INDIANAPOLIS — Lawrence Central has answered every question and addressed every concern amidst its dominating 29-win run to its first championship game appearance in program history.

The starpower speaks for itself with players like Jaylah and Lola Lampley, Laila Abdurraqib and Aniyah McKenzie, but how would this team, which had not won a sectional game since 2001 fare come state tournament time, specifically against township rival Lawrence North? The answer: A 61-54 trouncing in front of a capacity crowd at Cathedral High School.

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A potential trap game vs. Mt. Vernon was cleared with ease in regionals, then the Bears — led by Abdurraqib, perhaps the most important piece to this year's outfit — stormed back to beat Plainfield in the semistate semifinals.

But how would they fare against Center Grove? The second-ranked Trojans posed the most formidable threat to Lawrence Central's quest for dominance — and were arguably the best team they'd seen all season.

CG had the Bears on the ropes in the second half, but they came roaring back with a massive third quarter to pull ahead and earn a spot at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Lawrence Central's high-powered offense averages 62 points on 46% shooting with a 34% mark from 3, plus a defense that allows just 38 ppg. It has cleared every hurdle and heads to Gainbridge as the prohibitive favorite.

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But standing in the way of its quest for glory is a Lake Central team that's well-versed in slaying giants.

Last year it was nationally ranked South Bend Washington in the state quarterfinals; this year it was SBW in regionals, followed by Homestead and Noblesville at semistate.

The Indians don't bring the same caliber of star power, but that's made no difference in February with a lineup that has five players averaging around 7-10 points — Aniyah Bishop, Vanessa Wimberly, Riley Milausnic and Ayla Krygier — and a defense led by Nadia Clayton that allows a paltry 37 points per game.

"No one does a better job preparing their kids than Joe Huppenthal and his staff at Lake Central," Lawrence Central coach Jannon Lampley said. "They have an entire book of our plays over there, so it comes down to players being able to make plays. Just like you make offensive plays, they're going to have to make some defensive plays because Vanessa Wimberly is a really good point guard and Riley Milausnic is an excellent shooter."

Lampley expects the Indians will try to space them out, but knows they'll be very patient and intentional with their approach to breaking Lawrence Central's press.

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From the Lake Central perspective, it's the Bears' mix of length and athleticism that's most concerning for Huppenthal. That's not something you can simulate in practice and though they've played teams that like to pressure you defensively, none have the same assortment of pieces as Lawrence Central, which boasts a plus-22.7 point differential and generates nearly 12 steals per game.

Lawrence Central is looking to become just the third team to win 30 games in a season. 3A Princeton last accomplished the feat in 2015, while Ben Davis stands as the last 4A team to do so (2009).

Lake Central is hoping to bring home the program's second girls basketball title, 30 years later.

"Our kids don't fear anything," Huppenthal said. "They accept challenges and we (as coaches) are wondering, are we getting over this hump? ... They've answered the bell every time this tournament. Now we have to answer it one more time."

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No. 1 Lawrence Central (29-1) vs. No. 15 Lake Central (26-4)

WHEN: Saturday, approx. 8:15 p.m.

HOW TO WATCH: IHSAA.tv ($15 per game or $20 for all four)

COACHES: Lawrence Central — Jannon Lampley (2nd year, 46-9); Lake Central — Joe Huppenthal (8th year, 148-64)

SERIES: Lawrence Central, 2-0

STATE FINALS: Lawrence Central — 0; Lake Central — 4 (1994*, 1995, 1998, 2024)

TEAM STATS: Lawrence Central — 60.5 ppg (46% FG / 34% 3FG / 65% FT), 37.8 ppg allowed, 29 rpg, 13.6 apg; Lake Central — 56.5 ppg (40% FG / 31% 3FG / 64% FT), 37 ppg allowed, 25.3 rpg, 13 apg

TOP PERFORMERS: Lawrence Central — G Jaylah Lampley (18.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.6 apg), G Laila Abdurraqib (12.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.6 apg), F Aniyah McKenzie (12 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.4 apg); Lake Central — F Aniyah Bishop (9.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.7 apg), G Vanessa Wimberly (9.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.7 apg), Riley Milausnic (8.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.5 apg)

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana girls basketball 4A final: Lawrence Central vs. Lake Central