Semi-State Saturday in Seymour began with the Guerin Catholic Golden Eagles and Silver Creek Dragons playing for a berth in the 2021 Class 3A State Championship game.  Guerin, keyed by the efforts of 6’5” Senior Matthew Gills in the low post, held a 13-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The one-two punch of 6’7” Senior Kooper Jacobi and 6’10” Senior Trey Kaufman-Renn (each a strong candidate to be named an Indiana All-Star) accounted for all 10 SC points in the second quarter, one that ended with the Dragons holding a narrow 20-19 lead.

While Kaufman-Renn was held to one made field goal in the second half, 5’11” Junior Branden Northern, along with Jacobi, keyed the Dragons’ offense with a combined 19 second-half points.  

Not to be overlooked, however, is the effort of the Silver Creek defense, particularly from Northern and 5’11” Junior Trey Schoen, on Guerin’s Joseph Bobilya (Bobilya made 10 threes in the Regional Championship game last week).  The defensive effort held Bobilya to zero made field goals, and a total of two points.

Silver Creek’s ‘Big Three’ combined for 43 points on the day, and the Dragons put the game away with a strong effort of 20 points in the fourth quarter.   

For Guerin, I was really impressed with 6’3” Senior Kaleb Edwards, a skilled and athletic left-handed Guard.  Edwards led the Golden Eagles with 14 points.  Also to be recognized for Guerin is Gillis, who scored 13 points in an outstanding effort in the interior against the size and length of the Dragons.  6’0” Freshman Jack Cherry also knocked down a three-point basket for Guerin.

At the end of the day, Silver Creek’s star power won the day, and the Dragons will now attempt to defend their State Championship (from 2019) against the Leo Lions.