By CRAIG ADKINS
For The Reporter
Sheridan is playing with the mentality of ‘unfinished business.’ Last season ended with a semi-state semifinal loss at Eastern Hancock in overtime, 62-54.
This year has a different feel for the Blackhawks. Sheridan touts one of the best records in the state of Indiana and is riding a 23-game winning streak into a highly competitive four-team semi-state field at Logansport’s Berry Bowl.
The No. 11 Blackhawks (25-1) face their toughest opponent to date when they battle the No. 2 Rensselaer Central Bombers (24-2) in the second semi-state semifinal at approximately noon. The first game of the day at the Berry Bowl pits No. 17 Whitko (21-4) against No. 5 Eastside (26-1) is slated for a 10 a.m. tipoff. The championship game is set for 8 p.m.
This will be the seventh meeting between Sheridan and Rensselaer Central and the first in the state tournament. The Bombers lead the series with a 6-1 record.
The last time the two met on the basketball court, Rensselaer Central won 54-52 on Dec. 18, 2010.
No. 11 Sheridan (25-1) vs. No. 2 Rensselaer Central (24-2)
The Blackhawks are back in the semi-state for the second straight season and have a great feel of what it takes to keep moving on.
Winning their second consecutive regional in program history last week, the Blackhawks are poised to keep this tournament run going.
Their regional win at Lapel over Lewis Cass made a statement in blowout fashion with a 60-23 of the Kings. Hosting the sectional paid off for Sheridan with wins over Frankton (58-26), Tipton (62-12) and Lapel (54-47).
Senior all-state candidate and Ferris State commit Kenzie Garner leads in all categories with 21.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 3.2 steals and 1.6 blocks. Fellow senior Cecilia Timme scores 10.6 points, grabs 4.9 boards, dishes out 3.9 assists and has 3.1 steals per contest. Sophomore Brielle Garner is at 7.3 with 1.8 steals. Seniors Shelby Eaton (6.7), Nova Cross (4.8) and Mac Smith (4.2) are also key contributors.
After wins over Carroll and Lebanon, Sheridan lost its only game of the season to Brebeuf Jesuit (54-51) on Nov. 19. The Blackhawks have won 23 straight with key wins over Covenant Christian, Rossville, Tri-West, Seeger, Eastern Hancock, University, Lapel (twice), Speedway, Guerin Catholic and Clinton Central.
Rensselaer Central is making its first semi-state appearance in school history. The Bombers also won their first regional last week at Caston over No. 3 Alexandria, 57-49. Two weeks ago marked the seventh sectional championship in program history as well.
The Bombers also mowed down Seeger (61-32), Benton Central (47-33) and North Montgomery (67-26) to claim their seventh sectional crown.
Head coach Wes Radtke is 143.72 in his 9th season.
Playing an extremely tough schedule, Rensselaer Central grinded out solid wins over North Judson, Hanover Central, Tri-County, Lafayette Jeff, Chesterton, Benton Central (twice), Andrean, North Knox, Lafayette Central Catholic, Munster and Lowell. Their two losses came to McCutcheon on Nov. 23 (62-52) and Jan. 18 (68-51).
Rensselaer Central’s leading scorer is junior Kamri Rowland at 15.4 points and 7.2 rebounds. Senior Taylor Van Meter scores 13 per game with 5.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Sophomore Courtney Mathew is also in double-figures with 11.9, 4.4 boards and 3.9 assists, along with 2.8 steals. Junior Carly Drone is at 9.4 points and grabs 5.9 rebounds, while junior Brodie Radtke chips in 7.8 and 4.6 boards.
No. 17 Whitko (21-4) vs. No. 5 Eastside (26-1)
Whitko is experiencing its best tournament success in program history. The Wildcats won their first sectional this season a couple weeks ago at Bluffton, 68-60. Wins over Woodlan (64-47) and South Adams (78-23) got them to the title game.
While it being a year of firsts, head coach Justin Jordan has them pointed in the right direction. Jordan guided them to their first regional championship last week at Caston against Bremen, 53-44 and he is now 57-59 in his fifth season.
The Wildcats were Three Rivers Conference co-champions with Wabash. This is Whitko’s first 20-win season since 2016-17. In 2024, they went 19-4.
They had solid wins over Fort Wayne Northrop (twice), Wabash, Rochester and Maconaquah.
Junior Reese Stonebraker (14.1 points) and 6.0 rebounds, sophomore Jayma Stonebraker (12.8) along with 4.4 board, 3.8 assist and steals and Adriyanna Phillips (12.8) and 3.5 rebounds leads the Wildcats.
Senior Braisha Harrison (6.2) and sophomores Ally Brown (6.1) and Jocelyn Luecke (5.0) are also key contributors.
Eastside is making its first semi-state appearance and has hit 20 wins for the second season in a row. Last year, the team went 21-4. Head coach Mike Lortie also has the Blazers headed in the right direction. Now in his sixth season, Lortie is 107-42.
The Blazers won their sixth sectional title and their first regional crown since 1979. Drawing the sectional bye, they took out host Central Noble (59-33) and then Churubusco 63-18 for the championship.
The regional win came at Jimtown over Andrean, 39-27.
The Blazers started off the season 14-0; if not for a narrow loss (54-52) to Bellmont at home, they would be undefeated. The Blazers have quality wins over Fremont, Woodlan, Lakewood Park, Bellmont and Fairfield.
Since that loss, Eastside is on a 12-game winning streak, including finishing a perfect 10-0 in Northeast Corner Conference play, being crowned outright champions.
The Blazers’ only other semi-state appearance was in 1979, dropping the semifinal to Bellmont (53-48).
There are no statistics available on MaxPreps for the Eastside Blazers.
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