Heritage Christian out to make history Saturday in Class 2A girls basketball title game
A word of advice to anyone watching the Class 2A girls state basketball finals matchup between Heritage Christian (27-2) and Fort Wayne Canterbury (23-2) on March 7 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse: Don't blink.
The two perennial favorites, pitted against each other in the title game for the second consecutive year, both score at a breakneck clip. The Eagles, who won last year's final 64-61, score 70.21 points per game, just a tick under the Cavaliers (70.92). Those averages rank sixth and seventh in the state.
Led by junior guard Tyasha Harris, who has averaged 17.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists this season, Heritage Christian's offense functions by forcing the tempo at every opportunity. The Eagles attempt to get the ball up the court as fast as possible.
"We have a goal of 2.5 seconds to get the ball down the floor and get into an offense," said Eagles coach Rick Risinger, who would match boys coach Bill Green for the most basketball championships in state history (six) with a win on Saturday. "It's actually based on Loyola Marymount (in the late '80s), with Hank Gathers."
Fort Wayne Canterbury, perhaps better than anyone in state, knows how difficult it can be to stop the Eagles' torrid offense. Since last year's loss to Heritage Christian, the Cavaliers have used a return to the finals as motivation all season long.
"On a made basket or a rebound, they're already down the court," explained Cavaliers coach Wayne Kreiger, whose program would tie Fort Wayne Bishop Luers for the most girls basketball championships in state history (six) with a win on Saturday. "We're going to have to make sure that we have plenty of people that understand that if we don't get the rebound, you gotta sprint back and get into the passing lanes."
For the Cavaliers, stopping the dynamic Harris will be priority one. But an added challenge of playing Heritage Christian, winners of five state championships since 2006, is the fact that all of their players are superior ball handlers.
"When things are struggling a little bit, then Tyasha (Harris) will be the one to step up and take control," Risinger explained, "But all my players have the ability to handle the ball. We designed it that way; we don't lean on any one person to (handle the ball)."
While the Eagles' offense is multipronged, with the scoring coming from all over the floor, Fort Wayne Canterbury's attack is centered around 5-5 senior scorer Darby Maggard, who has averaged an eye-popping 28.6 points and 7.6 assists per contest this season.
The Belmont-bound guard has played several positions throughout her four-year high school career, but this year she has been relied upon to provide offense. She has not disappointed.
"She has a very high basketball IQ," Risinger said of Maggard, who has played AAU ball with several Eagles. "She understands the game exceptionally well, not only from her individual perspective, but from a team perspective."
At approximately 12:45 on Saturday, the two teams will tip off in the highly anticipated rematch. With just three points separating the schools a year ago, and only four losses between them this season, the 2A championship could be the game of the day.
"It's a one game deal," Kreiger said. "And anything could happen."
Elsewhere
The quartet of title games begins at 10:30 a.m. with Lafayette Central Catholic and Barr-Reeve playing for the Class A championship, followed by Heritage Christian-FW Canterbury. The second session begins at 6 p.m. with Tippecanoe Valley and Princeton meeting for the 3A title. At 8:15, the 4A champ will be decided when Columbus North meets Homestead.
Tickets are $15 per session. Fox Sports Indiana is televising all four games.
Reserved seats can be purchased at the eight participating schools and at the Fieldhouse on Saturday.