What to know for each IHSAA boys basketball semistate in Southwestern Indiana

EVANSVILLE — Only two games separate those left in the IHSAA boys basketball state tournament from Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Four teams remain from Southwestern Indiana heading into the semistate round on Saturday. Two play each other in a matchup that's been anticipated for much of the season. What will it take to advance? Here's a look at each area semistate including players to watch.

A reminder that the state championship isn't until March 30 due to Indianapolis hosting the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament next weekend. All times listed are CDT.

More: Bosse leads four SW Indiana boys basketball IHSAA regional champions

Class 3A at Seymour

No. 6 Guerin Catholic (21-7) vs No. 3 Danville (22-3), 9 a.m.

No. 15 Bosse (15-10) vs No. 4 Scottsburg (22-5), 11 a.m.

Championship, 7 p.m.

Players to Watch: Bryson Cardinal, Guerin Catholic (12.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg); Kody Clancy, Scottsburg (20.0 ppg); Chris Glover II, Bosse; Taray Howell, Bosse; Evan Lawrence, Danville (13.1 ppg, 11.0 rpg); Jack Miller, Scottsburg (15.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg); AP Mitchell, Bosse; Robert Sorensen, Guerin Catholic (16.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg); Elijah Tricker, Danville (11.1 ppg, 5.1 apg, 4.2 rpg); Wyatt Zellers, Scottsburg (12.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg).

Outlook: A trio of top-six teams and another playing its best ball in March. This is a stacked group.

Danville spent much of the season ranked No. 1, but Scottsburg and Guerin Catholic weren't far behind. You could also get a range of styles with physicality and athleticism. The Bulldogs will see a blend of the two in the semifinal.

The Warriors have a trio of capable scorers – Clancy had 30 against Batesville in the regional – but also limit opponents to 41.7 points per game. Four of their losses were to sectional champions or runner-ups. One potential advantage for Bosse could be its speed and quickness on the perimeter. Yes, Bosse is the underdog on paper but much of that is the rough start in December. The Bulldogs aren't playing like it now.

Bosse coach Shane Burkhart: "(Scottsburg) has three kids that, if you don't do it right, are going to cause issues. They're big enough put you in a bind. It's just a matter of us being able to execute our defensive game plan. I didn't ever feel bad about this team. It's a matter of this team believing in what was being said and what we're trying to get accomplished."

Class 2A at Southport

No. 8 Park Tudor (20-5) vs No. 1 Brownstown Central (25-4), 9 a.m.

Forest Park (18-9) vs No. 16 Parke Heritage (23-5), 11 a.m.

Championship, 7 p.m.

Players to Watch: Jack Benter, Brownstown (Purdue recruit); Jace Berg, Forest Park; Carter Crum (9.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg); Renn Harper, Parke Heritage (12.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg); Parker Hehman, Brownstown; Hudson Horvath, Park Tudor (19.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg); Reid Howard, Forest Park; Jaxon Lueken, Forest Park; K.J. Mark, Park Tudor (12.0 ppg); Treigh Schelsky, Parke Heritage (15.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.7 apg).

Outlook: There is a clear favorite in top-ranked Brownstown, who has the best player (Benter) and a solid roster around him. The larger question is who can put together a strong, complete game to beat the Braves?

Park Tudor gets the first shot and is averaging 71.3 points in the postseason. Parke Heritage has multiple scorers and shoots the ball at a high clip. That's not to discredit the Rangers, who found an extra gear lately. Howard has the capability of carrying the load (see his 34 points in the regional), but the team is arguably stronger with multiple options. Forest Park has eight different players who've reached double figures this season.

If the Rangers start strong or get hot from deep – eight players have hit at least 10 threes – they'll be a tough out.

Forest Park coach Drew Messmer: "(Parke Heritage) is the most like us of any team we've played this season. We match up extremely well. A very good offensive team that can hurt you on the perimeter with quickness. Our guys typically respond to the challenge. At times, they've kind of relaxed and defer instead of being aggressive and balanced team. They need to step up and have confidence in themselves."

Class 1A at Washington

No. 13 Greenwood Christian (18-7) vs No. 8 Bethesda Christian (21-7), 9 a.m.

No. 2 Evansville Christian (24-2) vs No. 1 Barr-Reeve (24-2), 10:45 a.m.

Championship, 6:30 p.m.

Players to Watch: Max Booher, Greenwood Christian (19.6 ppg); Luke Davis, Evansville Christian (7.7 ppg, 9.1 rpg); Luke Douglas, Bethesda Christian (14.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg); Josiah Dunham, Evansville Christian (23.8 ppg, 5.3 apg, 4.8 rpg, 2.4 spg); Braydon Knepp, Barr-Reeve (11.2 ppg, 3.3 apg); Andrew Lynn, Evansville Christian (10.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg); Evan McIntire, Greenwood Christian; Donnie Miller, Barr-Reeve (11.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg); Sam Mlagan, Bethesda Christian (15.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.8 apg); Seth Wagler, Barr-Reeve (11.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg).

Outlook: This matchup felt inevitable. No. 1 vs. No. 2. The perennial contender against the newcomer.

More: How Evansville Christian boys basketball became a potential state championship contender

A lot of eyes will be on the second semifinal. Barr-Reeve is the definition of consistent with three players averaging 11 points. The Vikings also proved themselves in tough tournament games. ECS has been one of the top teams in the state all winter with a strength of schedule rated first in 1A. The Eagles also counter with potential Indiana All-Star Josiah Dunham. Something needs to give.

The reward for surviving the semifinal? A tough game against Greenwood (relentless man-to-man defense) or Bethesda (long and athletic with shooters).

Evansville Christian coach David Kruse: "We knew it would eventually, in the regional or semistate, come down to us and Barr-Reeve. They just have a system. I think those kids are born in that system and come up running the same stuff. They want to play a certain style. We haven't been in this situation and try to simulate it as much as we can. We'll just have learn on the fly."

Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: What to know IHSAA boys basketball semi-state Southwestern Indiana