State Finals Preview: Class 1A

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='295760' first='Hadley' last='Crosier'] (2025) of Lanesville High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And here we are...it's the end of the road for the eight teams remaining in the IHSAA state tournament, with the four finals games just hours away. I went back and looked at the preseason articles I put together identifying a Top-10 team list for each classification, along with a short list of other teams to "keep an eye on". Of the eight state finalists, six were ranked in those Top-10s, five in the Top-3 of their respective classes, and the other two schools were among the "keep an eye on" teams. In Class 1A, Lanesville began the season as our #1 team to watch out for. Bethany Christian, despite their 11-12 record in 2021-2022, began the season as our #9 team in Class 1A. Without a little luck in their Sectional opener, Bethany Christian might not be here, but they have proven their worth in the games that followed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Bethany Christian (24-3) vs. Lanesville (27-2)</font></strong><br><em>tip time 10:30 a.m. ET, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bethany Christian:</strong> Without question, Bethany Christian is as reliant on two players as anyone left in the tournament. The Junior backcourt combination of [player_tooltip player_id='338899' first='Zoe' last='Willems'] and [player_tooltip player_id='326492' first='Mariah' last='Stoltzfus'] is incredible at that Class 1A level. Willems is a strong, assertive, multilevel scoring threat who battles inside for rebounds and plays hard at the defensive end of the floor. She will be a problem if Lanesville allows her any easy catches. Stoltzfus is as fun to watch as any guard left. She is undersized, but she's quick and feisty, and she shows you her passion. In the Semi-State, she put together two incredible second half performances to help the Lady Bruins to this point. Against Washington Township, Stoltzfus scored 19 of her 23 points in the second half, while against Tri she scored 14 fourth quarter points, including the final six Bruin points from the charity stripe. Bethany Christian will need someone like Seniors <strong>Kiersten Todd</strong>, <strong>Julia Moser</strong>, or <strong>Kolette Kern</strong> to step up and get them 10 to 12 points in order to beat Lanesville tomorrow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lanesville:</strong> Lanesville is deeper than a number of Class 3A and 4A teams, let alone Class 1A teams. They can play well into their bench and have as many as 10 Lady Eagles comfortably play during key moments of the game. They have a little size, a lot of skill, plus athleticism and toughness throughout their roster. Yes, Senior [player_tooltip player_id='59789' first='Linzie' last='Wernert'] and Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='295760' first='Hadley' last='Crosier'] are key to their offense, but there are about a half dozen kids who can score close to 20 points in a game if the opportunity presents itself. Wernert is a strong, aggressive, inside-out forward who can fulfill a variety of needs for the Eagles. Crosier is a long, fluid athlete who handles the ball, but she can also score it from all levels. Senior post <strong>Morgan Sonner</strong> has finished her season strong and looks to make an impact with her size against Bethany Christian, while Senior guard <strong>Ava Kerr</strong> can make shots outside and act as another ball-handler alongside Crosier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Lanesville has been gearing up for this opportunity the last several seasons. They lost early to Class 3A State finalist Corydon Central, then around New Years in overtime to a very good Class 3A Evansville Memorial squad. They are battle tested, skilled, talented, and disciplined. Bethany Christian has two tremendous guards, and they are riding high on great momentum right now. What will be key for the Bruins is to take care of the basketball, continue making big shots, and slowing down Lanesville offensively. I personally think Lanesville just has too much for Bethany Christian in this matchup. The Bruins best chance is to slow the game down, limit possessions, and hope Lanesville gets one shot per possession and misses more than they make. That will be incredibly tough, so I will take Lanesville over Bethany Christian in Saturday's opener, 49-31.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong><br>Bethany - [player_tooltip player_id='338899' first='Zoe' last='Willems'], 2024 - 17.1p, 8.5r, 3.0a, 3.7s<br>Bethany - [player_tooltip player_id='326492' first='Mariah' last='Stoltzfus'], 2024 - 10.8p, 3.5r, 4.5a, 4.5s<br>Bethany - <strong>Kiersten Todd</strong>, 2023 - 6.6p, 4.0r<br>Bethany - <strong>Julia Moser</strong>, 2023 - 5.7p<br>Bethany - <strong>Kolette Kern</strong>, 2023 - 2.7p, 2.3r<br>Lanesville - [player_tooltip player_id='59789' first='Linzie' last='Wernert'], 2023 - 13.5p, 7.7r, 2.4a, 2.8s<br>Lanesville - [player_tooltip player_id='295760' first='Hadley' last='Crosier'], 2025 - 9.9p, 3.1r, 3.4a, 3.7s<br>Lanesville - <strong>Morgan Sonner</strong>, 2023 - 7.7p, 5.6r<br>Lanesville - <strong>Ava Kerr</strong>, 2024 - 7.2p, 2.2r, 2.4s<br>Lanesville - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='880516' first='Shelby' last='Allen']</strong>, 2025 - 6.9p, 5.4r<br>Lanesville - [player_tooltip player_id='324067' first='Hylton' last='Brumley'], 2025 - 4.2p, 2.2r</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->