MATT’S MATCHUPS HOOPS 16-17 – SEMISTATES

COMPILED BY MATT KOPSEA
Things didn’t go so well for me in the regional round as I posted a 30-18 record (63 percent). With just two weeks left, my overall record is now 348-114, which leaves me at 75 percent for the season.
CLASS 4A
Merrillville (21-7) vs. Fort Wayne North (26-2) (6 p.m., Huntington): Cameron Wilbon’s 12 points lifted the Pirates to a 50-46 win over Warsaw. Jaylen Butz tallied 14 points and eight rebounds in the Legends’ 52-49 overtime decision over Carmel. Merrillvile is going for its third semistate crown and first since 1995, while F.W. North has won two titles, but none since 1965. Matt’s pick: F.W. North 75, Merrillville 65.
Indianapolis Ben Davis (21-5) vs. Castle (24-3) (3 p.m., Seymour): Jalen Newsom drained five 3-pointers and finished with 15 points in the Giants’ 44-21 win over Connersville. Alex Hemenway netted 17 points in the Knights’ 72-64 upset of defending state champion New Albany. Ben Davis has captured four semistate championships, but none since 1996, while Castle is trying for its first trip to the state finals. Matt’s pick: Castle 64, Ben Davis 63.
CLASS 3A
Twin Lakes (24-3) vs. Fort Wayne Bishop Luers (19-7) (4 p.m., Huntington): Bryce Bennington scored a career-high 26 points as the Indians claimed their first regional title with a 69-64 overtime win over Griffith. Anton Berry chipped in 10 points for the Knights in their 54-50 double overtime triumph over Tipton. Twin Lakes is playing in its first semistate, while Bishop Luers claimed back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009. Matt’s pick: Twin Lakes 57, Bishop Luers 55.
Indianapolis Crispus Attucks (24-3) vs. Evansville Bosse (20-7) (1 p.m., Seymour): Keane’e Harris contributed 16 points as the Tigers captured their first regional since 1970 with a 74-60 overtime decision over Tri-West. Mekhi Lairy finished with a career-best 40 points in the Bulldogs’ 81-71 overtime win over Brownstown Central. Crispus Attucks is going after its sixth semistate, but first since 1959, while Bosse is trying for its eighth and second in a row. Matt’s pick: Evansville Bosse 70, Crispus Attucks 67.
CLASS 2A
Marquette Catholic (19-9) vs. Frankton (21-6) (1 p.m., Lafayette): Joe Andershock netted 13 points as the Blazers rallied from a 14-point fourth quarter deficit for a 67-65 win over Gary Roosevelt. Maurice Knight’s 12-foot jumper with 2.5 seconds on the clock helped the Eagles to a 54-52 victory over Covington. Marquette Catholic is in pursuit of its third semistate in the last four years, while Frankton’s lone crown came in 2015. Matt’s pick: Marquette Catholic 65, Frankton 62.
Heritage Christian (17-9) vs. Crawford County (21-6) (6 p.m., Richmond): Kyle Somers came up with 16 points, helping the Eagles post their first regional since 2006 with a 65-50 win over Northeastern. Brent Smith canned six 3-pointers as the Wolfpack posted their first regional since 1995 with a 48-32 win over South Knox. Heritage Christian and Crawford County are both looking for its first semistate championship. Matt’s pick: Crawford County 53, Heritage Christian 49.
CLASS 1A
Gary 21st Century (19-8) vs. Lafayette Central Catholic (21-6) (1 p.m., Lafayette): Johnell Davis contributed 15 points as the Cougars erased a 13-point first quarter deficit in a 76-73 overtime win against Oregon-Davis. Jake Page chipped in 19 points as the Knights downed defending state champion Liberty Christian, 69-54. Gary is going for its first semistate title, while Lafayette Central Catholic is looking for its first overall and first since 2003. Matt’s pick: Lafayette Central Catholic 68, Gary 21st Century 61.
Indianapolis Tindley (22-5) vs. New Washington (20-9) (4 p.m., Richmond): Eric Hunter tallied 21 points as the Tigers claimed their first regional title with a 78-62 victory over Indianapolis Lutheran. Hunter Lind poured in 15 points for the Mustangs in a 67-62 win over Wood Memorial. Both Tindley and New Washington are trying for its first visit to the state championship game. Matt’s pick: Tindley 73, New Washington 64.