Boys basketball state championship preview: Class 4A, Fishers Tigers

Tigers are aiming to win back-to-back state championships

By CRAIG ADKINS

For The Reporter

One of the hardest things to do in any sport is to repeat as a champion. They were there last year and won Class 4A and now have a chance to go back-to-back.

“To me, I think this program has arrived regardless of the outcome on Saturday. You win a state championship and get back. I think we’ve arrived and it’s just personal pride to accomplish what we set out to do. We have a very unique team that has bought into a centralized mission and vision which was to get back here and they’ve done everything we’ve asked to make that happen,” said Fishers head coach Garrett Winegar.

Fishers has won 43 games in a row, the fifth longest streak in state history and 59 of their last 60 and they don’t seem to be stopping at any point. It hasn’t been too long since a team has repeated. Technically, Carmel (4A) and Silver Creek (3A) both accomplished that feat in 2019 and 2021. The Covid-19 outbreak canceled the remainder of the 2020 state tournament just before the regional round or it would have been possible for a three-peat by both squads.

“At the end of the day this is our goal,” Winegar said. “If you’re going to play, the goal is to win it all. Your goal is to win a state championship. Obviously, it starts with Sectional 8, and it’s very competitive, but our goal is to win. Our goal is to win a state championship.”

No. 1 Fishers Tigers (30-0) vs. No. 7 Jeffersonville Red Devils (23-5)

Ben Davis was the last to go undefeated in 2023 at 33-0 and Warren Central went 32-0 in 2018.

“Everyone thinks we have a lot more pressure because we’re the defending champs, but there’s not much to say other than being prepared. We know if we come out with the same energy, mentality and focus every single game, that outcome is going to be the same,” Fishers senior Justin Kirby said. “Definitely having our five seniors is a big key to this success. Having a lot of us playing together for so long and growing up together is a big part of our chemistry and how we’ve played so well.”

Their chemistry is a big reason they have gotten back to the state finals. There might not be a more confident team around. But, when you’ve won 43 in a row and lost once in 60 games, confidence must be through the roof.

“It’s going to be no different preparing for this game than preparing for any other game. Everything is going to be the same leading up to the game. It doesn’t matter the environment. It doesn’t matter where in the world. Every game is the same. We’re going to be the most prepared team in this gym and be the most locked in team for this game,” Kirby continued.

Fishers ran the table in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference with ease (7-0). That has made them battle-tested to make another run through the state tournament.

“Our conference is one of the best up there, and I think this solidifies it as well. For our city, our county and everybody. I’ve seen a lot of people on social media almost doubting our ability to handle business, so we’re doing everything we can to win,” said Fishers senior JonAnthony Hall.

A balanced offense of sophomore Jason Gardner, Jr. (14.4), Kirby (13.0), super soph Cooper Zachary (11.3), Hall (10.1), along with seniors Millen McCartney (9.2), Nathan Baker (7.8) and Logan Sigler (4.8) makes Fishers go, but Jeffersonville also presents a big challenge for the Tigers.

“They all have the attributes and the variables that all programs look for. They have tough-nosed, high-character, disciplined kids that are well-coached. The one thing we noticed that probably doesn’t get mentioned a lot is how close-knit they are,” Jeffersonville head coach Sherron Wilkerson said. “That in itself is what allowed them to have the success that they’ve had thus far.”

The Red Devils have 41 sectional, 20 regional and seven semi-state titles. They made the Final Four in the single-class era in 1992, 93 and 95, winning the 1993 state title over Ben Davis.

Wilkerson is in his 3rd year at 56-22. The Red Devils lost in the semi-state championship to Ben Davis last season (52-51). Overall, he’s 95-98 with stints at Logansport, Madison, Shawe Memorial and Indianapolis Herron.

This will be the first-ever meeting between Fishers and Jeffersonville to cap off the 2024-25 basketball season.

“We’re not really intimidated. 30-0 is impressive, but at the end of the day, we put on our shoes how they put on their shoes, so we’re going to come in with a good mindset and be positive. Let the best man win,” said Jeffersonville senior and Wright State commit Michael Cooper.

Jeffersonville touts three seniors in double-figures. Cooper leads the way with 19.1 per game, followed by Northwestern commit Tre Singleton at 17.9 and 6.9 rebounds. Senior PJ Douglas scores 12.7 and grabs 5.2 rebounds, along with juniors Terrance Nord (5.2) and Elijah Cheeks. Seniors Shawn Boyd (4.1) and Gilly Polk (3.3) chip in.

“It’s a huge challenge, but it’s a great feeling to play them. We’re going to go out there to prove a point, so it’s exciting,” said Red Devils senior Tre Singleton.

“We have a big challenge ahead of us. A couple of our guys play AAU with their three best players, so we’re excited for the opportunity to compete,” Winegar said.

“We just have kids that know I love them, and we have that mutual bond, so they’re willing to be coached,” Winegar said. “For me, win or lose, it’s going to be bittersweet a night because it will be the last time coaching these guys.”

Editor’s note: Rich Torres provided quotes for the article.