Castle, Mater Dei, Vincennes Rivet Set for Semistate Showdowns Saturday

EVANSVILLE – There is a lot on the line this weekend as three Southwest Indiana programs chase a single semistate victory that sends them to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Castle and Mater Dei will play at Jeffersonville, while Vincennes Rivet makes the trip to Jasper, and all times listed in the preview are Central. One victory puts you at the pinnacle of basketball in Indiana with an opportunity to win a state championship. A loss means the season is over.

At Jeffersonville, Class 4A Castle (23-4) meets Lawrence North (21-6) at 2 p.m. CST in a matchup that pits Castle’s return to the semistate stage against a veteran Lawrence North squad. Castle won its only state championship in 2006, the last year it advanced to the semistate, a historical benchmark the program can match by advancing. "It has a lot to do with our heart," said Hood. "No matter what happens, we are not going to give up. If we get hit in the gut, we will keep battling. (Lawrence North) is fast and athletic. We will be ready for them." Even seldom-used senior Paige Hopkins gave a lift in the regional championship with a big three-pointer to end the third quarter.

Also at Jeffersonville, Class 2A Mater Dei (17-10) faces Winchester (25-3) at 12 p.m. CST in a pairing framed by contrasting narratives. "One team was expected to compete for another state appearance. The other continues to prove the doubters wrong." That thematic line accompanies the matchup in the preview, with Winchester carrying a 25-3 ledger into the semistate and Mater Dei looking to extend a season that has already exceeded expectations.

Vincennes Rivet will play at Jasper with a win-or-go-home trip to Indianapolis at stake; the preview does not list Rivet’s opponent or game time in the supplied schedule. Rivet has made six appearances at state since 2009, and the preview notes the stakes clearly: the winner faces Northfield (25-2) or Marquette Catholic (25-2) in the state championship. "When you go into the tournament, you throw out the records," said Marshall. "We did what we had to do to win (against Tecumseh). They just have a goal in mind. I don't think one game they have felt the pressure. They feel like they have unfinished business."

The Courier & Press preview places these semistates in statewide context with additional scheduled sites and matchups: at LaPorte, Class 1A Northfield (25-2) vs. Marquette Catholic (25-2) at 12 p.m. CST and Class 4A Hamilton Southeastern (25-1) vs. Crown Point (28-0) at 3 p.m. CST; at Logansport, Class 2A Oak Hill (23-4) vs. Central Noble (27-0) at 3 p.m. CST and Class 3A Marion (23-4) vs. Northwestern (25-3) at 6 p.m. CST.

Photographic coverage in the preview includes a portrait credit: Portrait of Kyle Sokeland. All times CST; confirm venue details and Rivet’s opponent for final ticket and travel planning.