Class A: Bethany Christian eyes upset of No. 1 Lanesville in first state finals berth

Bethany Christian coach Krysten Parson and her players recognized the team's potential entering the season. They'd had a productive summer and were returning their cornerstones in junior guards Zoe Willems and Mariah Stoltzfus. But even they were unsure if they could run this deep into the state tournament.

"But it just keeps going and we just keep winning," said Parson, whose seventh-ranked Bruins will try to upset top-ranked Lanesville in the Class A final. "It's unreal."

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A regular-season slate that included 3A finalist Fairfield and 2A semistate finalist Central Noble prepared Bethany Christian (24-3) for a state tournament run that saw the Bruins knock off No. 6 Washington Township and No. 2 Tri last weekend, but it was a dramatic win in the sectional opener that inspired confidence.

Trailing Fort Wayne Blackhawk by two with 0.9 seconds left, the Bruins inbounded the ball to the 5-7 Willems, who finished through contact against a 6-2 post underneath the basket, then sank the game-winning free throw with no time remaining.

And the Bruins haven't looked back since, Parson said.

"We were tight in that game," she continued, "but we have just played freely as the tournament has gone on."

Not only is this the first finals appearance in program history for the Bethany Christian girls basketball team, it's a first for the school in any team sport.

The Bruins' success has been a collective effort, of course, but there's no mistaking who's at the forefront: Willems and Stoltzfus.

Willems averages over 17 points (49% shooter), nearly nine rebounds and three assists per game, while Stoltzfus, a 5-2 guard, is good for 11 points, four rebounds and five assists per game. Kiersten Todd and Julia Moser both log around 6-7 ppg, with Todd second on the team in rebounding (4 rpg).

"(Willems and Stoltzfus) have really taken us to a new level and they've been like that since they stepped into our program," Parson said. "But really what it is is the selfless play around them, and those two are able to make their teammates better because they're team-first kids. Everybody has just bought into roles. You don't always get that, but this group has done that exceptionally well. They have a deep love for each other."

Bethany Christian has taken on some quality opponents, but Lanesville (27-2) is a uniquely powerful foe.

Ranked No. 1 in Class A, the Eagles allow just 28.4 points per game (2nd-best in the state), while pouring in 56 ppg themselves. Senior forward Linzie Wernert (13.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.4 apg) and sophomore guard Hadley Crosier (9.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.4 apg) lead the Lanesville lineup, which also picks up 7-8 ppg from 6-1 senior center Morgan Sonner and junior guard Ava Kerr.

The Eagles are shooting 41% as a team and are on a 12-game win streak, with only two games decided by fewer than 15 points: Jan. 5 vs. Floyd Central (47-38) and Jan. 27 vs. Scottsburg (46-41).

No. 7 Bethany Christian (24-3) vs. No. 1 Lanesville (27-2)

WHEN: 10:30 a.m.

HOW TO WATCH: Bally Sports Indiana; Bally Sports+ app (subscription); IHSAAtv.org ($15 per game or $20 for all four)

COACHES: Bethany Christian - Krysten Parson (17th year, 190-98); Lanesville - Angie Hinton (5th year, 115-19)

SERIES: First meeting

STATE FINALS: Bethany Christian - 1 (2023); Lanesville - 1 (2023)

TEAM STATS: Bethany Christian - 46 ppg (40% FG / 30% 3PT / 69% FT), 33.4 ppg allowed, 26.5 rpg, 10.5 apg; Lanesville - 55.8 ppg (41% FG / 26% 3PT / 66% FT), 28.4 ppg allowed, 30.1 rpg, 13.6 apg

TOP PERFORMERS: Bethany Christian - G Zoe Willems (17.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3 apg), G Mariah Stoltzfus (10.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.5 apg), F Kiersten Todd (6.6 ppg, 4 rpg, 1 apg); Lanesville - F Linzie Wernert (13.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.4 apg), G Hadley Crosier (9.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.4 apg), G Ava Kerr (7.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.8 apg)

ABOUT THE BRUINS: Bethany Christian is one of two state finalists from Elkhart County (3A's Fairfield). … Parson is a Lawrence Central alum and played both basketball and softball at Goshen College. … BC is amidst its first 20-win season since at least the turn of the century. This is its ninth winning season in the past 23 years.

ABOUT THE EAGLES: Lanesville has three 4A wins, including a 53-39 victory over East Central, and its two losses came against 3A foes Evansville Memorial in overtime and 3A finalist Corydon Central. … The Eagles beat 3A Scottsburg by five at the end of the regular season and have won their past five games since by an average margin of 28.4. They have held four of their past five opponents under 30 points. … Fellow Harrison County member Corydon Central is in the 3A final. … Hinton led New Albany — host of last weekend's Class A semistate games — to the 4A title in 1999, the last state championship played at Market Square Arena. She is the fifth coach to lead two different schools to the state finals and is looking to join Donna Cheatham and Kathie Layden as the only coaches to win state titles at two different schools. … Another fun New Albany tie-in: Sophomore guard Hadley Crosier's mother, Lacy (Farris), was a member of that 1999 undefeated state champion Bulldogs team.

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA girls basketball Class A final: Lanesville vs. Bethany Christian