Winchester Head Coach Holly Gutierrez talks to her players just prior to the Golden Falcons 49-47 victory over Paoli in the Class 2A semi-state in Jeffersonville on Feb. 17.
WINCHESTER, Ind. – Saturday’s Class 2A state championship game in Indianapolis will be about the business at hand for the Winchester girls basketball team.
“My girls are excited, but just like other games they are pretty numb to the things outside of the game itself,” Winchester Head Coach Holly Gutierrez said. “They are there to take care of business.”
The fourth-ranked Golden Falcons (26-2) are set to face No. 9 Central Noble (22-5) in Bankers Life Fieldhouse at 12:45 p.m.
“They continue to bring it each and every game,” Guterrez said of her team’s approach. “What an amazing group of young ladies.”
Winners of 10 in a row, the Golden Falcons brought it last weekend as they posted a 49-47 overtime victory over sixth-ranked Paoli at the Jeffersonville Semi-State to reach to title contest.
Maddie Lawrence had 24 points and 13 rebounds in the affair as she raised her season averages to 19.4 and 9.0 per game.
The Cougars earned their trip to Indianapolis with a 52-44 win over No. 13 Frankton in the semi-state at Logansport as they won their eighth straight contest.
“They have two great players,” Gutierrez said. “We have to contain those two players and we need to get to the rim. Attacking the basket and staying out of foul trouble will be keys for us.”
Sydney Freeman leads Central Noble in scoring at 17.4 points a game. She had 15 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals in the semi-state.
“She’s quick at getting to the rim,” Gutierez said. “She can also shoot the deep three very well. Containing her will be a task.”
Meleah Leatherman adds 14.4 points per contest, while averaging a team-high 9.9 rebounds. She led the Cougars with 21 points and 14 rebounds against Frankton.
“She can do it all and shoots the three very well,” Gutierrez said of the 6-1 post player.
The two teams have never met as they make their first trip to the state championship game.
However, they do have a common opponent this season in Bluffton.
Winchester defeated the Tigers 67-37 in its season opener back on Nov. 4.
Central Noble won 47-35 over Bluffton in the first game of the regional at Winamac.