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There was a common theme to the narrative around Barr-Reeve basketball this season. Kierson Lengacher heard it often.
“Everyone was saying we’re a year away,” Lengacher said.
With apologies to next year, Barr-Reeve basketball is never a year away. The second-ranked Vikings (27-1) are making their eighth state finals appearance – all since 2002 – in the Class A state finals on Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse against fourth-ranked Triton (25-3).
It is understandable why the “next year” thought existed, though. Barr-Reeve is loaded with juniors and sophomores, meaning regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s game, the Vikings will certainly be a state contender going into next season.
But they are good enough to win now.
“We knew we weren’t a year away and could do it now,” Lengacher said. “The sophomores stepped up and the junior and seniors led us.”
Barr-Reeve is doing it with a new coach, Heath Howington, who was at Class 3A Evansville Memorial for five years prior to Barr-Reeve. He also coached eight years at 2A North Posey.
“It’s a basketball school,” Howington said of Barr-Reeve. “There is a rich tradition, and we’ve been able to come in and continue that tradition and legacy but also put our own stamp on it.”
There is tradition everywhere you look at Barr-Reeve, right down to the scorekeeper. Albert Kavanaugh has the court at Barr-Reeve named after him. When Barr-Reeve won its first state championship 11 years ago, fans chanted his name. Not only has Kavanaugh kept the scorebook since 1962, but he also coaches the elementary school kids, preaching the fundamentals that become ingrained in them by high school.
“Every Saturday morning, first, second and third grade, all the way up,” Lengacher said. “Albert was in the gym, working with us on the fundamentals and everything we’ve been taught from such a young age. Albert loves it and teaches everyone so well.”
Lengacher, a 6-foot junior guard, averages a team-leading 14.3 points per game and shoots 42.7% from the 3-point line. Jaylon Graber, a 5-11 sophomore, averages 10.8 points and 4.1 rebounds. Braxton Neidigh, a 6-3 sophomore, is the Vikings’ third-leading scorer, averaging 10.1 points and 3.4 rebounds.
Brycen Graber, a star guard on Barr-Reeve’s most-recent state championship team in 2021, is now on the coaching staff after his playing career at Grace College.
“I can’t remember very many games that I haven’t been to of Barr-Reeve basketball,” senior Korben Boyd said. “It’s crazy. I gotta pinch myself sometimes because now it’s my turn to compete for a state championship. We watched those guys like Brycen. They were an inspiration for us.”
The Vikings will play a team with a similar tradition, though Triton has not been to the state finals since 2013. The Trojans won the 2008 state championship, then made three more appearances, finishing as runner-up in 2009, ’11 and ’13.
“We have a great group of seniors,” Triton coach Jason Groves said. “We have five seniors that really put in a lot of time and effort and were dedicated to basketball. They came together throughout the season and grew a lot during the season, not just as basketball payers but as individuals.”
The Triton team is easy to spot with every player sporting bleach blonde hair. That was the idea of senior guard Jayden Overmyer, who averages 10.1 points and 4.5 rebounds. Senior Julian Swanson (12.1 ppg, 3.2 rebounds) and sophomore Brady Wood (11.6 ppg, 3.3 rebounds) are the other top scorers.
“Coming up short last year in the semistate we kind of had a chip on our shoulder all year,” senior guard Landon Patrick said. “We just wanted to make it down here.”
Class A state finals details: Tipoff at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse; game will live streamed on IHSAAtv.org for a cost of $20 or $25 for all four games; Tickets are $20 per person for one session and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com. Participating schools also have tickets available at the respective schools.
How Barr-Reeve can win: Barr-Reeve has been to the state championship more than any team since the start of class basketball. This team, riding an 18-game winning streak, has plenty of confidence and a lot of momentum. The Vikings will want to play a little faster pace than Triton. If they can get an early lead, it could be lights out.
How Triton can win: Triton needs to control the pace and use its defense, which is fourth in the state in points allowed per game (39.2), to dictate the game. The Trojans will need to create some turnovers and get some easy points.
Prediction: Barr-Reeve 56, Triton 50.
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.Get IndyStar's high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter. And be sure to subscribe to our new IndyStarTV: Preps YouTube channel.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA basketball: Barr-Reeve vs. Triton Class A state finals preview
Continue reading...
“Everyone was saying we’re a year away,” Lengacher said.
With apologies to next year, Barr-Reeve basketball is never a year away. The second-ranked Vikings (27-1) are making their eighth state finals appearance – all since 2002 – in the Class A state finals on Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse against fourth-ranked Triton (25-3).
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It is understandable why the “next year” thought existed, though. Barr-Reeve is loaded with juniors and sophomores, meaning regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s game, the Vikings will certainly be a state contender going into next season.
But they are good enough to win now.
“We knew we weren’t a year away and could do it now,” Lengacher said. “The sophomores stepped up and the junior and seniors led us.”
Barr-Reeve is doing it with a new coach, Heath Howington, who was at Class 3A Evansville Memorial for five years prior to Barr-Reeve. He also coached eight years at 2A North Posey.
“It’s a basketball school,” Howington said of Barr-Reeve. “There is a rich tradition, and we’ve been able to come in and continue that tradition and legacy but also put our own stamp on it.”
There is tradition everywhere you look at Barr-Reeve, right down to the scorekeeper. Albert Kavanaugh has the court at Barr-Reeve named after him. When Barr-Reeve won its first state championship 11 years ago, fans chanted his name. Not only has Kavanaugh kept the scorebook since 1962, but he also coaches the elementary school kids, preaching the fundamentals that become ingrained in them by high school.
“Every Saturday morning, first, second and third grade, all the way up,” Lengacher said. “Albert was in the gym, working with us on the fundamentals and everything we’ve been taught from such a young age. Albert loves it and teaches everyone so well.”
You must be registered for see images
Lengacher, a 6-foot junior guard, averages a team-leading 14.3 points per game and shoots 42.7% from the 3-point line. Jaylon Graber, a 5-11 sophomore, averages 10.8 points and 4.1 rebounds. Braxton Neidigh, a 6-3 sophomore, is the Vikings’ third-leading scorer, averaging 10.1 points and 3.4 rebounds.
Brycen Graber, a star guard on Barr-Reeve’s most-recent state championship team in 2021, is now on the coaching staff after his playing career at Grace College.
“I can’t remember very many games that I haven’t been to of Barr-Reeve basketball,” senior Korben Boyd said. “It’s crazy. I gotta pinch myself sometimes because now it’s my turn to compete for a state championship. We watched those guys like Brycen. They were an inspiration for us.”
The Vikings will play a team with a similar tradition, though Triton has not been to the state finals since 2013. The Trojans won the 2008 state championship, then made three more appearances, finishing as runner-up in 2009, ’11 and ’13.
“We have a great group of seniors,” Triton coach Jason Groves said. “We have five seniors that really put in a lot of time and effort and were dedicated to basketball. They came together throughout the season and grew a lot during the season, not just as basketball payers but as individuals.”
The Triton team is easy to spot with every player sporting bleach blonde hair. That was the idea of senior guard Jayden Overmyer, who averages 10.1 points and 4.5 rebounds. Senior Julian Swanson (12.1 ppg, 3.2 rebounds) and sophomore Brady Wood (11.6 ppg, 3.3 rebounds) are the other top scorers.
“Coming up short last year in the semistate we kind of had a chip on our shoulder all year,” senior guard Landon Patrick said. “We just wanted to make it down here.”
A closer look at the matchup between Barr-Reeve and Triton
Class A state finals details: Tipoff at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse; game will live streamed on IHSAAtv.org for a cost of $20 or $25 for all four games; Tickets are $20 per person for one session and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com. Participating schools also have tickets available at the respective schools.
How Barr-Reeve can win: Barr-Reeve has been to the state championship more than any team since the start of class basketball. This team, riding an 18-game winning streak, has plenty of confidence and a lot of momentum. The Vikings will want to play a little faster pace than Triton. If they can get an early lead, it could be lights out.
How Triton can win: Triton needs to control the pace and use its defense, which is fourth in the state in points allowed per game (39.2), to dictate the game. The Trojans will need to create some turnovers and get some easy points.
Prediction: Barr-Reeve 56, Triton 50.
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.Get IndyStar's high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter. And be sure to subscribe to our new IndyStarTV: Preps YouTube channel.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA basketball: Barr-Reeve vs. Triton Class A state finals preview
Continue reading...
