Indiana High School Athletic Association

9150 North Meridian Street, Box 40650, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240-0650

Phone: 317-846-6601    Fax: 317-575-4244    Website: www.ihsaa.org

Blake Ress, Commissioner

 

 

FOURTH QUARTER OFFENSE PROPELS ROCHESTER OVER HERITAGE CHRISTIAN

After a defensive-minded opening three periods, Rochester and Heritage Christian kicked their offenses into high gear in the fourth but it was Rochester that pulled away for the 50-41 victory and the Class 2A state championship at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

 

The two teams both doubled their scoring outputs in the fourth period from what they had put on the board in the opening three quarters. Rochester scored 25 points to Heritage Christian’s 21 over the final eight minutes after starting with a 25-20 Zebra lead.

 

It was the 14th consecutive victory for the Zebras (25-2), who were coached by fourth year leader Tony Stesiak, and capped their first state championship season in girls basketball. It was also the fourth title in school history and the first since 1987 when the football team won the Class 2A crown.

 

Courtney Felke, one of the state’s leading scorers at 22.2 per game, scored 15 of Rochester’s 25 in the fourth, including 11 at the free throw stripe, to take game honors with 24 points. She finished 13-of-16 from the line for the game, 2A records in both categories as was her .812 percentage from the line. Joining her in double figures was teammate Jamie Fornal with 12 points. The team finished the game 25 of 28 from the line for a .893 percentage, also 2A records in all three categories.

 

Rochester led at all the breaks, including 13-6 after one and 17-16 at halftime. Heritage Christian (21-6) cut the lead to 25-22 scoring the first bucket of the fourth period but Rochester went on a 10-3 run for a 35-25 advantage with 4:19 to go. The Zebras ballooned the lead to 11 points twice in the quarter and the Eagles never got closer than seven the rest of the game. Cassie Freeman, also one of the state’s leading scorers at 20.0 per game, and Hannah Richards chalked up 14 and 13 points, respectively for Heritage Christian.

 

Heritage Christian, which became an IHSAA member school in 2000-01, was making its first trip to the IHSAA State Finals in Girls Basketball in only its second year of eligibility for the tournament. The Eagles were coached by Dr. Mark Richards and entered the game with 11 consecutive victories.

 

Rochester’s Courtney Felke Wins Patricia L. Roy Mental Attitude Award

Courtney Felke of Rochester Community High School was named winner of the 2004 Class 2A Girls Basketball Patricia L. Roy Mental Attitude Award.  Patricia L. Roy was a member of the IHSAA Executive Staff from 1972 until 1999.  She was responsible for girls basketball from the inception of the tournament series in 1976 until her retirement. 

 

At the conclusion of the girls basketball state finals, the IHSAA Executive Committee presents the award to the outstanding senior in the state finals competition.  The recipient of this award, who was nominated by her principal and coaches, must excel in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability in girls basketball.

 

Academically, Courtney ranks 25th in her senior class of 118.  She is a member of the National Honor Society.  After inquiries from over sixty colleges and universities, she will attend the University of Evansville on a full-ride basketball scholarship.

 

She is a member of Peers Educating Peers, Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and 6 Man Club.

 

In basketball, Courtney was named to the 2003-04 All-Three Rivers Conference 1st Team.  In volleyball, she garnered 1st Team All-State team accolades two years, as well as earning 1st team Three Rivers Conference honors for three seasons.

 

Courtney is the daughter of Katie and Jim Felke of Rochester.

 

Farm Bureau Insurance, IHSAA corporate partner, presented a $1,000.00 scholarship to Rochester Community High School in the name of Courtney Felke.

 

New IHSAA Book, Play On, Recaps 100 Years Of High School Sports in Indiana

Looking for holiday gift ideas? The exciting new book, Play On, celebrating 100 years of high school sports in Indiana, is perfect for that sports fan or the history buff you know. Filled with 150 pages of engaging photographs, captivating stories and a walk down memory lane, it’s now on sale through the Indiana High School Athletic Association. It’s not available in book stores, so contact the IHSAA at 317-846-6601 or click on the link above to learn more about this special tribute to 100 years of Indiana high school athletics.

 

Team Posters And Individual Action Photographs Available

Visit 20-20 Photographic, the IHSAA’s photographer and the Midwest’s Leader in Sports Action Photography, for images captured during Saturday’s state championship games! Action photos and team photos as well as the 20-20’s Ultimate Sports Poster will be available for purchase later in the week following the state finals.

 

IHSAA State Championship Merchandise

For t-shirts and other merchandise commemorating this year’s tournament or for any of our events, visit our friends at Morris, Inc.

 

State Finals Programs Available

Couldn’t be there for the state finals? You can still purchase a copy of the official program while supplies last! Programs are $3.00 if you purchase in person at the IHSAA Office (9150 N. Meridian Street in Indianapolis) or $5.00 by mail (postage included). To order, send a check for $5.00 made payable to the IHSAA, a note including your return address and brief description of your request and mail to: IHSAA Programs, PO Box 40650, Indianapolis, IN 46240-0650. Sorry, no credit cards.

 

Class 2A Game Quotes

 

Rochester Coach Tony Stesiak

“First, I would really like to give credit to our team.  Today, the whole state got a glimpse of why I feel this team is so special.  Heritage Christian is an excellent team.  Certainly, anytime you knock off the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in consecutive weeks you are most deserving of being here.  The style of the game (physical & half court) certainly favored Heritage Christian, but you say a character trait in our team that they will do whatever it takes even though it wasn’t that up-and-down game we are accustomed to.  We have received a lot of notoriety for our offense, but today I thought our kids stepped up and played tremendous state championship caliber defense and didn’t let Heritage Christian get in the flow of the game.”

 

“I can’t say enough about Courtney Felke and Jamie Fornal.  Their work and leadership, not only this year, but for the past four years has been outstanding.  Throughout the season Courtney has been the offensive headliner and Jamie the defensive headliner, but today they shared both roles.  It’s been an incredible ride.  I will truly cherish this whole experience because I know how rare and special it is.”

 

“Our whole system is based on our guards.  The guards kept their poise and really did a nice job on offense of moving the ball and getting it where it needed to go.  Defensively, our guards needed to make sure that the Heritage Christian guards were kept under control and help with (Cassie) Freeman and (Hannah) Richards inside when they needed to.”

 

“We know (Hannah) Richards was going to play inside.  We thought we had some opportunities for our post players to drive around them and make some plays.  I’m extremely happy for Jamie that she got some shots to fall.”

 

“Heritage Christian plays an outstanding schedule, but I think the look of our guard play is just a little bit different than anything they have seen this year.  It’s just a little bit different matchup for teams to get used to.”

 

“Jamie made (Cassie) Freeman work for everything she got.  She always guards the opponents’ best player and she did a great job today.”

 

Rochester’s Courtney Felke

“We have played in several close games this season and I have a lot of confidence in my teammates.  I knew we would knock down the big shot when the time comes.  We pull games out when they are close.”

 

(On the Patricia L. Roy Mental Attitude Award) “I have great people all around me.  Anyone on our team could have won that award.  Coach (Tony Stesiak) taught us all to not only be good athletes but good people.  It’s a great honor.”

 

Heritage Christian Coach Dr. Mark Richards

“Rochester played well and they were well-organized. (Courtney) Felke is a great player. We came out and gave a great effort like we’ve done all year and my kids never quit.”

 

“We hustled, I wish we would have executed well. But Rochester has an excellent team with no outstanding weaknesses. I realized going into the game and I told my players that Felke is an outstanding player and is as good as I’ve seen.”

 

“The lower the score, I felt we had a better chance to win. At the end, Felke kept on making her free throws but we couldn’t get the ball from her.”

 

“Our defense was excellent. We held them to 50 points. They averaged almost 65. Our offense at times struggled and we’ve had that problem from time to time. We needed to have more people step up and make some shots.”

 

“It’s been a good season. We’ve had a good group of girls who have worked very hard to get where they are. I’m proud of them.”