Pioneer: first school in 17 years to win volleyball, girls b-ball state titles in same school year

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

Girls basketball

Pioneer became the sixth school in IHSAA history and the first in 17 years to win state championships in both volleyball and girls basketball in the same school year, according to IHSAA sports information director Jason Wille.

The others are Fort Wayne Snider in 1987-88, Martinsville in 1996-97, Clinton Prairie in 1998-99, Indianapolis Cathedral in 1999-2000 and Brebeuf Jesuit in 2003-04.

Fort Wayne Snider and Martinsville accomplished their feat in the era of single-class sports.

Clinton Prairie and Pioneer did it in Class 1A. Indianapolis Cathedral and Brebeuf Jesuit did it in Class 3A.

Clinton Prairie’s Connie Garrett is the only coach to win state championships in both sports in the same school year.

Pioneer defeated Loogootee 25-23, 27-29, 27-25, 25-22 to win the Class 1A volleyball title on Nov. 7. Pioneer edged Loogootee 43-42 to win the Class 1A girls basketball title Saturday.

All six Pioneer players who played in the girls basketball state championship game – Mackenzie Walker, Hailey Cripe, Brooklyn Borges, Olivia Brooke, Madison Blickenstaff and Ashlynn Brooke – are also members of the volleyball team.

The Pioneer girls basketball team edged Loogootee 43-42 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse Saturday to win the Class 1A state title. Pioneer became the first school since Brebeuf Jesuit in 2003-04 to win state championships in volleyball and girls basketball in the same school year. (photo by Dee Brown)