Semi-State Preview: Class 2A

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='127241' first='Tori' last='Thompson'] (2023) of Lafayette's Central Catholic High School.   Following an exciting round of Regional games Saturday afternoon and evening, the Semi-State fields are now set. This season, the IHSAA decided to make the Regional a one-game affair to win a title, with two Regional championship games at the same host site, similar to past Semi-States. Therefore, there were two Regional winners at each site. The Semi-States are now four-team, three-game events tomorrow, where teams in each class must win twice to advance to the State Finals. Below is a look at the two Semi-State locations in Class 2A, one taking place in the North, and one taking place in the South.   .   Logansport Semi-State: Game-1: Andrean (25-3) vs. Lapel (20-7), 10:00 a.m. ET Game-2: Central Noble (25-2) vs. Lafayette Central Catholic (25-6), 12:00 p.m. ET Game-3: Winner Game-1 vs. Winner Game-2, 8:00 p.m. ET   Game-1: Andrean and Lapel are a very interesting matchup, as you have two talented teams from different sides of the state. The Lady 59ers are always prepared defensively, and they find ways to take away what teams like to do most/best. They have a pair of experienced Seniors in [player_tooltip player_id='127214' first='Tori' last='Allen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='300077' first='Lauren' last='Colon'] in the backcourt, along with a nice pair of rising prospects in Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='295810' first='Lindsay' last='Arcella'] and Sophomore post Maddie Walton. When they make shots, they can beat just about anyone in the state, regardless of class. The Lady Bulldogs of Lapel begin with Freshman forward [player_tooltip player_id='486521' first='Laniah' last='Wills']. She is long, athletic, wiry-strong, and can provide a boost at either end of the floor with her sheer raw talent. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='331773' first='Madelyn' last='Poynter'] is another double-figure scorer capable of big games, while Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='460836' first='Deannaya' last='Haseman'] has seen at least some Varsity action since her Freshman year. They are going to be tough to knock off if they can take care of the basketball. On the whole, I'll be curious to see how Lapel responds to Andrean's disciplined, clampdown defense. This could be a low-scoring affair in which the 59ers grind one out possession by possession. I think Lapel will have their moments, but I look for Andrean to win this one, 46-42.   Game-2: Central Noble's fantastic year continues, following a 33-point, 14-rebound Regional performance by Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='203666' first='Madison' last='Vice']. She willed them to that victory last week, and I'll be curious to see what she does next. Fellow Senior [player_tooltip player_id='264990' first='Meghan' last='Kiebel'] is also capable of big games, but the Lady Cougars will need someone other than those two to step up as well. Lafayette Central Catholic will likely have one of the best backcourts the Cougars have seen yet. The Lady Knights are experienced, athletic, and skilled, and they can match Central Noble's talent and trump them with more depth in their backcourt. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='127241' first='Tori' last='Thompson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='331814' first='Kendal' last='Rider'], plus Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='295785' first='Carley' last='Barrett'] continue to make Central Catholic one of the top teams in Class 2A. I think Central Noble is capable of a win here, but it's going to take big games out of both Vice and Kiebel. If they aren't able to combine for about a 37-point effort between the two of them, I'm not sure the Cougars have enough firepower elsewhere to battle Central Catholic. The Knights simply need to value possessions, make the simple plays simple, and take care of their business. If that is true, then I think Lafayette Central Catholic defeats Central Noble, 44-35.   Players to Watch: Andrean - [player_tooltip player_id='127214' first='Tori' last='Allen'], 2023 - 16.8p, 4.3r, 3.5a Andrean - [player_tooltip player_id='300077' first='Lauren' last='Colon'], 2023 - 10.3p, 2.7r, 3.4a Andrean - Maddie Walton, 2025 - 9.0p, 6.6r Andrean - [player_tooltip player_id='295810' first='Lindsay' last='Arcella'], 2025 - 8.1p, 2.9r, 3.2a Andrean - [player_tooltip player_id='495986' first='Alivia' last='Delevic'], 2024 - 3.5p, 2.7r Central Catholic - [player_tooltip player_id='127241' first='Tori' last='Thompson'], 2023 Central Catholic - [player_tooltip player_id='295785' first='Carley' last='Barrett'], 2025 Central Catholic - [player_tooltip player_id='331814' first='Kendal' last='Rider'], 2023 Central Catholic - Maddy Bruce, 2025 Central Noble - [player_tooltip player_id='203666' first='Madison' last='Vice'], 2023 - 18.9p, 6.4r, 5.0a, 3.7s Central Noble - [player_tooltip player_id='264990' first='Meghan' last='Kiebel'], 2023 - 12.8p, 4.0r, 2.1a Central Noble - [player_tooltip player_id='832697' first='Grace' last='Swank'], 2026 - 4.8p, 6.5r Central Noble - Makenna Malcolm, 2024 - 4.9p, 2.8r, 2.2a Lapel - [player_tooltip player_id='486521' first='Laniah' last='Wills'], 2026 - 15.8p, 12.6r Lapel - [player_tooltip player_id='331773' first='Madelyn' last='Poynter'], 2024 - 12.3p, 3.8r Lapel - [player_tooltip player_id='460836' first='Deannaya' last='Haseman'], 2023 - 9.4p, 2.5r, 2.7a Lapel - [player_tooltip player_id='496029' first='Jaylee' last='Hubble'], 2023 - 6.6p, 2.0r Lapel - Kerith Renihan, 2023 - 4.0p, 2.0r, 4.2a   .   Shelbyville Semi-State: Game-1: Forest Park (23-3) vs. Greencastle (23-4), 10:00 a.m. ET Game-2: North Knox (27-1) vs. Eastern Hancock (23-3), 12:00 p.m. ET Game-3: Winner Game-1 vs. Winner Game-2, 8:00 p.m. ET   Game-1: Forest Park was here a year ago and earned a trip to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Greencastle Lady Tiger Cub program hasn't been this far since 1980, so I'll be curious to see how they react to the moment/environment. Forest Park will have the best prospect in the gym in 6-1 Senior [player_tooltip player_id='178237' first='Amber' last='Tretter'], but Greencastle will have the best scorer in Senior [player_tooltip player_id='206425' first='Gloria' last='Brewer']. Tretter relies heavily upon her teammates to see opportunities to affect the game, whereas Brewer can create a great deal of offense for herself or teammates each and every game. Forest Park has a nice supporting cast, consisting of Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='59728' first='Lydia' last='Betz'], Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='574547' first='Carley' last='Begle'], and Senior wing Gabey Gray, each of which started for them a year ago. In addition to the newcomer Brewer, Greencastle has a double-figure scorer in Emma Hunter, a near double-figure scorer in Junior Evelyn Briones, plus a couple of other nice, supportive pieces. Greencastle's best shot to win this game is if Brewer just takes over, puts up about 35 points herself, but also has a 15-rebound, 8-assist effort. Forest Park is big, strong, and experienced, and they value possessions every time out. I really like the Lady Rangers in this matchup, so I will take Forest Park, 44-37.   Game-2: Both North Knox and Eastern Hancock are strong, well-coached programs. While both also have some really nice players, they each rely on their entire rosters to affect most games. For the Lady Warriors of North Knox, they are experiencing a youth movement, playing several Freshmen and Sophomores in their rotation. Sophomore wings [player_tooltip player_id='295765' first='Alex' last='McKinley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='473675' first='Brynna' last='Collins'] lead the way for the Warriors, while Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='420275' first='Lexi' last='Primus'] and Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='362315' first='Brooklyn' last='Sturgeon'] provide great support. For Eastern Hancock, it's mostly Juniors and Seniors, so they have a great deal of experience as well. Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='241193' first='Grace' last='Stapleton'] is their leader and controls tempo for the Lady Royals. Sisters Sammie Bolding, a Junior, and Emma Bolding, a Senior, plus Junior Makenzie O'Neal, help from the wing/forward spots. 6-1 Junior post [player_tooltip player_id='455934' first='Ruby' last='White'] also continues to improve and impact games more often than not. This will be a great matchup in which no one has a weak position or starter, and it will come down to who can stay out of foul trouble, take care of the basketball, and make big shots when they matter. Because of that last point, I will lean slightly towards the experience of Eastern Hancock. Either team can pull out this nailbiter, without question, but I will take the Lady Royals over the Lady Warriors, 43-39.   Players to Watch: Eastern Hancock - [player_tooltip player_id='241193' first='Grace' last='Stapleton'], 2023 - 15.3p, 3.7r, 5.2a, 3.3s Eastern Hancock - Sammie Bolding, 2024 - 12.2p, 2.3a, 2.3s Eastern Hancock - [player_tooltip player_id='455934' first='Ruby' last='White'], 2024 - 8.4p, 6.4r, 1.5b Eastern Hancock - Emma Bolding, 2023 - 8.0p, 3.6r Eastern Hancock - Makenzie O'Neal, 2024 - 6.7p, 4.9r, 2.1a, 2.0s Forest Park - [player_tooltip player_id='178237' first='Amber' last='Tretter'], 2023 Forest Park - [player_tooltip player_id='59728' first='Lydia' last='Betz'], 2023 Forest Park - [player_tooltip player_id='574547' first='Carley' last='Begle'], 2023 Forest Park - Gabey Gray, 2023 Greencastle - [player_tooltip player_id='206425' first='Gloria' last='Brewer'], 2023 - 25.8p, 10.6r, 3.4a, 4.8s Greencastle - Emma Hunter, 2023 - 15.0p, 5.0r, 3.1s Greencastle - Evelyn Briones, 2024 - 9.8p, 2.7r Greencastle - Madi Plew, 2024 - 3.4p, 3.7r North Knox - [player_tooltip player_id='295765' first='Alex' last='McKinley'], 2025 - 11.2p, 4.3r North Knox - [player_tooltip player_id='473675' first='Brynna' last='Collins'], 2025 - 9.3p, 4.6r, 2.7s North Knox - [player_tooltip player_id='420275' first='Lexi' last='Primus'], 2026 - 7.9p North Knox - [player_tooltip player_id='362315' first='Brooklyn' last='Sturgeon'], 2025 - 6.5p, 2.3r North Knox - Reegan Hammelman, 2023 - 5.7p, 4.2r, 2.8a

The featured image is of Tori Thompson Tori Thompson 5'7" | CG Lafayette Central Catholic | 2023 State IN (2023) of Lafayette's Central Catholic High School.