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Forest Park, making its first appearance in the state finals since 2000, started fast and finished faster to claim a 52-44 win over Frankton in the Class 2A title game.

The Rangers, of coach Tony Hasenour, opened the game with a 7-0 spurt, then finished on a 12-3 run after falling behind, 41-40, with 3:40 left in the contest.

The title gives Forest Park (26-3) its first state title after it finished as runner-up in 2000. Frankton was making its second appearance in three years after falling in 2020’s title game.

After the Rangers took the early lead, they extended that to 38-29 with six minutes left in the contest. However, Frankton (23-6) didn’t fold and came back with a 12-2 run -- capped by a follow-up basket by Emma Sperry to give the Eagles the one-point lead. Forest Park responded next time down, reclaiming the lead on a lay-up by Carley Begle and the Rangers never trailed again.

Amber Tretter led Forest Park with 22 points and 17 rebounds, while also recording six blocked shots.  Amaya Collins led coach Stephan Hamaker’s Eagles with 15 points – on five 3-point baskets.

Class 2A State Championship Records

Most 3FG Attempts: 27 by Frankton

Most 3FG Made (Tied): 9 by Frankton

Most Combined 3FG Attempts (Tied): 36 by Frankton (27) and Forest Park (9)

Most Rebounds (Tied): 17 by Amber Tretter, Forest Park

Forest Park's Grace Fleck named Mental Attitude Award winner
Following the game, members of the IHSAA Executive Committee named Grace Fleck of Forest Park High School as the winner of the Patricia L. Roy Mental Attitude Award in Class 2A 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.

Fleck ranks first in her senior class academically, is a member of the National Honor Society, the Key Club and Beta Club. She recovered from a major knee injury sustained during her freshman year, was named a co-captain this season and helped guide the Rangers to their first state finals appearance in 22 years. She also represents the Rangers on the varsity soccer team.

She is the daughter of Bruce and Audrey Fleck of Ferdinand, IN and plans to study Nursing at the University of Southern Indiana.

The Indiana Fever and Indiana Pacers, the presenting sponsor of the IHSAA Girls Basketball State Tournament, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Forest Park High School in the name of Grace Fleck.

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.