State Finals Preview: Class 1A & Class 2A

<span style="font-size: 8pt;"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id="10685" first="Vanessa" last="Shafford"] of Linton-Stockton High School.</em></span> We have now made it through an entire regular season, as well as the state tournament, with just four games left to play. This weekend marks the 46th annual IHSAA girls’ basketball State Finals, taking place once again at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The uniqueness to this year, is that since there are COVID protocols necessary, the games will be split into two days, with the Class 2A game being played Friday night, and the other three games being played throughout Saturday. Below is a look at the Class 1A and Class 2A State Championships, with breakdowns and analysis of those two games, plus predictions of the potential outcomes. <span style="font-size: 8pt;">(<em>All times listed below are Eastern Daylight Time.</em>)</span> &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26th - 7:00 PM - CLASS 2A FINAL</strong></span> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">20-7 Tipton High School (Tipton, IN)</span> </strong>The Tipton Blue Devils look to bring home just the third State Championship in school history in any sport, and the first since the 1994 boys’ golf team was crowned. Their tournament path hasn’t been easy, and they were able to avenge a pair of regular season losses during the Regional rounds, knocking off both Frankton and Clinton Prairie on February 13th. Last weekend, the Blue Devils stifled a strong North Judson-San Pierre team, 54-36, to get to this stage. Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="61070" first="Ella" last="Wolfe"]</strong> (14.2p, 3.5r, 2.8a, 2.7s) scored 14 points and collected five steals against the Bluejays, while 6-3 Sophomore post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="127234" first="Ashlee" last="Schram"]</strong> (14.2p, 12.5r, 2.6b) added 12 points and grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds in the program-defining win. Wolfe has been a huge catalyst for Tipton all season. while Schram has put together a stretch of games since the holidays that have helped the Blue Devils turn the corner. Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="61076" first="Abigail" last="Parker"]</strong> (11.2p, 3.9r, 2.2a) is their other double-digit scorer, but don’t discard the efforts of Junior forward <strong>Olivia Spidel</strong> (6.2p, 2.6r) or Freshman wing <strong>Hallie Wolfe</strong> (3.9p, 2.2r, 2.0s) so quickly. Parker has always been steady, but Spidel has made big shots throughout the tournament, and the younger Wolfe has seen a significant increase in opportunity following a season-ending injury in late-January to fellow Freshman <strong>Kaiya Money</strong> (6.7p, 2.9r). Junior forward <strong>Macy Earl</strong> (2.9r) and Freshman forward <strong>Allison Powell</strong> (2.1r) will likely see minutes along the frontline, as Tipton typically goes about seven deep in their rotation. <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>26-1 Linton-Stockton High School (Linton, IN)</strong></span> The Linton-Stockton Miners were here just a season ago, winning in impressive fashion to claim their first girls’ basketball title, and their third title overall, regardless of sport. This year they haven’t been anything less than dominant. Ranked #1 throughout the year, the Miners’ lone blemish is to a strong Bedford North Lawrence team just before Christmas. They have won each state tournament game this season by 22 or more points, and last weekend they dispatched of University by a 70-32 score. Linton-Stockton is led by a special trio of Seniors who will play their final game. Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="10685" first="Vanessa" last="Shafford"]</strong> (18.3p, 7.1r, 4.5a) has had a spectacular career, and I’ll be curious to see if she can put on a show Saturday that would rival last year’s performance. Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="99363" first="Aubrey" last="Burgess"]</strong> (13.8p, 2.5r, 3.3a) could also erupt for a big game, whether it be offensively or hounding the ball-handlers on defense. 6-0 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="35069" first="Haley" last="Rose"]</strong> (12.4p, 4.2r, 3.0a) will likely use her length and athleticism to bother Tipton’s shooters or double down in the post some. She will need to rebound at a high level, though. 6-0 Junior post <strong>Gentry Warrick</strong> (3.9p, 4.4r) will need to have a big game inside, especially defensively, while 5-9 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="157175" first="Jaylee" last="Hayes"]</strong> (6.8p, 4.0r) can take pressure off of Shafford and Burgess, especially if she can make a couple of long jumpers early in the contest. Look for Freshman guard <strong>Bradie Chambers</strong> (3.9p) to be the primary sub, though any of four other players could also find their way into key minutes if foul trouble comes calling. <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Class 2A Prediction:</strong></span> Recent history and a slew of statistical data suggest that Linton-Stockton will again be a double-digit favorite tomorrow night. However, Tipton has played the role of underdog in their last three tournament games, winning each by 13 or more points. I’m sticking with Linton-Stockton, though I think it’s going to be a much closer contest than it looks on paper. And if the Blue Devils can limit Shafford and Burgess at all, the Miners could struggle to score. I like Linton-Stockton in this one, 52-45. &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27th - 11:00 AM - CLASS 1A FINAL</strong></span> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">24-4 Pioneer High School (Royal Center, IN)</span> </strong>The Pioneer Panthers have collectively won five State Championships in all sports, with four of those coming over the last four school years in football (2017, 2018), softball (2018), and volleyball (2020) this past Fall. The volleyball team ironically defeated this same Loogootee athletic program for the title. Now, the Lady Panthers seek their first girls’ basketball title, and they will have to go through the same Lions team they fell to last February, 45-43. Last weekend, Pioneer came from behind in the fourth quarter to defeat a tough Northfield squad, 70-54. Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="130403" first="Olivia" last="Brooke"]</strong> (15.4p, 8.4r, 3.6a) was fantastic in that game, scoring 18 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in the second half. She has really improved her skill and her aggressiveness this season. Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="157179" first="Hailey" last="Cripe"]</strong> (19.0p, 4.7r, 4.1a, 4.3s) has been outstanding all year, and she has made 85 3-pointers entering Saturday’s action. Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="245985" first="Madison" last="Blickenstaff"]</strong> (10.9p, 8.0r, 2.4s) is kind of their rock inside, as she protects the paint and opportunistically scores the ball off of others. Senior guard <strong>Mackenzie Walker</strong> (4.7p, 2.8r, 3.7a, 2.0s) has done a nice job starting for the second year in a row. She has been a reliable ball-handler and defender for the Panthers. 6-0 Freshman post <strong>Brooklyn Borges</strong> (4.2p, 2.6r) has also found her way into the starting lineup, and she’ll need to shake the nerves of the game early and help inside. Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="59732" first="Ashlynn" last="Brooke"]</strong> (8.4p, 2.0a in 7 games) is clearly Pioneer’s most talented player, but she recently returned from an injury and isn’t quite 100% yet. She will likely sub in early and play often, so I’d still worry about her making a major impact if I’m Loogootee. <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>20-4 Loogootee High School (Loogootee, IN)</strong></span> The Loogootee Lions look to protect their 2020 title, and they will do so with the same starting lineup from a year ago. The Lions only have two state titles in any sport now, with the other being recent as well (<em>boys’ basketball in 2012</em>). During this year’s state tournament, Loogootee has knocked off a who’s who of opponents, taking out three Top-10 teams themselves. In the Regional they took care of Trinity Lutheran and Tecumseh, then last weekend they put away Greenwood Christian, 43-33. The Lions will play seven Seniors and a Junior in their rotation, so they are as experienced as anyone who made it to Indianapolis, regardless of class. Senior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="35070" first="Kalea" last="Fleming"]</strong> (13.3p, 3.0r, 3.0a) is the heart and soul of this group. She plays with toughness, a ton of energy, and she’s an emotional player as well. Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="130346" first="Brooklynn" last="Jones"]</strong> (11.4p, 5.5r, 2.5a) seems a little more reserved than Fleming, but she’s a talented athlete with length. She has also played through the pain of a severe injury all season. Junior front-liner <strong>Kylie VanHoy</strong> (12.7p, 4.0r, 2.0a) has really stepped up her offensive output this season, but this weekend she’ll need to control the boards inside. Older sister <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="245975" first="Makenzie" last="VanHoy"]</strong> (7.0p, 2.0r, 2.0a), a Senior forward, adds a perimeter shooting threat who can also play in the mid-post or the short-corners. Senior guard <strong>Isabelle Waggner</strong> (5.7p, 2.1r, 2.5a) is a capable ball-handler who can spell Fleming at times. Waggner will also knock down open jumpers. Senior post <strong>Adie Nolley</strong> (4.0p, 2.0r), Senior forward <strong>Jaelyn Walker</strong> (2.2p, 2.0r, 2.0a), and Senior forward <strong>Delani Bateman</strong> have the best chance to see key minutes and contribute Saturday. <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Class 1A Prediction:</strong></span> Last year this game was decided by a basket. This year, I actually think Pioneer has a slight advantage. Yes, the younger Brooke is still regaining her form, but Loogootee is a little banged up too, plus Pioneer’s other players have really stepped up their games offensively. I think the Lions will respect the shooting ability of Cripe more this time around, however both Blickenstaff and the older Brooke have proven they are capable of handling more of the scoring load this season. When it comes down to it, I just think Pioneer has improved its offensive balance and output so significantly, it gives them the slight advantage. I will pick Pioneer to win this one, 52-48.