State Finals Preview: Session-2
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The featured image is of Kennedie Burks Kennedie Burks 5'3" | PG Lake Central | 2024 IN (2024) of Lake Central High School. The matchups are set for the 2024 State Finals, and eight teams will attempt to earn crowns…
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Continue ReadingThe featured image is of Kennedie Burks Kennedie Burks 5'3" | PG Lake Central | 2024 IN (2024) of Lake Central High School.
The matchups are set for the 2024 State Finals, and eight teams will attempt to earn crowns this Saturday. The second session begins with the Class 3A game, followed by the Class 4A game, starting around 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Gibson Southern played in the Class 3A title game in 2002, falling to Bishop Luers, while Norwell’s only appearance was in 1977 when four teams were invited to the State Finals. They are looking for their first crown this year. Lawrence Central just won their second Sectional title, and their first since 1987. They had never advanced any farther until this season. Lake Central claimed one of the last single-class championships in 1994, then were the first Class 4A runner-up in 1998. Below is a quick look at the two games from the second 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.
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Class 3A Championship Game
Matchup: Gibson Southern (25-4) vs. Norwell (23-4), 6:00 p.m. ET
Preview: This should be a fantastic matchup, as both teams are well-coached, they do a nice job of enforcing their will and controlling tempo, but both teams can play with some versatility as well. Gibson Southern relies heavily on the perimeter play of Junior guard Gabby Spink Gabby Spink 5'9" | CG Gibson Southern | 2025 State IN (19.4p, 4.9r, 5.9a, 2.3s) and Senior wing Chloey Graham Chloey Graham 5'9" | SG Gibson Southern | 2024 State IN (17.2p, 4.0r, 1.8a, 2.3s). Both are capable of putting up 30+ points at any moment, but they also find ways to contribute when they aren’t scoring. 6-1 Freshman post Paige Schnaus Paige Schnaus 6'2" | C Gibson Southern | 2027 State IN (9.7p, 6.0r), has gotten better and better as the season has worn on, and she has saved her best play for tournament games. Junior wing Nola Ravellette Nola Ravellette 5'9" | SF Gibson Southern | 2025 IN (6.7p, 4.3r, 1.2a, 1.0s) is a tough-nosed, physical player who makes a lot of hustle plays, while Senior guard Ally Malone (3.1p, 2.8r, 1.8a, 1.1s) is a really nice multisport athlete who can defend at a high level. Like the Titans, when you begin talking about the Norwell Knights, you must start with Senior guards Kennedy Fuelling Kennedy Fuelling 5'7" | CG Norwell | 2024 State IN (21.6p, 2.8r, 1.8a) and Makenzie Fuess Makenzie Fuess 5'5" | PG Norwell | 2024 State IN (16.1p, 3.2r, 1.7a). Fuelling is an outstanding 3-point shooter who always uses her athleticism to get to the basket. Fuess has played some point, but this year she has scored the ball a lot more effectively as well. Senior Annabelle Johnson (2.6p, 2.6r, 3.7a) has helped alleviate some of the backcourt pressure with her ability to handle the ball and run offense for the Knights. Sophomore wing Vanessa Rosswurm Vanessa Rosswurm 5'9" | SF Norwell | 2026 IN (11.6p, 5.8r, 1.5a) is another double-digit scorer who can make shots outside or get to the basket. 6-1 Senior Dekota Hubble Dekota Hubble 6'0" | C Norwell | 2024 IN (4.5p, 4.8r) gives Norwell size up front and will have to battle with Schnaus quite a bit. Our Pick: Norwell, 58-54.
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Class 4A Championship Game
Matchup: Lawrence Central (29-1) vs. Lake Central (26-4), approximately 8:15 p.m. ET
Preview: These two teams actually met back on December 22nd, 2023, when Lawrence Central beat Lake Central in Bedford, 51-38. Lawrence Central boasts a starting lineup that include four non-Seniors receiving a ton of Division-I interest/offers. The most talented of the bunch are sisters Jaylah Lampley Jaylah Lampley 6'2" | SF Lawrence Central | 2025 State IN (17.9p, 5.8r, 1.8a, 2.2s), a 6-2 Junior, and Lola Lampley Lola Lampley 6'3" | PF Lawrence Central | 2026 State IN (10.3p, 5.9r, 2.8a, 2.3s, 1.4b), a 6-3 Sophomore. Both are capable of taking over games at any time. Junior point guard Laila Abdurraqib Laila Abdurraqib 5'7" | PG Lawrence Central | 2025 State IN (11.4p, 4.0r, 3.6a, 2.3s) controls the ball, but she can also knock down shots and defend at a high level. Sophomore Aniyah McKenzie Aniyah McKenzie 6'0" | PF Lawrence Central | 2026 State IN (11.4p, 6.0r, 1.4a, 1.8s) is an athletic, high-motor, versatile forward who makes big plays for the Bears at key times. Junior guard Mariah Kenter-Garrett Mariah Kenter-Garrett 5'6" | PG Lawrence Central | 2025 State IN (3.4p, 2.1r, 1.8a, 1.8s) is a lockdown defender who can disrupt opponents, while Junior Melaya Hughes (3.1p, 2.9r, 1.0a, 1.4s) is a hustling forward who comes up with a lot of loose balls and rebounds. Lake Central plays at least eight girls on most nights, if not more. They get a lot of balance with no one averaging more than 9.5 points per game. Senior wing Aniyah Bishop Aniyah Bishop 5'10" | SF Lake Central | 2024 State IN (9.5p, 5.2r, 1.7a, 1.7s) and Junior guard Vanessa Wimberly Vanessa Wimberly 5'5" | PG Lake Central | 2025 State IN (9.4p, 2.9r, 3.7a, 2.6s) have been very good throughout the postseason for the Lady Indians. Senior guards Riley Milausnic Riley Milausnic 5'7" | CG Lake Central | 2024 State IN (8.8p, 2.3r, 1.5a, 1.9s) and Nadia Clayton Nadia Clayton 5'7" | SG Lake Central | 2024 State IN (7.2p, 2.7r, 2.0a, 2.0s) are both nice athletes, and they can both make shots. Milausnic is a nice deep-shooter; Clayton is an exceptional defender. Senior Kennedie Burks Kennedie Burks 5'3" | PG Lake Central | 2024 IN (5.2p, 1.9r, 1.3a, 1.8s) can handle the ball if needed, and she can knock down an open jumper, while 6-0 Junior forward Ayla Krygier Ayla Krygier 6'0" | SF Lake Central | 2025 State IN (8.7p, 4.3r, 1.5a) has the toughness to play inside and the skillset offensively to handle the ball or bury 3-pointers consistently outside. The Indians could also benefit from Junior guard Bryn Leonard Bryn Leonard 5'7" | PG Lake Central | 2025 State IN (33p, 1.7r) and Sophomore forward Alexa Iwema (3.2p, 2.2r, 1.0s) giving them critical minutes off the bench. This game should be tightly contested throughout, with critical free throws and stops at the end deciding the outcome. Our Pick: Lawrence Central, 49-43.