Griffith vs. Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger 4:00 p.m.

 

Six weeks ago, no one could have possibly predicted that this would be the matchup to decide who would represent the north half of the state in the 3A title game. Griffith had just had the rest of their season canceled by the IHSAA after a game-ending brawl with Hammond, and Bishop Dwenger sat at 5-13 after a stretch where they lost 13 of 16 games. Since then, fortunes have definitely turned around for each school. Griffith was reinstated by way of a court order, and Dwenger bounced back behind the leadership of their senior class.

 

Griffith won a redrawn sectional at the Hammond Civic Center, then advanced past the regional round with a pair of victories over Twin Lakes and South Bend St. Joseph at Kankakee Valley. Griffith can beat you in multiple ways, by scorching hot shooting from behind the arc, or pounding the ball inside. In the Twin Lakes game, twins Anthony and Tremell Murphy had identical 19 point, nine rebound lines. At night, the Panthers were led by Anthony Harris, who had 23. Tremell Murphy put up a double double of 20 points and 12 rebounds. With the Murphys and Harris, Griffith possesses one of the most athletic and formidable frontcourts in all of 3A.

 

Bishop Dwenger makes a repeat trip to semi-state, unthinkable after a loss to 1A Blackhawk Christian that put them at 5-13 on the year. Since then, the Saints have won nine straight behind their experience. With five senior starters, big game chops are plentiful on their roster. They knocked off Hamilton Heights in the morning regional game behind four threes and 22 points from shooting guard Ryan Christman. In the nightcap, Christman failed to scored, but point guard Kyle Hartman led the team with 14 points and the game winning assist to Marcus Stepp for his three pointer to give Dwenger a 43-40 win over NorthWood. Seniors Hartman, Christman, and Stepp are joined by classmates Joe Verraco, a 6'2 forward that can really shoot it, as evidenced by his 26 point effort against Leo, and 6'3 senior forward David Peters, who handles the inside duties. Hartman, Christman, and Stepp all play major roles on last year's semistate team, so the environment will not faze them.

 

Jeff's pick: Griffith

Trevor's pick: Bishop Dwenger

 

 

 

South Semi-State (Southport)

 

Guerin Catholic vs. Vincennes Lincoln 6:00 p.m.

 

Guerin Catholic took out Lebanon in the morning game at Greencastle then managed to hold high scoring Tri-West to just 46 points in the regional championship. The Golden Eagles are no stranger to semi-state action, having won in 2012 on their way to a state title, and losing last year to Greensburg on the way to their second of back to back titles. Guerin has everything necessary to make a run at a state title, with solid point guard play in Matt Godfrey, outside shooting with Christian Munson, and a difference maker in the frontcourt with Lehigh signee Matt Holba. Munson had 16 and Holba 12 as Guerin rallied in the fourth to beat Tri-West. Defense has been a key for Coach Pete Smith's squad, as they have held each of their last four opponents to 46 points or fewer.

 

Vincennes Lincoln knocked off two time defending state champs Greensburg in overtime in the morning game, then got 16 points from Conner Barmes and a game saving block from Kevin Pratt to defeat Evansville Memorial 45-44 for their first regional title in the class basketball era. Coach Jeff Hein has had solid teams in each of his seven years at Lincoln, but this is the year the Alices broke through to the final four. Brandt Nowaskie provides the Alices with a scorer that can be relied on in late game situations.

 

Jeff's pick: Guerin Catholic