IHSAA basketball Class 3A semistate: How they got here, players to watch, predictions
One step from the state finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, but it will take two wins to get there. We take a closer look at the semistate matchups on Saturday with a preview of Class 3A:
At Elkhart (North Side Gym)
Delta (18-9) vs. John Glenn (17-10), 10 a.m.
How they got here: Delta knocked off Centerville (63-41), Hamilton Heights (61-42) and New Castle (50-37) to win its third sectional since 2019. The Eagles went back to New Castle for the regional and knocked off Peru 54-47 for their first regional championship since 2009. Three of Delta’s regular-season losses game to 4A Hoosier Heritage Conference opponents New Palestine, Mt. Vernon and Greenfield-Central.
John Glenn took down No. 10 Tippecanoe Valley (68-55), Bremen (67-36) and Culver Academy (58-47) to win to its first sectional championship in 18 years. The Falcons then knocked out No. 9 South Bend Washington 58-54 in the regional, also their first regional championship since 2005.
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Coaches: Delta coach Mark Detweiler is in his sixth season at the school with a 112-38 record. He led Union County to 207 wins over 17 years prior to coming to Delta and started his career with three years at Randolph Southern. He is 347-231 overall in 25 seasons.
Players to watch: Delta is led by 6-3 junior Jackson Wors (14.3 ppg, 4.1 rebounds), 6-3 junior D’amare Hood (13.3 ppg, 4.6 rebounds, 37% 3-point shooting) and 6-1 junior Jayden Furney (10.5 ppg, 3.6 rebounds). Kaiden Bond (6.7 ppg), a 5-7 junior, and 5-10 senior Blake Jones (4.8 ppg, 2.3 assists) are also key players.
John Glenn is led by 6-4 senior Brycen Hannah (17.3 ppg, 7.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 6-2 junior Joseph Chrapliwy (11.6 ppg, 4.4 rebounds, 40% 3-pointers). Other top contributors are 6-foot senior Noah Dreibelbeis (9.7 ppg, 5.1 rebounds) and junior guard Chase Miller (9.0 ppg).
Prediction: I would expect this to be one of the most competitive games of the morning. I’m giving the slight advantage to the team with the best senior in Hannah. John Glenn 59, Delta 55.
NorthWood (25-2) vs. Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (13-13), noon
How they got here: Top-ranked NorthWood lost defending 3A champion Beech Grove earlier in December and to No. 1 Ben Davis in the Hall of Fame Classic. The Panthers have not lost in the 2023 calendar year, winning 17 consecutive games coming into the semistate. NorthWood defeated Wawasee (52-23), Fairfield (59-33) and West Noble (57-24) to win the sectional for the fourth consecutive year and blasted Lake Station 72-35 for the program’s first regional title since 2007 and second overall.
Fort Wayne Dwenger knocked off Angola (64-56), Heritage (61-41) and Fort Wayne Concordia (36-33) to win a sectional for the first time in eight years. A 65-43 win over Twin Lakes gave the Saints their first regional crown since reaching the semistate in 2015.
Coaches: Aaron Wolfe is in his 16th year as coach at NorthWood with a 278-110 record. This is the ninth sectional title for Wolfe and first regional championship. Wolfe played for Steve Alford at Manchester College and coached under current Penn coach Al Rhodes at Warsaw.
Dwenger coach Matt Kostoff is in his 24th season with a 294-248 overall record. He also led Dwenger to regional titles in 2014 and ’15.
Players to watch: NorthWood is led by 6-3 senior Cade Brenner (17.7 ppg, 4.5 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 38.3% 3-pointers), 6-6 senior Ian Raasch (15.4 ppg, 5.3 rebounds, 66.4% field goals), 6-7 sophomore Tyler Raasch (9.3 ppg, 6.6 rebounds), 5-10 junior Ethan Wolfe (7.2 ppg, 3.7 assists, 39.5% 3-pointers) and senior Brock Bontrager (4.8 ppg, 4.5 rebounds).
Dwenger is led by 6-8 senior Preston Ross (14.9 ppg, 8.8 rebounds, 61% field goals), 5-10 senior Sam Campbell (11.1 ppg, 3.9 assists, 35% 3-pointers), 6-8 junior Caleb Lehrman (10.2 ppg, 6.2 rebounds, 65% field goals) and senior Camren Quinlan (8.1 ppg, 43% 3-pointers).
Prediction: Dwenger has the size to make this interesting, but NorthWood is playing its best basketball of the season. NorthWood 56, Dwenger 43.
Championship, 8 p.m.
Prediction: I think NorthWood is a team on a mission. NorthWood 65, John Glenn 55.
At Seymour (Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium)
Scottsburg (21-5) vs. North Daviess (24-5), 10 a.m.
How they got here: Scottsburg rolled over Madison (69-35), Silver Creek (80-48) and Corydon Central (69-47) to earn its first sectional title since 2005. The Warriors then won a 48-46 thriller over Greensburg for their first regional crown since 2000.
North Daviess, last year’s Class A state champion, made the jump to 3A and defeated Pike Central (48-32), Vincennes Lincoln (55-41) and Washington (42-28) to take the sectional at Washington. The Cougars returned to the Hatchet House for a 48-44 win over Gibson Southern in the regional.
Coaches: Eric Richardson is in his third season at Scottsburg with a 43-32 record. Richardson was a standout player at Scottsburg and coached in college at Gardner-Webb and Elon.
Brent Dalrymple is 340-218 in his 23rd year at North Daviess. The Rushville native was an assistant at Shelbyville prior to taking the job at North Daviess.
Players to watch: Scottsburg is led by 6-3 junior Kody Clancy (17.5 ppg, 4.3 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 40.2% 3-pointers, 6-5 junior Jack Miller (15.0 ppg, 4.2 rebounds, 45.7% 3-pointers) and 6-8 junior Wyatt Zellers (12.6 ppg, 6.8 rebounds). Jacob Martin (6.4 ppg, 2.7 rebounds, 41% 3-pointers) and Kyle McGinnis (8.8 ppg, 3.4 rebounds, 36.2% 3-pointers) are also key players.
North Daviess is led by 5-11 senior guard Jaylen Mullen (17.8 ppg, 5.2 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 46.7 3-pointers), 6-3 seniors Lance Wilson (12.1 ppg, 4.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists) and Logan Wilson (11.2 ppg, 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists) and 6-5 senior Brendan Stickles (7.8 ppg, 4.3 rebounds).
Prediction: I’m taking a bit of an upset here. Scottsburg 58, North Daviess 56.
Guerin Catholic (18-8) vs. Beech Grove (17-6), noon
How they got here: Guerin Catholic had a tough road in Sectional 27 knocking off Brebeuf Jesuit 58-45 and Bishop Chatard 53-41 to a second sectional title in three years. The Golden Eagles then took out Danville 66-52 in the regional.
Beech Grove, last year’s state champion, defeated Speedway (71-50) and Cardinal Ritter (51-50) to win the sectional and then defeated Indian Creek (65-56) in the regional. This is the second regional title in program history for Beech Grove.
Coaches: Guerin Catholic coach Bobby Allen is in his fifth season with an 81-42 record. The Cathedral grad coached six seasons at Knightstown from 2010-16. He has a 137-116 overall record in 11 years.
Beech Grove coach Joe Rihm was an assistant on last year’s state championship team. He took over when former coach Mike Renfro was let go before the season.
Players to watch: Guerin Catholic is led by 5-11 junior Rob Sorensen (14.5 ppg, 4.6 rebounds, 38% 3-pointers), 6-foot senior Kamea Chandler (11.4 ppg, 3.4 assists), 6-7 junior Dylan Murans (8.1 ppg, 2.6 rebounds), Bryson Cardinal (5.9 ppg, 3.8 rebounds) and 6-5 senior Lucas Parker (5.8 ppg, 38% 3-pointers).
Beech Grove is led by 6-3 senior Jeremiah Alexander (12.7 ppg, 4.2 assists, 4.0 rebounds), 6-foot senior Jeremiah Tate (12.6 ppg, 3.4 assists, 2.7 steals), 6-1 senior Jaleel Edwards (10.1 ppg, 2.6 steals), 6-5 senior Cam Brown (8.9 ppg, 4.6 rebounds), 6-5 senior Rylan Horen (5.9 ppg, 3.0 rebounds) and senior Adrian Holland (5.7 ppg, 2.9 assists).
Prediction: The second of two great matchups at Seymour. I think Beech Grove’s experience is a factor. Beech Grove 55, Guerin Catholic 52.
Championship, 8 p.m.
Prediction: This might be an upset. I think any of these four teams could win it. Scottsburg 64, Beech Grove 60.
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana high school basketball tournament: Class 3A semistate preview
