Barr-Reeve basketball advances to the Class 1A state championship
· Yahoo Sports
WASHINGTON, Ind. — The path through semi-state required poise for Barr-Reeve, an understanding of what the moment required. The Vikings found themselves in two tight battles, but in the end, they were cutting nets as the last team standing in the Hatchet House.
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On Saturday, March 21, Barr-Reeve defeated Liberty Christian 39-37 and Hauser 52-47 to win semi-state. In coach Heath Howington’s first year, he has Barr-Reeve heading to Indianapolis to play for a state championship against Triton next Saturday morning at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
“This group of kids set the bar pretty high in our first year,” Howington said. “Incredible to see them shine on a bright stage like this tonight.”
Josh Miller led the Vikings with 19 points in their first win of the day against Liberty Christian. Kierson Lengacher, who led Barr-Reeve in the semi-state championship with 29 points, has been dreaming of this moment.
“It’s been a dream for me ever since watching (the 2021 Vikings team) go to Gainbridge,” Lengacher said. “Our gameplan all year has been to be us, go out and Barr-Reeve ‘em.”
In the opening game against Liberty Christian, Barr-Reeve started cold. A quick 4-0 start by the Lions got Howington’s attention as he called a timeout.
Hauser struck first, but soon after, Barr-Reeve would respond.
After a Braxton Neidigh layup, the Vikings found themselves ahead 9-8 at the end of the first quarter. And as the game continued, their lead would grow.
Barr-Reeve’s defensive intensity would rise, and pair that with some big plays from Miller, the Vikings led 24-18 at the end of the half.
The second half brought some adversity for Barr-Reeve as Liberty Christian inched closer. Led by Tywaine Fuller Jr., the Lions eventually took the lead back at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
Liberty Christian then went on to hold the ball for an elongated duration in the final quarter — passing the ball around the perimeter to avoid Barr-Reeve’s pressure. The Vikings eventually got the ball back with just over five minutes remaining in the quarter but quickly gave it back after Lengacher was called for a charge.
And after a Fuller Jr. layup to extend the lead, and the Lions’ strategy to finish the game clearly showing itself, Barr-Reeve had to raise its level of urgency. And that is what it did.
Heath Howington will coach in his state championship next weekend. Took him
— Kyle Sokeland (@kylesokeland) March 22, 2026
14 years and a few heartbreaks in March. pic.twitter.com/cOIEdQ9CRG
The Vikings responded with scores of their own and defensive stops. The game was tied at 37, and Barr-Reeve had its chance to end the game. Miller drove left, then spun inside for a shot over two defenders. It was not easy, but he made it look that way.
Miller made the shot to win the game for Barr-Reeve to send it to the championship. And after beating Bloomfield, Hauser would be the opponent.
The Vikings had to wait a while to play the Jets, and both teams came out trading baskets. It was not until the second quarter, after some Hauser turnovers, that Barr-Reeve would start creating some separation.
Lengacher led the way in the opening half – showcasing an ability to get past defenders and finish layups. The Vikings led 25-18.
In the second half, Hauser was able to get a few defensive stops to shorten Barr-Reeve’s lead. Heading into the final quarter, it was down by just two points.
In the fourth, both teams played with an understanding of what was on the line. The Vikings and Lions brought a level of aggression that felt different.
A turnover from an inbounds pass led to a Hauser three-pointer to tie the game at 37 midway through the quarter. It was a costly error but one that Barr-Reeve had a response for.
Lengacher put on a show to end the game. He scored from three, inside and was efficient at the free-throw line. Hauser did not have an answer, and deservingly, the ball was often in the junior’s hands down the stretch.
“He just loves the moment,” Howington said.
Late in the quarter, a steal from Carson Yoder seemed to signal the beginning of the end for the Lions. The Vikings’ lead extended to six points.
A three-pointer for Hauser senior Stryker Gill gave the Lions life. But a missed shot late rebounded by Barr-Reeve’s Jaylon Graber, paired with Miller going two for two at the line afterwards, put the game out of reach.
The path to Howington’s first state championship had its difficult moments. When he was coaching at North Posey, his teams lost multiple sectional championship games in the final moments. He would eventually overcome that obstacle winning sectional with Memorial last season.
Howington carries those moments with him en route to Indianapolis.
“It just shows that if you keep attacking it every single day, good things will happen,” Howington said. “That’s what we’ve done since day one with these guys. I don’t think we’re done yet.”
Barr-Reeve is not done, and a win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse sees it crowned state champion of Class 1A for the third time in program history.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Barr-Reeve basketball advances to Class 1A IHSAA state championship