Semi-State Showdown: Class 4A

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='295782' first='Brooke' last='Winchester'] (2025) of Warsaw 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 4A 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 - Frankfort   Game-1: 10:00a - Hamilton Southeastern vs. Valparaiso Game-2: 12:00p - Warsaw vs. McCutcheon Championship Game: 7:30p - Winner Game-1 vs. Winner Game-2   Analysis: Hamilton Southeastern is having an outstanding season. They are 26-0, ranked #1 in the state, and they are attempting to rival the 2018-2019 season when the Royals went 27-1 and won the Class 4A title. They have talent spread throughout their program, but a trio of stars currently score in double figures each night. 6-4 Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='295764' first='Maya' last='Makalusky'] (22.3p, 7.0r) is the toughest of matchups. She has height, tremendous length, an accurate jumper, and a very quick release. But she is also a multilevel scorer now who has done a nice job the past two seasons of earning repeated trips to the free throw line. 5-8 Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='486487' first='Kennedy' last='Holman'] (12.0p, 5.2r, 5.8a, 2.0s) is the real deal as well, and she looks like she moves around the floor effortlessly. She is a long, gliding athlete, she has a nice handle, great vision, and creativity, plus she has improved her perimeter shooting. 6-0 Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='486486' first='Kayla' last='Stidham'] (10.2p, 4.5r, 2.3a) is a multilevel threat, she has great touch outside, and she can consistently bury 3-pointers, but she also has the size and strength to defend and rebound inside the arc. 5-6 Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='906592' first='Kayla' last='Brinley'] (3.6p, 2.2r) and 5-11 Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='828094' first='Addison' last='Van Hoesen'] (3.4p, 3.2r) round out the lineup, while 5-8 guard Abby Brown (3.4p, 2.2r) and 5-5 Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='486488' first='Antonette' last='Green'] (1.5p) tend to see the most minutes in a reserve role. The Vikings of Valparaiso are experiencing as much success over the past two seasons as they have in all of the 2000s. They are frequently in possession of double-digit wins and occasionally earn that Sectional trophy, but this is the second consecutive season the Vikings have made their way to the Semi-State. Last year, a different Sectional #8/Hamilton County team (Noblesville) put them out in the morning game, so they will look to change that tune this time. 5-11 Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='419439' first='Lillian' last='Barnes'] (22.2p, 7.4r, 5.5a, 4.8s) is a highly skilled basketball player who sees the game like a chessboard. She can handle and pass like a point guard, knock down jumpers like a shooting guard, but defensively she will use her physicality and size to defend wings and forwards. Fellow Junior, 5-8 guard [player_tooltip player_id='486512' first='Cadynce' last='Clark'] (11.1p, 2.5r), is another skillful perimeter player who can make shots, handle, and defend with versatility. Where the Vikings have gotten lucky is, 5-9 Sophomore wing Delilah Kincaid (9.2p, 4.7r) and 5-10 Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='875129' first='Chyanne' last='Brown'] (7.9p, 3.8r) have worked to accelerate their learning curves and become impactful a little sooner than expected. Junior guard Bri Fincannon (2.7p, 5.1r) and 6-0 Sophomore post [player_tooltip player_id='912544' first='Olliana' last='Hardin'] (2.4p) are also on hand and give them lineup flexibility.   The Warsaw Tigers sit at 24-1, and I guarantee they strike fear in everyone they play because of their ability to shoot the ball so well from the perimeter (and from each of five positions). When they get hot, they can quickly separate from anyone, and when they don't, they are still very competitive. 5-8 Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='567134' first='Joslyn' last='Bricker'] (18.6p, 5.3r, 3.0a, 2.7s) and 5-8 Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='403531' first='Brooke' last='Zartman'] (18.0p, 2.0a, 3.1s) complement each other well because they can score it in different ways. Bricker is a slasher, a creator, and someone who can get downhill quickly and put pressure on a defense, but she can also make shots at a high level from outside (41%). Zartman is a pure shooter with deep range, she has made 98 3-pointers at a 48% clip, but she's also athletic enough to attack and score it at the rim when defenses run her off the line. 6-0 Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='295782' first='Brooke' last='Winchester'] (12.9p, 10.0r, 2.2a) has sacrificed a little of her scoring this year to use her strength and size inside more in post-up situations and on the boards. But she is a talented shooter as well (41%), and she plays with an outstanding motor and toughness. 5-7 Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='686307' first='Alexis' last='Neely'] (9.8p, 4.5r, 4.0a) is a ball of energy. She is great out in transition, she can attack the basket to score, plus she is a willing facilitator. 5-6 Senior wing Braylie Chastain (3.1p) is an energy kid who has started quite a bit. She makes hustle plays for them, while 5-7 Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='324082' first='Abbey' last='Peterson'] (4.7p, 2.3a) is another highly skilled guard who shoots it extremely well (46%) from outside. 5-8 Junior forward Kyra Kiser (2.0p, 2.6r) is a key frontline reserve who gives them toughness and rebounding. The McCutcheon Mavericks are entering their eighth Semi-State in program history, but only one other (2011) has come this century. They possess a lot of Senior and Junior depth, but it's a pair of Sophomores who lead the way. 6-0 Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='751095' first='Lillie' last='Graves'] (19.1p, 4.5r, 3.4a, 4.1s) is arguably the most talented Sophomore in the state right now. She is long, athletic, active, and she has worked hard to improve her perimeter skillset. She is the type of player who can take over a game when necessary. 5-8 Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='962796' first='Keara' last='Lipscomb-Allen'] (12.1p, 2.6r, 2.4s) is an extremely long, quick, and shifty player who can create offense for herself or others. 5-9 Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='553262' first='Chloe' last='Finney'] (7.3p, 3.2r) is a very good perimeter shooter who can get them 20 points on a given night, if she is left open. 5-8 Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='626869' first='Braelyn' last='Williams'] (5.1p, 3.0r) and 5-10 Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='570386' first='Rylea' last='Wetz'] (4.7p, 5.1r) add inside-out versatility to the lineup, 5-11 Senior post [player_tooltip player_id='1218710' first='Kalea' last='Washington'] (2.3p, 6.9r, 2.4s) is a big rebounding and defensive presence in the paint, and 5-7 wing Aubrey Miller (3.5p, 4.9r), plus 5-9 Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='751038' first='Ameria' last='Gibson'] (3.3p), provide perimeter depth for a Mavericks team who can go 10 or 12 deep at times.   Projected Outcomes: Valparaiso has had a nice season, and I think they will battle Hamilton Southeastern from beginning to end. But the Royals just have too much firepower for the Vikings to defend. Even if the "big 3" for the Royals are shut down, those other single-digit scorers can each go get 10-15 points, when necessary. I'm not sure it will be a blowout, but I do think Hamilton Southeastern wins the morning game (Hamilton Southeastern 55, Valparaiso 46). In the second game of the day, McCutcheon will need to be ready to defend from the tip, because Warsaw is capable of jumping out to a 15-2 lead in just a couple of minutes. The best chance for the Mavericks to win this game is to be very physical defensively, limit Warsaw to three or four 3-pointers, not their 9.3 average, and make them grind for points instead of get stuff early in a possession. If they can do that and limit second chance points, they can win. However, I think Warsaw is just too skilled, too experienced, and they have seen all types of approaches to slow them down. I will take Warsaw here, but McCutcheon will return next year (Warsaw 59, McCutcheon 46). In Hamilton Southeastern and Warsaw, you have two teams with a great deal of talent and experience. The Royals will have the toughest individual matchup on the floor in Makalusky, but Warsaw can find contributions from more places. I know people aren't expecting Warsaw to win, but I think they are such a unique matchup and a real problem to defend, that this will be a very close game. I think Hamilton Southeastern wins, but I wouldn't be surprised if Warsaw is playing at Gainbridge Fieldhouse next weekend (Hamilton Southeastern 58, Warsaw 57).   .   Southern Semi-State - Southport   Game-1: 10:00a - Pike vs. Bloomington South Game-2: 12:00p - Gibson Southern vs. Lawrence North Championship Game: 8:00p - Winner Game-1 vs. Winner Game-2   Analysis: The Pike Red Devils have a tremendous amount of talent spread throughout their roster, with their 2026 and 2027 classes standing out most. They have speed, athleticism, and can really cause havoc defensively, plus they have offensive-minded, attacking guards who can create off the bounce and find their "bigs" around the basket. 5-8 Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='486542' first='Alonna' last='Divine'] has acted as the primary playmaker since transferring in this year. She is a talented creator, and everyone else has benefitted from her presence. 5-8 Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1038873' first='Deniyah' last='Warren'] is a really nice, strong athlete who can create on offense and defend/rebound at the other end, while 5-4 Sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='751088' first='Korinne' last='Nickolson'] gives them another feisty defender who can get downhill quickly on offense. But the duo of 6-0 Junior post [player_tooltip player_id='928878' first='Marley' last='Jeffers'] and 6-0 Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='686306' first='Komari' last='Booker'] have been tough to handle inside the arc. Jacobs is strong, physical, and aggressive at the rim, while Booker is long, strong, bouncy, and very active everywhere else. 5-5 Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='751118' first='Saniya' last='Smith'], 5-8 Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='751077' first='Jazlyn' last='Miller'], and 6-0 Sophomore front-liner [player_tooltip player_id='909349' first='Elyssa' last='Nichols'] give the Red Devils talented depth that can bring both offense and defense to the court. Bloomington South is another team with really nice depth in that 2026 class, plus they have good height and length across the board. 5-11 Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='624879' first='Julia' last='Lashley'] is highly skilled, she plays a point forward role for them, but she can score the ball as well. 6-1 Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='404387' first='Violet' last='Hall'] is a talented defender at her height, with quick feet and a great motor. She can make an open jumper, but her focus is more so defensively. 5-9 Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='832694' first='Audrey' last='Craft'] is a long, wiry, smooth/fluid perimeter player who can knock down open jumpers or slice to the rim. 5-8 Junior guards Alaina Maki and Daniella Grimes, 5-8 Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='989366' first='Annika' last='Smith'], plus 6-1 Junior post [player_tooltip player_id='928896' first='Rebekah' last='Arnold'] make up a great deal of a rotation that can go as many as 11 or 12 deep for the Panthers.   Gibson Southern is back at it again, following a 2024 Class 3A state title. The Titans rely heavily on the inside-outside combination of 5-9 Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='295774' first='Gabby' last='Spink'] (19.8p, 6.8r, 4.8a) and 6-2 Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='756247' first='Paige' last='Schnaus'] (15.4p, 8.9r, 2.5b). Spink is a dynamic scorer who can fill it up from all levels, but she is also someone who can make plays to open up teammates in positions to score. Schnaus is a strong, physical, but athletic front-liner who can play at the rim, in the mid-post, or even a little around the perimeter. She is a tireless worker who they can use to exploit mismatches in big games as well. 5-9 Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='506027' first='Nola' last='Ravellette'] (6.9p, 4.3r) is a "glue" kid who does a lot of the little things, like defend, rebound, get on the floor, etc. 5-5 Senior guard Lydia Maurer (5.1p, 2.3r) and 5-9 Senior wing Lauryn Adamson (4.1p, 4.5r) add big-game, veteran experience to the group. The Titans have been a force in Class 3A and in Southern Indiana the last few years, but now they will attempt to make the Class 4A State Finals for the first time. Standing in the way is Lawrence North, and the Wildcats have had an interesting, roller-coaster type of season. From the outset, I felt like they were as deep and talented as anyone they would play. They do take on a tremendously tough schedule, but they have now won six games in a row to get to this point. 5-7 Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='295799' first='Kya' last='Hurt'] (12.8p, 3.9r, 3.6a, 3.5s) and 5-9 Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='492317' first='Ke'Adriah' last='Butler'] (13.5, 4.6r) have formed a really nice backcourt duo this season. Hurt is a strong athlete who can create for herself or others, while Butler is a long, wiry, explosive driver who can get to the rim just about any time she wants. 6-1 Senior post [player_tooltip player_id='295793' first='Jamaya' last='Thomas'] (12.4p, 5.0r) brings quite the presence inside, as she is a powerful, physical post who can score and defend the paint. From there, they can go any number of directions, as they have roster versatility and talent/depth at just about every position. 5-11 Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='486537' first='Naja' last='Winston'] (6.8p, 5.6r, 2.2a, 2.0s) gives them nice athleticism and a multidimensional defender along the frontline, while 6-0 Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='453218' first='Ashiyah' last='Teague'] (1.4p, 2.3r) is starting to find a groove after missing some time. 5-9 Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1038866' first='Kalea' last='Bentley'] (4.8p, 2.3r) and 5-7 Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='751044' first='Brooklyn' last='Roberts'] (4.7p) are two additional backcourt members who can make shots and score in double figures when necessary.   Projected Outcomes: Pike and Bloomington South could be a fun matchup. Both teams have quality talent, skill, and depth, but none of these kids have been to this point in the state tournament. They have nothing to lose, and they should all come out aggressive. Pike has more athleticism and plays with a bit more physicality, while Bloomington South will try to use skill and execution to its advantage. Pike is a team talented enough to win these final three games, and I think they are playing with a different type of hunger right now, so I will take them in a close one, but don't be surprised if Bloomington South wins, either (Pike 52, Bloomington South 46). The second contest of the afternoon will be somewhat similar. Look for Gibson Southern to attempt to control tempo, work the ball inside some, and make this a halfcourt game. Lawrence North will want to apply pressure, use their speed, and play a little faster. When it comes down to it, I think the Wildcats can match the Titans position by position, plus they have more talent on their bench who can come in and make plays immediately (Lawrence North 58, Gibson Southern 49). The nightcap could see two MIC rivals against one another. Pike dropped a lopsided outcome to Lawrence North on January 31st, but I think this one will be much closer. Both teams are talented, deep, and hungry. However, I think Lawrence North's Seniors & Juniors will trump Pike's Juniors & Sophomores with experience this time around, though Pike will likely be highly ranked and making another deep run next season (Lawrence North 59, Pike 54).

The featured image is of Brooke Winchester Brooke Winchester 6'0" | PF Warsaw Community | 2025 State IN (2025) of Warsaw High School.