Semi-State Showdown: Class 2A

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='881701' first='Addilee' last='Jenkins'] (2025) of Parke Heritage High School.   The 2025 State Tournament is now over two weeks in, and we are to the Semi-State rounds. There are eight teams remaining in each classification, 32 out of nearly 400 teams still playing, and by the end of Saturday night, only eight teams total will remain in the entire state. Below is a look at the Class 2A matchups, our thoughts and predictions for each Semi-State, as well as some players to watch for from each team. All eight Semi-States, weather pending, are slated to be played throughout the day this Saturday, February 22nd. All game times listed below are Eastern Time.   .   Northern Semi-State - Logansport   Game-1: 10:00a - Whitko vs. Eastside Game-2: 12:00p - Sheridan vs. Rensselaer Central Championship Game: 8:00p - Winner Game-1 vs. Winner Game-2   Analysis: The Semi-State is new territory for both Whitko and Eastside. The Wildcats had never won a Sectional until this season, so this is a great accomplishment for their program, while Eastside last won a Sectional in 2022, but this is only their second Semi-State appearance, having last won a Regional in 1979. Whitko utilizes a trio of double-digit scorers in sisters [player_tooltip player_id='1221113' first='Reese' last='Stonebraker'] (14.1p, 6.0r, 3.4a, 3.1s), a 5-6 Junior guard, and [player_tooltip player_id='890886' first='Jayma' last='Stonebraker'] (12.8p, 4.4r, 3.8a, 3.8s), a 5-7 Sophomore point guard, plus sharp-shooting 5-8 Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1122773' first='Adriyanna' last='Phillips'] (12.8p, 3.5r). Those three attack opponents from all different angles, so it can be difficult to match up with them. 5-7 Senior wing Braisha Harrison (6.2p) adds versatility, while 6-2 Sophomore post [player_tooltip player_id='1259573' first='Ally' last='Brown'] (6.1p, 6.2r) gives them a true rebounding presence and rim protection in the paint. The Eastside Blazers have their own trio to watch out for, and all are Seniors with a wealth of experience. Athletic 5-9 wing [player_tooltip player_id='923186' first='Lily' last='Kreischer'] plays with a great deal of versatility, as she can score from the perimeter or in the mid-post. 5-5 guard [player_tooltip player_id='773841' first='Paige' last='Traxler'] is a tough-nosed, feisty guard who can create, get to the rim, or make shots from outside. And 5-7 guard [player_tooltip player_id='923168' first='Sydnee' last='Kessler'] is a good perimeter shooter, but she can also take on ball-handling responsibilities. 5-3 Sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='945359' first='Lucy' last='Kitchen'] and 5-10 Sophomore wing/forward [player_tooltip player_id='751125' first='Taylor' last='Mack'] have played since they arrived last year as rookies, and they are consistent contributors for the Blazers as well.   Sheridan is also relatively new to this scene, as their first Sectional title came in 2015, they added another last year, and they made it to this point a season ago as well with their first Regional title in 2024. Now, with a cast led by a strong Senior group, they look to finish off what has been a 25-1 season thus far. The Blackhawks are led by 6-1 Senior wing/forward [player_tooltip player_id='324072' first='Kenzie' last='Garner'] (21.3p, 9.5r, 4.2a, 3.2s), whose outstanding touch outside matches her ability to use her height and length inside around the rim. 5-9 wing [player_tooltip player_id='482853' first='Cecilia' last='Timme'] (10.6p, 4.9r, 3.9a, 3.1s), 5-9 wing [player_tooltip player_id='331804' first='Shelby' last='Eaton'] (6.7p, 2.2r), 5-8 guard Nova Cross (4.8p, 3.8r, 2.1a), and 5-8 Senior forward Mackenzie Smith (4.2p, 3.6r) provide that aforementioned Senior experience and depth, and they are hungry to advance farther than they did a year ago. Also, younger sisters Brielle Garner (7.3p, 2.0r) and Sadie Timme (3.3p, 4.3r, 2.2s) contribute in significant ways as well. Rensselaer Central entered the season with six Sectional titles under their belt, but four of them were before 2000, and the most recent was in 2013. This also marks the first year they have advanced from the Regional, so it's a pretty special season for the 24-2 Bombers as well. They are another older, experienced team, and they use the combination of skill, athleticism, toughness, and physicality to their advantage. 5-11 Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='295796' first='Taylor' last='Van Meter'] (13.0p, 5.4r, 4.1a, 2.7s) has continued to build her game from year to year, and she can hurt opponents from all over. 5-8 Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='492323' first='Kamri' last='Rowland'] (15.4p, 7.2r, 2.5a, 3.3s) is difficult to define by position, because she can play just about anywhere, and she plays with an outstanding motor. 5-10 Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='756244' first='Courtney' last='Mathew'] (11.9p, 4.4r, 3.9a, 2.8s) is one of the better young guards in Northwest Indiana, and she brings length, toughness, and a defensive mindset to the floor. 6-0 Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='453224' first='Carly' last='Drone'] (9.4p, 5.9r), 5-8 Junior forward Brodie Radtke (7.8p, 4.6r), and 5-7 Sophomore guard Alivia Cain (2.9p, 3.0r) provide the Bombers with a nice six-player rotation that can provide scoring from just about anywhere.   Projected Outcomes: Whitko is rolling right now, having won 13 of their last 14 games. They've played and beaten several quality opponents, and they have a versatile starting group. The big thing for them will be if they can keep those starters out of foul trouble. Eastside is a little more experienced and a little deeper than Whitko right now. 17 of their wins have been by 20+ points, and they work really well together. I think Whitko's recent single-digit wins over 22-win Bluffton and 24-win Bremen has them confident, and I am going to pick the Wildcats in a mild "upset" to open the day in Logansport (Whitko 53, Eastside 49). Game-2 could be highly entertaining, as there is a lot of versatility, scoring, and talent taking the floor. I think this game will come down to Rensselaer using its physicality and whether or not Sheridan adapts to it quickly enough, or whether the game is officiated tightly or loosely. If Rensselaer is able to "be themselves", they have a distinct advantage, and I think they have the pieces to potentially limit Garner's effectiveness quite a bit. Don't get me wrong, Sheridan is very capable of winning this, and winning the game by double figures, but I think I'm going to lean towards Rensselaer Central here (Rensselaer 53, Sheridan 44). In this scenario, that would make the final Whitko versus Rensselaer Central. Whitko will need their guards to control tempo, pick their spots, and take care of the basketball. The Bombers will be taller, longer, and stronger at just about each position. If the Wildcats can use quality shot selection and make a high percentage, that's their best path to success. Rensselaer will likely control the boards and want to play in transition, which is where they are very good. I think this could be a very close game for about 20 minutes, but I would expect the Lady Bombers to eventually pull away down the stretch (Rensselaer 54, Whitko 47).   .   Southern Semi-State - Jasper   Game-1: 10:00a - Parke Heritage vs. South Knox Game-2: 12:00p - Brownstown Central vs. Heritage Christian Championship Game: 8:00p - Winner Game-1 vs. Winner Game-2   Analysis: Parke Heritage is probably still a relatively new school name to a lot of people. It is the product of a 2018 consolidation of Rockville High School and Turkey Run High School, both schools who have had past success in girls' basketball. Now, the Wolves are a highly competitive 23-4 squad made up of a strong Senior class with some nice youngsters sprinkled in. 5-8 Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='506018' first='Emma' last='Simpson'] (18.7p, 8.0r, 3.7a, 4.3s) is the standout, and she does whatever she can to help them win games. She is an athletic lefty driver, she can knock down an open jumper, but she will also rebound, defend, and get on the floor for loose balls. 5-9 wing [player_tooltip player_id='881701' first='Addilee' last='Jenkins'] (11.2p, 5.7r, 2.1s) has really stepped up in her Senior season, providing a solid second scoring option. 5-8 forward Raegan Ramsey (8.9p, 3.3r), 5-7 wing Cate O'Brien (4.6p, 2.3r), and 5-7 guard [player_tooltip player_id='889466' first='Addison' last='Jenkins'] (4.1p, 3.7r), all Seniors, add great experience and depth. Also keep an eye on 5-8 Freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='989989' first='Lila' last='Busenbark'] (5.4p). She is one of the future stars for the Wolves, and I wouldn't be surprised if she nets 15-20 points in a game Saturday. South Knox is on a mission this year, and they are a favorite to get to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. After a 23-2 2023-2024 season that saw them fall to those pesky Warriors of North Knox in the Sectional, the Spartans have finally cleared that hurdle and posted a 25-2 record thus far this season...oh, and their two losses are to Hamilton Southeastern and Homestead, two Class 4A powers who they performed admirably against. South Knox is a well-oiled machine, and they do a nice job of understanding their strengths, while also finding ways to utilize everyone on the floor. 5-9 Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='570374' first='Ella' last='Bobe'] is the main catalyst. She has point guard skill, touch with range outside, but she's also strong and uses that to post up smaller defenders. 6-0 Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='626932' first='Bren' last='Hill'] is a long, wiry, bouncy inside-out player who can knock down the occasional 3-pointer or battle inside for rebounds and block shots. 5-8 Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='756236' first='Kendal' last='Hill'] is another playmaker off the bounce, and she's had flashes of great play all season on and off the ball. 5-11 Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1218585' first='Delaynee' last='Coomes'] comes in firing 3-pointers off the bench, 5-8 Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1275573' first='Grace' last='Detweiler'] plays with versatility, and 5-8 Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1256497' first='Madison' last='Parrish'] is an undersized, high-motor player who doesn't mind being physical inside.   I feel like Brownstown Central is in this position just about every year of recent memory. They have won Sectionals each of the last six years, they have added Regional titles in 2020 and 2024, and they are looking to return to the State Finals after falling to Bishop Luers just last season. With an experienced nucleus, they are in a great position to do just that. They are a product of a strong system, good coaching, and strong situational decision-making. 5-7 Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='923178' first='Jenna' last='Klosterman'] makes them go. She handles the ball quite a bit, she can create shots, make shots, and she competes. 5-6 Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='486520' first='Harley' last='Toppe'] is a dangerous shooter, and when she gets hot, watch out! 5-9 Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='928931' first='Sophie' last='Wischmeier'] is a really nice wing prospect, and 5-6 Senior guard Mallory Klosterman has stepped up at times this season to make big shots. The most difficult part about defeating the Lady Braves is, they have played together for so long, their consistency is tough to match. As for Heritage Christian, the Eagles have a storied history in the IHSAA State Tournament. They currently hold six Class 2A State Titles (2006-2009, 2014, 2015), a Class 3A State Title (2016), and a Class 2A Runner-Up finish (2004). I won't even get into the Sectional and Regional titles they've amassed. However, this run in 2025 is the deepest the Lady Eagles have been since a Semi-State appearance in 2017. This group is hungry to add another trophy or two to its collection. 5-8 Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='324078' first='Joslyn' last='Marshall'] (14.1p, 3.8r, 2.3a, 2.5s) is the playmaker. She can create offense for herself or others, and she is a very good multilevel shooter/scorer. 5-10 Freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='999405' first='Riley' last='Johnson'] (14.7p, 3.5r, 2.0s) has proven her worth as a young scorer, plus she has a highly consistent jump-shot. 5-10 Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='324071' first='Casey' last='Frost'] (9.9p, 4.8r, 3.3a, 2.2s) plays with a really nice inside-out versatility, and she is a 4-year Varsity starter, while 5-11 Junior front-liner [player_tooltip player_id='773844' first='Trinity' last='Taylor'] (7.2p, 13.2r) is an athletic defensive and rebounding presence inside.   Projected Outcomes: Parke Heritage is a nice team, they have talent, skill, and depth. In most other matchups, it would be difficult not to pick them. But this year, South Knox is just a different monster. They can match everything Parke Heritage can bring to the court, plus they have critical big game experience against a significantly tougher schedule. The Spartans have already defeated two of the top eight teams in Class 2A this postseason, according to Sagarin, so I don't know that Parke Heritage will be much different. However, I do think it will be a little closer than some think (South Knox 62, Parke Heritage 41). Brownstown Central and Heritage Christian could be an entertaining game. I think the two teams actually match up a lot more similarly than you might think. They are similarly sized, similarly athletic, so it comes down to which team takes care of the ball better and makes more open shots. Heritage Christian was 7-12 at one point and they've rattled off seven wins in a row. I think the Eagles have one more win in them and they "upset" a very good Brownstown team in a tight one (Heritage Christian 45, Brownstown Central 43). For the opportunity to advance to the State Finals, I think South Knox will be uber-focused on what they started back in November. They have checked every box along the way, and I think they will just be too much for Heritage Christian to handle for 32 minutes. It might be very competitive for the first 10-12 minutes, but I think the Spartans lead by 10 at the half before finishing the game on a strong run (South Knox 63, Heritage Christian 39).

The featured image is of Addilee Jenkins Addilee Jenkins 5'9" | SF Parke Heritage | 2025 State IN (2025) of Parke Heritage High School.