Outside the Huddle and your favorite cartoon frog Bounce is breaking down each regional involving area teams coming up on Saturday.
We begin today in Class 4A with Homestead, Carroll, Lafayette Jefferson and Carmel at Logansport.
HOMESTEAD (25-0) vs. CARMEL (22-2), 9:30 A.M.
The top two teams in Class 4A playing at 9:30 a.m. in Logansport? Hey, in 49 states it is just basketball, but this is Indiana…where the lack of no seeding leads to these kinds of matchups at inopportune times.
Homestead is the lone undefeated in the state, but Carmel’s two losses have come by a combined two points.
We aren’t going to compare common opponents here, because it means nothing in a game like this. Both teams are capable of beating the other, and execution and making shots will be the keys here.
Carmel is tall, physically and as fundamentally sound as ever. Charlie Williams and Brian Waddell are both 6-foot-7 forwards who crash the boards and finish around the bucket. We have seen Homestead struggle at times in the post, particularly against teams that are not afraid to beat and bang. Expect that to be the case with the Greyhounds.
Junior Burke Weldy is a sneaky good outside shooter that can get lost in the shuffle when respecting Carmel’s other threats.
Meanwhile, Homestead’s shooters and quick tempo are tough to game plan against. If Luke Goode is having an off day, Fletcher Loyer can carry the load, and vice versa. Don’t respect Grant Simmons? He will bury you with a three. Andrew Leeper showed more consistency in sectional play and can be a problem.
This one comes down to which team makes the other uncomfortable with its style. Carmel is allowing just under 40 points per game, while Homestead’ lowest point total of the year was 54 points in a win over Warsaw.
Is this the de facto Class 4A state title game? Too soon to say, but the winner here is the decided favorite.
BOUNCE PICKS HOMESTEAD
CARROLL (18-6) vs. LAFAYETTE JEFF (24-2), 12:15 P.M.
Does this matchup come down to Jalen Jackson vs. Northwestern commit Brooks Barnhizer? Well, that will be the focal point of discussion with the two combining to average over 55 points per contest, but this showdown has several layers.
Lafayette Jeff wants to get up and go, averaging close to 80 points per game this season. Carroll is more comfortable playing a more half-court style, but it isn’t scared off by a team who wants to speed it up.
Both teams have plenty of experience – with the Bronchos’ top three scorers all seniors and Carroll paced by the likes of seniors Ryan Preston and Sam Strycker in addition to the junior Jackson.
This one feels like Carroll is going to be forced to keep up on the scoreboard, which it can. However, the firepower of Lafayette Jeff will be too much.
BOUNCE PICKS LAFAYETTE JEFF
FINALS, 8 P.M.
Both Homestead and Lafayette Jeff will need to exert a lot of energy to advance to the evening final. Yes, these kids play multiple games in the summer, but not as high stakes and competitive as Saturday at Logansport will be.
For that, Bounce sees unsung heroes rising to the forefront in the final. In that respect, he likes the Spartans’ depth a bit more. Look for Grant Simmons to have a big night as Homestead wins by seven.
BOUNCE PICKS HOMESTEAD
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jalen Jackson, Carroll: Fresh off a 45-point effort in the sectional championship game against Snider, Jackson has the area abuzz about that performance and what could be in store this weekend. The junior has scored 22 or more points in each of his last five games. His ability to finish at the basket is easily one of his top qualities.
Luke Goode, Homestead: The senior Illinois signee didn’t have the best of weeks during sectionals that was capped by a season-low four points against New Haven. But expect Goode to bounce back on Saturday in what is shaping up to be the biggest single day during his time with the Spartans. Goode is not only a great shooter and finisher, he sees the floor tremendously well and can play defense at a level bigger than what his stature indicates.
Brooks Barnhizer, Lafayette Jeff: There is no team in this regional that relies upon a single player more than Lafayette Jeff does Barnhizer. Scoring 33 points per game, the senior is dangerous no matter where he is on the floor. He hits 40 percent of his threes and 66 percent from inside the arc. He has scored 40 or more points in six different games this year. The Bronchos may need that to win two games on Saturday.
These opinions represent those of Bounce and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow Bounce on Twitter at Bounce_OTH
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