Central Noble Jr-Sr High School

The Central Noble Cougars are two wins away from playing for a state championship as they travel to Kokomo Hight School for the IHSAA Class 2A Semi-State on Saturday, June 6. Central Noble (18-7) will face Western Boone (20-7) in the opening semi-state game at 11:00 a.m. The winner will advance to the Semi-State Championship game later that evening, needing one more victory to earn a berth in the IHSAA Class 2A State Finals. The Cougars enter semi-state play after capturing sectional and regional championships, highlighted by a dominant postseason run led by senior ace Grace Swank. Central Noble has thrived in pressure situations throughout the tournament and will look to continue that momentum against a talented Western Boone squad. Western Boone brings one of the most potent offenses in Class 2A, averaging nine runs per game and scoring 243 runs this season. The Stars are led by Mickey Burns, who is batting .467, and Raina Lutz, who boasts a .756 slugging percentage. For the Cougars, Swank has been the catalyst all season. The senior is batting .559 with a .688 on-base percentage and a remarkable 1.191 slugging percentage while also serving as one of the state's top pitchers. Saturday's matchup features two teams that have proven themselves throughout the season and now find themselves just two wins away from the ultimate goal. Central Noble will look to take the first step by advancing past Western Boone and earning a spot in the Semi-State Championship game. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, with the winner advancing to the Semi-State Championship that evening at 7pm.