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='404110' first='Alyssa' last='Groover'] (2025) of Corydon Central High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And here we are...it's the end of the road for the eight teams remaining in the IHSAA state tournament, with the four finals games just hours away. I went back and looked at the preseason articles I put together identifying a Top-10 team list for each classification, along with a short list of other teams to "keep an eye on". Of the eight state finalists, six were ranked in those Top-10s, five in the Top-3 of their respective classes, and the other two schools were among the "keep an eye on" teams. In Class 3A, Corydon Central began the season as our #2 team, with only Twin Lakes above them in the top spot. Fairfield found themselves in the "keep an eye on" section. They graduated a key piece from last year's lineup, plus they made the move from Class 2A to Class 3A. Fairfield actually knocked off previously undefeated Twin Lakes last weekend, 42-34.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Fairfield (27-2) vs. Corydon Central (27-2)</font></strong><br><em>tip time 6:00 p.m. ET, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fairfield:</strong> The win over Twin Lakes last Saturday was the 80th of their careers for the Fairfield Seniors. Ironically, their first win as Freshmen was Coach Garber's 100th of his career. Last season, the Lady Falcons were just a mere two points from beating Frankton and playing in downtown Indianapolis for the Class 2A title, so this has been quite the run for Fairfield. With four Seniors and four Juniors on their roster, seven of which have played in 23 or more games this season, their experience is tough to match. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='59749' first='Brea' last='Garber'] is the main catalyst for the Falcons. She has good height, length, and she's a fluid athlete. She has touch from the perimeter, will even handle it a lot for them, plus she's great in the mid-post, and she can take smaller defenders to the block. Senior wing <strong>Morgan Gawthrop</strong> is the Falcons' second double-figure scorer, and she is a nice athlete who plays with some versatility. She can play on or off the ball offensively, plus she can defend multiple positions. Senior guard <strong>Bailey Willard</strong> and Junior guard <strong>Kaylee Dillon</strong>, along with Senior front-liner <strong>Delana Geiger</strong> join them in the starting lineup. Willard is a very good perimeter shooter, while the undersized Geiger scraps for rebounds. Also keep an eye on Freshman wing [player_tooltip player_id='567137' first='Eva' last='Herbert'] to make an impact as soon as she enters the game. She is a long, smooth, wing shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Corydon Central:</strong> The Lady Panthers have a little bit different roster construction, with just three Seniors and one Junior suiting up tomorrow. While three of those four will likely start, they also rely heavily on a pair of Sophomores and a Freshman to give them solid minutes. The best of the bunch is Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='178232' first='Ava' last='Weber'], who has averaged right around 30 points per game this postseason. She is a really nice mid-post athlete who gets downhill in a hurry and plays through contact well. She is tremendous 15-feet and in, and she plays with a good understanding of the game and an outstanding motor. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='324096' first='Josie' last='Vaughn'] is another key to their success. She is quick, fast, and feisty, she plays with a nice feel for the game, plus she can consistently bury shots from outside. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='404110' first='Alyssa' last='Groover'] has stepped up this season and given the Panthers a really nice presence along the frontline, while Junior forward <strong>Morgan Adams</strong> adds more production up front. Senior guard <strong>Bailey Orme</strong> is as unselfish as they come, and she'll help Vaughn with backcourt duties. Until last season, the Panthers hadn't won more than 13 games since the 2012-2013 season, so they are riding high looking to add a significant piece to their program's history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> This will be an incredibly intriguing matchup. These two schools are from the complete opposite ends of the state, they have never played each other, and I'm not sure any of their kids have even played against each other in grassroots competition. I feel like Fairfield has a little more balance and experience, plus role players who have had to step up in big moments in past games. Corydon does have some balance, but they are relying on a much more youthful support group, so how they respond to the atmosphere will be key. For Fairfield, they just need to keep being themselves, moving the ball, and taking what's easiest each possession, then relying on their defense to get stops. Corydon will need one more big game out of Weber, but they'll also need that supporting cast to make shots too. I just really like Fairfield's experience at this point, and something tells me they adjust quicker to the lights and the crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. I think Fairfield gets out to an early lead, has to hold off a couple of Corydon runs, but ultimately the Falcons win this one over the Panthers, 45-37.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong><br>Corydon Central - [player_tooltip player_id='178232' first='Ava' last='Weber'], 2023 - 22.1p, 6.0r, 2.4a, 3.0s<br>Corydon Central - [player_tooltip player_id='324096' first='Josie' last='Vaughn'], 2025 - 11.9p, 3.4r, 3.2a, 2.8s<br>Corydon Central - <strong>Bailey Orme</strong>, 2023 - 7.0p, 2.8r, 6.1a, 3.3s<br>Corydon Central - [player_tooltip player_id='404110' first='Alyssa' last='Groover'], 2025 - 6.1p, 5.4r<br>Corydon Central - <strong>Morgan Adams</strong>, 2024 - 4.4p, 3.7r<br>Corydon Central - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='496070' first='Reese' last='Withers']</strong>, 2026 - 2.6r<br>Fairfield - [player_tooltip player_id='59749' first='Brea' last='Garber'], 2023 - 14.9p, 4.7r, 3.9a<br>Fairfield - <strong>Morgan Gawthrop</strong>, 2023 - 10.6p, 3.4r<br>Fairfield - <strong>Bailey Willard</strong>, 2023 - 9.8p, 3.2r<br>Fairfield - <strong>Kaylee Dillon</strong>, 2024 - 7.5p, 2.7r<br>Fairfield - [player_tooltip player_id='567137' first='Eva' last='Herbert'], 2026 - 5.8p, 2.4r<br>Fairfield - <strong>Delana Geiger</strong>, 2023 - 4.9r<br>Fairfield - <strong>Natalie Whitaker</strong>, 2024 - 4.2p</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->