It is not often that two schools have never played in a championship game before battle it out against each other in the state final; however, that was the exact case for the 2A title game between Rensselaer Central and South Knox on March 1 in Gainbridge Fieldhouse.  

With two passionate fanbases and communities coming together to cheer on their teams for the first time ever at the state finals, an electric atmosphere filled the air at the 12:45 time slot in downtown Indianapolis. 

“It was a little nerve-racking in the beginning,” sophomore guard Grace Detweiller said. “It’s just awesome to see so many people come out and support us, it makes all [the nerves] go away and seem worth it.”

Leaning on defensive dominance and fuel from the aforementioned crowds, the Spartans blew by the Bombers 55-33. 

South Knox got off to a hot start from the field, shooting 50% from the field as they went up 13-6 at the end of the first quarter. 

As the game progressed, the Spartans continually shut down the Bomber offense — holding them to just 20% from the field in the first half while going up 26-13 at the break.

Specifically, holding junior guard Kamri Rowland to just 2-8 from the field in the first half and 4-18 throughout the game. 

“They [did] a good job boxing me out,” Rowland said. “They denied me the ball…they’re a good team.”

While the offensive efficiency was not ideal for the Spartans, it was the continued defense by South Knox to get them through to victory. 

“We didn’t have the best offensive game,” head coach Hollie Anson-Eaes said. “These girls locked in, bought into each other and dug their toes in defensively. We’ve said all year that our defense is our best offense, every girl bought into the scouting report and knew exactly what was going on.”

Bren and Kendal Hill continued to pace the Spartans offensively throughout the game with a combined 32 points and 22 rebounds — each recording a double-double. 

In addition to the Hill sisters, Grace Detweiler had 12 points on 4-6 shooting to pace the Blue Chip conference champs to victory. 

However, outside of those three, not much offensive production occurred as senior guard and leading scorer Ella Bobe could not find the hoop as she went 2-11 from the field.

“Our mentality is next person up,” Anson-Eaves said. “I have never told any of these girls to stop shooting the ball because that’s the one thing that makes them so successful. 

While the Spartans held an advantage on the scoreboard throughout the game, it never fully felt like they were in control. 

Mainly in part due to racking up 19 turnovers and having several players go down briefly with injuries throughout the contest — most notably junior guard Madison Parrish. 

“She strained her Achilles,” Anson-Eaves said. “She has been fighting ever since then, and I know it had to hurt because she [typically] toughs it out and doesn’t cry. She brings a toughness to us that you got to have to be a successful basketball team.” 

In her 11th season as coach, Anson-Eaves has coached her fair share of losing seasons and middle-of-the-pack seasons. However, over the past two seasons, the South Knox alum has led the Spartans to a 51-4 record and the program’s first-ever state championship.  

As soon as we lost last year, four girls came up to me and asked what we would be doing differently,” Anson-Eaves said. “They are a tough group of girls and they don’t care who scores — they just want each other to have success. [Bringing this trophy home] is good for our community, and it’s good for us, too, I don’t know if it has sunk in yet.