IHSAA girls basketball 2A final preview: Brownstown Central-Bishop Luers is David vs. Goliath

INDIANAPOLIS — Zach Newby knew Bishop Luers had some size, but his reaction to seeing them in-person for the first time last Saturday at the Berry Bowl will likely be the same as a lot of other folks this weekend at Gainbridge Fieldhouse: "Holy cow."

The Knights tower over the opposition with their two centers — 6-0 Addie Shank and 6-2 sophomore Miley Wareing — grabbing your attention immediately.

Shank is the team's leader and a Luers kid through-and-through, coach Mark Pixley said of the Huntington commit. She became the first player in program history to clear 1,000 points and 800 rebounds last weekend.

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"Tough-nosed, does all the dirty work for us and has some great post moves," continued Pixley, who wants his team to grab 12 offensive rebounds per game (averaging 12.3). "You see what she does and you're like, 'Man, the post still has a position in this game.'"

Wareing is also a unique talent. Though she stands over six feet tall, the sophomore can handle the ball and go coast-to-coast. She has great vision and is one of the Knights' best passers, Pixley said. "When they work together, they're really hard to beat."

The Knights, who upset Columbia City in overtime earlier this season, play a 2-3 zone and have a talented corps of guards, too, led by 5-7 senior Annnika Davis. She's had the best tournament run of anyone on the team, Pixley said, praising her ability to handle the ball. The guard is right at her season scoring average (10-11 ppg) and committing fewer than two turnovers per tournament game.

"She's the glue to us handling the ball and she's a nice (player)," Pixley added. "She can score, get into the paint and all that stuff. She's just a great point guard."

Staring across from the Knights is a mirror image — albeit a significantly shorter outfit. Brownstown Central also typically runs a 2-3 zone and relies on crashing the boards.

Linton-Stockton coach Jared Rehmel and Eastern Hancock coach Shari Doud — both of whom the Braves ousted last weekend — described Brownstown Central as "disciplined" and that's as good a place to start as any with a team that scores fewer than 50 points per game, but only allows 43.

The Braves are methodical on both ends of the floor, with that zone defense suffocating the Royals following a raucous start by their freshman standout, Kenzie Koch.

The score was 14-14 after a quarter.

Brownstown Central gave up 15 the rest of the way, this after rallying from a nine-point deficit against Linton-Stockton in the morning game.

"I would have never dreamed that," coach Brandon Allman said. "But once again, that's just kudos to our girls for executing and rebounding. That was also a huge stat, not giving up any offensive rebounds to them and limiting their second chance opportunities."

The Braves' offense runs through guard Harley Toppe. The 5-7 sophomore averages just over 10 points and is an excellent shooter, boasting a 49% mark from the field (43-for-88) and 41% mark from 3. She was the spark against Eastern Hancock, but the Braves have also received good contributions from Sophie Wischmeier (8 ppg, 7 rpg, 45% shooter), Jenna Klosterman (7 ppg, 3 apg, 4 rpg) and Kinzee Dean (6.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 53% shooter).

Brownstown Central averages just 24.5 field goal attempts per game.

Allman said his team has struggled at times against taller teams (tallest player in their lineup is the 5-9 Wischmeier), but they're focused on finding ways to keep Luers out of the paint. It's worth noting the Braves beat sectional foe Austin (5-11 Lizzy Baker) and Eastern Hancock (6-1 Ruby White), both of whom have big posts.

It will also help that the Braves have three players who reached state with the volleyball team in November.

"They're able to help calm girls down," Allman said. "They've been through something similar and any time you have that experience, girls who've done it before, it's really kept our girls level-headed."

Brownstown Central (20-9) vs. No. 10 Fort Wayne Bishop Luers (19-6)

WHEN: Saturday, approx. 12:45 p.m.

HOW TO WATCH: IHSAA.tv ($15 per game or $20 for all four)

COACHES: Brownstown — Brandon Allman (5th year, 100-40); Luers — Mark Pixley (10th year, 129-107)

SERIES: Luers, 1-0

STATE FINALS: Brownstown — 2 (2011, 2024); Luers — 10 (1999*, 2000*, 2001*, 2002*, 2004, 2006*, 2010, 2011*, 2012, 2024)

TEAM STATS: Brownstown — 49.2 ppg (43% FG / 32% 3FG / 66% FT), 42.6 ppg allowed, 28.7 rpg, 9.2 apg; Luers — 57 ppg (39% FG / 26% 3FG / 61% FT), 44.9 ppg allowed, 34.2 rpg, 13.7 apg

TOP PERFORMERS: Brownstown - G Harley Toppe (10.1 ppg, 1.5 apg, 2.1 rpg), F Sophie Wischmeier (8 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.5 apg), G Jenna Klosterman (7.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.4 apg); Luers - C Addie Shank (13.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.7 apg), C Miley Wareing (11.5 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.1 apg), G Annika Davis (10.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.2 apg)

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana girls basketball 2A preview: Brownstown Central vs. Bishop Luers