By GREG MENGELT
The fourth-ranked Dragons (25-2) will battle Chatard (18-10) in Saturday afternoon’s Jeffersonville Semistate with the winner punching its ticket to the title game against either No. 1 South Bend Washington (25-3) or No. 2 Garrett (27-1) next Saturday.
It’s familiar territory for Silver Creek, but it’s a completely different situation than last year. Last season, the Dragons were expected to get to state and it wasn’t a surprise when they beat Washington 54-48 at state.
This year’s team has overcome lowered expectations after losing six seniors, including four starters, from last year’s team.
“It’s not that we didn’t expect to be good,” Silver Creek’s 12th-year head coach Scott Schoen said. “I thought we had a chance to be good, but I wasn’t sure how good we would be. Honestly, I’m not sure anybody thought we’d be playing in the semistate. Last year it was kind of expected. We knew we could win a state championship. This team is totally different. Both teams are great in their own way.”
Another difference, Schoen said, is Silver Creek understands what to expect going forward. Last year, the Dragons took the same path: regional at Charlestown, semistate at Jeff and state at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Silver Creek had never been that far before last year. This year’s team not only has a clearer vision of what it takes to win a state title, they’re having more fun doing it.
“One of the biggest differences is I think we appreciate the moment more,” Schoen said. “Last year, we were learning to deal with it, how to manage winning. This year’s team has been more relaxed. We understand the routine of things.”
The Dragons aren’t looking at being the reigning state champions as an Albatross. They’ve embraced it.
“I love seeing this team reach its full potential,” Schoen said. “If that means we get beat Saturday, it would hurt, but then I think about where we were six months ago. If we win Saturday, I’ll think about how far we’ve come in sixth months. We’re still hungry and we have a chance to compete for another one. How awesome is that?”
Saturday’s opponent, Chatard, is the only team in the Final Four without a sparkling record. However, the Trojans play a killer schedule filled with 4A teams and strong Indianapolis programs. In fact, they started the season 3-6 after facing 4A programs in their first seven games. Since suffering a 63-41 loss to Charlestown on Dec. 28, the Trojans are 13-3. With a senior-laden roster, they’re playing their best basketball of the season.
“They have seven seniors and they’re hitting their stride,” Schoen said. “Like us, they’re playing with a lot of confidence. They’re a group of seniors who don’t want it to end. They play for each other and they got hot at the right time.”
Junior Caroline Bell leads Chatard, which has won one semistate title (2008), at 15 points, 11 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. She’s one of three Trojans who scores in double figures. Six different Chatard players, including five seniors, average at least five points.
“They have multiple kids who can score,” Schoen said. “Four or five kids have led them throughout the course of the season and that’s dangerous. They’re long and they’re physical. They’re a scary team.”
Like last Saturday at Charlestown, Schoen expects a very pro-Silver Creek audience Saturday afternoon at Johnson Arena.
“I think we’ll have a great crowd,” he said. “We’ve had great, great crowds and I don’t expect anything different with semistate being 10 miles away. Last year with all the restrictions, the girls didn’t get to celebrate like they should. One thing our girls are really appreciative of is our students and our fans come to games and they make a difference.
“I think we’ll have a great crowd. Last year Madison, Charlestown then Jeff. We’ve had great, great crowds and I don’t expect anything less at semi state 10 miles away. Student sectional, last year with all restrictions, girls didn’t really get to celebrate like they should. One thing our girls are really appreciating and our students, they come to the games and they make a difference. If it was me, I’d watch the Class A one then the 3A one. It’s going to be good basketball all day. The girls are comfortable there. Wish could say ton of success there and we haven’t.”
CLASS 3A JEFFERSONVILLE SEMISTATE
SILVER CREEK VS. BISHOP CHATARD
• Time: 3 p.m.
• Location: William S. Johnson Arena, Jeffersonville H.S. (2315 Allison Ln., Jeffersonville)
• Records:
Silver Creek 25-2. The Dragons have won five games in a row and eight of their last nine.
Chatard 18-10. The Trojans have won eight straight and 11 of their last 13.
• Coaches:
Silver Creek — Scott Schoen (180-110 in 12th season at Creek)
Chatard — Dan Wagner (18-10 in first season at Chatard)
• Rankings:
Silver Creek — No. 12 IBCA (single class); No. 4 ICGSA (Class 3A).
• Computer-based Sagarin Ratings:
Silver Creek — No. 18, No. 3 Class 3A
Chatard— No. 89, No. 25 Class 3A
• Most recent game:
Silver Creek — Defeated Gibson Southern 53-39 (Feb. 12, Class 3A Charlestown Regional championship)
Chatard — Defeated Indian Creek 52-36 (Feb. 12, Class 3A Greencastle Regional championship)
• Sectionals titles (most recent): Silver Creek 1 (2021); Chatard 3 (2015).
• Regular-season result: Did not play.
• Last matchup: First meeting.
• News & notes: All eight games during the Trojans’ 8-game winning streak have been by double figures. Chatard has won seven sectional titles in the last 17 years (and four in the last eight). … The Trojans and Dragons have never played each other.
• John Harrell prediction: Silver Creek 56, Chatard 40.
• Sagarin projection: Silver Creek by 18.
• Outlook: The Dragons probably aren’t going to win by 16 or 18. This isn’t the same Chatard team as it was early in the season. Clearly. But Silver Creek should win and set up a rematch with South Bend Washington for the 3A crown.
• Greg’s pick: Silver Creek 59, Chatard 52.
