(Trey Kaufman-Renn guides Silver Creek into the Seymour semi-state)

 

The two 3A semi-state games feature four-ranked teams. Indiana Basketball Source details the games at Elkhart and Seymour this weekend.

 

Elkhart

No. 5 St. Joe (21-4) vs. No. 7 Leo (23-4)

In the regional final, St. Joe pulled off a comeback upset over No. 1 Hammond. That was on the heels of an upset win over Mishawaka Marian in the sectional. Will the St. Joe run continue making its way to Indianapolis? Notre Dame signee JR Konieczny is a big reason why St. Joe is here. The senior guard is putting up 28.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. In the win over Hammond, he tallied 24 points. In the regional surprise, Jack Futa and Will Terry were huge as well. St. Joe is loaded with seniors and size at every position. Terry is a workhorse in the paint and will step out for the occasional three. Futa is a big guard that scores in the lane.

 

Leo dominated Mississinewa before slipping by NorthWood, 47-46, in the regional final. Blake Davison, DJ Allen, and Zack Troyer have led the Lions all season. Against NorthWood, it was Allen and Troyer inside that did most of the damage. The frontcourt duo combined for 27 points. The Indiana Tech-bound guard averaged 17 points per game this season. He scored 21 against Mississinewa. With Allen and Troyer, Leo is normally bigger than its opponents. Against St. Joe, that will not be the case.

 

St. Joe had a consistent season. The only surprising loss came against New Prairie on the road by one point. The other losses were Homestead, South Bend Adams, and Mishawaka Marian. Leo had a few surprising losses – Woodlan, Dwenger, North Side. The Lions were not playing their best basketball heading into the postseason, but they have found a way to five consecutive games. Will Leo be able to slow down Konieczny? If the Indiana All-Star candidate dominates, St. Joe will roll to a victory.

 

Seymour

No. 4 Guerin Catholic (21-3) vs. No. 2 Silver Creek (23-4)

Around the state, most are likely thinking that Silver Creek is a heavy favorite. That is not the case. Guerin Catholic beat Brebeuf, Greencastle, and Northview to get to this point. The Golden Eagles are led by senior guards Joe Bobilya and Kaleb Edwards. Bobilya went for 40 points against Northview, including 10 three-pointers. He is shooting 42 percent on 7.8 three-point attempts per game. Edwards balances Bobilya’s shooting with slashing. He thrives by getting to the basket and charity stripe but will hit the occasional triple, too. Matthew Gillis is the post presence for Guerin. He averages 11 points and seven rebounds, but he will have his hands full on Saturday.

 

Since losing to Bloomington South, 42-41, on January 30, Silver Creek is rolling. The Dragons are riding a 12-game winning streak. Throughout the sectional and regional play, Silver Creek had close calls against North Harrison, Madison, Heritage Hills, and Connersville. Will the tight games continue, or can Silver Creek control the game? The Dragons have a size, talent, and athleticism advantage. Purdue signee Trey Kaufman-Renn scored 16 of SC’s 31 points in the victory over Connersville. For the year, Kaufman-Renn is posting 25.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. Not far behind him, Toledo signee Kooper Jacobi averages 21.6 points and 11.1 rebounds. That duo is tough for any high school team to stop, but Guerin is not a big team. The icing on the cake for Silver Creek is Branden Northern. The junior guard gets 15.5 points and seven assists per contest. He can also change the game with his one-on-one defense.

 

Silver Creek has the best player in the game (Kaufman-Renn), and that is often the difference in a game like this. Guerin Catholic is playing well, but is it possible for the Golden Eagles to contain Kaufman-Renn? That might decide the game.