State Finals Preview: Class 2A

<!-- 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 2A matchups, our thoughts and prediction for the Class 2A 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 2A State Finals:</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Rep:</strong> Rensselaer Central (26-2)<br><strong>South Rep:</strong> South Knox (27-2)<br><strong>Game Info:</strong> 12:45p, Gainbridge Fieldhouse</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Rensselaer Central is an extremely physical, hard-working team that makes a lot of "hustle" plays, keeps possessions alive with offensive rebounds, etc. They have some size at each position, they are skilled across the board, and they play with positional versatility. 5-11 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295796' first='Taylor' last='Van Meter']</strong> is a versatile inside-out forward who can play around the perimeter and bury rhythm 3-pointers, or she can dominate the mid-post because of her touch, her athleticism, and her ability to attack the basket from there. 5-8 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492323' first='Kamri' last='Rowland']</strong> is difficult to limit by one position. She is a strong, physical guard who can play any of three positions effectively. She can handle it and run offense, she can score it from all three levels, and she can get inside, defend, and out-rebound her matchup as well. 5-10 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756244' first='Courtney' last='Mathew']</strong> could be the x-factor in this game. She has a smoothness and versatility to her style of play that could cause South Knox problems. Mathew is a capable multilevel scorer, plus she is a talented defender. 6-0 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='453224' first='Carly' last='Drone']</strong> has shown nice touch from the perimeter and can serve as a mismatch problem, while 5-8 Junior forward <strong>Brodie Radtke</strong> is the ultimate hustler. She will do a lot of the "un-fun" stuff in the lane, and she plays bigger than she is. 5-7 Sophomore guard <strong>Alivia Cain</strong> acts as the primary reserve, and she's another physical player on the perimeter. The Lady Bombers had won six Sectional titles prior to this year, but this is the first time they have advanced past the Regional round. South Knox has also advanced past the Regional for the first time ever, even though they had won seven previous Sectional titles. Ever since they competed with Hamilton Southeastern and Homestead at the Hall of Fame Tournament over Christmas Break, I think they have been everyone's favorite to claim the Class 2A crown. Those two games are still their only two losses of the year. 5-9 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570374' first='Ella' last='Bobe']</strong> leads the Spartans. She is strong, tough, but highly skilled and versatile. She can play a traditional point guard role, bury shots with range from the perimeter, attack the basket, or get inside and post smaller defenders. She really understands how to use her tools to exploit her matchup. 6-0 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='626932' first='Bren' last='Hill']</strong> might not get the attention she deserves, but she can match up with anyone on Rensselaer's team. She has tremendous length, solid athleticism and some bounce, plus she can play around the rim, in the mid-post, or knock down the occasional 3-pointer. 5-8 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756236' first='Kendal' last='Hill']</strong> has been spectacular in moments this year and will likely be tasked with guarding Mathew. Kendal is a nice athlete, she is offensive-minded, but she can defend at a high level when she wants. 5-8 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1275573' first='Grace' last='Detweiler']</strong> and 5-8 Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1256497' first='Madison' last='Parrish']</strong> offer a great deal of versatility as well. Detweiler will defend, rebound, and knock down open shots, while Parrish is sort of an undersized worker who isn't afraid to battle inside, plus she can defend around the perimeter. 5-11 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218585' first='Delaynee' last='Coomes']</strong> enters from the bench and comes in firing. She can get hot quickly and rip off multiple 3-pointers in a row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Projected Outcome:</strong> <em>South Knox 58, Rensselaer Central 47</em><br>I would imagine Rensselaer Central will come out and try to establish themselves as the more physical team. The problem is, South Knox has faced that style of play at different points this season, and they are more than capable of matching it, if not being better at it. While both teams try to assert themselves early on, who can make shots before halftime will be a key to gathering an early advantage. I think South Knox is a little more efficient at that, and I anticipate the Spartans will lead by 5 or 6 points at intermission. I do think Rensselaer will trim that to a point or even tie/lead again in the third quarter, but expect South Knox to handle one last Lady Bomber run and then extend a lead themselves. Free throws should help the Spartans get to a double-digit advantage in the end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->