State Finals Preview: Session-1

<!-- 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>The matchups are set for the 2024 State Finals, and eight teams will attempt to earn crowns this Saturday. The first session begins with the Class 1A game, followed by the Class 2A game, before a break for the afternoon. Lanesville looks to repeat as Class 1A State Champions, while Marquette Catholic looks to add to their two titles from 2018 and 2019. In the Class 2A game, Brownstown Central looks for their first-ever title in their second appearance. Ironically, they faced off with Bishop Luers in 2011. As for Luers, the Knights have won six times in nine tries, all between 1999 and 2011. Below is a quick look at the two games from the first session this Saturday. 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Class 1A Championship Game</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Matchup:</strong> Lanesville (28-1) vs. Marquette Catholic (24-4), 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preview:</strong> Lanesville is one of the deepest Class 1A teams in the state, as they can play as many as nine players comfortably within their rotation. The are skilled, disciplined, and experienced. While they lost a couple of key 2023 graduates, they have continued their strong play in 2023-2024. Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295760' first='Hadley' last='Crosier']</strong> (<em>15.8p, 4.7r, 4.1a, 4.0s</em>) is the unquestioned leader who makes them go. She has good size, athleticism, and the ability to shoot/score or create for others. Junior post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='880516' first='Shelby' last='Allen']</strong> (<em>12.1p, 6.8r, 1.0a</em>) is another double-figure scorer who gives the Eagles a presence inside, while Senior guard <strong>Ava Kerr</strong> (<em>9.8p, 4.9r, 2.5a, 2.7s</em>) and Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324067' first='Hylton' last='Brumley']</strong> (<em>8.9p, 3.0r, 2.4a, 1.8s</em>) offer Lanesville two additional perimeter threats who can get it done outside. <strong>Elle Schneider</strong> (<em>5.6p, 2.6r, 1.7a</em>), <strong>Jane Davis</strong> (<em>5.4p, 2.2r, 1.4a, 1.8s</em>), and <strong>Emma Davis</strong> (<em>4.6p, 2.3r, 1.0a, 1.7s</em>) are a trio of Seniors who hope to see a lot of opportunities come their way Saturday as well. With regards to Marquette, the Blazers are a bit younger, but just as talented, with nice size as well. The backcourt of Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486528' first='Laniah' last='Davis']</strong> (<em>20.0p, 6.1r, 2.7a, 3.2s</em>), Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751101' first='Marissa' last='Pleasant']</strong> (<em>10.2p, 2.7r, 1.6a, 1.6s</em>), and Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331799' first='Jiselle' last='Chabes']</strong> (<em>4.9p, 2.5r, 2.9a, 1.6s</em>) are nothing if not entertaining. Davis is a strong athlete, and she was outstanding last weekend, while Pleasant saved the best for last, knocking down the game-winning 3-pointer just before the buzzer to win the Semi-State finale. Add to that 6-0 Junior forwards <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324083' first='Natalie' last='Robinson']</strong> (<em>7.2p, 6.2r, 1.7a, 2.7s</em>) and <strong>Livia Balling</strong> (<em>6.3p, 5.9r, 1.1a, 1.7s</em>), who bring length and athleticism to the frontcourt, and the Blazers have a tremendous starting unit who can score from anywhere. <strong>Our Pick:</strong> Lanesville, 64-49.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Class 2A Championship Game</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Matchup:</strong> Brownstown Central (20-9) vs. Bishop Luers (19-6), approximately 12:45 p.m. ET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preview:</strong> Oddly enough, both of these teams enter Saturday as the only two teams with more than four losses. But don't take either of them for granted. Brownstown Central is truly using a "team" effort, as they don't have a single player scoring more than 9.8 points per game. Junior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923178' first='Jenna' last='Klosterman']</strong> (<em>7.1p, 4.3r, 3.2a, 1.0s</em>) leads the team into action. She's a nice athlete, she can run offense, knock down shots, and she's a solid defender. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486520' first='Harley' last='Toppe']</strong> (<em>9.8p, 2.1r, 1.6a, 1.7s</em>) is their shooter, knocking down 54 3-pointers this year at a 43% rate. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='928931' first='Sophie' last='Wischmeier']</strong> (<em>7.8p, 7.2r, 1.5a, 1.6s</em>) is another nice athlete with length, she plays all over the floor, and she can affect the game in many ways. Look for those three to get help from Junior forward <strong>Kinzee Dean</strong> (<em>6.3p 4.8r</em>) and Junior guard <strong>Mallory Klosterman</strong> (<em>6.2p, 1.3r</em>). Bishop Luers has three double-figure scorers, but they also have the ability to go deep into their bench. They have guard play, interior play, and solid wings who can get it done. 6-0 Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='298259' first='Addie' last='Shank']</strong> (<em>13.3p, 7.3r, 1.7a, 1.6s</em>) and 6-1 Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='624885' first='Miley' last='Wareing']</strong> (<em>11.5p, 9.4r, 2.1a, 1.7s, 1.8b</em>) have been a problem for opponents inside this postseason, dominating the boards, defending, and scoring it as well. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='201869' first='Annika' last='Davis']</strong> (<em>10.2p, 2.4r, 2.2a, 2.2s</em>) operates from the point and does a nice job setting up teammates. Juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='506023' first='Reese' last='Rhodehamel']</strong> (<em>7.0p, 3.6r, 1.0a, 1.3s</em>) and <strong>Maggie Parent</strong> (<em>4.3p, 4.3r, 1.8a, 1.1s</em>), plus Senior <strong>Kyndal Tyree</strong> (<em>4.1p, 2.7r, 1.3a, 1.0s</em>), bring nice size and versatility to the wing/forward spots for the Knights. This could be a real back &amp; forth battle with several lead changes. <strong>Our Pick:</strong> Bishop Luers, 49-46.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->