State Finals Preview: Class 1A

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='973276' first='Saylor' last='Schleicher'] (2028) of Borden High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 IHSAA State Tournament is now at its end as we have reached the State Finals. 8 out of nearly 400 teams are still playing, and everything has led to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. 4 teams will be crowned "State Champions" this Saturday. Below is a look at the Class 1A matchups, our thoughts and prediction for the Class 1A State Finals, as well as some players to keep an eye on from each team. The game time listed below is in Eastern Time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Class 1A State Finals:</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Rep:</strong> Lafayette Central Catholic (25-4)<br><strong>South Rep:</strong> Borden (22-5)<br><strong>Game Info:</strong> 10:30a, Gainbridge Fieldhouse</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> This is the fifth time Lafayette Central Catholic has made it to the State Finals, and all of those appearances have happened since 2006. In 2006 and 2015, they were Class 1A State Champions, in 2016 they were Class 2A State Champions, and in 2022 they fell in the championship game to Tecumseh, 60-53. These Seniors were Freshmen on that team. Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295785' first='Carley' last='Barrett']</strong> was a starter and the second leading scorer, while Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='452729' first='Grace' last='Bordenet']</strong> was a critical reserve who pretty much played starter's minutes. Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='692232' first='Maddy' last='Bruce']</strong> and Senior front-liner <strong>Sophie Royer</strong> each saw spot minutes off the bench. As you can see, they are fairly well seasoned and ready for this moment once again. The supporting cast is a little different, but 5-8 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='730754' first='Casey' last='Schuessler']</strong> and 5-10 Freshman wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999430' first='Brooke' last='Thompson']</strong> each offer talent, skill, and positional versatility. As I said in the Semi-State Preview, the Lady Knights' lack of interior play worries me a little, but luckily Borden doesn't have a traditional post presence either. The Lady Braves do have highly skilled guards, wings, and forwards, and they should be able to handle Central Catholic's full-court pressure. 6-0 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486550' first='Riley' last='Rarick']</strong> and 5-11 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486522' first='Ava' last='Wheeler']</strong> have the height and ball skill to see over most traps and move the ball quickly up the floor. 5-6 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486552' first='A.J.' last='Mallad']</strong> is strong with it as well. Once they get into their offense, Rarick and Wheeler are smooth, fluid athletes who like to attack, Mallad is a good perimeter shooter, plus Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='973276' first='Saylor' last='Schleicher']</strong> and Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='797505' first='Emma' last='Hart']</strong> are very active and always around the ball. Hart can cause problems because of her nose for offensive rebounds. The Lady Braves earned their 13th Sectional Championship this month, but they had never been past the Regional round, so this is all new territory for them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Projected Outcome: </strong><em>Lafayette Central Catholic 48, Borden 46</em><br>This is going to be one heck of a battle, and I think both teams are capable of walking out of there with a win. Borden will have the two biggest matchup problems in Rarick and Wheeler, and I think at times the Lady Knights will have their hands full with them. But can they make enough plays for Borden to separate. Lafayette Central Catholic, on the other hand, will turn to their pressure defense, force a few turnovers, and hopefully that leads to some easy baskets. Because I have to pick a winner, I am going to lean the way of Central Catholic's experience. I think they will be able to handle the moment earlier and adjust quickly. Whether or not Borden wins, they will likely be the front-runner to make it back to this same position next year as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->