Sophie Wischmeier, left, drives in for the shot during the second round sectional game win against Henryville at Providence earlier this season.
Greg Jones | For The Tribune
Sophie Wischmeier is in a small list of Jackson County athletes who have appeared in the high school state finals in two sports.
Last fall, she helped the Brownstown Central volleyball team advance to the state finals at Muncie, and on Saturday, she helped the Lady Braves basketball team play in the Class 2A state finals, where they lost to Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 44-36.
Still just a sophomore, Wischmeier is just getting started in her athletic career at Brownstown Central High School.
Wischmeier was a big reason the Braves held a 14-12 lead at the end of the first period and a 24-15 lead at the half as she scored the Braves’ first six points of the game and scored 11 by halftime.
“I think the belief we had in each other that we could come together and make the run (made it happen). I’m not sure anyone expected it, honestly, but we believed in each other, and the hard work we had in practice made us keep fighting,” she said.
Wischmeier said it was exciting playing at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
“Probably the main part was seeing our community that was backing us on our way here,” Wischmeier said. “We had signs and people were lining the roads, and once we got in here, just seeing all of them supporting us was probably the most exciting part.”
The Braves won three games in the sectional, defeating Southwestern, Henryville and Austin to clinch their fifth straight title. Brownstown then defeated South Spencer in double-overtime in the regional before downing Linton-Stockton and Eastern Hancock in the Shelbyville Semistate before losing to Luers.
“Winning was a big part of it, but also the girls and the coaches and the bond we all have was really great and we’re all tight, and that’s been a very enjoyable part,” she said.
Juniors Kinzee Dean and Addison Darlage also played in both the volleyball and basketball state finals this school year.
The feeling of playing in the state volleyball and state basketball finals are very similar, according to Wischmeier.
“They both have amazing facilities, and the experiences were awesome, and the community support from both was great,” she said. “I’m looking forward to working hard to try to get back here.”
Wischmeier also topped the Lady Braves in rebounds Saturday with eight.