After their morning victories, just a few short hours later Lawrence Central and Center Grove faced off against each other for a trip to Gainbridge on Feb. 24. 

In a packed lower bowl at the historic Southport Fieldhouse, the intensity and energy throughout the building was incredible. Every dribble,  every deflection, every pass. No matter the action there was an uproar on one half of the gym and jubilation on the other. 

Parents cheering on their daughters, classmates cheering on their peers, the opening quarter of the game was everything Indiana basketball represents. 

Despite the atmosphere, the points on the board did not nearly reflect the product surrounding it. A slow start for both teams thanks to a mix of energetic defensive effort, fatigue from the morning slate of games and simply many possessions lasting minutes at a time. 

At the quarter break, Lawrence Central held onto a slim 6-4 lead with Lola Lampley, Mariah Kenter Garrett and Laila Abdurraqib each getting layups to fall. 

The second quarter saw much more offensive action as Lilly Bischoff and Ava Grant would knock down Center Grove’s first two three pointers of the game while Jaylah Lampley would match one in return for Lawrence Central. 

Both squads were continously pestering and energetic on the defensive ends as the game matured into the withering seconds of the half. 

Aubrie Booker would send the game into halfrime with a buzzer-beating and-one conversion as each team settled in at 13 points each. 

Grant got things going in the second half for the Trojans with a three pointer and lay up on consecutive possesions. A Bischoff three pointer would put Coach Jannon Lampley over the edge by forcing a timeout after taking a 21-15 lead midway through the third period. 

Once again, Lawrence Central found themselves in unfamilar territory as they trailed 26-18 in the waning minutes of the quarter. 

Just like their morning game against Plainfield, the Bears continued to fight as they methodically chipped away the hole they got themselves in. 

Unlike their morning match-up against Plainfield, the Lampley sisters started to take over in the third quarter as they started to chip away at their deficit. 

Eventually, the Bears would once again take the lead 28-26 at the end of the third quarter. However, Audrey Anne would knock down her second three pointer of the night to beat the buzzer as the Trojans went up 29-28 as they entered the final chapter of play. 

As the final quarter unfolded, the intensity in the building continued to ignite as the Bears got out to a 36-30 lead with six minutes left in the game. 

The Bears kept their lead by utilizing their size and strength down low by continously drawing fouls and fighting through contact. 

Booker made consecutive buckets for the Trojans as it was now them who needed to make the comeback. With under three minutes to play, Center Grove made consecutive turnovers to help cushion the Lawrence Central lead. 

As the Bears lead continued to grow and the seconds continued to rot away, it was obvious to everyone in the crowd which team would be heading to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the state championship game. 

“LC!” chants filled the gym as the bench unit for the Bears and their lead continued to grow into double digits. 

The Bears will be heading to the State Championship with a final score of 53-40 over Center Grove. 

For the Trojans, they lose two of their top scorers in Audrey Annee and Aubrie Booker who combined for 18 points against the Bears. They will be returning plenty of talent with Ava Grant and Lilly Bischoff, who combined for 16 points themselves. Do not expect the Trojans to necessarily be back in the Semi-State game next year, but there is no reason to count them out for a successful season. 

For the Bears, they will be facing the winner of Noblesville and Lake Central in the state championship game. Tonight, it was all Abdurraqib who scored 22 points while the Lampley sisters combined for 26. With a team full of juniors, not only will you be seeing these girls compete for state next year, but do not be surprised if they repeat next year with this talented squad. 

“I would not be able to be here without my teammates, coaches and family,” Abdurraqib said. “Especially the fans that came out here, this is what we have worked [towards] for the past three years, we got to complete the job that is all it is.”