State Finals Preview: Evening Session

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The IHSAA Indiana girls' basketball state tournament has reached the end of the road. This weekend, just 8 teams remain, seeking 4 state championships. By the end of Saturday's action, those winners will be known. There have been a number of upsets this postseason, so several of the matchups are very intriguing. Below is a look at the two games during the evening session...the Class 3A Championship and the Class 4A Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+3">Class 3A Game - 6:00 p.m.</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+1">Bellmont (24-3) vs. Roncalli (27-3)</font></strong><br>Adams County and Wells County neighbor each other just South of Fort Wayne, and the school from Northern Adams County (<em>Bellmont</em>) and the school from Northern Wells County (<em>Norwell...below</em>) have been extremely strong for a while and battled each other year after year. With Norwell now in Class 4A, both teams are making an appearance in the State Finals in consecutive games Saturday night. Bellmont is an interesting group, and they are a system program who gets strong play throughout their roster, plus they lean heavily on a group of underclassmen who will be back next year as well. 5-9 Sophomore wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1225040' first='Ashley' last='Bleke']</strong> (<em>13.5p, 4.8r, 2.6a, 3.0s</em>) and 5-11 Sophomore front-liner <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1228337' first='Mary' last='Bleke']</strong> (<em>13.3p, 6.8r, 1.5a, 1.7s</em>) are their two double figure scorers and probably the first two players opponents must match up with. Ashley is as skillful as a guard, but she also has a strong frame and can get to the rim, she rebounds her position, and she defends multiple positions. Mary is more of a mid-post forward who can also post inside and play with physicality. They create such a nice inside-out sister combination. 5-5 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751092' first='Lanie' last='French']</strong> (<em>9.1p, 2.0r, 1.7a, 1.7s</em>), 5-4 Sophomore guard <strong>Onalee Krueckeberg</strong> (<em>7.4p, 1.9r, 1.9a, 2.7s</em>), 5-8 Sophomore wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1231643' first='Kaitlyn' last='Barton']</strong> (<em>6.3p, 2.7r, 1.5a, 1.5s</em>), and 5-6 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751084' first='Kate' last='Kitson']</strong> (<em>4.3p, 2.8r, 2.4a</em>) give the Lady Braves an outstanding and well-balanced backcourt that can do a variety of things. They all move the ball well, they all defend with effort, plus French and Kitson can really shoot it from the perimeter. Offering a little frontline depth as well is 6-0 Sophomore post <strong>Hadlee Caffee</strong>. She could be a real help to [player_tooltip player_id='1228337' first='Mary' last='Bleke'] if Roncalli goes "big" at some point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When I look up and down Roncalli's roster, I see what looks like could be an outstanding matchup between them and Bellmont. The Royals have their share of talented perimeter players as well, led by star 5-9 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='716615' first='Elliot' last='Leffler']</strong> (<em>18.8p, 5.2r, 1.7a, 2.1s</em>). She is as tough as they come, she's physical, skilled with the ball, plus she's an excellent shooter with range when she's set and in rhythm. 5-6 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486513' first='Brennah' last='Cerny']</strong> (<em>9.0p, 2.6r, 2.5a, 1.9s</em>) has really improved her game the last couple of seasons, and she has taken on more of a ball-handling role at times, initiating the offense. She can make shots when left alone, and she's an effortful defender. Classmates <strong>Reagan Turk</strong> (<em>6.6p, 3.6r, 1.6a, 1.8s</em>), a 5-7 wing, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='421106' first='Catie' last='Rosko']</strong> (<em>6.9p, 3.4r, 3.1a, 2.3s</em>), a 5-3 guard, are hard-working, skillful kids who can make several key plays in close games. 5-5 Sophomore guard <strong>Carly Feldman</strong> (<em>3.6p, 1.8r</em>) and 5-8 Sophomore wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='984355' first='Lola' last='Morelli']</strong> (<em>3.4p, 2.2r</em>) add a youthful energy and additional depth to an already strong and well-rounded Roncalli backcourt. Up front, 6-1 Senior post <strong>Lydia Stahley</strong> (<em>5.8p, 5.5r</em>) plus 6-1 Junior post <strong>Caroline Schoettle</strong> (<em>4.0p, 4.5r</em>) give Roncalli a pair of nice-sized, fairly athletic "bigs" who can consistently rebound &amp; defend, and when you aren't paying attention to them, they can score it as well. As you can see with those eight players, the Lady Royals are more than equipped to win this game, if not even be the favorite Saturday evening.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> This should prove to be an extremely close matchup. With mostly similarly constructed rosters, I think the guard play will be superb, there is a little size on each team as well, and both teams do a nice job of trying to control games. (<em>I'm assuming</em>) a head-to-head battle between Ashley.Bleke and [player_tooltip player_id='716615' first='Elliot' last='Leffler'] could be fun to watch. I do feel like Leffler has a slight advantage with the extra year of experience and a more proven handle. But Mary.Bleke could be a bit of a handful inside for Bellmont as well. Roncalli has size, but Mary is a bit more skilled and crafty scoring it. So, it all comes down to can the "others" on each team make shots, and can they be disciplined enough to take good shots when left open. I do think Roncalli has a bit more pure firepower, but Bellmont is more disciplined. In the end, when I don't know who to pick, I always lean on the better guard(s), and right now Leffler could/should be the best player on the floor. Roncalli 49, Bellmont 45</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+3">Class 4A Game - 8:15 p.m.</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+1">Norwell (25-4) vs. Center Grove (28-0)</font></strong><br>What more can be said about Norwell? Two years ago, they defied the odds and made it to Indianapolis, and last year they went on ahead and decided to win the whole thing in Class 3A. Maybe now they are just that good. Obstacles keep getting thrown in their way, and they hurdle them with ease. Why should Center Grove be much different? Norwell has really nice players, they have experience, and they are the system of systems right now in Northern Indiana. 5-10 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732354' first='Vanessa' last='Rosswurm']</strong> (<em>23.1p, 5.8r, 2.6a, 3.3s</em>) is as hard of a worker as you are going to see all day Saturday. She never stops moving, she sprints from end-to-end both ways, she is fast &amp; bouncy, and she is an absolute problem. Defensively, she creates a ton of steals/turnovers, and offensively she is a blur in transition. She can also shoot it with some range from outside or finish at the rim consistently. 5-8 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137282' first='Macie' last='Saalfrank']</strong> (<em>15.2p, 4.7r, 1.3a, 3.7s</em>) has been a nice "#2" to Rosswurm the last couple of seasons. She is a long &amp; wiry, fluidly athletic shooter. She finds herself hiding in the long corners or on the wings, and if she has any space and rhythm whatsoever, it's going in the basket. 5-7 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1623388' first='Addison' last='Norris']</strong> is their tough-nosed "bully". She plays with a great motor, she's physical, and she's always on attack. Offensively, she's like a running back diving through the line when she's attacking the basket. Defensively, she'll aggressively pursue steals. Then there are girls like 5-9 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1231135' first='Ashley' last='Waldman']</strong> and 5-8 <strong>Jada Dale</strong>. They are both Senior wings with long frames. They have the ability to make shots outside, plus they'll pursue rebounds and use their length defensively. 5-11 Junior <strong>Alivia Green</strong> and 6-0 Junior <strong>Isabella Swineford</strong> offer the Lady Knights some legitimate size inside and can help defensively, while 5-5 Senior guard <strong>Larkin Smith</strong> and 5-4 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='952497' first='Haley' last='Williamson']</strong> bring more experience and some ball-handling to the perimeter crew. On top of all that, their 1-3-1 defense is another problem opponents have trouble solving in time to make an impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick analysis of Center Grove suggests similarities in their season. They are undefeated, highly competitive, and they have skillful players who perform well within a system. They defend as well as any team in the state, and they are as happy beating you 22-20 as they are winning 80-50. They take great shots, make you work until you break down defensively, and they are tough-nosed and gritty throughout their roster. The Trojans' star is 5-10 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='567130' first='Gracyn' last='Gilliard']</strong> (<em>25.7p, 4.2r, 1.8a, 2.5s</em>). She is a skillful, very athletic wing who plays all over the court for Center Grove. Gilliard can shoot the '3' or get to the rim, but she's also capable of doing things other girls just can't. She has great vision, a strong handle, and some touch outside. 5-11 Sophomore forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999436' first='Haley' last='Wagoner']</strong> (<em>8.1p, 4.7r</em>) has proven to be a really nice inside/outside option this season. If they want to play smaller, she can act as a '4' or even play an undersized post position. And if the Trojans want to be bigger, Gilliard is a Top 10 player in the state, and they can adjust defensively to most opponents. 5-9 Freshman point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263967' first='Lillia' last='Tapak']</strong> (<em>6.7p, 3.0r, 2.7a</em>) is as smooth and skilled as they come for a younger guard. As long as the bright lights of Gainbridge Fieldhouse don't affect her, she could be a wildcard in this matchup. 5-8 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834961' first='MacKenzie' last='Pierce']</strong> is a really nice, fairly athletic all-around guard who is more of a shooter/scorer, but she can slide over and initiate the offense when necessary. 5-6 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486507' first='Hannah' last='Gin']</strong> (<em>1.5p, 3.0r, 2.4a, 1.9s</em>) brings a heady ball-handler to the lineup, while 5-9 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1623391' first='Ella' last='Sprong']</strong> (<em>4.4p</em>) is a dedicated perimeter shooter who can get hot quickly. The one thing that Center Grove doesn't really have is strong post play, but fortunately they don't really need it against Norwell.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> This game could be a grind, and it will at times seem like the "immovable object" is playing against the...other "immovable object." These are two system programs who take a tremendous amount of pride in their defense. Rosswurm and Gilliard are both talented and skilled wings. They should, for the most part, negate each other. So, then it comes down to the remainder of the roster. As long as Center Grove doesn't allow Saalfrank to get any rhythm and they keep Norris out of the paint, they should be fine (<em>in theory</em>). The same could be said for Norwell...if they don't allow Center Grove's shooters to get going, they should be fine. This is another tough one to pick, but I think I'm going to lean toward Center Grove. Center Grove 45, Norwell 44</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->