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INDIANAPOLIS - Defending 1A champion Borden Braves utilized their strong defense – thanks, in part, to a height advantage and polishing done against larger schools during the regular season – to defeat the Fremont Eagles, 51-31, and took home their second state title in program history on Saturday morning at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

With the repeat performance, Borden became just the second Southern Conference team to win consecutive 1A state titles following Lanesville in 2023 and 2024 and has now emerged victorious in its last 14 state tournament games.

“It goes back to what we’ve done all year,” Borden head coach Matt Vick said. “Our defense has been pretty phenomenal; our offense is consistently inconsistent. It’s nice to be able to rely on [our seniors] – a lot of times, kids don’t want to do [defense], so for them to buy into it and win a lot of games for me for these last four years… credit to these girls. I’ve been very blessed.”

A tight first half ended in Borden leading 22-15 with two starters, Ava Wheeler and AJ Mallard, in trouble with three fouls apiece. The game featured just one three-point field goal at the hands of Mallard to that point.

Then, the Braves forced separation early out of halftime and never took their foot off the gas. Two successful shots from beyond the arc by Mallard to open the third quarter changed the narrative.

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“I knew that I had three fouls and had to pick up somewhere else… because I couldn’t be as aggressive. “Mallard said. “My role changed. I moved to the top of the 1-3-1 instead of the bottom. Usually, the third quarter is our big quarter, and that’s usually where I shoot my best.”

Down one at half in 2025, Borden went on an 11-0 run to begin the third quarter – part of a 23-0 total run that flipped the game in their favor. This year, the third quarter saw Borden outscore Fremont 18-5, the largest scoring margin yet in the game.

“I feel like halftime kind of gives us a second to regroup and we can all give each other some reassurance that everything’s fine,” senior McKenna Mullen said. “We can sit there and look at each other in the eyes and talk about what we need to do, instead of being on the bench when there’s high intensity.

“We were up going into half, so realizing that we weren’t playing our best basketball in the first half and we were still winning, that we can still regroup and go out there and play even better, which we did.”

IHSAA Class 1A State Championship

Borden 51, Fremont 31

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By the final buzzer, the Braves held the Eagles to their fewest points scored this season (previously 45 points in a Jan. 17 loss to Eastside) and joined Marquette Catholic in holding an opponent to an IHSAA 1A state final fewest 31 points (2018 vs. Vincennes Rivet).

Fremont shot 30 percent (12-for-40) from the field and went 1-for-15 in three-point attempts.

“[Borden’s] size was definitely key for them [today],” Fremont head coach Shae Thomas said. “I think we moved the ball in the first half, and we attacked them while we got them into some foul trouble, which was good. Unfortunately, shots just didn’t fall for us that second half, and we maybe played a little bit less aggressive.”

Senior Emma Hart led the Braves with 15 points and 15 rebounds, with seven points and four rebounds coming in the third quarter. Mallard followed her as the second-highest scorer in the game, scoring 13 points with three of four total three-pointers in the contest. Senior Riley Rarick’s eight assists tied the IHSAA 1A state finals record, last matched in 2022 by Tecumseh’s Karsyn Flowers.

Hart was also honored postgame with the Patricia L. Roy Mental Attitude Award for her contributions to her school and community both on and off the court.

“[Rebounds are] what I do best, so I just knew coming into this game that I was going to have to step up and get as many boards [as possible] because Coach Vick told us that we had to rebound… if we wanted to play a part in winning,” Hart said. “That was my contribution to the team. I just stepped up and did that, and the offense fell with it.”

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Borden travels back to Southern Indiana with their second state title in as many years, after previously never making it past the regional round of the state tournament. Girls basketball is the first Braves sport to boast multiple state titles, with boys basketball (2012-13) and softball (2015-16) owning one apiece.

“It’s a very small town, but it doesn’t feel small to us. You look out into the crowds, and there’s so many people, the same amount of people as there would be for a huge 4A game,” Mullen said. “1A doesn’t define us and it doesn’t define our town.

“Leaving school yesterday, they were lined up on the roads, all the little kids – even our classmates – were all lined down the hallways. It’s so uplifting and motivating to know that… they’re always going to have our back no matter what.”

Class 1A State Championship Records

Fewest Point Allowed (Tied): 31 by Borden

Most Assists (Tied): 8 by Riley Rarick, Borden

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Borden’s Emma Hart named Patricia L. Roy Mental Attitude Award

Following the game, members of the IHSAA Executive Committee named Emma Hart (#22) of Borden High School as the winner of the Patricia L. Roy Mental Attitude Award in Class 1A Girls Basketball.

The award is presented annually to a senior participant in each classification who was nominated by her principal and coach and has demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability.

Emma ranks among the top scholars in her class at Borden. Beyond her academic achievements, she is actively involved in her community, coaching basketball in her community’s youth league. She also volunteers her time supporting school athletic events through concession work and has assisted with Borden’s Strawberry Festival for several years.

Hart also was a member of last year’s state championship team and currently holds the rebounding school record (girls and boys). The three-year all-conference player was also Team MVP during her sophomore season.

She is the daughter of Brandi and Larry Hart of Borden, IN and plans to attend Indiana University to major in elementary education.

The Indiana Fever and Indiana Pacers, the presenting sponsors of the IHSAA Girls Basketball State Tournament, presented a $1,000 scholarship to the general scholarship fund at Borden High School in the name of Emma Hart.

The award is named in honor of the late former IHSAA assistant commissioner Patricia L. Roy, who oversaw the girls basketball state tournament from its inception in 1976 until her retirement in 1999.

IHSAA’s Champion of Education Award, presented by Ivy Tech Community College

This award recognizes teachers and faculty who go above and beyond to challenge students to reach their full potential. As an organization that emphasizes keeping education at the forefront of high school athletics, the IHSAA is proud to shine a light on two honorees in this year’s class. On behalf of Ivy Tech Community College, presenting sponsors of the IHSAA Champion of Education Award, the IHSAA will award $250 to the classroom of each recipient.

Presenters: Dr. Marty Pollio, President of Ivy Tech Community College, & Dr. Travis Haire, Chancellor of Ivy Tech Sellersburg

• Kevin Jones teaches Physical Education, Heath, US History, and Earth Science, while also serving as Head Boys Basketball Coach at Borden High School. Kevin has made a lasting impact on countless students. He leads with positivity, builds strong relationships rooted in trust and respect, and champions success in the classroom and on the court. With his positive energy, school pride, and love for education-based athletics, Coach Jones is truly a Champion educator!
• James Dirig teaches Mathematics at Fremont High School. James is always willing to take time out of his day, whether before or after school, to help students struggling with coursework. He tries to make meaningful connections with each of his students and takes pride in seeing them succeed. His love for teaching is evident in all he does!