IHSAA basketball Class 2A semistate: How they got here, players to watch, predictions
One step from the state finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, but it takes two wins to get there. We take a closer look at the semistate matchups on Saturday with a look at Class 2A:
At Logansport
Gary 21st Century (21-5) vs. Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian (24-3), 10 a.m.
How they got here: Seventh-ranked Gary 21st Century defeated Whiting (93-57), Andrean (68-60) and Illiana Christian (71-52) to win the sectional and took out Westview 67-58 in the regional. Four of the Cougars’ five losses are to 4A programs and the other came to Chicago Kenwood. This is the first 2A sectional and regional title for Gary 21st Century.
No. 3 Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian defeated South Adams (62-30), Manchester (75-42) and Adams Central (39-32) to win the sectional and defeated Triton 80-59 to win the regional. The Braves have seven regional championships.
Coaches: Larry Upshaw, previously an assistant at the school, is in his third season at Gary 21st Century. He has a 51-24 record.
Matt Roth is 24-3 in his first season at Blackhawk Christian. The former Indiana guard coached on Marc Davidson’s staff from 2013-16 and coached last season as an assistant at Heritage.
Players to watch: Gary 21st is led by 6-4 senior Ashton Williamson (16.4 ppg, 9.6 assists, 7.4 rebounds, 3.0 steals), 6-4 senior D.J. Moss (15.1 ppg, 11.3 rebounds, 2.1 steals), 6-4 senior Quintin Floyd (14.9 ppg, 10.0 rebounds), freshman Terrence Hayes Jr. (8.3 ppg, 5.8 rebounds) and senior Roy Cast (6.4 ppg, 4.6 rebounds).
Blackhawk Christian is led by 6-6 senior Josh Furst (18.9 ppg, 7.8 rebounds), 6-4 senior Gage Sefton (16.2 ppg, 5.8 assists), 6-8 sophomore Kellen Pickett (13.3 ppg, 8.2 rebounds, 39% 3-pointers), 6-4 junior Isaac Smith (9.1 ppg, 2.4 rebounds and 6-3 senior Jimmy Davidson (7.0 ppg, 5.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists).
Prediction: There are some great matchups Saturday and this one might be right at the top of the list. Blackhawk beat Gary 21st in the Class A regional in 2018 and ’19. Blackhawk Christian 69, Gary 21st Century 63.
Wapahani (25-1) vs. Lewis Cass (19-7), noon
How they got here: Second-ranked Wapahani knocked off Monroe Central (76-33), Lapel (49-41) and Muncie Burris (53-34) to win the sectional and defeated Carroll (Flora) 73-50 in the regional. The Raiders lost their season opener to Muncie Central before ripping off 25 consecutive wins. This is the first regional title for Wapahani.
Lewis Cass defeated Pioneer (65-29), Rochester (54-43) and Wabash (61-56) to win its first sectional in nine years. The Kings beat North Judson 62-51 to win their first regional since 2014.
Coaches: Wapahani coach Matt Luce is in his 16th season at the school with a 283-93 record. He led the Raiders to four sectional titles prior to this year. The Wapahani graduate started his coaching career with one year at Southwestern (Hanover), one year at Crawfordsville and three years at Benton Central.
Lewis Cass coach Kyle Johnson is 58-41 in four years at the school. He coached Winamac from 2010-17, winning two sectional titles and has a 159-103 record in 11 years.
Players to watch: Wapahani is led by 6-1 junior Isaac Andrews (18.1 ppg, 6.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists), 6-3 senior Aidan Franks (17.2 ppg, 5.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists), 6-6 senior Nathan Nelson (12.0 ppg, 6.5 rebounds), junior Nick Cook (6.2 ppg, 3.5 rebounds), freshman Camden Bell (5.2 ppg, 2.3 rebounds) and 5-8 sophomore Nate Luce (4.7 ppg).
Lewis Cass is led by 6-5 senior Luke Chambers (16.0 ppg, 9.8 rebounds), 6-6 senior Tyson Good (14.8 ppg, 3.4 assists), 6-4 junior L.J. Hillis (9.9 ppg, 4.0 rebounds), 6-6 senior Keaton Lewellen (5.8 ppg, 3.4 rebounds) and 5-10 senior Haden McClain (4.5 ppg, 2.3 assists).
Prediction: These programs met in the regional nine years ago with Lewis Cass winning by a point. Wapahani gets some revenge. Wapahani 61, Lewis Cass 55.
Championship, 8 p.m.
Prediction: This should be a great one to end the night. Blackhawk Christian 64, Wapahani 63.
At Southport (Southport Fieldhouse)
Brownstown Central (23-4) vs. Scecina (18-6), 10 a.m.
How they got here: Fifth-ranked Brownstown Central defeated Eastern (Pekin) (46-35), defending state champion Providence (44-42) and Southwestern (Hanover) (72-42) to win the sectional and then took down Forest Park 64-49 for the program’s first regional title in 14 years.
Scecina defeated Eastern Hancock (55-40) and Triton Central (57-45) to bring home a sectional title and defeated Park Tudor 45-42 in the regional at Greenfield-Central for the program’s first regional championship in five years.
Coaches: Dave Benter is 448-161 in 25 seasons at Brownstown Central, his alma mater. He has twice led the Braves to the state finals in Class 2A.
Jim Stanbrough, an assistant at Lawrence North the past nine seasons, is 18-6 in his first year at Scecina.
More:Often ignored for jobs, Jim Stanbrough gets chance... at 67. He's making up for lost time.
Players to watch: Brownstown Central is led by 6-4 junior and Purdue recruit Jack Benter (29.0 ppg, 7.2 rebounds) He is shooting 53% from the field and 38% from the 3-point line. Junior Parker Hehman (10.1 ppg) and sophomores Chace Coomer (9.0 ppg, 3.1 rebounds) and Colby Hall (9.9 ppg, 5.4 rebounds) are also key players for the Braves.
Scecina is led by 6-foot senior guard Keaton Thibo (15.5 ppg), 6-8 sophomore Kaleb Milan (10.8 ppg, 5.4 rebounds), senior guard Jordan Porter (7.7 ppg), junior guard David Mendez (6.2 ppg, 2.1 steals) and senior Mason Beriault (3.8 ppg, 3.7 rebounds, 2.4 steals).
Prediction: I think Scecina can make this tough, but Brownstown has a lot of offense. Brownstown Central 56, Scecina 48.
Parke Heritage (19-9) vs. Linton-Stockton (27-1), noon
How they got here: Parke Heritage defeated Greencastle (60-42), South Putnam (65-40) and North Putnam (37-27) to win the sectional and then got past Northeastern (58-48) in the regional. The Wolves reached the state finals two years ago.
Top-ranked Linton-Stockton rolled through the sectional with wins over Paoli (72-48), Mitchell (74-42) and South Knox (49-32) and then crushed North Decatur 62-33 in the regional. It was the first regional championship in four years for the Miners.
Coaches: Parke Heritage coach Rich Schelsky is 93-42 in his fifth season at the consolidated school of Rockville and Turkey Run. He coached previously at Rockville and is 112-72 overall.
Linton-Stockton coach Joey Hart is suspended following a drunk driving arrest earlier this week so assistant coach Noah Hawkins will fill the role. Hawkins also coached earlier this season when Hart was suspended.
Players to watch: Parke Heritage is a young team led by freshman Treigh Schelsky (18.4 ppg, 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists), sophomore Renn Harper (11.0 ppg, 4.1 rebounds), junior Max Dowd (8.1 ppg, 2.7 rebounds) and sophomore B.T. Luce (7.8 ppg).
Linton-Stockton is led by 6-4 senior and Central Florida commit Joey Hart (23.5 ppg, 40.4% 3-point shooter), senior Logan Webb (15.9 ppg, 3.7 rebounds), senior Nathan Frady (9.0 ppg, 6.0 rebounds) and junior Braden Walters (6.3 ppg, 3.8 rebounds).
Prediction: Linton-Stockton beat Parke Heritage by 42 points in December. This would truly be a massive upset if the Miners don’t win. Linton-Stockton 71, Parke Heritage 52.
Championship, 8 p.m.
Prediction: Does the tumultuous week at Linton-Stockton play a factor on the court? I think the Miners probably have a slight edge, but Brownstown is legit. Linton-Stockton 72, Brownstown Central 68.
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana high school basketball tournament: Class 2A semistate preview
