Class 4A boys basketball final looks to be classic matchup

• Class 4A%3A Evansville Reitz vs. Homestead%2C 8%3A15 p.m. Saturday%2C FSI

It says a lot about Evansville Reitz's style of play when coach Michael Adams is legitimately concerned with the impact of television timeouts in the state finals, a component that does not normally come into play in high school basketball.

"I don't like these TV timeouts," Adams said. "This year I haven't called a lot of timeouts because I don't want to give the other team a chance to rest."

Class 4A second-ranked Reitz (29-1) hasn't allowed many teams up for air. The Panthers are averaging a state-leading 92.2 points per game and have topped 100 points in 10 games this season, including a 124-point effort against Jeffersonville.

Homestead, its opponent in Saturday night's Class 4A championship at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, is no offensive slouch. The fourth-ranked Spartans (28-2) are averaging more than 70 points a game and are led by 6-9 senior Caleb Swanigan, recently named the state's Gatorade Player of the Year.

It adds up to a matchup that should be entertaining and visually pleasing to fans, which are compliments Adams has heard often this season of his team.

"I tell our guys all the time that the best compliment you can get as a coach, in my opinion when you shake that other (coach's) hand is, 'Man, your team plays hard,' " Adams said. "I think our guys always bring a lot of energy and play extremely hard. They are fun to watch."

Reitz, which is seeking its first state title after making one previous appearance in 1951 (losing 60-58 to Muncie Central), plays to its strengths. The Panthers' five starters are all between 6-2 and 6-5 and versatile. Jaelan Sanford, a 6-3 senior and Toledo recruit, is the team's leading scorer, averaging 20.6 points. But 6-3 senior Alex Stein (19.3 ppg, 6.1 rebounds), 6-3 senior Nate Hansen (12.9 ppg, 5.0 assists), 6-5 senior Jacob Norman (11.4 ppg, 5.2 rebounds) and 6-2 junior Dru Smith (10.5 ppg) are all capable of putting up big numbers. Blake Ruckman, a 5-11 junior (8.1 ppg), and 6-foot senior Mario Barnes (7.2 ppg) would be starters on most teams.

"I know that we're going to have to be on top of our game," Homestead coach Chris Johnson said. "We're going to have to play at a high level to beat a team like that. Their team plays together and plays the right way."

Both teams have been tested in the tournament. Reitz trailed 17-0 against New Albany in the first game of the Seymour Regional and were still down seven with four minutes left. The Panthers rallied, finally, winning 64-59. The regional final win over Franklin Central and semistate victory over Richmond weren't as difficult.

Homestead's test came in the Marion Regional championship against Carmel. The Spartans finished off the game with a 10-0 run to win, 41-37. That win came on the heels of a 59-57 win in the regional semifinal over Fort Wayne Carroll.

"I couldn't be more proud of our kids for going in and defending two teams like Carroll and Carmel," Johnson said. "They are the same type of team that is going to grind it out and make it a possession game. It says a lot about our kids to have the mental toughness to get through those games."

Swanigan is averaging 22.7 points and 13.7 rebounds to lead Homestead. The head-to-head win over Carmel and Ryan Cline could give Swanigan a boost in the IndyStar Mr. Basketball vote.

"I'm biased," Johnson said. "I'm sure the Carmel community thinks Cline is the best player and I'm the same with Swanigan. He's a McDonald's All American and put up 40 points and 19 rebounds in the semistate. I think that gives him a little bit of an edge."

Other key players for Homestead are senior guard Jordan Geist (16.8 ppg), junior Tahj Curry (9.6 ppg, 5.4 assists) and 6-9 senior Dana Batt (8.2 ppg).

Swanigan isn't a lumbering post player — he can run. But Reitz hopes to keep the pace up-tempo throughout.

"He's special," Adams said of Swanigan. "We cannot let him have deep post touches. My mom could tell you that, but it's the truth."

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.