Austin Schlabach’s 2025-2026 season didn’t just elevate Westview Warriors — it helped define one of the most dominant runs in recent Northeast Indiana boys basketball history. The junior guard became the engine behind a team that didn’t just win games, but stacked accomplishments at a relentless pace, culminating in a run to the Class 2A state title game.
From the very start of the season, there was a different feel around Westview. The Warriors played with a purpose that went beyond the nightly scoreboard, fueled by a roster that understood both its talent and its expectations. At the center of it all was Schlabach, whose ability to control tempo and dictate flow turned Westview into one of the most complete teams in the state, finishing just six games all season within a single digit spread on the scoreboard.
What separated Schlabach from many of his peers wasn’t just production, but versatility. He averaged 19.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.6 steals and 1 block per game, making him one of only a handful of players in the area to average at least one in every major statistical category. That stat line alone tells the story of a player who impacted every inch of the floor.
“His quickness and athleticism creates that initial advantage. He is also capable of scoring at all three levels,” said Westview coach Chandler Prible. “His perimeter shooting has been the biggest improvement in his game. He has improved in his passing as well, but shooting almost 40% from three is what made him that much tougher to guard.”
“My shooting has gotten a little better from last year, but my main thing that has gotten better is finding my open teammate and finishing through contact,” Schlabach said.
Night after night, Schlabach filled whatever role was needed. If Westview needed scoring, he could deliver in bunches, often pushing past the 20-point mark. If the Warriors needed a facilitator, he became a distributor, hovering near six assists per game and consistently creating high-quality looks for teammates. That balance made Westview incredibly difficult to defend. Opponents couldn’t key in on one aspect of Schlabach’s game because he simply had too many counters. Overplay him as a scorer, and he would carve up defenses with passing. Sit back, and he would attack the gaps and finish at the rim.
But that also didn’t do justice to the contributor that Schlabach became. The lineup around him was strong, headed by Kaden Grau’s offensive output. And, Schlabach says, that opened up a lot more for him as a passer beyond the scoring output.
“The guys on our team shot the ball really well, and especially Kaden Grau shooting it at 51% on the year, I felt like if I pass it to him it’s going in,” Schlabach said.
His presence was especially evident during Westview’s unbeaten run through the NECC. The Warriors didn’t just win the conference — they dominated it, rolling through league play and the NECC Tournament without a blemish. That kind of perfection requires consistency, and Schlabach provided it every single night.
“His competitiveness is the biggest thing he brings to the team. He expects to win at all costs and does everything he can to help the team win,” Prible said.
But conference dominance was only the beginning. Westview carried that momentum into the postseason, where the stakes increased and the spotlight intensified. Through sectionals and regionals, Schlabach elevated his play, delivering signature performances that pushed the Warriors deeper into March. One of those moments came in the regional round, where he poured in 33 points in a high-pressure win, showing his ability to take over when the season was on the line. It was a performance that encapsulated everything he had become — confident, composed and capable of shouldering any load his talented team needed him to.
“I really just went into every single game worrying about defense and trusting that my offense will come naturally and not to force things on offense,” Schlabach said. “The regional game stood out the most mainly because of the fact that it wasn’t just my first regional win but also my coaches regional win.”
By the time Westview reached Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Warriors had built a résumé that included a near-flawless record and multiple postseason titles. They entered the Class 2A state championship game with a 27-1 mark, not having lost since the season’s second game on December 1.
The state finals matchup proved to be a battle to the very end. Westview fell just short in a one-point loss, a heartbreaking finish with Schlabach’s potential game winner just bouncing out, that underscored how thin the margin can be at the highest level. Yet even in defeat, the Warriors had cemented themselves as one of the elite teams in the state.
Schlabach’s role in that run cannot be overstated. He wasn’t just a leading scorer or a primary ball handler — he was the connector. His ability to rebound, defend, facilitate and score allowed Westview to function as a cohesive unit, rather than a collection of individual parts. That completeness is what ultimately defined his season. In an era where players are often labeled by a single strength, Schlabach defied easy categorization. He was as comfortable making a defensive stop as he was knocking down a big shot or threading a pass through traffic.
It’s why he was recognized as one of the most complete guards in Indiana. His game didn’t just stand out statistically — it translated directly to winning, and at the highest levels. It helped him be named to part of the Indiana Junior All-Stars after the season had concluded.
There is also something to be said about how he played. Schlabach carried himself with a steady confidence, rarely rushed and often in control. In big moments, he didn’t force the game — he let it come to him, trusting his skill set and his teammates.
“He has set a standard for how to work on your own game and improve. He spends time working on his weaknesses and doesn’t stop until it has drastically improved. I think the younger guys notice that and it will help propel our program forward for years to come,” Prible said.
And perhaps that is what makes his season so compelling when looking ahead. For all that he accomplished — an unbeaten conference run, multiple championships, a state finals appearance — he did it as a junior. The foundation has already been laid.
For Westview, the standard has been set. For Schlabach, the bar has been raised. And if the 2025-2026 season proved anything, it’s that his all-around brilliance isn’t just valuable — it’s the kind of presence that can carry a program to the very edge of a state championship, and maybe next time, all the way over the top.
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