On Saturday, Fremont will open the 2026 IHSAA state finals as it battles Borden at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Tip is set for around 10:42 a.m. according to the IHSAA after the teams take the court at 10:30 a.m.
TWO STORYLINES
A NEW STAGE VS. A FAMILIAR SETTING
This is rare air for Fremont, which will be participating in its first state finals and the only state finals for a team sport other than golf in school history. It has been that kind of a season for Fremont basketball, making new things possible. The last time they won the program won a regional before this season was 1999. So far this year, the only trophy that has alluded the Eagles is the NECC Tournament crown. Outside of that, they have been on fire. It is a big moment, but for a team which has shined while overcoming obstacles and expectations, no moment has been that big. Perhaps that continues on Saturday?
Borden sits in a different spot, entering Saturday as the defending Class 1A state champions. It is not to say that this is well-known territory for the Braves, but it is certainly a familiar one. They beat Lafayette Central Catholic 49-40 a year ago to clinch their first state title. Riley Rarick, who is back this season, led the way with 16 points. Ava Wheeler, also part of this season’s team, had 13 points, nine rebounds and four steals in the title game.
Borden certainly has the experience edge, especially when you look at a small school on the big stage. The lights likely won’t shine as bright for Borden. Will that matter? Perhaps not. But it does make for an intriguing storyline to follow on Saturday morning.
SHAE THOMAS LEGACY GAME
Has anyone been as important to Fremont girls basketball as Coach Shae Thomas? As a player who graduated 10 years ago, Thomas – then Shae Rhonehouse – scored 1,514 career points. That still remains the most points ever scored by a basketball player, male or female, at the school. Since she has come back to coach the program, it has grown to the exceptional state that it is at now.
Thomas is 72-33 in her career leading the Eagles entering this weekend. Year 1 was a build at 8-16, Season 2 doubled the wins at 16-9 with a sectional title, and Year 3 she moved to 20-7 with another sectional crown – Fremont’s first 20-win season since 2001-2002. If Thomas’ team pulls out a state title, is she the most important figure in the history of Fremont athletics?
Down the sideline, Borden coach Matt Vick is a 2006 graduate of the school. But the two are so very different.
FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH
GRACE SCHARLACH, FREMONT
Scharlach has been a phenom all through her junior season and is the highest leading scorer in the state finals across classes 1A, 2A and 3A at 20.6 points per game. She is quick, elusive and has handles that makes her a credible threat from 25 feet in, no matter who the opponent or what the defense is against her. And that is something she has proven time and time again.
RILEY RARICK, BORDEN
The 6-foot senior point guard has been a key piece of Borden’s success. She’s a proven all-around contributor. She is dangerous in transition and a matchup problem because she can both score and create for teammates. Rarick leads Borden in scoring (16.3 ppg) and assists (4.8 apg).
MYA TURNER, FREMONT
Turner has boosted Fremont throughout this postseason, both with high scoring games and with her interior presence. The junior leads the Eagles at 7.7 rebounds per contest heading into the state finals. Known for her length, strength, and ability to contribute anywhere on the floor, Turner could make a major impact on Saturday morning.
EMMA HART, BORDEN
Hart is an efficient scorer, but most importantly, brings rebounding strength to the Braves’ lineup. The 5-foot-10 senior forward has been one of Borden’s most productive interior players for multiple seasons. This year, she leads Borden at 10.2 rebounds per game for a team that, as a whole, averages 26.9 rebounds per contest.
KEY TO VICTORY – FREMONT
GET UP EARLY, STAY THERE
Fremont has beaten every one of its tournament opponent by double digits thus far. In fact, the last time that Fremont won a game by less than 10 points was November 18, an eight-point win at Blackhawk Christian. The Eagles started the season 5-1 and three of those wins were by single digits, the only times that has happened this season.
Getting into a big hole against Fremont continues to prove problematic for teams, so for the Eagles to feel comfortable in this game, an early lead can mean everything. Those big leads have helped them throughout this tournament; including a 64-51 upset of top-ranked Marquette Catholic and a 22-point win against No. 4 Elkhart Christian to win its first the program’s first-ever semistate championship.
KEY TO VICTORY – BORDEN
DOMINATE THE INTERIOR
Emma Hart is possibly the best rebounder that you will see in any state title game on Saturday. Her 10.2 rebounds leads all players amongst teams still left competing. But Borden as a team averages 16.7 rebounds outside of Hart and their overall rebounding numbers (26.9 per game) rank them just sixth among the eight state finalists, including one rebound per game less than Fremont.
That means that Hart and the rest of her squad need to crash the glass hard and keep the likes of Mya Turner and the rest of the Fremont bigs off the boards as much as possible. It will be a battle on the perimeter on Saturday morning, so for Borden, it will want to take advantage in the post. Last season, Borden had 31 rebounds in the state finals, outpacing Lafayette Central Catholic by seven; Ava Wheeler had nine boards in that game, while Hart added eight.
BOUNCE’S PICK
Don’t expect this one to be for the faint of heart. Borden has a little bit of everything on its roster, with nothing about it being more important that the fact the teamy won the Class 1A state title a year ago. It is easy to say the Braves have everything going for them. It is also easy to say that Fremont has everything, maybe more going for itself as well. The Eagles have eliminated No. 1 and No. 4 in the state during this postseason, while Borden sits at No. 2 in Class 1A and Fremont No. 3. Can the Eagles complete the sweep of other top four teams?
Don’t take experience for granted, ever. But also, don’t take for granted a team whose hunger has only grown in the last month. The stars align Saturday. BOUNCE PICKS FREMONT
These opinions represent those of Bounce and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow Bounce on Twitter at Bounce_OTH
Be the first to comment