Girls B-Ball State Championship Preview: Silver Creek v. South Bend Washington
Trey Ostrom 
What is better than Indiana High School Basketball? With countless state-of-the-art gyms, the unmatched fan energy, and the high intensity of each matchup; there’s no surprise that basketball in the state of Indiana is so highly coveted! Undoubtedly, when state championships roll around, all eyes will be on some of the best athletes in the state. Eight of the most elite girls high school hoops teams in the state of Indiana will compete in four decisive matchups to crown 2021-22 state champs.
Game #3 of the IHSAA Girls Basketball State Championships features Silver Creek and South Bend Washington. What should we expect? Who should we watch for? Become an expert on the Class 3A State Championship with a quick preview of the matchup!
Silver Creek (26-2) v. South Bend Washington (26-3) | 6:00 PM EST
Silver Creek narrowly edged out South Bend Washington during the 2020-21 3A State Championship. This year, the Eagles hope to repeat their state championship success and become back-to-back champs! This impressive feat may not be as achievable as last year, with a much improved South Bend Washington team.
Silver Creek brought back three of their five starters from last year. Mid-Southern Conference Player of the Year, Kynidi Striverson headlines the three recurring faces. As a senior, Striverson has made her decision to play college ball at Evansville University. Sydney Sierota comes in as the second piece to the dominating trio. Sydney has just been named to the Mid-Southern all-conference team making her one of the two athletes with this title on the squad. To wrap up the trio, Emme Rooney comes into play. Last August, she announced her commitment to play college ball at DePauw University. Though their futures are quickly approaching, anything but winning back-to-back state championships will showcase as an afterthought today. Silver Creek has the pieces to win a state title, but it will not be easy.
South Bend Washington put up a strong fight in last year’s 3A State Championship but was just narrowly edged out of a state title. With the taste of payback just within reach, one thing looks to be the focal point of the Panthers… redemption. Washington undoubtedly has the roster to take down juggernaut Silver Creek.
A progressing Panthers squad has proven wiser and more experienced through the year. Junior Amiyah Reynolds looks to be as well-polished as any given opponent. Reynolds committed to the University of Maryland last November, though she was not the first of her teammates that decided to become a Terp. Senior Mila Reynolds committed to Maryland in July of 2020. Since then, her excitement to play college ball has not dimmed. The trio is capped off with Junior Rashunda Jones. Despite receiving interest from Michigan State and offers from DePaul, Dayton, Western Michigan, and Michigan, an offer from Purdue was too enticing to refuse for the standout star.
These three will ride for their last time as a trio on Saturday, this indicating an end to a dominant force for the Panthers. However, the future is bright for Washington, and today could signify the beginning of tomorrow in South Bend.
