A year away? Try again. Barr-Reeve makes state finals appearance against Triton

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.