(Curt Hops turned in a dominant performance in Barr-Reeve's state title victory)

 

Barr-Reeve sat atop the Class 1A rankings all season and capped off the 2020-2021 season with a state championship in Indianapolis on Saturday.

 

The stout Barr-Reeve defense was up to the challenge of facing off with the Kouts offensive juggernaut, who came into the game leading 1A in scoring at 76 points a game. The Vikings were able to control the tempo from the tip, preventing Kouts from getting out in transition. The size advantage was also evident from the start, as Barr-Reeve's 6'9 forward Curt Hopf dominated the paint the entire day.

 

Kouts was able to use their quickness to get into the lane, but once there, they were met by a wall of Viking defenders, and failed to convert, shooting just 3/14 from the field in the first quarter, with all six of their points coming from their high scoring backcourt of Cole and Cale Wireman.

 

Barr-Reeve would extend their advantage at the start of the second quarter, as Curt Hopf controlled the interior. The future Bellarmine Knight secured rebound after rebound, denying Kouts any opportunity at easy second-chance points. The Vikings opened up their largest lead of the half at 26-10 before a 4-0 burst from Kouts cut into that lead. Kouts had an opportunity to get to within single digits going into the locker, but a turnover ended that chance, as they trailed by 14 at the break.

 

The opening of the second half looked to favor the Mustangs, as the pace quickened significantly and the Wireman twins combined for three three-point field goals in a row. Barr-Reeve was able to respond, however, with threes of their own from Devin and Kayden Graber.

 

Kouts cut the 12 point halftime hole to seven with just over two minutes left in the third, but Barr-Reeve again managed to open it up past the double-figure mark as the frontline of Hopf and junior forward Hagen Knepp combined for 10 points and seven rebounds in the period.

 

Again Kouts was able to get within eight points, but it seemed that every time they threatened to get closer, Barr-Reeve would clamp down defensively and respond with a score on their offensive end. Hopf in particular was dominant, as he finished with 23 points and 20 rebounds. The well dried up for Kouts outside of the Wireman twins, who scored the first 21 points of the half for Kouts, as other Mustangs struggled to create space from the suffocating Viking defense.

 

Barr-Reeve had two individual state records in this game, as Curt Hopf claimed the mark for individual rebounds and Brycen Graber notched a new high for individual assists.

 

This was Barr-Reeve's second state title following their victory in 2015. The Vikings finished with a record of 29-2 on the season.

 

Kouts finished the year with a 29-3 record and their first trip to the state finals in school history.

 

 

 

Kouts        6   8  18  16  -  48

Barr-Reeve  12  14  17  21  -  64

 

Kouts: Cole Wireman 21 points (8/18 FGs, 2/6 3Ps, 3/5 FTs), 6 rebs, 2 asts; Cale Wireman 15 points (5/21 FGs, 3/11 3Ps, 2/2 FTs), 7 rebs, 2 asts, 2 stls; Parker Kniefel 6 points (2/5 FGs, 2/2 FGs), 6 rebs, 2 asts; Hunter Kniefel 4 points (2/6 FGs), 5 rebs; Connor Croft 2 points (1/3 FGs), 2 rebs; Cooper Schoon 3 rebs

 

Barr-Reeve: Curt Hopf 23pts (8/14 FGs, 7/13 FTs), 20 rebs; Hagen Knepp 16 points (7/18 FGs, 1/2 3Ps, 1/1 FTs), 9 rebs, 3 asts, 2 stls; Devin Graber 13 points (4/10 FGs, 1/3 3Ps, 4/6 FTs), 2 asts; Kayden Graber 3 points (1/2 3Ps), 2 rebs; Tommy Kidwell 3 points (1/1 3Ps); Brycen Graber 2 points (2/2 FTs), 5 rebs, 11 asts, 2 stls; Will Craig 2 points (1/3 FGs); Tyson Knepp 2 points (1/1 FGs)