(Caleb Furst leads Blackhawk into another semi-state appearance)

In the 2A semi-states, one match-up was expected, while the other features two surprising participates. The Blackhawk-Blackford game will grab statewide attention, but the Parke Heritage-Southridge game presents a fun storyline, too.

Elkhart

No. 1 Blackhawk Christian (26-3) vs. No. 6 Blackford (25-4)

Two of Indiana’s top 2021 players meet in this one. Caleb Furst is a Mr. Basketball contender, and Luke Brown is 23 points shy of 3,000 career points. Furst dominated the regional. In the morning game, Furst recorded 32 points and 19 rebounds in a close game against Churubusco. He followed it with 23 points in a win over Bowman Academy. All season, Zane Burke gave Blackhawk a great second option. For most of his career, Burke was known as a shooter, but he did plenty of damage slashing to the hoop this year. Marcus Davidson, Callan Wood, Jake Boyer, and Gage Sefton give Blackhawk scoring depth.

Blackford relies heavily on Brown and Landon Grimes. Midway through the season, Jack and Maxwell Wors left the team. The Wors provided consistent secondary options for Blackford. With them no longer on the team, Grimes elevated his game. In the first regional game, he led Blackford in scoring. The main option is Brown. He is an elite shooter that makes plays off the dribble, too. In the sectional title game against Taylor, the Stetson signee went for 50 points. He is just 25 points behind 2018 Mr. Basketball Romeo Langford for fourth on the all-time scoring list.

Churubusco and Bowman Academy gave Blackhawk closer than expected games. Can Blackford keep it close and have Brown get the Bruins over the hump? On the other side, Furst is looking to earn Mr. Basketball votes. Will he dominate Blackford’s undersized frontcourt?

Washington

Parke Heritage (26-3) vs. Southridge (17-10)

The Hatchet House welcomes two surprise teams. Parke Heritage beat No. 2 Shenandoah to get to Washington. Southridge was carried by Colson Montgomery over a talented Southwestern (Hanover) squad. In the morning session, Shenandoah beat No. 3 Covenant Christian. That was expected to determine the 2A South representative in the state final, but Parke Heritage changed that in a hurry. As usual, sophomore Christian Johnson helped Parke Heritage make sure Shenandoah could not come back. Throughout the year, Connor Davis and Riley Ferguson have flanked Johnson. Davis is a force on the glass, too.

The percentage of points Montgomery has scored for Southridge this postseason is awe-inspiring. Against Paoli, Montgomery scored all 14 Southridge first-half points. He finished with 27 of the 43. In the title game, the scoring was balanced as the senior scored 30 of the team’s 61 points. Although he is a high-profile baseball prospect, Montgomery is turning heads with this stretch. The Raiders have been on Montgomery’s back all tournament and he has them playing for a semi-state title.

Parke Heritage pulled off a major upset against Shenandoah, but will Southridge return the favor? If so, there is no doubt that Montgomery will play a big part.