2022 1A Semi-State Final Four Preview

By Randy Beckett
Updated: February 19, 2022

Class 1A

IGBRR #8 North White (20-6) vs. IGBRR #3 Lafayette Central Catholic (23-4)
At: Logansport
Sagarin: North White #99, LCC #27
SOS: North White #168, LCC #35

Defending North Semi-State Champ: Pioneer

Players to watch: Coon (Sr) 11.4 PPG, Spry (Jr) 10.4 PPG, Thompson (Jr) 14.6 PPG, Cherry (Sr) 10.7 PPG

Preview: Leading returning scorer senior Lynzi Heimlich suffered an injury prior to the season, and it seemed what would be a very promising campaign for the North White Vikings may not be all they hoped. However, the Midwest conference champs didn’t seem to miss a beat and rolled along and have not lost to a 1A opponent this season. They feature three double figure scorers led by senior Caitlin Conn averaging 11.4 PPG & 8.6 RPG, along with juniors Tessa Robertson 10.8PPG, and Abigale Spry 10.4 PPG. Seniors H.Cosgray, C.Scott, and L.Annis have been consistent contributors as well. North White won its first ever Regional a week ago and will try to add a Semi-State title to their resume as well. On the other side the Lafayette Central Catholic Knights have essentially built a dynasty in 1A & 2A over the last seventeen years with fifteen sectional titles, six final four appearances and three state championships. The Knights return to 1A this season but played anything but a 1A schedule which was ranked the 35th toughest schedule in the state and included eighteen 4A & 3A teams. LCC does not start a player over 5’8 but features a plethora of talented versatile guards. an overall balanced attack and they have knocked down a 1A best 174 three pointers. The Knights are led by a pair of seniors in Karsyn Cherry (10.7 PPG & 7.7 RPG), Louisville soccer commit, and sharpshooter Caitlin Dinnen (9 PPG, 62 triples). Juniors Tori Thompson leads the Knights in scoring (14.6 PPG, 66 triples) and Kendal Rider controls the tempo from the point, while freshman Carley Barrett (12.6 PPG) has had a breakout inaugural season. The Knights will try to get to their fourth state title game where they have never lost.

Prediction:
Lafayette Central Catholic 54, North White 41
North White will need to control the pace, limit turnovers, take it physically to the Knights and limit LCC’s open looks from deep. LCC will need to play their athletic game, apply pressure when needed without getting in foul trouble and collectively rebound the ball. On paper LCC should be a heavy favorite but foul trouble or a poor shooting day, for a team that counts on the three, can change the narrative quickly. Look for the Knights to advance to their fourth state championship game.

IGBRR #2 Waldron (24-1) vs. IGBRR #5 Tecumseh (18-8)
At: Jeffersonville
Sagarin: Waldon #68, Tecumseh #87
SOS: Waldron #245, Tecumseh #141

Defending North Semi-State Champ: Loogootee

Players to watch: Oxley (Sr) 17.4 PPG, Donhoo (So) 12.4 PPG, B.Larrison (Sr) 11PPG, Bogemann (Sr) 10.6 PPG

Preview: The Waldron Mohawks feature eight seniors and have circled this season as potentially something really special for a while. The Mohawks returned four starters from a 18-win season last year and a balanced core group that feature three players averaging double figures. Seniors, forward Bella Larrison (11 PPG & 4.5 RPG), guard Morgan Bogemann (10.6 PPG, 71 threes) and guard Nichole Garner (10 PPG & 3.8 APG). The Mohawks are also the second stingiest defenses in 1A, only allowing 32 PPG. This is Waldron’s first trip to the Final Four since 2010 and they are looking to make it to their first state championship game appearance. Tecumseh was the IGBRR preseason #1 for good reason, they returned nearly their entire roster from a fifteen-win Elite Eight squad from a year ago. That includes one of 1A’s most dominate players over the last four years in senior post Kaybree Oxley (17.4 PPG & 9.3 RPG), who has scored over 1800 career points and is just 10 rebounds shy of collecting 1000 boards. She is surrounded by an experienced and productive crew that include junior guard Karsyn Flowers 9.4 PPG & 4.6 APG, sophomore forward Jenna Donahoo 12.4 PPG & 7 RPG, and senior Morgan Wilson 6 PPG, which have produced the third highest scoring 1A offense at 58 PPG. The Braves may have the most losses of any 1A Final Four team, but they earned their stripes by playing the second toughest 1A schedule (#141), which included only three 1A teams on it. After three straight regional title game losses the Braves broke through and won their first Regional title last weekend and look to immediately add a Semi-State title to their historic season as well.

Prediction:
Tecumseh 47, Waldron 46
It will be a contrast of styles as Tecumseh averages over 58 PPG and Waldron only allows 32 PPG and has only given up over 50 points one time on the season. Tecumseh, who shoots a 1A best 51% from two but only 27% from three, will need to get the ball into the paint where they do most of their damage and hit the offensive glass as they have all season. Defensively, they will need to run Waldron off the three-point line, specifically Bogemann, and stay disciplined against a very experienced Waldron team. Waldron will want to make the Braves a perimeter shooting team and need to limit them to one shot. The Mohawks will need to stay balanced and patient on the offensive end and use their senior leadership to weather any storms. This should be a dandy, if Oxley can stay out of foul trouble and on the floor for 32 minutes the Braves should be playing for a state title next weekend.

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