This Saturday, Feb. 28, the four corners of Indiana will converge on Gainbridge Fieldhouse. From the lakes of Fremont to the hills of Borden, the 2026 State Finals represent the pinnacle of "Hoosier Hysteria" for girl’s basketball. This is about more than trophies, it’s about town legacies and the final 32 minutes of a lifelong journey.
Here is your essential guide to the four matchups that will define the year for Indiana high school girl’s Basketball.
Class 4A: The Quest for Perfection
Matchup: Center Grove Trojans (28-0) vs. Norwell Knights (25-4) Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
The Story: A Clash of Basketball Philosophies
The 4A final is a dream matchup of contrasting identities. Center Grove enters as the state’s last undefeated titan, seeking to become the 18th team in IHSAA history to finish a perfect season. Their path was nearly severed in a semi-state final at Jasper vs Lawrence Central that felt like a defensive "blackout,” but the Trojans found a way to survive, 29-26. This team has proven they can win when their shots don’t fall by leaning on a suffocating, switching man-to-man defense that drains the clock and the will of their opponents. Coach Kevin Stuckmeyer has built a roster that embraces the "grind," making them nearly impossible to beat in a close game.
Standing in their way is Norwell, a high-octane machine from Ossian attempting one of the rarest feats in Indiana history: winning back-to-back state titles in two different classes. After capturing the 3A State Championship last year, the Knights were moved up to 4A due to the IHSAA "success factor.” Remarkably, Norwell returned all five starters for this jump in competition and cruised through the semi-state with an average margin of victory of 16 points. Utilizing a deep bench and a transition offense that punishes mistakes instantly, the Knights aren't interested in a slow-burn game; they want a track meet. The drama lies in the "45-point threshold": if Center Grove’s "half-court heist" keeps Norwell under 45, the undefeated dream likely comes true, but if the Knights push the score into the 50s, the Trojans' perfect streak is in grave danger.
Players to Watch:
Center Grove: Gracyn Gilliard (Sr.) – The "Clutch Queen." She scored 18 of her team’s 29 points in the semi-state final. She is a master of the mid-range and the emotional heartbeat of this team.
Center Grove: Haley Wagoner (Sr.) – A physical post player who provides the secondary scoring punch the Trojans need to win.
Norwell: Kennedy Fuelling (Sr.) – A dynamic, high-volume scorer. She has the range to pull Center Grove’s elite defenders away from the basket, opening up the floor for the Knights' secondary shooters.
Norwell: Vanessa Rosswurm (Sr.) – A Miss Basketball candidate who led Norwell's 3A title run averaging over 22 points per game. She has increased that average this year to over 23 points per game.
Class 3A: The Resilience Bowl
Matchup: Roncalli Royals (27-3) vs. Bellmont Braves (24-3) Time: 6 p.m. ET
The Story: From the Depths to the Heights
The emotional center of this year's tournament is Bellmont. A decade ago, this program suffered through a winless 0-21 season. Today, they are a 24-win powerhouse making their first-ever trip to the State Finals. The Braves represent the resilience of northeast Indiana basketball, relying on a strength in numbers approach where any of the five starters can lead the team in scoring on a given night. Their semi-state performance was a statement of poise, as they systematically dismantled a tough Connersville team.
They face a Roncalli program that has become a perennial force under the Southside lights of Indianapolis. The Royals haven't lost a game since the calendar turned to 2026, riding a 17-game winning streak that has seen them dominate the Marion County landscape. Roncalli specializes in "physicality with a purpose." They wear teams down over four quarters with relentless rebounding and a refusal to give up easy transition points. This will be a game of inches played in the paint, where the first team to 40 points might just walk away with the championship banner.
Players to Watch:
Roncalli: Lydia Stahley (Sr.) – A force inside who controls the glass. Her ability to finish through contact will be vital against Bellmont’s disciplined frontcourt.
Roncalli: Elliot Leffler (Jr.) – The floor general responsible for navigating pressure and setting the Royals' offensive rhythm.
Bellmont: Ashley Bleke (Sr.) – A versatile wing who can score at all three levels. Her leadership was the stabilizing force in their 56-41 semi-state championship win.
Bellmont: Emily Bleke (Sr.) – A defensive specialist and rebounder who provides the toughness Bellmont needs in the paint.
Class 2A: The "Cardiac Kids" vs. The Machine
Matchup: Eastern Pekin Musketeers (20-7) vs. Oak Hill Eagles (24-3) Time: 12:45 p.m. ET
The Story: The Underdog’s Final Stand
Eastern Pekin is the team that simply refuses to go home. Entering the postseason with seven losses, they were overlooked by many in favor of the Indy-metro giants, but they have spent February playing the roles of giant killers. They won three of their last four tournament games by five points or fewer, including a gritty win over North Knox. They play with a "nothing to lose" swagger that makes them incredibly dangerous in a one-game championship setting.
Oak Hill, meanwhile, is the embodiment of consistency. They arrived in the finals by ending Whitko’s 25-1 season in a methodical semi-state performance that showcased their tactical maturity. The Eagles don't beat themselves; they value possessions, limit turnovers, and rely on a surgical half-court offense. It’s a classic matchup of Eastern’s chaotic, high-energy transition game versus Oak Hill’s disciplined, grind-it-out execution. Can the Musketeers create enough chaos to rattle the Eagles?
Players to Watch:
Eastern Pekin: Addison Smith (Sr.) – The ultimate competitor. She has a knack for finding the ball in the game’s biggest moments and isn't afraid to take the shot with the season on the line.
Eastern Pekin: Kyra Siefker (Jr.) – A secondary scoring threat whose perimeter shooting often sparks their late-game rallies.
Oak Hill: Lizzy Larrison (Sr.) – A defensive anchor. Her rim protection will be the primary obstacle for Eastern’s guards who love to attack the basket.
Oak Hill: Karsyn Wiley (Sr.) – A steady floor general who excels at limiting turnovers and managing the game's pace.
Class 1A: The Historic First vs. The Defending Dynasty
Matchup: Fremont Eagles (28-2) vs. Borden Braves (24-4) Time: 10:30 a.m. ET
The Story: A Tale of Two Ends of the Court
The 1A final features a clash between a program making history and a program living it. Fremont is making its first-ever State Finals appearance, fueled by a "Golden Generation" of seniors who have played together since elementary school. They are the highest-scoring team left in the 1A bracket, fresh off a 63-47 dismantling of Monroe Central.
However, they run into the defending 1A State Champion Borden Braves. Borden returns nearly its entire rotation from the 2025 squad that captured the program’s first title in a 49-40 victory over Lafayette Central Catholic. The Braves proved their championship mettle in the semi-state final, stifling Greenwood Christian to just 26 points, a defensive masterclass that signaled they are ready to take the trophy back to southern Indiana for the second year in a row.
Players to Watch:
Fremont: Addy Parr (Sr.) – A lethal shooter and the primary engine of the Eagles' high-octane offense.
Fremont: Bella Mazur (Sr.) – The defensive anchor who will likely draw the assignment of slowing down Borden's perimeter attack.
Borden: Riley Rarick (Sr.) – The leading scorer from last year’s state final (16 points).
Borden: Ava Wheeler (Sr.) – A critical two-way playmaker who contributed 13 points in the 2025 championship game.
Plan Your Trip to Gainbridge
For official brackets, ticket information, and the full tournament digital program, visit the IHSAA State Finals Tournament Guide.
10:30 a.m.: 1A Final — Fremont vs. Borden
12:45 p.m.: 2A Final — Eastern (Pekin) vs. Oak Hill
6:00 p.m.: 3A Final — Bellmont vs. Roncalli
8:15 p.m.: 4A Final — Center Grove vs. Norwell