State Finals Preview: Session-2

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='331801' first='Kennedie' last='Burks'] (2024) of Lake Central High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The matchups are set for the 2024 State Finals, and eight teams will attempt to earn crowns this Saturday. The second session begins with the Class 3A game, followed by the Class 4A game, starting around 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Gibson Southern played in the Class 3A title game in 2002, falling to Bishop Luers, while Norwell's only appearance was in 1977 when four teams were invited to the State Finals. They are looking for their first crown this year. Lawrence Central just won their second Sectional title, and their first since 1987. They had never advanced any farther until this season. Lake Central claimed one of the last single-class championships in 1994, then were the first Class 4A runner-up in 1998. Below is a quick look at the two games from the second session this Saturday. All player statistics below have been pulled from each school's MaxPreps page, so if your stats are not represented here, your team's MaxPreps page has not been updated by your coach/school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Class 3A Championship Game</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Matchup:</strong> Gibson Southern (25-4) vs. Norwell (23-4), 6:00 p.m. ET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preview:</strong> This should be a fantastic matchup, as both teams are well-coached, they do a nice job of enforcing their will and controlling tempo, but both teams can play with some versatility as well. Gibson Southern relies heavily on the perimeter play of Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295774' first='Gabby' last='Spink']</strong> (<em>19.4p, 4.9r, 5.9a, 2.3s</em>) and Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='177324' first='Chloey' last='Graham']</strong> (<em>17.2p, 4.0r, 1.8a, 2.3s</em>). Both are capable of putting up 30+ points at any moment, but they also find ways to contribute when they aren't scoring. 6-1 Freshman post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756247' first='Paige' last='Schnaus']</strong> (<em>9.7p, 6.0r</em>), has gotten better and better as the season has worn on, and she has saved her best play for tournament games. Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='506027' first='Nola' last='Ravellette']</strong> (<em>6.7p, 4.3r, 1.2a, 1.0s</em>) is a tough-nosed, physical player who makes a lot of hustle plays, while Senior guard <strong>Ally Malone</strong> (<em>3.1p, 2.8r, 1.8a, 1.1s</em>) is a really nice multisport athlete who can defend at a high level. Like the Titans, when you begin talking about the Norwell Knights, you must start with Senior guards <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='264113' first='Kennedy' last='Fuelling']</strong> (<em>21.6p, 2.8r, 1.8a</em>) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331809' first='Makenzie' last='Fuess']</strong> (<em>16.1p, 3.2r, 1.7a</em>). Fuelling is an outstanding 3-point shooter who always uses her athleticism to get to the basket. Fuess has played some point, but this year she has scored the ball a lot more effectively as well. Senior <strong>Annabelle Johnson</strong> (<em>2.6p, 2.6r, 3.7a</em>) has helped alleviate some of the backcourt pressure with her ability to handle the ball and run offense for the Knights. Sophomore wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732354' first='Vanessa' last='Rosswurm']</strong> (<em>11.6p, 5.8r, 1.5a</em>) is another double-digit scorer who can make shots outside or get to the basket. 6-1 Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='718310' first='Dekota' last='Hubble']</strong> (<em>4.5p, 4.8r</em>) gives Norwell size up front and will have to battle with Schnaus quite a bit. <strong>Our Pick:</strong> Norwell, 58-54.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Class 4A Championship Game</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Matchup:</strong> Lawrence Central (29-1) vs. Lake Central (26-4), approximately 8:15 p.m. ET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preview:</strong> These two teams actually met back on December 22nd, 2023, when Lawrence Central beat Lake Central in Bedford, 51-38. Lawrence Central boasts a starting lineup that include four non-Seniors receiving a ton of Division-I interest/offers. The most talented of the bunch are sisters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295763' first='Jaylah' last='Lampley']</strong> (<em>17.9p, 5.8r, 1.8a, 2.2s</em>), a 6-2 Junior, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492321' first='Lola' last='Lampley']</strong> (<em>10.3p, 5.9r, 2.8a, 2.3s, 1.4b</em>), a 6-3 Sophomore. Both are capable of taking over games at any time. Junior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295753' first='Laila' last='Abdurraqib']</strong> (<em>11.4p, 4.0r, 3.6a, 2.3s</em>) controls the ball, but she can also knock down shots and defend at a high level. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492322' first='Aniyah' last='McKenzie']</strong> (<em>11.4p, 6.0r, 1.4a, 1.8s</em>) is an athletic, high-motor, versatile forward who makes big plays for the Bears at key times. Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='468535' first='Mariah' last='Kenter-Garrett']</strong> (<em>3.4p, 2.1r, 1.8a, 1.8s</em>) is a lockdown defender who can disrupt opponents, while Junior <strong>Melaya Hughes</strong> (<em>3.1p, 2.9r, 1.0a, 1.4s</em>) is a hustling forward who comes up with a lot of loose balls and rebounds. Lake Central plays at least eight girls on most nights, if not more. They get a lot of balance with no one averaging more than 9.5 points per game. Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='176406' first='Aniyah' last='Bishop']</strong> (<em>9.5p, 5.2r, 1.7a, 1.7s</em>) and Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295781' first='Vanessa' last='Wimberly']</strong> (<em>9.4p, 2.9r, 3.7a, 2.6s</em>) have been very good throughout the postseason for the Lady Indians. Senior guards <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='201878' first='Riley' last='Milausnic']</strong> (<em>8.8p, 2.3r, 1.5a, 1.9s</em>) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406433' first='Nadia' last='Clayton']</strong> (<em>7.2p, 2.7r, 2.0a, 2.0s</em>) are both nice athletes, and they can both make shots. Milausnic is a nice deep-shooter; Clayton is an exceptional defender. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331801' first='Kennedie' last='Burks']</strong> (<em>5.2p, 1.9r, 1.3a, 1.8s</em>) can handle the ball if needed, and she can knock down an open jumper, while 6-0 Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295811' first='Ayla' last='Krygier']</strong> (<em>8.7p, 4.3r, 1.5a</em>) has the toughness to play inside and the skillset offensively to handle the ball or bury 3-pointers consistently outside. The Indians could also benefit from Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324076' first='Bryn' last='Leonard']</strong> (<em>33p, 1.7r</em>) and Sophomore forward <strong>Alexa Iwema</strong> (<em>3.2p, 2.2r, 1.0s</em>) giving them critical minutes off the bench. This game should be tightly contested throughout, with critical free throws and stops at the end deciding the outcome. <strong>Our Pick:</strong> Lawrence Central, 49-43.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->