3 southern Indiana girls basketball teams compete for IHSAA Semi-State title this weekend

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Hoosier high school hoops are heating up, and some local teams are making a run.

Three local girls' basketball teams have the chance to bring some hardware back to southern Indiana this weekend.

Floyd Central, Borden and Eastern will compete in this weekend's Indiana High School Athletic Association's Semi-State Tournament.

The Highlanders of Floyd Central will play for their first-ever appearance in the state championship game, while Borden will continue to defend its state title from last year. Eastern is looking for its first semi-state championship since 2017.

Three teams with one goal: Punching their ticket to the IHSAA State Championship.

Floyd Central is playing in the 4A semi-state game at Jasper. The team won its first regional title since 2010.

"Last year, we had the first sectional in like, 13 years, so we just keep doing things that haven't been done in a while, and it's a great feeling to be a part of a program that keeps doing stuff like that," said FC guard Elise Coleman.

Borden is in the 1A semi-state at Charlestown. Getting a chance to punch a ticket to state just 30 minutes down the road.

"We've been playing really good this year and, like I said, not many teams have the opportunity to run back a second year so, it's really special for us," said Borden forward Ava Wheeler.

Head coach, Matt Vick was a Brave himself and is working to lead his girls to their second-straight state title after winning their first in class 1A last year.

"It's special. Not many teams can do what we're doing," Wheeler said. "We definitely have a lot of pressure on our backs, but it feels pretty good honestly."

Eastern is trying to win the 2A semi-state in Greencastle.

"I just feel like we've really become a family this year," said Eastern guard Addie Smith. "Last year, we were trying to mesh together. We had a lot of transfers, a lot of people decide they didn't want to play or they did want to play again. And this year, I feel like we've really connected off the court, and you can like see it."

For this team, a state title came nine years ago, but the players are hoping they can bring another trophy back to Pekin.

"We're such a small, little 2A school and we get to go play and prove that we deserve to be at semi-state and stuff," said Eliza Starrett, Eastern forward. "It's like a wonder story, almost. But it's really neat to get to do it, and it's a once in a lifetime thing."

All teams will have to win two games Saturday to advance to the state championship.

Floyd Central plays Lawrence Central in its first game at 10 a.m. Borden plays Evansville Christian at the same time, and Eastern will face North Knox at noon. If the teams win the first game, they'll move on to the semi-state championship games all played at 8 p.m.

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