4A Semistate preview: Penn's Joey Garwood grows into a big part of Kingsmen success

MISHAWAKA — Joey Garwood has grown in a lot of ways since his days as a small in stature freshman in the Penn High School boys basketball program.

The hard-working senior sharpshooter is now a big part of the success for his Class 4A semistate-bound squad.

Garwood, who entered the program at 5-5 and 110 pounds, has blossomed into a 6-3, 170-pounder who has been a key contributor in a stellar season for the No. 2 Kingsmen.

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Garwood, who is part of arguably the best backcourt in the state, will look to help Penn claim the second semistate title in program history Saturday. Penn (27-1) faces No. 3 Hammond Central (26-1) in the second semifinal game at Michigan City at 1 p.m. EDT. No. 5 Kokomo (22-4) meets Fort Wayne Wayne (21-4) in the 11 am EDT opener. The semistate title game is set for 8:30 p.m. EDT Saturday night.

The Michigan City Semistate winner advances to the Class 4A state championship game on Saturday, March 25 at approximately 8:15 p.m. in Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Penn Hall of Fame coach Al Rhodes says Garwood has grown into a key player after earning a starting spot as a junior.

"I'm very pleased with Joey's development as a player for us," said Rhodes, owner of 692 prep wins and one state title at Warsaw in 1984 in his illustrious 42-year coaching career. "He is the epitome of a player getting better. He could always shoot, but now he is a very good all-around basketball player.

"Joey worked his way up in our program. He did a great job adding weight once he got taller and he has worked hard to improve his defense this year. He's done a great job in that area. He compliments our other two guards (Markus Burton and Joe Smith) greatly by giving us someone who is a shooter and hits crucial shots for us. He's a perfect teammate in that regard."

Garwood is Penn's second leading scorer at 11.8 ppg. He also averages 3.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 53 percent overall from the field. He is shooting 46 percent on 3-pointers (56-of-123) and shoots 78 percent from the free throw line.

The personable Garwood, who has helped Penn produce a state best 51-4 mark the past two seasons, says it was all about faith to get where he is now.

"I'm a big faith person and I just trusted God," said Garwood Wednesday at Penn's Media Day prior to practice. "I just put my head down and continued to work. Getting taller was the most important thing and hitting the weightroom to get stronger when I did grow.

"There's always self doubt in any journey and there was a lot of adversity my first two years in the program here. But my Dad (Joe, who is 6-2) and my family were always there for me to support me. My Dad always said to trust the process and that's what I did. Everything happens for a reason."

Garwood, who averaged 9.2 ppg. on last year's 24-3 team that lost in the regional final, was big in Penn's 73-60 win over Chesterton last Saturday in the regional at Michigan City. He scored 17 points as Penn sidelined the team that had knocked them out of the state tournament a year ago.

Garwood has a big fan in teammate Burton, whom he has known since the third grade. The Notre Dame bound Burton, who is the frontrunner for Mr. Basketball honors, leads the state in scoring at 30.3 ppg. He has scored a program best 852 points this season and now ranks 26th in state history with 2,216 career points.

"Joey is a big part of this team and I'm glad we have him," said Burton, who has now scored in double figures in 55 straight games, including 34 points in the regional win. "He brings great energy, he loves to talk and he's always positive."

"He's one of the best shooters in Indiana. He's always there to score the ball for us and to knock down shots. He's always been a good shooter, but he's improved his game a lot. He is more physical now and plays better defense. He's also just a great teammate."

Garwood, who has helped Penn win its last 21 games, knows what it takes to be able to tickle the twine from long range on a consistent basis.

"It's all about confidence, mental approach and getting reps of shots up in the gym," said Garwood of his prolific proficiency from distance. "My shooting ability spreads the floor. I'm a numbers guy and I do like to see my stats. I know that I'm at 46 percent on threes.

"I think that my defense is what has improved the most. I've always been able to shoot the ball. But now I'm more physical and my length is a factor since I've grown and that has helped my defense."

Garwood is an avid hoops "junkie" and said that he enjoys the likes of Golden State guard Steph Curry, for his shooting prowess, and guard Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat, for his "swag", as two of his top NBA players to watch.

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Garwood combines with Burton and fellow senior Joe Smith, who are both four-year starters for Penn, to lead a team that leads the state in scoring at 77.6 ppg. The Kingsmen trio average a combined 53 ppg. and have helped the Kingsmen also lead the state in average margin of victory at 30.9 ppg. The prolific backcourt has also combined for 172 treys this season.

"I'm blessed to have the opportunity to play with Markus and Joe," noted Garwood, who wants to play in college but is still undecided as to where. "They are great leaders for our team. They have helped me so much."

Rhodes, now in his 15th season coaching his alma mater, says some college is going to get a good one in his now tall and talented wing man.

"I believe that Joey has great college potential," said Rhodes, who ranks as the third winningest current coach and 11th all time in state history in wins.

"Someone at the next level is going to get a really good pickup in him."

CLASS 4A NORTH SEMISTATE SEMIFINAL

Who: Fort Wayne Wayne (21-4) vs. No. 5 Kokomo (22-4)

When: 11 a.m. EDT on Saturday

Where: Michigan City High School, Wolves Den

Players to watch: Fort Wayne Wayne (5-9 junior guard Javon Lewis 17 ppg., 6-0 sophomore guard Chase Barnes 13.9 ppg., 6-2 senior guard Monte Smith 10.8 ppg., 6-6 sophomore forward H.J. Dillard III 9.3 ppg., 9.2 rpg., 6-5 sophomore forward Preston Comer 6.8 ppg., 8.1 rpg.). Kokomo (6-10 junior center Flory Bidunga 19.7 ppg., 13.4 rpg., 4.3 bpg., 82 percent field goal percentage, guard Shayne Spear 11 ppg., guard Zavion Bellamy 6.8 ppg.).

Worth noting: Kokomo's Bidunga is the No. 2 rated center nationally in the Class of 2024 and was named the Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year Wednesday...He has received offers from Big 10, SEC, ACC and Big 12 schools among others....Kokomo has won 15 straight games...Bidunga had 18 points and 10 rebounds despite foul trouble in 68-55 win over Fort Wayne North in regional...Bellamy scored a career-high 22 points and Spear 18 in regional win...Wayne has won 13 games in a row...Wayne finished 4-18 last season...Lewis and Comer each scored 18 points in 62-60 win over Noblesville in regional.

CLASS 4A NORTH SEMISTATE SEMIFINAL

Who: No. 2 Penn (27-1) vs. No. 3 Hammond Central (26-1)

When: 1 p.m. EDT on Saturday

Where: Michigan City High School, Wolves Den

Players to watch: Penn (6-1 senior guard Markus Burton 30.3 ppg., 6-3 senior wing Joey Garwood 11.8 ppg., 6-0 senior guard Joe Smith 10.9 ppg., 6-8 senior forward Dylan Derda 5.1 ppg., 5.5 rpg., 6-8 senior forward Josh Gatete 3.6 ppg., 4.9 rpg.). Hammond Central (6-3 senior guard Jordan Woods 13.5 ppg., 6.5 apg., 6-3 junior Matt King 12.1 ppg., 6-0 senior Vynce Overshown 9.3 ppg.).

Worth noting: Penn has won its last 21 games since a 65-53 loss to No. 1 and undefeated Indianapolis Ben Davis in the Hall of Fame Classic December 30...Penn has won one semistate title in 2001...Penn senior Josh Gatete has committed to attend the Air Force Academy...Penn has never played Hammond Central, Kokomo or Fort Wayne Wayne in boys basketball...Hammond Central is in its second year as a school after the consolidation of Hammond High, Hammond Clark and Hammond Gavit...Central has won its last 18 games since its lone loss to Whitney Young (Illinois) 61-56...Central point guard Woods is committed to play football at Eastern Illinois...Central beat Mishawaka 59-46 in the regional at Michigan City despite going scoreless in the third quarter.

Worth quoting: "We're down to the Elite Eight now (in Class 4A) and anyone can beat anyone," said Penn coach Al Rhodes. "But we have as a good a chance as anyone. We've played excellent basketball. No one else has a scoring margin in games like we do as a team."

Worth quoting: "We can do this (win a semistate)," Penn star guard Markus Burton said. "We just need to stay level headed and go out and compete. I'm just glad my team is in this situation."

IHSAA BOYS BASKETBALL SEMISTATE PAIRINGS

Saturday (All times EDT)

CLASS 4A

North at Michigan City (Wolves Den)

• 11 a.m.: Fort Wayne Wayne (21-4) vs. No. 5 Kokomo (22-4)

• 1 p.m.: No. 2 Penn (27-1) vs. No. 3 Hammond Central (26-1)

• 8:30 p.m.: Championship

Sourth at New Castle (New Castle Fieldhouse)

• 10 a.m.: No. 8 Brownsburg (21-4) vs. No. 9 Jennings County (24-2)

• Noon: No. 1 Indianapolis Ben Davis (30-0) vs. Bloomington North (19-5)

• 8 p.m.: Championship

CLASS 3A

North at Elkhart (North Side Gymnasium)

• 10 a.m.: Delta (18-9) vs. Glenn (17-10)

• Noon: No. 1 NorthWood (25-2) vs. Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (13-13)

• 8 p.m.: Championship

South at Seymour (Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium)

• 10 a.m.: No. 11 Scottsburg (21-5) vs. No. 6 North Daviess (24-5)

• Noon: No. 12 Guerin Catholic (18-8) vs. No. 14 Beech Grove (17-6)

• 8 p.m.: Championship

CLASS 2A

North at Logansport (Berry Bowl)

• 10 a.m.: No. 7 Gary 21st Century (21-5) vs. No. 3 Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian (24-3)

• Noon: No. 2 Wapahani (25-1) vs. Lewis Cass (19-7)

• 8 p.m.: Championship

South at Southport (Southport Fieldhouse)

• 10 a.m.: No. 5 Brownstown Central (23-4) vs. Indianapolis Scecina (18-6)

• Noon: Parke Heritage (19-9) vs. No. 1 Linton-Stockton (27-1)

• 8 p.m.: Championship

CLASS 1A

North at Lafayette Jefferson (Marion Crawley Center)

• 10 a.m.: Southwood (13-12) vs. No. 2 Fountain Central (23-4)

• Noon: No. 10 Michigan City Marquette Catholic (20-7) vs. Kouts (17-9)

• 8 p.m.: Championship

South at Washington (Hatchet House)

• 10 a.m.: No. 8 Indianapolis Lutheran (17-7) vs. No. 4 Loogootee (20-7)

• Noon: Jac-Cen-Del (18-9) vs. Rock Creek (11-14)

• 8 p.m.: Championship

IHSAA STATE FINALS

Saturday, March 25 (All times EDT)

• 10:30 a.m.: 1A championship

• 12:45 p.m.: 2A championship

• 6 p.m.: 3A championship

• 8:15 p.m.: 4A championship

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: IHSAA 4A Boys basketball michigan city semistate Penn preview