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2022 IHSAA 1A State Final Preview

By Randy Beckett
Updated: February 25, 2022

1A Class State Championship

IGBRR #3 Lafayette Central Catholic (24-4) v IGBRR #5 Tecumseh (19-8)

Sagarin Ranking: LCC #28, Tecumseh #78
Strength of Schedule: LCC #37, Tecumseh #136
ICGSA Final Poll: LCC #3, Tecumseh #7
IGBRR Preseason Poll: LCC #2, Tecumseh #1
Conference: LCC (Hoosier West, 3rd), Tecumseh (Pocket, 5th)
Last State Championship Game: LCC 2016 (Champion), Tecumseh (No appearance)

Leading Scorer: LCC (Jr) Tori Thompson 14.5 PPG, Tecumseh (Sr) Kaybree Oxley 17.6 PPG
Leading Rebounder: LCC (S)r Karsyn Cherry 7.7 RPG, Tecumseh (Sr) Kaybree Oxley 9.3 RPG

Preview: Our IGBRR preseason #1 Tecumseh Braves and preseason #2 Lafayette Central Catholic Knights will square off for the 1A State Championship. Tecumseh returned nearly their entire roster from a fifteen-win Elite Eight squad from a year ago. That includes one of 1A’s most dominate players over the last four years in senior post Kaybree Oxley (17.6 PPG & 9.3 RPG), who has scored over 1800 career points, including a game high 23 points in the Semi-State, and is just 1 rebound shy of collecting 1000 boards. This will put her in rare company as only the 18th player to ever reach those marks. She is surrounded by an experienced and productive crew that includes junior guard Karsyn Flowers 9.3 PPG & 4.8 APG, sophomore forward Jenna Donahoo 12.4 PPG & 7 RPG, and senior 6′ wing Morgan Wilson 5.7 PPG, which have produced the third highest scoring 1A offense at 58 PPG. The Braves who have played 1A’s second toughest schedule, including knocking off the 1A #1 and #2 teams in the last two weeks, are tested and prepared to try to capture their first state title. Their opponent Lafayette Central Catholic are the owner of 1A’s toughest schedule, remarkably the Knights not only played 1A’s strongest schedule but one of the best in the state regardless of class (37). LCC got their first postseason test last week as they raced out early but had to fight down the stretch to secure their place in the championship. The Knights are led by a pair of seniors in Karsyn Cherry (10.7 PPG & 7.7 RPG), Louisville soccer commit, who had a near triple double in the Semi-State and sharpshooter Caitlin Dinnen (9 PPG, 63 triples). Juniors Tori Thompson leads the Knights in scoring (14.6 PPG, 67 triples), and had 16 points in their Semi-State win, and Kendal Rider controls the tempo from the point, while freshman Carley Barrett (12.6 PPG) has had a breakout inaugural season. LCC made their fourth state title game appearance, and are 3-0 in their previous title games.

Predictions: Lafayette Central Catholic 55, Tecumseh 49
This will be a game of contrasting styles as LCC doesn’t have a starter over 5’8, has hit more threes than any team in 1A (176), and relies on the athletic play of five guards to create tempo and turnovers. The Braves look to pound the ball inside, get to the free throw line (16.5 attempts per game) and control the paint and boards (300+ offensive boards) with their athletic length. Neither team can afford foul trouble but need to maintain their aggressive play on both ends. The Knights who rely on the deep ball more than the Braves face the potential of shooting woes that teams can have at the Fieldhouse. The Braves will need to handle the pressure from the Knights and get the ball to the post and limit turnovers that result in transition points. The tremendous schedule the Knights have faced along with their ability to get points in bunches off the three and their press gives them the slight advantages they will need to keep their perfect state title game record and bring home their fourth state championship.

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