State Finals Preview: Class 3A

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='479613' first='Alyson' last='Powers'] (2026) of Greensburg 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 3A matchups, our thoughts and prediction for the Class 3A 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 3A State Finals:</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Rep:</strong> Norwell (22-6)<br><strong>South Rep:</strong> Greensburg (27-0)<br><strong>Game Info:</strong> 6:00p, Gainbridge Fieldhouse</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> The common denominator between Greensburg and Norwell is stability. Both of these programs have long-tenured head coaches who have instilled expectations and developed programs throughout their entire communities, so when these ladies reach high school, they are ready to compete at the highest level. Greensburg is in its 11th season with their head coach, and they have won six Sectional titles during that time, plus they made a State Finals run during the 2017-2018 season. This season, though, they escaped the regular season unscathed, and they have a great deal of talent and depth. The Senior trio of 6-1 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295778' first='Leah' last='West']</strong>, 5-7 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295779' first='Mylie' last='Wilkison']</strong>, and 5-3 point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='571840' first='Emma' last='McQueen']</strong> have paid their dues over the years, and they should be ready to go at tip time. West has good size, strength, and the ability to play around the basket, but she also has touch and skill around the perimeter. She could be a matchup problem Norwell might not have the personnel to equal, especially if she uses her size around the paint. Wilkison is a fast and athletic blur on the floor at times. She likes to create offense off the bounce, for herself and teammates, but she also has some touch outside, and she can be harassing defensively. McQueen is just steady. She takes care of the ball, gets it to open teammates, plus she will defend, rebound, and do a lot of the "blue-collared" work. 5-10 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751051' first='Claire' last='Larrison']</strong> stepped into the spotlight this season and actually led the Pirates in scoring most of the season. She has a real smoothness to her game offensively, as she can glide around the floor, create, or bury shots from outside. And it doesn't end there. 5-10 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='479613' first='Alyson' last='Powers']</strong> and 5-8 Junior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486506' first='Mary' last='Harmon']</strong> are both highly capable of stepping up when needed. Powers is a double-digit scorer, a long, fast athlete, and she's capable of getting them 20 points at any time. Harmon is skillful, poised point guard who does a lot of the "little things". She can take care of the ball, initiate the offense, create for others, defend, rebound, etc., and she does all of that for the betterment of the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Norwell is in its 28th season with their Head Coach, and during that time they have seen 12 Sectional titles, 3 Regional titles, plus last year they were the Class 3A State Runner-Up. What's more impressive, speaking of established programs, is that they graduated four starters and seven Seniors in total from their 2023-2024 State Finalist team, and all they did was make it back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse with only 5-10 Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732354' first='Vanessa' last='Rosswurm']</strong>, 5-7 Junior guard <strong>Addison Norris</strong>, and 5-7 Senior guard <strong>Ryland Graft</strong> having played in more than eight Varsity games. Rosswurm has been their rock this season. She is strong, athletic, and she has been an offensive force most nights. She has improved her perimeter shooting, she can score it at all three levels, plus she plays with great urgency, and she is a willing and talented defender. Norris is a strong, tough-nosed, physical guard. She will handle it quite a bit, she likes to get out and push in transition, plus she can get downhill and draw a lot of contact. Graft continues to be a key reserve on the wing for the Lady Knights, and she'll make hustle plays for them. Stepping up this year has been 5-8 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137282' first='Macie' last='Saalfrank']</strong>. I highlighted her play from the Semi-State round, and she has proven to be a dangerous perimeter shooter with a quick release. She must be located in transition, because she can hide/relocate quickly without the ball and get on hot streaks at a moment's notice. From there, the Lady Knights have a lot of different directions they can lean. 5-11 Sophomore forward <strong>Alivia Green</strong> and 6-0 Sophomore front-liner <strong>Isabella Swineford</strong> add at least a little size. Green is a longer, more fluid, athletic prospect who plays with some bounce, while Swineford, is a tough, physical worker around the paint. She'll battle defensively and come up with key rebounds. 5-8 Junior guards <strong>Jada Dale</strong> and <strong>Ashley Waldman</strong> both look to make open rhythm jumpers when they get the ball, plus they will make hustle plays around the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Projected Outcome:</strong> <em>Greensburg 57, Norwell 49</em><br>This is a tough pick for me, not because of the matchup itself, but because I'd like to see both of these programs claim their first State Title. I think Norwell will come out and play frustrating defense, especially early on. They can come at you in waves with as many as 9 or 10 girls playing key minutes, if necessary. I think there will be an adjustment period for Greensburg, hopefully not too long, but once they settle in, the Pirates have the guard play and overall talent advantage to use to take control. They'll just need to lock in on Rosswurm and Saalfrank, because I'm not sure anyone else from Norwell can get an easy 15+ points. As much as I like and respect what Norwell has been able to accomplish this season, I feel like Greensburg has the upper hand in terms of just overall talent and experience. I think Greensburg takes control early in the fourth quarter and the teams pretty much trade baskets and free throws throughout the final five or six minutes of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->