Episode 33: Semi-State, who will play at Lucas Oil; Westfield or Crown Point?

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Episode Transcript

(00:06):
Hello, Hello, Hello, Welcometo the Shamrock Sports Cast. I'm Rowan
Olbert, joined by Drew Taylor,Calie Stigler, but special guest the one
and only Duffy Films. How youdoing, my friend? Was good?
Was good? Was good? Imean, we have a lot to get
into Crown Point semi State this Fridayat Crown Point undefeated undefeated, Yeah,

(00:33):
twelve and no, I mean thisis a matchup. I'm I've actually anticipated
a possibility of it happening since earlyon in the year. Knowing that it
was a possibility, I was notexpecting this matchup though I knew Westfield would
be here, but Crown Point Iwas a bit shocked. First semi state
appearance in school history, Yeah,I believe, Yeah, the first.

(00:57):
Yeah, they won regionals last week, the first time they've won regionals since
nineteen eighty eight. So yeah,that's wild. But let's talk about last
week Westfield HSC and I mean,boy, game, it was so back
and forth that like, that's mymain takeaway. I guess what was your

(01:19):
biggest takeaway from the overall team performancefrom Westfield in a twenty four to twenty
one win. I think overall isjust a very well balanced performance because if
you look at I think two ofHC touchdowns honestly came off of miscommunications,
as one was a pump lock theyknow was the Donovan Hamilton touchdown, but
they had like three opportunities to tacklethem. So all around, it was

(01:42):
just a great team win. Andobviously with Colton going down that definitely maybe
motivated the guys a little bit,but they all around just a great team
win. Yeah, it was agreat team win. You know, I
was in the stands, and theenergy that the fans brought like that was
an energy that I think kind oflike up like the players, especially after

(02:02):
what happened to Colton, Like theylike came out and they persevered and they
played for him. Yeah, Ithink I think, honestly that might be
one of our best games all year, just the way we played. And
then you know, obviously I saythat we tend to be a you know,
a second half team, but ontop of the fact, adding that

(02:23):
Cohen went down before half, thatjust added more, I guess feel to
the fire, especially on defense,and that drive, that first defensive drive
after you know, the half wasprobably the best drive on defense we've had
all year in my opinion, Soyeah, I mean, do you think
I mean, I mean, Iobviously with Colton Colton's injury, I do

(02:44):
want to say, you know,he's in our thoughts for sure. I
mean his family and teammates as well. Got a feel for everybody involved.
But moving on from that, well, I want to talk about really,
I mean you mentioned it. Thesereally looked great because there were only like
on the two scoring three scoring playsfrom HC, two of them were miscommunications.

(03:08):
They really, in my opinion,only had one or two great drives.
And Westfield they're gonna need that againstthis Crown Point team that's been pretty
good defensively all year. And CrownPoint they're a bit of a mystery.
But we do know one thing forsure. They're two hours up north and

(03:31):
Duffy. You do not want todrive two hours, don't you. Well,
I mean it's always semi state.It's always you know, kind of
difficult because a lot of the teamsthat you know, make it to some
of my state are up up northmost of the time. So it's you're
either play like we either play CarolMaryville, you know, yearning year out.

(03:52):
Even though Maryville got moved down tofive day, I think. But
yeah, just like it's such afar drive. That's why when it came
down to that kick with Penn,because if we would have Penn would have
won, we would have played athome, which is why I was.
I was watching the game because Ireally wanted Pen to win, only for
the fact I didn't want to drivetwo hours. But you know, I

(04:13):
do think, I do think it'llbe I don't want to say an easier
game, because I mean, youdon't want to underestimate anyone, but like,
I don't think it'll be as difficultas the HC game. Oh but
at the same time, I don'twant to say that. And then you
know, they put up forty,so I mean they're a team that's capable
of putting up forty. They've putup forty six times all year. And

(04:34):
going back to the Penn Crown pointgame, a game that Crown point in
the fourth quarter, they kind ofcollapsed. I mean, they gave up
thirteen points in the fourth quarter.It was almost going to overtime. Then
Seamus Mulaski, one of their bestdefensive linemen, came in and blocked the

(04:55):
pat and crown point first time sincenineteen going to the semi state first time,
I mean since nineteen eighty eight winningthe regional championship. But Drew,
I do have to ask you,what have you seen from this Crown Point
team? I mean, the team'sa mystery. Like I mentioned, I

(05:18):
mean, they don't have stats upon the max Preps. But just like
on Twitter and everything like that,what could be a challenge for Westfield that
Crown Point does. I think they'reexplicity. Maybe if they got that edge
that on those running backs go offthat edge, they can kind of stun
Westfield. Put up some quick pointsfast, that's the best way for them

(05:41):
to stay in it. They donot. They can't let Westfield play the
game at their pace because if ithappens, Westfield will win. For Crown
Point, they have nothing to losehere. I mean, they're a mystery.
No one really just sides the teamsup north. No one really knows
how to handle them. So Ithink that's all in their favor. I
agree with everything and Drew s yeah, I think, like I think a

(06:03):
lot of the on the line.A lot is on the line for Westfield
due to the fact that obviously youknow, the state championship, but also
we haven't won one in six Ayet, and we've been I don't know
how many times we've been before,I for you know, my freshmany or
whatever. But like, we've neverwon in six A and we've been really
good numerous years. Just haven't youknow, been able to execute, you

(06:28):
know. And then thinking further toif we go to state, which you
know I don't want to you know, talk about it and then not go.
But at the same time, youknow, Crown Point Ben David or
Senate Grove Ben Davis, you know, and you know in the other semi
state for six A, you know, there's gonna be another really good game.
You know. I think Center Grovejust Senate Grove has doublementum only because

(06:49):
they've done it three times in arow, you know, and Ben Davis
has made it to that semi statealso almost every year. So it's just
you know, Friday's gonna be abig, big day and you know,
I hope lesser wins, but younever know. Yeah, and I mean
Center Grove Ben Davis that might bea top five matchup in the country.

(07:11):
I mean that probably rankings wise,the two best teams in the state of
Indiana, but they both kind ofstruggled last week Ben Davis barely getting past
Cathedral. Cathedral kind of on adown year too, and then Center Grove.
Really, I mean they didn't looklike their dominant cells against Warren.

(07:32):
Well it was the right half,yeah, I know, Ben Warren and
Warren was what five and seven?Yeah, which, by the way,
I don't know how they made itthat photo regionals, but yeah, I
mean they find a way that they'rea good program over there. I mean
they they've had some down years.Yeah, they've had some down years,
but overall they are they are good. They're a good program, very well

(07:58):
run over at war Yeah. Well, I think the same is for you
know, Ben Davis, because wewe always tend to scrimmage Ben Davis.
You know, every preseason it's alwaysthe Ben Davis CARMELU scrimmage, whatever,
the jamboree. Yeah, and sometimesCarmel doesn't want to play. But that's
besides the point. I think BenDavis is always you know, the connection

(08:22):
between both of us. We allpretty much know a lot of people there.
They know a lot of people here, you know, the coaches.
So it's just I think I thinkwhat I'm what I'm predicting is a Westfield
Ben Davis State championship. But atthe same time, I mean, I
wouldn't be surprised if Senegrove goes back, you know, and that would suck

(08:43):
only for the fact because I don'twant to lose a Senegrove three times.
Yeah, I mean, but alsocenter Grove. I think in the last
like I guess, four years,this might be the most vulnerable they've been
in that time frame. And theyhave a target on their back for what
they've done the last three four years. I mean, the program has been

(09:07):
incredible. They've produced a lot ofD one talent and more D one talent
to come. But going back toWestfield and Crownpoint, I want to talk
about Crownpoint some more. That quarterbackthough, Noah Airlick, He's unreal.
I mean, the guy can runvery well, have the pockety as six

(09:28):
rushing touchdowns, twenty four passing overtwo thousand yards as offers from Miami of
Ohio, Toledo Central Michigan. Heactually might, I'm being completely honest,
he might be the best quarterback Westfield'splayed all year. How does Westfield prepare
for a guy who like Westfield?Let's be real, they have not seen

(09:50):
elite quarterback play. They have notgone against elite quarterback play all year.
So how do you prepare for aguy like Noah Erlick. You got to
make sure to get that pocket tocollapse on him quick, make him get
it out fast. But also Ibelieve he is pretty mobile, so that
also can kind of be a problemthat they go to play action and stuff

(10:11):
like that. So really, thosetight coverages don't want to make those zone
reads and like I said, yougotta contain the pocket. Yeah, I
agree. I think we have toput pressure on him and make him make
mistakes because those are what Westfield canuse to their vanish and put points on
the board. Uh. I think, you know, a lot of the

(10:33):
quarterbacks Westwood has played previously are justreally quick and great with quickly seeing something
and then you know, maybe escapinga sack or two or whatever. But
I think when you watch you know, film on him and you see how
he actually plays, he actually hasa pretty good awareness, you know,
pocket presence, and for the mostpart, from what I've seen, he

(10:54):
could throw the ball. So Ithink it's just Westfield's really got to focus
up because like I said, Imean you're in the state tournament. You
made it to semi state, andpretty much both teams are good. You
can't really say there's a bad teamand the four best teams in you know,
six A. So it's just Ifeel like Wessell's really got to lock

(11:16):
in for this one because I mean, you never know, and they're they're
going in with a ton of confidenceand so early. So yeah, and
I mean Crown Point two airlok greatplayer, but they're not a passing team.
They run the football and they runthe football very well. Last week
they're running back Larry Ellison, aguy who played dB last year, had

(11:37):
thirty eight carries for one hundred andseventy eight yards three touchdowns. He has
thirty total touchdowns on the year,looking like a prime LT in the two
thousands, you know, But noLarry Elson, the guy who can run
all over you. But Airlook two. In the sectional championship he was nine

(11:58):
for none, only nine passing attempts, but four touchdowns. They are such
a high scoring team. But nowI do have to ask you all,
what's your score prediction for Westfield CrownPoint I think it's going to be extremely

(12:20):
high scoring game. I'm gonna goWestfield thirty eight Crown Point thirty one.
Wow, I'm gonna go Westfield thirtyfive Crown Point twenty eight, forty two
two. I don't know. Ifeel like Westfold could put up like forty

(12:41):
something points. Uh huh. Ithink Crownpoint will be well behind, with
like a good like thirty something.I think West's gonna win by a good
margin, yeah, in my opinion. But I do think I think the
first half is gonna start off prettyslow, just because, like, you
know, they're a different team.You know, obviously it's a two hour
bus. Sorry for those guys.They're probably tired getting out of school,

(13:05):
you know, so I think,and and that's that's why I think last
year when HSC had to go upto Carol, I think that's played a
big part of why they lost,even though I do felt like HSC was
a way better team than Carol.But you know, that's what Gilbert was
saying last game. You know,when Colan went down, the same thing
happened to HSC in the semi State. One of their D linemen, their
best D linemen went down, andthey just played horrible just because they were,

(13:28):
you know, sad, whatever yeah, and on top of that,
you had to go two hours thereand backs or four hours in total,
but you know, two hours thereand then two hours back, and it's
just you know, you gotta yougotta always stay locked in because I mean,
it's gonna be cold. I meanyeah, you should know that by
now. In Indiana when the statetournament starts, is gonna get really cold.
So I think, you know,and that's that's one thing that Kendall

(13:52):
practices. You know, if ifthey're gonna wear sleeves during the game,
they gotta wear sleeves at practice onlybecause that can really affect you know,
bas security. Yeah, so it'sjust that's the thing they all got to
practice. I mean Kendall Kendall isgreat, but you know, you expect
a fumble of two for him,Yeah, had each game. Yeah yeah,
I mean, but at the sametime, he also has stats to

(14:13):
you know, back that up.So I mean yeah, I mean yeah,
like last week over two hundred yardsa guy Garnet. Kendall Garnett is,
in my opinion, a guy likewhen we look at I was reading
an article, was Indie star likemister football nominees And honestly, Kendall Garnett
is a guy who I feel Icould be in the running for the running

(14:35):
for Mister Football. Probably not gonnawin it. I mean, they are
much more deserving guys, you know, like other running backs too, But
Kendall Garnett is a guy who Ithink should at least be considered for the
award. But he's got another yearafter this year, so he'll definitely be
in the running next year. Yeah. My my score prediction Crown Point a

(14:56):
team that's been dominant in the regularseason, their last regular season loss coming
October fifteenth, twenty twenty one,and Westfield. I don't know how they're
going to contain that run game,and I think, honestly, they might
not be able to. They mightlet Elson run for over one hundred yards,

(15:18):
and that's fine as long as youdon't let Airlick dominate in the same
way. But the Westfield offense isgoing to come out firing on all cylinders
and they're going to put up fiftytwo points. Fifty two to thirty five.
Westfield gets the win. Wow,I mean, look a little biased
there, Maybe, oh not atall, Actually, I think I think

(15:41):
and look, I mean I meanthis with all the respect in the world
for Crownpoint. There are levels andwhat I mean by that is, look
at who Crownpoint has been playing allyear. I'm not saying they're bad teams.
Well, they're a tough team.Crown Point is a tough team.
I will say, Ye, thereare a good team. And what they've
been doing no matter what competiti,what competition level you play, it's quite

(16:04):
impressive. But they've never played ateam like Westfield in the last like I'm
gonna say, even two or threeyears, they've never played a team like
Westfield, and it's gonna show onFriday, that's my prediction. We'll also
think at the same time, thisteam is hungry for a state championship,

(16:26):
you know, even just to goto state because you know, especially these
seniors, they've been here for itall. You know when we lost both
times, and I mean they're justthey want someone Obviously it's your senior year.
Nobody wants to lose. But likeit's just I know, those Western
teams hungry for it and you knowthey're gonna get it. So yeah,

(16:48):
yeah, I totally agree. Butyeah, we talked about Westfield Crown Point
a game that will be broadcasted liveon our radio network and this podcast.
Depending on where you're listening to it, it might be live right now on
the radio. So that's pretty cool. And let's talk about other Westfield sports

(17:12):
really quickly. Last night Westfield LadyRocks basketball picking up a fifty one to
forty two win over Mount Vernon toadvance to three and one on the year.
And Ellie Keller her ten points thirtyeight percent from the field, Aubrey
Aubrey Crockett, younger sister of Alyssa, going off twelve points and shooting eighty

(17:38):
percent from the field, quite impressive, and Westfield girls. Westfield girls basketball
off to a very hot start.What's your biggest takeaway so far? I
mean, it's looking great for Westfieldgirls basketball. Mean, Alyssa Crockett,
as you mentioned, her younger sisterkind of is filling her shoes a little,

(18:00):
I mean big shoes to film,so that continues. And for the
Lady Rocks to try to get asectional championship or something like that out of
the season would be great. Yeah. I think a sexual championship would be
great. You know, last yearthey were pretty good, and I think
this season with Ellie Keller hurt andher last year, she's hungry for something
like that. Yeah, well,I think, you know, I think

(18:26):
I think the girls basketball team hasa possibility to go really far this year.
You know. Same thing with theyou know, men's basketball team this
year. But you know, Ithink both of them have a have a
good good chance of going really farthis year, especially in the tournament,
you know, and I mean Westfieldyou know, hasn't been that great at

(18:47):
basket at least tournament play, youknow, So it's you know, and
I guve it's harder than you know, obviously, they have more games to
play than like football would or youknow, but I think both of them
are gonna do really well year,you know, based off the first you
know, a couple of games.So yeah, And another thing I want

(19:07):
to point out Reagan Lorenzen last yeardid not play much of a factor in
the team winning or losing. Nowshe's averaging twelve points per games. She
had a twenty one point performance againstNorth Central and the opener. She's been
unreal and her and Keller her havebeen a great like little one to two

(19:29):
punch, and it's been very funto watch Westfield in the fourth quarter,
completely dominating Mount Vernon, holding themto only four points. I mean,
just an incredible performance all around.I do want to talk about boys basketball
coming up. Their opener is thesame day as the state championship for football,

(19:51):
but they won't play it. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I've yeah.
I talked to coach Sumter. Hesaid if they if we do make
state, they're not going to playthat game. It would be at Kokomo,
and so it's kind of fifty tofifty whether they'll play that game or
doubt. But yea, yeah Ido too. Yeah, we all doubt
it, but then they'll be playingTheir opener would then be at home against

(20:15):
Penalton Heights. The scrimmage they hadthe other night they played I a t
over in the gym, you know, just not too far from here in
the podcast studio, and overall theperformance from what I saw in the scrimmage.
Which did any of you go tothe scrimmage? I don't know,

(20:36):
Yeah, not not many people did, but did you? Yeah? Yep.
I showed up. And I thinkTray Buchanan is gonna have a monster
year. He I'm excited to seeuh Nick book. Oh yeah, just
because there's I've heard a lot ofhype around him, and you know I'm
ready. I mean with with Book, the post play very good. He's

(20:57):
very good at finessing guy. Iwish he was a bit more physical and
maybe, I mean it's a scrimmage. They're playing iat. Their tallest guy's
like six foot three. I mean, based off the screamers that do you
think? Uh, Nick, Booksay Alex Romack part two? No,

(21:18):
And what I mean by that isnot like I think he's gonna be great.
Yeah, but they're a different adifferent kind of player. Romack is
a guy who can give you fifteenrebounds in a game. Book he's the
kind of guy that can give youthirty points. Yeah, it's a different
type of player. And Romack he'skilling it over at the Colorado School of
Mines. He had like fourteen reboundsthe other night. Romac. It's just

(21:42):
different. I mean, I'm notsaying one one's better than the other.
It's different. And Romack is aguy who's extremely valuable to a team.
And Book I think he will betoo. He's also great defensively. But
like I was saying earlier, tradeyou can and he drive. I could
totally see him averaging like what eighteenor twenty a game. He's a guy,

(22:06):
he's a guy that's going that's goingto have a big year this year,
and I'm looking forward to it.But I think the biggest thing was,
you know, J B. Kennonis just his consistency, Yeah,
you know, to hit shots andto you know, play really well,
especially under like high pressure, youknow, And I just think that's,
you know, a really good qualitythat he has. He shoots lights out,

(22:29):
like to mention, like a reallygood three point shooter. He told
me I had an interview with himback in April of last year. He
wanted to finish top five and thenmister basketball running. I'm not supposed to
say he can't do it, oh, I know, but yeah, but
like with Book, he's he's agreat defensive player. But also I like
the ball movement from really everybody,I mean from the scrimmage Deronte, the

(22:55):
way he was able to move theball unlike fast Wakes was incredible. And
I'm really looking forward to this WestfieldBoys team. I think Charles will have
a big year at point guard.Charles Ferrell. I could totally see him,
you know, having quite a fewdouble doubles. I mean he's a
great player who could give you thathe'll shoot the three a lot, and

(23:18):
it wasn't really falling in the scrimmage, but it will fall eventually. And
before we wrap up, I dowant to ask you all one question about
the national landscape of sports the NBA. Who is your MVP at the moment?

(23:38):
Yeah, man, Anthony Edwards?Why at the moment? I'm not
a closed season on MVP, butjust the way he's playing. He's playing
like how we thought he would playwhen they took him number one back in
the twenty draft. So for him, obviously he's finding his rhythm in the
Timberwolves. They're good ball club nowthere with Viana. Really, I'm joke,

(24:03):
I don't really watch the NBA thatmuch, but yeah, I was
like, what, I'm from Texasand I'm, you know, a Spurs
fan, but this is not fromTexas. You know, I might go
with the Mavericks just because they're alittle better. Yeah, Luca, yeahs
are very good. So Luca's killingit as I say Luca, or I
was gonna say m VP for chokingout Rudy. No, my MVP.

(24:27):
You call me crazy, Tyree,Salbert, I know, I h no,
no, no not. I thinkit's a little I'll tell you what,
Tyree, Saliburton has been the mostconsistent player on the team. He's
not the best player in the league, no, not at all. He's
not even top five, but heas far as value to a team,

(24:52):
A guy who's giving you a doubledouble in all but one game, a
guy who elevates his teammates to adifferent level, like look at Myles Turner.
But before Haliburton got there, Turnerwas a role player. Now Turner
is here and he's playing at aborderline all star level and he can give
you twenty five any given night.And Haliburton last two games thirty two assists,

(25:14):
zero turnovers, and fifty eight pointsin those two games, averaging I
think twenty four points for game twelveassists. Unreal, He's and like fifty
two percent shooting. I know it'searly, but if the Pacers keep winning,
he's my pick. I mean that'sa pretty solid pick. And I
want the Pacers to keep winning.Oh we all do. Man. We

(25:37):
want to see a parade in downtownIndy. I mean maybe maybe two premature,
but yeah, because the Coats won'tgive you a parade first Okay,
now you're wearing the hat. Dude, you're wearing the hat. I got
it because I went to the game. Hey, you're a Cowboys fan,
which we won't win either, butyou know it's okay. I feel bad

(25:57):
for the people that had to draftTony Pollard and fantasy. He's not bad
though, Like season wise, Ithink he's he's done pretty well. I
mean, especially losing Zeke, butlike I mean, he's obviously Cookert thing
Zeke. Yeah, but I thinkZeke Zeke's probably done after this year in

(26:19):
the NFL. M Yeah, thePatriots could be, could be. Well,
that's gonna end our show. Andyeah, watch the game or listen
to the game. Sorry. ThisFriday on our radio network will go live.
We'll have a pregame podcast. Itmight be this podcast. You might
be listening to this podcast. WHOA, that's kind of trippy. You might

(26:41):
be listening to this podcast of metelling you to watch the game right before
the game. That's crazy. Butanyway, Peace, peace, Peace,