We are down to the final two weeks of the season with four area teams left standing in the state tournament. Here are the storylines heading into tomorrow’s slate of games.
4A: Wayne Looking to Make History
Last season, Wayne reached their first Semistate game since 1981 where they lost to state finalist Kokomo in the Semistate semifinals. This season’s Generals repeated as regional champions for the first time ever for the program as they’ll head up north to North Side Gymnasium in Elkhart, IN to face the Mishawaka Cavemen.
Wayne (22-3) defeated SAC rival North Side 79-69 thanks to a 26-point showing from Chase Barnes. This is a Wayne team with a plethora of talent led by the school’s career scoring leader Jevon Lewis and their talented big man HJ Dillard.
Wayne experienced what it was like to lose on that stage, and now hopes that their learning experiences from previous seasons can lead to a historic trip to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. However, they must first survive the first game against a very well coached team out of the NLC in Mishawaka. Mishawaka (20-7) is playing in their first Semistate game since 1955 after a 68-52 win over East Chicago Central.
While the Cavemen played in state back in 1914 and 1927, this program has never won a Semistate championship. This program is a team with a lot of talent but are known for their selfless play and being a team with a lot of depth. They will try to limit Wayne’s possessions as they hold opponents to 46.4 points per game. Wayne averages 70.8 points on offense. Who will come out on top? Turnovers and transition scoring will be key in this game.
The winner in that 11:45am game will play the winner of the 10 am game between Crown Point and Fishers. This regional has a combined record of 88-16.
3A: Fairfield Makes Return to Semistate
For the first time since 2007 and the first time ever as a 3A program, Fairfield is halfway there to a state championship. The Falcons (20-6) had to battle their way to a regional title with a 41-39 win over Hammond Noll thanks to Tyson Frey’s game winning basket with just a second remaining.
“They were denying and up in us for most of the second half,” said Fairfield Coach Derek Hinen. “We thought Tyson (Frey) had a good match up to drive 1-on-1 and to make sure we had the last shot. We gave him enough space and he was able to make a nice move and tough finish.”
Hinen said it was a great feeling winning that regional game and are grateful to have another week of playing basketball. As his team heads to the Berry Bowl in Logansport tomorrow, the Falcons will take on Delta (20-6) who played in the semistate championship game a season ago where they lost to eventual state champions NorthWood.
Delta is coming off a dramatic 39-37 win over Concordia at the Lapel regional. They’re led by two talented players in D’Amare Hood and Jackson Wors. Defensively, Delta is holding teams to just 41 points per game, which is Top 10 in all of Indiana. Fairfield is only allowing 41.5 points per game, which is ranked 11th.
On paper, defense will be the calling card in this game that will tipoff at Noon on Saturday. Fairfield all season long has found depth across the lineup with Carson Smith, Tyson Frey, Brooks Custer, Brant Garber and Mitchell Miller. Despite Smith being injured late in that regional game, Fairfield never lost their composure, and other players stepped up to contribute.
Hinen said at this point, everyone is a great team, which he expects a competitive weekend of boys basketball.
“Delta is going to be one of the toughest teams we have played all year,” said Hinen. “They have multiple guys that can score, but I think they are also a great defensive team. (Jonny) Manor, their point guard, is someone else I am really impressed with. Definitely their leader and a hard nosed player. He always seems to find a way to make winning plays.”
Hinen said the community has been very supportive and are excited for the team to play in Semistate on Saturday. Despite all of the attention, his team continues to stay focused on the task at hand.
The winner of this game will play the winner of the 10 am game between Peru and South Bend St. Joseph. This regional fields a combined record of 76-31.
2A: Defending State Champions Blackhawk Dominates to 2nd Straight Semistate Appearance
On paper, Blackhawk Christian had the tall task of returning to Semistate having to play in one of the five hardest sectionals in all of Indiana. The Braves (21-6) passed that test with flying colors with the 58-50 win over Bishop Luers two weeks ago.
In regionals, the Braves led by 20 points, 11 boards, 8 assists, and 5 blocks from Kellen Pickett easily dispatched Lafayette Central Catholic 64-48. Blackhawk enters this Semistate at Lafayette Jeff having to play another local team that a lot of people did not see coming.
In a season where they shared the TRC with county and TRC rival Manchester, the Wabash Apaches (21-5) are playing in their first Semistate game since 1956. Prior to 2019, Wabash had a 52-year sectional title drought. Now, they can erase the narrative of not winning a regional.
While Wabash has plenty of names on that team such as 1000-point scorer Trevor Daughtry and sharpshooter Izaak Wright, their success lies in their defense allowing just 45 points per game. Since Feb. 13, they’re only giving up 50 or more points Once in that span.
On paper, Wabash will have to compete well in the glass against a Braves squad that is averaging 32 boards per game along with their 5.3 blocks.
Blackhawk will try to punch their ticket to their 4th state finals appearance in their last 6 years. As for Wabash, who has never won a semistate championship, their last “state finals” appearance came in 1934.
The Winner of this 12 pm Semistate game will play the winner of the 10am game between North Judson and Wapahani. This regional has a combined record of 82-22.
1A: Canterbury with a Golden Opportunity at Punching Golden Ticket to State Finals
After losing to Southwood in sectionals a season ago, a similar run in history might be repeating itself. The key word is might. Last season, Southwood made it all the way to the state finals in Class 1A. Canterbury is looking to make it to that stage for the first time in program history.
At 16-9, Canterbury has already posted the most wins in a season since 2015-16, when they last played in semistate. They came ‘oh so close’ that year. 8 years later, Canterbury has made that return to take care of unfinished business.
Coach Deric Adams said his team has been extremely committed to be at their best in the state tournament thanks to a strong regular season schedule that featured plenty of talented teams across the Fort Wayne area.
Their preparation and success has come from their defense that is giving up just under 50 points per game. In their last six games, the Cavs are giving up less than 50 points in 4 of their last 6.
“We have said from day one that our bread and butter can be our defensive presence,” said Adams. “With the length and athleticism we have, we know we can bother teams. We have had several games this season, which I feel we have come out of the gate playing below our potential level on the defensive end. This was a point of emphasis heading into Sectionals and Regionals, and will certainly be heading into semistate.”
This Cavs team has talent and balance that provide that versatile offensive presence and a stingy defense. Devon Lewis is a 1000-point scorer on the Cavs who is averaging 15 points per game this season. Senior power forward Tucker Day is averaging 11.5 points and 5.8 boards per game. John Parent is averaging 10.2 points and a team-best 45% from 3.
Against North Vermillion in regionals, the Cavs grabbed 27 boards, 11 assists, 10 steals, and 5 blocks. When this team is firing on all cylinder, Canterbury is a formidable opponent in the 1A realm.
Canterbury has been happy by their season despite letting a few games get away from them early on. They felt they were capable of this run last season, but picked a bad night to play a bad game against Southwood in sectionals. However, this level of success is a reflection of how much the Cavs have improved and achieving their goals that have established 3 years in the making.
“My assistants and I sat down and really talked about what we wanted our identity to be. We knew that there was going to be the need to change the mindset of the players in the program, and I believe we have done that. Winning takes time and I think this year is a result of buy-in that started two years ago.”
Their opponent on Saturday is (17-9) Elkhart Christian who many did expect to be playing on this stage. In fact, the Eagles have never played in semistate for basketball until now. Their road to Semistate has been a difficult but rewarding one. 3 of their 4 wins in the state tournament have come by single digits with their last two wins needing a buzzer beater to pull it off.
Their superstar player is none other Coach Chad Hibbard’s son, Aiden Hibbard. Aiden just recorded 1,000 points in his career and is averaging a whopping 22.9 points per game. His scoring has went up in the state tournament as he is averaging 29.5 points per game. ECA needed a 41-point performance from Hibbard to beat Hoosier Plains champion Bethany Christian 59-52 in OT. It was Hibbard who made the final basket to beat Lakewood Park and Tri-County in dramatic fashion.
When they make the long drive to Michigan City, Canterbury will have a huge challenge to contain this star shooter as he hasn’t a game where he scored less than 20 points since February 20, and that has only happened four other times since the turn of the calendar year.
“Aiden Hibbard checks all the boxes,” said Adams. “He leads this team in several categories including scoring, assists, and rebounds. He is obviously a focus for us, but again we feel confident in our defensive scheme. This game is going to come down to who does those little things that are always talked about that change the flow and momentum in a game.”
When it comes to keys to success in this stage, it comes down to being themselves in a huge spotlight. As the tournament progresses, the spotlight gets brighter and more people are talking about these teams. Adams said every team that is still playing should know who they are and what their strengths are.
When the Cavs step on the court tomorrow, Adams’ point of emphasis has been finishing plays and be themselves.
“If you can execute the things that have gotten you to this point, and understand the tweaks that need to be made at any given time, then you are doing well,” said Adams on his team’s Semistate preparation. “That is, and has been my message the entirety of this season: ‘Let’s go be us’.”
Neither team have ever won a semistate championship. The winner of this 1 pm game (Eastern Time) will play the winner of the 11 am (Eastern time) game between freshman laden Liberty Christian and Marquette Catholic. This field has a combined record of 62-42.
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