Semi-State Showdown: Class 3A

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='295754' first='Addison' last='Baxter'] (2025) of Columbia City 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 3A 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 - Huntington North   Game-1: 10:00a - Norwell vs. Delta Game-2: 12:00p - Columbia City vs. Highland Championship Game: 8:00p - Winner Game-1 vs. Winner Game-2   Analysis: Norwell is a program of consistency. Over the past 15 years, they have won 12 Sectional titles, 4 Regional titles, and this year they are attempting to make it to the State Finals for the second consecutive year. The Lady Knights are the 2024 State Runners-Up; however, they graduated a great deal of production, including four starters. That lone returning starter, 5-9 Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='732354' first='Vanessa' last='Rosswurm'], has stepped into a leadership role in a big way. She is an aggressive, athletic, slashing style of scorer who has filled it up on most nights. 5-8 Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1137282' first='Macie' last='Saalfrank'] has become a highly effective shooter/scorer for the Knights, after playing briefly in just three games last season. 5-7 Junior guard Addison Norris and 5-10 Sophomore forward Alivia Green bring experience to the lineup, as does 5-8 Senior guard Ryland Graft. And the Lady Knights can play as many as nine or ten players without any real drop-off in terms of talent/skill. As for the Delta Eagles, they have seen several players learn as youngsters and grow into an experienced team ready to take the floor on Saturday morning. They have a three-pronged attack, led by 5-9 Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='832654' first='Jillian' last='Barr'] (16.9p, 10.1r, 4.0s, 2.3b). She is a nice, strong athlete who can play effectively in the mid-post or come outside and play around the perimeter. 5-4 Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1256487' first='Griffyn' last='Knight'] (15.7p, 4.8r, 2.1a, 4.0s) is a streaky shooter who can get hot and score it in bunches, plus she's an effective defender, while 5-4 Junior Addison Barnes (10.0p, 2.6r, 4.7a, 2.2s) acts as the team's point guard and distributor. 5-6 Junior wings Elizabeth Bamidele (5.7p, 5.1r) and Olivia Marshall (3.6p, 2.4r), plus 5-4 Sophomore guard Harper Timmerman (3.6p, 3.1r) and 6-0 Freshman post Gracie Maurer (3.3p, 3.2r) form the remainder of a strong rotation that can occasionally pull production from just about anywhere.   Another type of Eagle, the Columbia City Eagles, are thrilled to have dropped back down to Class 3A, as they were able to avoid Homestead. The Spartans have ended their season five years in a row in Class 4A. Now, Columbia City is to the Semi-State and able to focus on getting to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. 5-9 Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='295754' first='Addison' last='Baxter'] is their do-everything star this season. She is a dynamic creator off the bounce, she is a capable perimeter shooter, and she continues to improve defensively. 5-9 Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='486514' first='Anisa' last='Tonkel'] is a fairly strong, athletic, energetic player who makes a lot of "hustle" players for the team, while 5-6 Senior guard Laney Ziliak adds significant experience. 5-9 Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1256475' first='Torah' last='Holler'], 5-6 Senior guard Alivia Kidd, and 5-11 Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='992133' first='Claudia' last='Strack'] should all play significant minutes. Strack at least gives them a little size and some athleticism in the mid-post and around the rim. Highland's path to the Semi-State has been much easier than most, though they did have a nice win over a very good Culver Academy team in the Regional. In order for them to continue, they need a big outing from 5-8 Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='624883' first='Jordan' last='Steele'] (26.2p, 5.0r, 6.2s). She is a sweet-shooting lefty who can also get to the rim, and she is their offense. No one else on the team averages more than 5.5 points per game, so the Trojans will absolutely need others to step up in order to compete with Columbia City. 5-5 Sophomore guard Savannah Ballard (5.5p, 3.9r), 5-9 Freshman wing [player_tooltip player_id='882905' first='Avery' last='Steele'] (4.4p, 3.9r), 5-6 Freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='881255' first='Addyson' last='Figueroa'] (3.7p, 3.8r), and 5-6 Senior wing Alyssa Niemann (3.0p, 2.5r) are the best options to step up this weekend.   Projected Outcomes: Norwell and Delta have never played, despite being just 47 miles apart. The Lady Knights have an obvious advantage in terms of postseason experience, but Delta has shown flashes in key moments throughout the season. I think the Eagles will come out aggressive and intense, possibly even lead through the first quarter by a couple of points, before Norwell finds their footing and starts to take control just before halftime. In the end, I just think Norwell's experience will be too much to overcome, but look for Delta to be back here next year (Norwell 57, Delta 42). In the second game of the day, I think Columbia City has a decided advantage across the board...depth, skill, and talent. They have the guards to bother Steele quite a bit, and as long as they don't let her get going, this should be a considerable victory for the Lady Eagles (Columbia City 63, Highland 34). Norwell and Columbia City are conference rivals, they have seen each other plenty over the years, and the Eagles defeated the Knights by 7 points earlier this season. This final could be quite the battle, but I think this could be the year Columbia City breaks through. Both teams have a star player and quality depth, but I feel like the Lady Eagles have a bit more firepower offensively, and they should be able to find shots a little easier down the stretch (Columbia City 58, Norwell 54).   .   Southern Semi-State - New Albany   Game-1: 10:00a - Cathedral vs. Roncalli Game-2: 12:00p - Greensburg vs. Evansville Central Championship Game: 8:00p - Winner Game-1 vs. Winner Game-2   Analysis: The first game of the day in New Albany features an "old school", Indianapolis City rivalry that hasn't happened since 2021. Cathedral features a pair of Senior guards in [player_tooltip player_id='496026' first='Jaeda' last='Wilson'] (10.6p, 3.6r) and [player_tooltip player_id='776078' first='Tianna' last='Guy'] (9.8p, 2.7r, 2.1a) who use their strength, physicality, and athleticism to their advantage. Guy is an especially tough-nosed defender as well. 5-11 Freshman forward [player_tooltip player_id='926326' first='Caroline' last='Wiggins'] (9.5p, 6.0r, 2.0s) has been a nice addition this year, as she can play physically inside or skillfully around the perimeter. 5-6 Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1131916' first='Precious' last='Anuka'] (5.7p, 2.2r), 5-8 Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='506017' first='Abby' last='Beasley'] (4.3p, 2.6r, 3.8a, 3.0s), and 5-9 Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1122716' first='Reaghan' last='Gilmore'] (4.0p, 2.7r) aren't the flashy types, but they are hard-working, skilled, and versatile contributors who can each step up if needed. The Irish have had a really nice season, including two in-season tournament championships, they won their first Sectional since 2005, and they are appearing in the Semi-State for the first time since their 2001 State Championship. The Roncalli Royals are a tough matchup for most teams, because they utilize a great deal of guard skill and depth, they can control tempo, and they can make shots from different positions. 5-9 Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='716615' first='Elliot' last='Leffler'] (17.3p, 5.7r) can be a real problem for opponents, she is strong and aggressive, plus she has nice touch outside. 5-6 Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='486513' first='Brennah' last='Cerny'] (9.5p, 2.6r, 3.0a, 2.9s), plus sisters [player_tooltip player_id='296265' first='Sara' last='Rosko'] (9.2p, 3.8r, 2.9a, 2.5s), a 5-4 Senior, and [player_tooltip player_id='421106' first='Catie' last='Rosko'] (4.9p, 3.2r, 2.8a, 2.0s), a 5-1 Junior, are a trio of additional shooters who can also create some off the bounce. 6-1 Junior post Lydia Stahley (6.4p, 4.8r) and 5-6 Junior forward Reagan Turk (4.5p, 3.8r) add interior defense and rebounding to the lineup. The Royals last made it to this round in 2016, so they, too, are hungry to add more hardware to their trophy case.   The Greensburg Pirates were a favorite to make it to the Class 3A State Finals from the outset of the season, and thus far, they have followed suit. The Pirates are 25-0, they have talent, skill, and depth, plus they are balanced throughout their lineup. 5-10 Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='751051' first='Claire' last='Larrison'] (16.2p, 7.7r, 3.5a, 2.3s) has stepped up to be a tremendous threat offensively. She is so smooth, skilled, and versatile. 6-1 Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='295778' first='Leah' last='West'] (15.4p, 5.6r, 2.0s) has the size and strength to play inside, but she is also a capable perimeter shooter and can play all over the floor. 5-7 Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='295779' first='Mylie' last='Wilkison'] (15.8p, 3.1r, 2.5a, 2.5s) has enjoyed a strong, healthy Senior season, and she can play on or off the ball effectively. From there, 5-10 Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='479613' first='Alyson' last='Powers'] (10.2p, 3.6r, 3.8a, 2.1s), 5-7 Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='486506' first='Mary' last='Harmon'] (6.6p, 2.5r, 3.4a), and 5-3 Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='571840' first='Emma' last='McQueen'] (2.0p, 2.7r, 2.5a) are additional perimeter weapons who can shoot/score, create, and defend with effort. The Pirates can go even deeper than those six, but those six are a real problem for opponents, because they can attack you from all different angles. Evansville Central will likely have the most productive player on the floor, as 6-1 Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='492324' first='Madalynn' last='Shirley'] (24.8p, 11.9r, 2.6a, 3.4b) has produced an incredible season all the way around, and even if she is limited offensively, she can still contribute on the boards and at the defensive end of the floor. She has inside-out versatility, plus she plays with a tremendous motor. 5-7 Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='874335' first='Mya' last='Skelton'] (10.5p, 4.7r, 3.4a) and 5-11 Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='874339' first='Olivya' last='Hile'] (9.3p, 3.9r) offer a couple of perimeter options to aid Shirley. Skelton is an aggressive driver, while Hile shows nice touch from the perimeter and size to help inside. 5-4 Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='556017' first='Avery' last='Kelley'] (6.6p, 3.0r, 4.0a) often provides a spark of energy, plus the Lady Bears can go as deep as seven or eight players, if necessary. They are enjoying their best season since they were Regional finalists in 2015-2016.   Projected Outcomes: Cathedral versus Roncalli is going to be a nail-biter through and through. Both teams have strong guard play, so it should at least be fast-paced and exciting. Cathedral can score in a variety of ways, but usually they turn defense into offense. Roncalli likes to fire the 3-pointer. This game will come down to who can get the key stops when the game is on the line. In what I think could be a coin-flip game, I think Cathedral's experience having won two multiday, in-season tournaments could help them manage the schedule of the day successfully, so I will lean the way of the Irish ever so slightly (Cathedral 47, Roncalli 46). In the second game of the day, I think it comes down to how well Greensburg can limit Shirley's effectiveness and make everyone else beat them. West definitely has the size and physical ability, plus the Pirates have several long wings who can pressure the shorter Lady Bear perimeter players. I still think Evansville Central makes this a grind, controls tempo, and minimizes possessions as well as possible. I will take Greensburg here, but I think it's going to be a lower-scoring affair than anticipated (Greensburg 45, Evansville Central 37). These outcomes match up Cathedral and Greensburg in the Semi-State finale. Once again, Cathedral's midseason tourney experience should help them be competitive, especially in the first half. However, I feel like Greensburg is positioned well to finish off a flawless season, so I think the Pirates will use patience and persistence in slowly claiming a lead and then extending it late (Greensburg 54, Cathedral 43).

The featured image is of Addison Baxter Addison Baxter 5'9" | PG Columbia City | 2025 State IN (2025) of Columbia City High School.