With just two area teams remaining in the Indiana high school boys basketball postseason, Outside the Huddle is breaking down the chances of a northeast Indiana team advancing to Bankers Life Fieldhouse next weekend.
Today, we look at top-ranked Blackhawk Christian (26-3) taking on the Luke Brown-led Blackford Bruins.
THREE STORYLINES
1. LUKE BROWN
The story of Luke Brown has been told numerous times over the last few years – a basketball sensation in rural Indiana putting himself and the Blackford program on the map.
With Brown, the Bruins have won two-straight sectional championships and the program’s first-ever regional crown last weekend. The Stetson commit is averaging over 31 points per game and has a chance against Blackhawk Christian to become the state’s No. 2 all-time leading scorer.
2. THE MISSION
Blackhawk Christian has been the heavy favorite all season to represent the northern half of the state in Class 2A in Indianapolis. Nothing short of a trip to Bankers Life Fieldhouse (at least) will be a disappointment.
Yet despite the pressure, the on-court tests and the off-the-court challenges, the Braves are where we expected them to be – playing for a spot in the 2A title game.
While Purdue-bound Caleb Furst is the star, Blackhawk Christian is built on depth. Zane Burke would be in the OTH Player of the Year Conversation if it wasn’t for Furst. Marcus Davidson and Jacob Boyer are extremely underrated, while the bench has enough talent to spell the starters to rest and recoup.
3. CANCER FIGHT
Blackhawk Christian coach Marc Davidson has shared publicly his ongoing battle with cancer, with a recent check-up showing the spread into his lungs.
Davidson hasn’t shied away from the limelight that has been thrust upon him in this situation. Numerous media outlets – including The Indianapolis Star – have profiled Davidson’s plight.
While not a direct part of Saturday’s game, Davidson’s situation will no doubt be on the minds of many.
FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH
LUKE BROWN, SENIOR, BLACKFORD
Since his first game on the floor as a high school freshman, Brown was wow’d crowds throughout the state with his basketball abilities.
Brown has near-unlimited range. It is not rare to see him pull up feet behind the three-point arc and bury a shot. He has launched 562 shots this year, more than DOUBLE anyone else on the team. His 294 three-point attempts (of which he has hit 45 percent of them) eclipse the total field goal attempts by every individual Blackford player.
Brown will get his against Blackhawk Christian, of that there is no doubt.
CALEB FURST, SENIOR, BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN
With double-doubles in 22 of 24 games this season, Furst has proven to have no equal in the post on both ends of the floor. Last week, he helped hold 6-foot-8 Churubusco senior Landen Jordan to just a single point for the entire game.
Yes, Furst scores in bunches, but it is clear-out ability on the glass and his defense that truly make him a difference maker at the prep level.
Blackford has no answer for Furst, something that will be evident all game long on Saturday.
LANDON GRIMES, SENIOR, BLACKFORD
Blackford’s top complementary player to Brown, Grimes is a 6-foot-5 forward who can be very active on the boards against smaller teams. He connects on 58 percent of his field goals and is averaging 12.2 points and 8.3 rebounds a game.
Grimes must find a way to get dirty and make some plays on both ends, even when facing Furst. Brown can go off, but it doesn’t matter if no one else helps him out offensively.
ZANE BURKE, SENIOR, BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN
Do not judge Burke on his playoff mustache, but rather his contributions on the court. Burke is second on the team in scoring at 18.7 points per game.
Perhaps more importantly, he is THE guy who makes the Braves offense go. He sees the floor exceptionally well and can drive and kick or toss an entry pass as good as anyone.
KEY TO VICTORY – BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN
1. WORRY WITHOUT WORRYING
Luke Brown is going to get his points, that is no debate. Yet Blackhawk Christian is still the heavy favorite even if Brown goes off. The Braves have their own dominant offensive player in Furst, and the supporting cast is much more talented than what Brown has at Blackford.
Coach Davidson is going to try and slow down Brown, but barring a herculean effort by the senior or a complete collapse by Blackhawk Christian, there isn’t much Blackford can do in this one.
KEY TO VICTORY – BLACKFORD
1. HOPE BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN IS OFF
When Homestead knocked off Blackhawk Christian during the regular-season, the Braves held tough throughout but could not hit the big shot. In fact, they couldn’t hit any shots – finishing an astounding 0-of-16 from three-point range.
Many of those misses came on good looks, so the credit should not go to Homestead for that. Sometimes, it is just not your day shooting the basketball.
That’s what Blackford needs on Saturday, an off day for Blackhawk Christian’s shooters. A tough shooting day could be the only way the Bruins can emerge victorious.
PREDICTION
Blackhawk Christian is the decided favorite here. Yes, Blackford has Luke Brown, but the Braves have the depth and the championship pedigree while the Bruins are appearing in their first-ever semistate.
In terms of common opponents, the Braves knocked off both Shenandoah and Barr-Reeve in the Hall of Fame Tournament in December, while Blackford lost to both at the same event, including a 25-point loss to Barr-Reeve.
This one should be entertaining in terms of high-profile scoring from some studs, but in the end it is Blackhawk Christian all the way.
BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN 77, BLACKFORD 59
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