2022 3A Semi-State Final Four Preview

By Randy Beckett
Updated: February 17, 2022

Class 3A

IGBRR #1 South Bend Washington (25-3) vs. IGBRR #3 Garrett (27-1)
At: LaPorte
Sagarin: SB Washington #3, Garrett #18
SOS: SB Washington #41*, Garrett #73

Defending North Semi-State Champ: South Bend Washington

Players to watch: M.Reynolds (Sr) 22 PPG, R.Jones (Jr) 11 PPG, K.Reynolds (Fr) 10 PPG, B.Kelham (Jr) 16.4 PPG, M.Ostrowski (Sr) 11.7 PPG

Preview: Once the horn sounded at the 3A Championship a year ago the South Bend Washington Panthers were a heavy favorite to return to the championship game again for another shot. Not only did the Panthers return nearly every piece of that state runner-up team but added arguably the top freshman class in the state as well. The Panthers are led by Miss Basketball candidate and Maryland commit Mila Reynolds 22 PPG & 8 RPG. Mila currently has 2000+ points and is just 27 rebounds shy of 1000 (only ten others have hit the 2000 /1000 career mark). Junior Purdue commit “The Spider” Rashunda Jones averages 11 PPG & 3.6 APG, while fellow junior and Maryland commit Amiyah Reynolds sets the tone from the point with 9 PPG & 5 APG. Add in a third Reynolds sister into the mix this season with 6’3 freshman Kira Reynolds at 10 PPG & 9.3 RPG. With only nine players rostered, depth is a concern but with talented frosh Ryiah Wilson and Monique Mitchell that too is improved over last year. Their opponent will be the one loss Garrett Railroaders, and that loss was on the road to 4A Noblesville. The Railroaders, who are the Northeast Corner Conference Champs, have knocked off two top 10 tens on their way to their first final four matchup since 2009. The Railroaders feature three seniors that have four years of varsity experience and production and a junior that has been turning heads since she was breaking school records her freshman season. Senior point guard Nataley Armstrong (9.4 PPG & 8.8 APG) is the catalyst and floor general as one of the most prolific dime droppers in state history. Fellow senior Morgan Ostrowski (11.7 PPG & 8.6), IUPUI volleyball commit, provides a big presence in the paint with her length and agility and Faith Owens (7 PPG) provides the long ball threat with 167 career triples. Junior Bailey Kelham leads Garrett in scoring at 16.4 PPG and surpassed the 1000 point mark this season. Without the services of senior Taylor Gerke, others have had to fill the void including sophomore Makenna Malcolm who has saw her role increase. Neither team can afford much foul trouble, but both put extremely talented starting lineups on the floor for the Final Four matchup.

Prediction:
South Bend Washington 61, Garrett 52
Garret will need to limit the Panthers to one shot, limit live ball turnovers that result into transition points and make Washington knock down perimeter shots. SB Washington will need to do what they do best and that’s pressure the ball on defense and attack the glass. Washington’s length and ability to clean up at the rim is an advantage that will put the Panthers over the top in this one.

IGBRR #4 Silver Creek (25-2) vs. Bishop Chatard (18-10)
At: Jeffersonville
Sagarin: Silver Creek #17, Chatard #78
SOS: Silver Creek #44*, Chatard #72

Defending North Semi-State Champ: Silver Creek

Players to watch: Mason-Striverson (Sr) 18.2 PPG, Rooney (Sr) 11.7 PPG, C.Bell (Jr) 9.5 PPG, I.Davis (Sr) 9.3 PPG

Preview: The Silver Creek Dragons are the defending 3A state champs and just one game away from being in a position to defend that title. It’s not exactly surprising the Dragons are in the Final Four but the overall season success the Dragons had after losing several key pieces from last year’s squad was impressive to those on the outside. The Mid-Southern conference champs had several role players from that squad waiting in the wings for their opportunity to pick up from where the program left off a year ago. Led by senior three-year starter and Indiana All-Star candidate and Evansville commit Kynidi Mason-Stiverson 18.2 PPG, 7 RPG & 4 APG. Sharpshooter Emme Rooney, a starter from a year ago as well, is averaging 11.7 PPG, which includes a team high 66 triples. Senior Sydney Sierota is one of those reserves from a year ago that has been a big contributor this season (8.5 PPG), along with Lacey Tingle who has averaged 7.4 PPG. Merideth Wilkinson has given a solid post presence 7.4 PPG & 4.6 RPG. The Dragons will need to get by a resilient Bishop Chatard squad which can considered themselves the Cinderella as they entered the tourney unranked at 14-10. The Trojans were just 7-7 entering January but are now on an eight-game winning streak that stretches over the last month. Coach Wagner took over a program that lost its two big stars from a year ago (Rasheed & McGinley) but returned eight seniors to the roster and a balanced attack which includes crafty guard Izzy Davis (9.3 PPG), point guard Grace Adams (6.6 PPG), forward Kate Caskey (7.4 PPG), and Carly DeCastro (7 RPG). Add in athletic junior wing Caroline Bell (9.5 PPG & 6 RPG) to the mix. All bring multiple years of experienced production to a program that have won 65 games over the last four years. The Trojans will bring a stiff challenge whether the slipper fits or not on Saturday.

Prediction:
Silver Creek 57, Chatard 46
Both teams rely on experienced senior production and have played a solid schedule. Bishop Chatard will need to take care of the ball and be aggressive and physical on both ends of the floor yet stay out of foul trouble. Silver Creek needs to use their big game tournament experience, get their balanced production and dictate the pace. Silver Creek has shown the poise, confidence and consistency of a champion throughout the year and look for them to pass the test in their backyard and get the opportunity to defend the title.

*Strength of Schedule (SOS) does not include out of state opponents

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