 points in the morning session v. Maconaquah and 199 points total on the day. The way St. Joe’s played yesterday they looked like one of the best teams in the state, regardless of class. Chase Konieczny, Elijah King, Ethan Roseman, and Nick Shrewsberry were hitting on all cylinders, as they will return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse looking to finish the deal this year. East Chicago’s all time leading scorer, Dominique Murphy’s career ends 1 game before getting to Indy but the Cards will have a talented group of freshmen coming in next year to reload for the future.
- One of the better games of the morning came between the Brownstown Braves and New Palestine Dragons. The game seemed to go back and forth throughout with the difference being two big unexpected 3s from New Pal. freshman, Will Davison. Brownstown’s dynamic duo of Chace Coomer’ and Colby Hall careers came to an end after alot of winning (4 sectionals, 3 regionals, and 1 state championship as well as 98 games). Attucks took care of business v. Princeton in the other morning game but Princeton senior Jace Jenkins went out with a bang; 30 points on 7 threes. In the night game Attucks flexed their muscle v. New Pal getting the win, 67-49. The talented senior group at New Pal. (Julius Gizzi, Ben Slagley, Moses Haynes and Austin McMahon) end their careers as Dragons.
2A Notes
- The 2A North was a really intriguing semi state to me. Gary 21st, Manchester, Jimtown, and Wapahani made the trip to Michigan City and all felt like they had a shot to win it. 3 competitive games took place as Gary 21st held on v. Wapahani, 61-59 as both teams were rated in the top 5 of 2A. A recently hot Jimtown team faced off against a still underrated, 23-2 Manchester team. The Squires were able to get a big time shot from senior Ethan Hendrix to put Manchester up 1 and into the finals. It was anticipated by most to be a Gary 21st W on their way to state, but someone forgot to tell Manchester. The Squires did what many outside of their locker room and school thought could happen and defeated the favored Cougars, 53-50.
- The 2A south went completely off script with the unranked, University Trailblazers taking the crown over top 3 Parke Heritage in the finals @ Washington. The Wolves of Parke Heritage almost didn’t make it to the nighttime game needing a last second layup from junior Isaac Pickle in a come- from behind win over Forest Park. Keep in eye out for 6’7 sophomore Kamdon Partenheimer for the Rangers the next 2 seasons down in southern Indiana. University had to a pull out an OT underdog victory over Linton in the morning game, 59-56 before pulling an even bigger upset later on over PH, 53-47.
1A Notes
- Two teams came in on a collision course up north as Kouts came in with a 22-5 record and Clinton Prairie 24-2. Monroe Central and their talented freshman, Luke Morgan (11.7 ppg) wanted to play spoiler but the Mustangs showed why they’ve consistently been ranked inside the top 10 all year beating MC, 50-44 in the first game. CP’s all time leading scorer (and all time leading scorer in their county), Jake McGraw won their first sectional since 1982. Not only did they win a sectional, but the school’s first ever regional last weekend. The Gophers took care of Triton in the morning by 15 setting up a good championship matchup. CP and McGraw once again took care of business handling Kouts in the final, 73-59.
- 1A South @ Seymour is where I headed for the day hoping for good games and a gym full of loud fans. I had seen Orleans but haven’t got to check out Liberty Christian’s talented sophomore class (Kendrick Martin, Tamarje English, and Tywaine Fuller) and Clay City has been #1 most all season and have only seen them thru streaming. I got to check out Orleans last weekend @ their regional win v. CAI and Hauser earlier in the year @ South Ripley. The first game started out strong for Hauser. Junior Gavin Keller got hot early scoring 9 pts. in the 1st quarter. In fact, Hauser felt in control for about 28 out of 32 minutes of the game. The Jets took a 10 point lead into halftime and maintained the lead throughout the third thanks to 6’5 senior Collin Buck totaling 20 points in the game, up to that point. Orleans just hung around and didn’t let the game get completely away from them. Senior Rylan Crocker came alive in the 4th scoring 15 of his 27 points in the last quarter. The Bulldogs took a late 1 point lead with Hauser going to the line. The Jets went 1/2 and Hauser got the offensive rebound with about 20 seconds left, put it back up at point blank range, but the ball bounced off the back and Orleans secured the ball. Everyone in the gym knew who the ball was going to for the last shot and Crocker delivered the game- winning turnaround jumper to give them a 69-67 win defeating 1A #2, Hauser. Liberty Christian and Clay City was a matchup of contrasting styles. LC created chaos off their press and gave a steady CC team problems getting the ball up. Senior Christian Townsend led the Lions in scoring but Eels senior Bryce Wiram had himself a game putting in 27 pts. while doing alot of ball handling against LCs pressure. LC fought back and cut the lead to 5 or 6 in the 4th but just couldn’t get over the hump. It looked like the #1 Eels had their path to Gainbridge Fieldhouse now that #2 Hauser was out of the way. Orleans, obviously had other plans. Both teams brought, not only their towns, but possibly their entire counties out to Seymour to support the two teams Saturday night. The game was back and forth in the first with Orleans taking a 6 point lead at the break. The game plan for Clay City coming out of halftime was obvious; get the ball down low to senior Ethan Edwards. Orleans backcourt of Sr. Bryce Jones, Sr. Rylan Crocker, and Jr. Nate Brown hit big shot after big shot. It seemed to me Clay City was getting the easier looks inside with Edwards and Michael Tucker while Orleans was taking contested looks. It was a long climb but Clay City eventually took a 2 point lead after cutting into the Bulldogs lead most of the half with a loose ball falling to Edwards who got the And 1 with about 30 seconds left. After a missed free throw Orleans, who had been ahead all game could’ve folded, but kept their composure as seconds ticked off. With 12 seconds on the clock, the ball went down low to Jr. Alex Dewitt who put it up off the glass to tie it up. Wiram for CC took the ball and ran up the floor trying to get a fast break in the final chaotic seconds. Instead, the ball gets poked out from behind and goes into Bryce Jones hands for Orleans. 4 seconds were left for a fast break going the other way but CC was called for a reach in foul that sent Jones to the line. Jones was honest after the game and said he was scared to death. After missing the 1st one, he hit the second and gave Orleans a 1 point lead. Somehow the Bulldogs end up turning a 2 point deficit with 12 seconds on the clock to a 3 point win in regulation. The Bulldogs have been overshadowed and undervalued the whole year, punched their ticket to the state finals. One year after their really good class of 2024 kids graduated. Credit to Coach Bradley for getting this group to Indy next weekend.
6 Statewide Stars of the Week;
Sr. Justin Kirby- Fishers. 21 points in a W v. SB Riley. 16 points in a W v. Crown Point
Sr. Rylan Crocker- Orleans. 24 points + game winning shot v. Hauser. 10 points in a W v. Clay City
Sr. Jace Jenkins- Princeton. 30 points on 7 three’s and 3 rebounds in a L v. Attucks
Sr. Brashaun Woods- South Bend St. Joe’s. 18 points and 12 rebounds in a W v. Maconaquah. 19 points in a W v. East Chicago
Sr. Dez Briscoe- Attucks. 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 blocks in a W v. Princeton. 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks in a W v. New Pal.
Sr. Tre Singleton- Jeffersonville. 18 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in a W v. Mt. Vernon. 16 points in a W v. Lawrence North
1A State Title
Clinton Prairie v. Orleans
This is both teams first ever trip to a state finals so they’ll be a first time champion here. Jake McGraw for Clinton Prairie is the big name to know in this game, but Orleans senior guard Rylan Crocker will want his name and game to be seen as well. Crocker can get hot in a hurry and Alex Dewitt is a mismatch problem as a strong inside 6’2 kid. CP’s Alex Farley could be an X factor in this game. If Farley and McGraw are both on for the Gophers, it could mean championship. Orleans keeps finding ways to win when it seems they’re out-maned and outmatched. This should be a fun exciting 1A title game that could go either way. It’s a CP team that I’ve not seen live vs. a Bulldog team I haven’t picked to win all tournament. I’m just going to sit back and enjoy this one. Flip a coin.
2A State Title
Manchester v. University
Talk about completely unexpected, University came through a 2A south that seemed paved in gold for Parke Heritage to get through this year after losing in back to back (and now 3 straight) semi state finals. In the north all the talk was about Fort Wayne Luers and Gary 21st Century and the winner of that game had a clear path to Indy. An under-the radar Manchester team led by their school’s all time leading scorer, Gavin Betten had other plans. So, we’ll have an unexpected winner in the 2A state championship game that I certainly wouldn’t have predicted (and didn’t). If I had to pick who the favorite will be it’s hard to not go with a 25-2 Manchester team who should have the best player on the floor and potential Indiana All Star.
3A State Title
South Bend St. Joe’s v. Indianapolis Attucks
Saturday night will be special and this could be the most fun game of the day. Two fast paced high scoring teams who we picked to meet up in the 3A state title game way back in mid November. The Attucks Tigers feature 6’8 Dez Briscoe who’s been playing the best ball of his high school career over the last 4 weeks, including a big time sectional win over #1 Cathedral. Attucks is far from a one man show with fellow senior lead guard, Chris Hurt playing his way into Indiana All Star consideration. Seniors Kayden English, Che Brownlow, Imon Cousins, Lamar Jones, Ronisone Thomas, and soph. AJ Jones provide big time depth for a loaded Tiger roster. St. Joe’s is one of the few teams in the state that can matchup with with Attucks talent- wise. The Huskies have an Indiana all star of their own in Chase Konieczny. Junior Nick Shrewsberry is one of the more improved players in the state and along with top 10 sophomore, Elijah King give St. Joe’s a Big 3. Junior Ethan Roseman is capable of big games averaging double figures and senior Brashaun Woods had a monster semi state. Add in junior Braylen White and both teams should play 8-9 legit kids that are capable of being difference makers. The experience advantage goes to St. Joe’s. The home town Tigers have the advantage of playing in Indy. Advantage; the fans who get to watch this game.
4A State Title
This is the one everyone has been wanting to see. All off-season it was; who’s the top team? Is it Jeffersonville or Fishers? While the Devils have dealt with injuries throughout the season, Fishers has rolled through everyone like a freight train having not lost a game since January 27th of 2024 @ Carmel. and going 59-1 over the last 2 seasons. JonAnthony Hall, Cooper Zachary, Justin Kirby, Millen McCartney, Jason Gardner Jr., and Nathan Baker are all college players with 4 of them being D1 kids. They were tested in their sectional v. Noblesville and Westfield and Warsaw @ the HOF Classic giving teams hope of defeating the mighty Tigers but none could close the deal. This Tigers run reminds me alot of what Bloomington South did back in 2009 and 2010 winning 49 games in a row and being nationally ranked. Jeffersonville hopes history repeats itself because @ the 2010 regional the Red Devils ended that 49 game winning streak. Jeff has their own trio of D1 players in seniors Tre Singleton, Michael Cooper, and PJ Douglas. Shawn Boyd, Elijah Cheeks, Ray Laird, Terrence Nord, Caleb Jones, Jacob Wilkerson, and Gilley Polk give Jeff the depth they need to run 10 kids in and out. Fishers could come out and show the state they’re the defending state champs for a reason and blow the game wide open solidifying themselves in the all time great teams discussion. Jeffersonville could come in tired of hearing all the Fishers noise and play freely with nothing to lose. This senior group for Jeff has grown up and played together all the way through and this Fishers group have done alot of winning. Get some popcorn and sit back and enjoy the show.
