Semi-State Preview: Class 2A

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='331773' first='Madelyn' last='Poynter'] (2024) of Lapel High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Regional weekend has concluded, and now it's on to the 2-game Semi-State round. This is the second consecutive year where there was a single Regional game for each team, with this coming weekend's Semi-State requiring two wins in a day to make it to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for February 24th's State Finals. While brief, below is a look at the two Class 2A Semi-State sites...one in the North and one in the South. All player statistics below have been pulled from each school's MaxPreps page, so if your stats are not represented here, your team's MaxPreps page has not been updated by your coach/school. All team rankings below are provided by the updated Sagarin Ratings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong><font size="+1">Remaining Class 2A Teams</font></strong></td><td><strong><font size="+1">Record</font></strong></td><td><strong><font size="+1">Class Rk.</font></strong></td><td><strong><font size="+1">State Rk.</font></strong></td><td><strong><font size="+1">Schedule Strength</font></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Eastern Hancock</strong></td><td>24-1</td><td>3</td><td>42</td><td>229</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Bishop Luers</strong></td><td>17-6</td><td>4</td><td>47</td><td>73</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lapel</strong></td><td>23-4</td><td>5</td><td>52</td><td>131</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Linton-Stockton</strong></td><td>20-6</td><td>8</td><td>61</td><td>113</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Brownstown Central</strong></td><td>18-9</td><td>13</td><td>92</td><td>108</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Sheridan</strong></td><td>20-5</td><td>19</td><td>109</td><td>288</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Lewis Cass</strong></td><td>22-3</td><td>23</td><td>124</td><td>242</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Andrean</strong></td><td>13-14</td><td>30</td><td>164</td><td>135</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Logansport Semi-State</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game #1:</strong> Bishop Luers (17-6) vs. Lapel (23-4), 10:00 a.m. ET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preview:</strong> These two teams have never met, and Bishop Luers hasn't been this far since 2012-2013. Lapel is the defending Class 2A North Semi-State Champion. Luers has size, experience, and some depth on their side. The Bulldogs have last year's state tournament run on theirs. I could see this game going either way, and I really want to pick Luers here, but come tourney time the last two seasons, Lapel just seems to figure it out and advance. 6-0 Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='298259' first='Addie' last='Shank']</strong> (<em>13.4p, 7.5r, 1.7a, 1.6s</em>) can be a handful inside, but when she is limited, like in the Regional, 6-1 Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='624885' first='Miley' last='Wareing']</strong> (<em>11.5p, 9.8r, 2.1a, 1.7s, 1.8b</em>) seems to step up. Wareing had 24 points and 10 rebounds last week. Senior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='201869' first='Annika' last='Davis']</strong> (<em>10.2p, 2.6r, 2.2a, 2.3s</em>) has size and skill for her position, while Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='506023' first='Reese' last='Rhodehamel']</strong> (<em>7.2p, 3.6r, 1.3s</em>) adds energy and blue-collared play to the lineup. For Lapel, it still all starts with athletic Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486521' first='Laniah' last='Wills']</strong> (<em>19.0p, 12.8r, 1.8a, 2.3s</em>). I'll be curious to see how she responds to Luers' size inside. Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331773' first='Madelyn' last='Poynter']</strong> (<em>15.8p, 3.0r, 3.2a, 1.4s</em>) will need to step up and make plays at all three levels, while Senior forward <strong>Annalee Stow</strong> (<em>6.7p, 4.6r, 2.1a, 1.6s</em>) will be relied upon to rebound and defend. Guard play will be key for Lapel. <strong>Our Pick:</strong> Bishop Luers, 50-48</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game #2:</strong> Andrean (13-14) vs. Lewis Cass (22-3), 12:00 p.m. ET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preview:</strong> This game could honestly be 3-3 and require a field goal kicker to win it at the end. These are two of the best defensive teams remaining in the tournament, so I wouldn't count on much offense in this one. Both teams have a nice defensive post player in the middle, solid wing play, and they force opponents into tough shots each possession. Andrean might have a little more pure talent in Junior stars <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='626935' first='Maddie' last='Walton']</strong> (<em>11.4p, 6.7r, 1.0s</em>), a 6-0 post, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295810' first='Lindsay' last='Arcella']</strong> (<em>10.9p, 4.6r, 1.9a, 2.3s</em>), a 5-9 wing. At the same time, Lewis Cass probably has more depth and the ability to rotate kids around from spot to spot more comfortably. Sophomore <strong>Aftin Griffin</strong> (<em>12.3p, 1.6r, 2.8s</em>) is the top scorer for the Kings. Also keep an eye on Junior <strong>Ashlee Evans</strong> (<em>3.8p, 3.4r, 1.0a, 1.0s</em>) and Senior <strong>Liv Delevic</strong> (<em>2.9p, 2.8r, 1.5s</em>) for the 59ers, as well as Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='874125' first='Kinsey' last='Mennen']</strong> (<em>8.5p, 7.6r, 2.4a, 1.5s, 1.7b</em>) and <strong>Heta Kosunen</strong> (<em>6.6p, 6.9r, 1.8a, 2.6s</em>), plus Sophomore <strong>Anna Hedrick</strong> (<em>6.3p, 2.8r, 2.3a, 2.1s</em>) for Cass. <strong>Our Pick:</strong> Lewis Cass, 34-29.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game #3:</strong> Winner Game-1 vs. Winner Game-2, 8:30 p.m. ET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Shelbyville Semi-State</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game #1:</strong> Brownstown Central (18-9) vs. Linton-Stockton (20-6), 10:00 a.m. ET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preview:</strong> These have been two of the more successful programs in Southern Indiana over the last decade, but oddly enough, they have never met. In just the last five years, Brownstown Central has won five Sectional titles and two Regional titles, to go along with 98 wins. This season, they don't have a double-digit scorer, so it truly is a "team" effort with their depth and balance helping them. Still, though, keep an eye on Junior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923178' first='Jenna' last='Klosterman']</strong>, Sophomore forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='928931' first='Sophie' last='Wischmeier']</strong>, and Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486520' first='Harley' last='Toppe']</strong>...any of those three are capable of big games. Linton-Stockton, on the other hand, has won 147 games over the past seven seasons, including back-to-back Class 2A State Championships in 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. This year's Seniors were Freshmen on the 2020-2021 team, and current stars <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='326486' first='Bradie' last='Chambers']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='718311' first='Sydney' last='Jerrells']</strong> even got in at the end of that game. They've seen firsthand what it takes to get it done, so their experience could pay off. Also keep an eye on Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='495982' first='Addisyn' last='McKee']</strong>, along with 6-2 Junior post <strong>Taryn Thuis</strong>, who at least offers them some size upfront. <strong>Our Pick:</strong> Linton-Stockton, 43-36.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game #2:</strong> Eastern Hancock (24-1) vs. Sheridan (20-5), 12:00 p.m. ET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preview:</strong> There is a reason Eastern Hancock has posted a 24-1 record so far this season...they know how to distance themselves from their opponents. Other than a loss to 4A power Lawrence North, they have only played four other games that resulted in single-digit margins. Two of those were to 4A Cathedral and Lapel (<em>see above</em>). Since the calendar turned, the closest anyone has played them was last week in the Regional when they defeated Parke Heritage, 55-40. Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='750766' first='McKenzie' last='Koch']</strong> (<em>19.0p, 4.4r, 2.9a, 2.9s</em>) is a budding star, plus Seniors <strong>Sammie Bolding</strong> (<em>13.7p, 2.5r, 2.0a, 2.3s</em>), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='455934' first='Ruby' last='White']</strong> (<em>10.9p, 5.7r, 1.5a, 1.1s, 1.9b</em>), <strong>Brooklyn Willis</strong> (<em>5.7p, 4.6r, 2.9a, 1.6s</em>), <strong>Makenzie O'Neal</strong> (<em>4.9p, 5.0r, 2.6a, 1.6s</em>), and <strong>Sydney Springman</strong> (<em>3.8p, 2.0r, 1.4a, 1.5s</em>) bring a ton of toughness and energy to the floor. White is a skilled 6-1 post who can be a real problem inside. Sheridan has been gearing up for this year and next with a quality 2025 class. 6-0 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324072' first='Kenzie' last='Garner']</strong> (<em>20.5p, 9.9r, 5.0a, 4.1s, 2.1b</em>) is a star in her own right, and she is capable of approaching 30 points any time she takes the floor. Fellow Juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='482853' first='Cecilia' last='Timme']</strong> (<em>9.6p, 4.9r, 3.7a, 3.4s</em>), <strong>Nova Cross</strong> (<em>6.3p, 2.5r, 2.0a, 1.2s</em>), and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331804' first='Shelby' last='Eaton']</strong> (<em>5.7p, 2.8r, 1.4s</em>) continue to improve and mesh together very well. Timme is back this season after missing some time injured. Sheridan has enough talent for the upset, but they will have to play a "clean" game and stay out of foul trouble. <strong>Our Pick:</strong> Eastern Hancock, 56-43.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game #3:</strong> Winner Game-1 vs. Winner Game-2, 8:00 p.m. ET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->