Indiana

Pacers stun shorthanded Cavaliers: NBA playoff Game 2 winners and losers

Published

7 months ago

May 7, 2025

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Pacers stun shorthanded Cavaliers: NBA playoff Game 2 winners and losers

It’s looking precarious for Donovan Mitchell and the shorthanded Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Pacers stunned the Cavs once again in the second round of the NBA playoffs, stealing Game 2 on Tuesday night, 120-119, after Indiana scored the game’s final eight points inside the final 50 seconds of the game.

The loss puts Cleveland in an 0-2 hole, with the series now heading to Indianapolis and Cleveland still needing to contend with injury issues. All-Stars Evan Mobley and Darius Garland and key bench player De’Andre Hunter missed Game 2, and their status for Game 3 is in question.

Here are the winners and losers from Game 2 of the second-round playoff series between the No. 4 Indiana Pacers and No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers:

The Pacers don’t quit

Since 2005, teams carrying a seven-point lead in the final 48 seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime of postseason games, entering Tuesday night, had a combined record of 1,679-2 — a winning percentage of .999.

Not only did the Pacers make it 1,679-3, they also own two of those victories, with the other coming exactly one week ago, in their Game 5 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. It’s a remarkable statistic, and one that hints to a spectacular amount of luck, but it also is a marker of Indiana’s resiliency and resourceful play in the clutch.

Aaron Nesmith

The 25-year-old Nesmith scored 15 of his playoff career-high 23 points in the second half and was a massive spark the Pacers needed on both ends of the floor. Aside from his five drained 3-pointers, the plays he’ll be remembered for most are his putback dunk on a Pascal Siakam missed free throw and an offensive foul he drew just seconds later.

The dunk was the first basket of Indiana’s 8-0 run to close the game, and the foul created a key change of possession.

Donovan Mitchell

Needing to carry the Cavs, Mitchell was masterful. He scored 48 points on 15-of-30 shooting and added 9 assists. What was most impressive was the way Mitchell — as he continues to struggle with shots from the perimeter — relentlessly attacked Indiana in the paint.

Mitchell accounted for half of Cleveland’s 56 points in the paint all by himself. And when he didn’t finish, he often got to the line, converting 17-of-21 free throws.

Donovan Mitchell

His offensive dominance aside, Mitchell is a player whose teams have made the postseason each of the eight seasons he has played in the NBA. He has reached the conference semis four times. He has never advanced beyond that.

With the Cavaliers facing an 0-2 deficit and the series headed to Indiana, and with the Cavaliers facing injury issues, Mitchell is in danger of — again — seeing his postseason cut short.

Indiana’s ball security issues

The Pacers finished Tuesday’s game with 18 turnovers, which was one more than they had in Game 1. It’s tough to argue with a 2-0 lead, but turnovers — for a team that ranked second in the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.22) — persist as Indiana’s biggest issue this series.

The first quarter was particularly sloppy, with the Pacers committing nine turnovers. It was no surprise to see Indiana shoot 31.3% from the floor in the period, 12.5% from 3, score just 15 points and carry a 17-point deficit into the start of the second. If Cleveland needs a way back in the series, this would be the place to start.

Max Strus struggles in the second half

Nine of his 23 points did come after halftime, but Strus went cold from deep, going just 1-of-5 from 3-point range in the second half. His most egregious blunder, however, was unquestionably a careless pass he lobbed on an inbound when Cleveland was up three with 24.7 seconds to go.

Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard easily stole the pass, and it led to that wild Indiana finish.

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Indiana

State finalists & record-setters: Meet Central Indiana’s top sophomore volleyball players

Published

9 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Press Room

State finalists & record-setters: Meet Central Indiana’s top sophomore volleyball players

Meet Central Indiana’s top performing volleyball players from the Class of 2028

The Class of 2028 was heavily involved in a number of deep volleyball state tournament runs this fall, including a pair of state finalists.

Let’s meet the top Indy-area sophomores from the 2025 IHSAA high school volleyball season.

FIRST TEAM

Blaine Adams, Cathedral, OH-OPP

The 5-9 attacker led the Irish with 276 kills. She reached double-digit kills in a dozen matches (14 in a five-set win over Roncalli) and tacked 110 digs and 25 blocks onto her season line.

Charlee Groninger, Plainfield, S

Groninger established herself among the area’s best at her position, piling up 1,249 assists — quadruple her total from a season ago — across 117 sets for the Class 4A state runner-up Quakers. She added 98 kills, 34 aces, 38 total blocks and 244 digs.

Caitlyn Gutt, Fishers, S

The 5-10 sophomore worked in tandem with senior Ava Tester, registering 416 assists with only 16 errors on 1,205 attempts. She also picked up 146 digs, 36 aces and 17 kills. Gutt reached 20 assists in five-set decisions vs. Hamilton Heights and Center Grove, and had 19 in three other outings.

Ryelle Koomler, Franklin Central, OH

The 5-10 attacker led the sectional runner-up Flashes with 382 kills on .226 hitting. She added 222 digs, 39 aces, 11 blocks and a couple aces to her season line. Koomler’s campaign was highlighted by a pair of 22-kill performances, and she had 19 terminations in a five-set loss to Center Grove in early September.

Sophie Orlando, Brownsburg, OPP

The right-side hitter shined in her first full varsity season. 36 of her 60 total blocks were solo efforts and she hit .253 en route to her 248 kills. Orlando, who rounded out her line with 51 digs, set a career-high with 20 kills on .293 hitting in a five-set loss to Roncalli.

Maggie Sliwa, Hamilton Southeastern, S

Sliwa split time running the Royals’ offense with senior Jasmine Daniels, recording 378 assists and 94 digs in 96 sets. The 6-2 setter clocked double-digit assists in 20 matches, including 25 against both Westfield and Center Grove.

Rosanna Spearing, Roncalli, OH

One of the state champion Royals’ top attackers, Spearing finished the year with 262 kills, plus 43 aces, 255 digs, 20 total blocks and 13 assists. The 5-8 rising standout cleared double-digit kills in 12 matches, including 17 vs. Brownsburg in October.

Audrey Utterback, Plainfield, OH

A prolific attacker, the 5-9 outside cleared 1,000 career kills, totaling 606 (.280 hit%) in her second varsity season. She also served 52 aces, blocked 42 shots, racked up 349 digs (591 career) and setting a career-high with 22 assists.

Amaya Zander, Lawrence North, OH

Zander enjoyed a record-setting fall, recording 449 kills (single-season record) on .222 hitting, leaving her with 582 for her career. She had 37 terminations (.301 hit%) in a five-set loss to Hamilton Heights in August, one of five matches with 20-plus kills. Zander recorded 17 aces, 18 blocks, 89 digs and 10 assists across 107 sets.

SECOND TEAM

Karis Barnes, Lawrence Central, OH

Barnes shined on the Bears’ attack, racking up 327 kills (3.4 per set) on .230 hitting. She also set career-highs in aces (87) and digs (244), and matched her previous high with 12 kills. Barnes set her season-high with 20 kills on .224 hitting against Warren Central, one of her eight outings with 15-plus kills.

Caroline Brown, Lebanon, S

Brown recorded a career-high 893 assists in her second season running the Tigers’ offense, with only 14 errors on 2,174 attempts. That highlighted a well-rounded line by the sophomore setter, who also registered 58 aces, 145 digs, 19 blocks and 72 kills.

Alaina Darlage, Triton Central, L-DS

The sophomore libero was excellent in her first full varsity season, averaging 10.8 digs per match (336 total). She also served 56 aces and 246 points, and logged 92 assists. Darlage has 361 career digs entering her junior year.

Harper Drzakowski, Danville, L

Drzakowski accumulated 419 digs, 30 aces and 69 assists in her first full varsity season. She was charged with just 31 reception errors on 407 attempts, and set her season-high with 37 digs in a five-set loss to Hamilton Heights in early September.

Josie Hunt, Eastern Hancock, OH

The 5-7 pin scored 25 kills against Shenandoah, 23 vs. Greenfield-Central and 21 vs. Lapel. Those outings highlighted a strong sophomore campaign, wherein she racked up 375 kills, 195 digs, 51 aces and 15 blocks for the 25-win Royals.

Maddison Judge, Greenwood, MH

The 6-foot sophomore led the Woodmen with 320 kills on an impressive .384 hitting. She also blocked 81 shots, served 19 aces and dug out 61 shots. Judge set her season-high with 20 kills (.375 hit%) vs. Perry Meridian in late September, then eclipsed that mark with 22 (.553 hit%) in a four-set win over Southport in early October.

Adria Jump, Sheridan, S

The multi-sport athlete registered 599 assists to move past 1,200 for her career. She was also the sectional champions’ second-leading attacker with 126 kills on .261 hitting. Jump also recorded 95 aces, 26 blocks (15 solo) and a career-high 363 digs.

Lainey Mendenhall, Sheridan, OH-MB

Mendenhall set career-highs in kills (404), aces (46), digs (264) and assists (32), and notched 30 total blocks (18 solo). She matched her season-high in the sectional championship match vs. Lapel, accumulating 26 kills on .258 hitting (she also logged 20 digs).

Brooke Neale, Westfield, DS

The 5-6 defensive specialist averaged 8.4 digs per match, totaling 235 over 94 sets. She scored a kill for the consecutive season and exceeded her previous high for aces (44) and service points (202). Neale had 23 digs in a five-set win over HSE in the sectional semifinals.

Cecilia Prather, Danville, S

Prather totaled 820 assists over 95 sets in her first varsity season. She cleared 20 assists in all but five matches, with 40-plus in four. Prather set her season-high with 51 assists in a five-set win vs. Franklin, and rounded out her season line with 60 kills, 39 aces, 34 blocks and 251 digs.

Larkin Prosser, Mooresville, S

The second-year starter maintained her progression in year two, improving both her assists total (530) and efficiency (seven in 1,606 attempts). Prosser, who has 941 career assists, tallied 262 digs, 18 blocks, 75 aces and 87 kills across 85 sets played.

Krosley Riggs, Lapel, OH

Riggs clocked 208 kills and 304 digs in her second varsity season, leaving her with 400 kills and 567 digs for her career. She also added 72 aces (223 points), five blocks and 10 assists. Riggs had 34 digs and eight kills in the sectional championship match vs. Sheridan.

THIRD TEAM

Chloe Canada, Tri-West, OPP

Canada tallied 197 kills on .226 hitting and 36 blocks in her first varsity season (she played two sets as a freshman). She added 234 digs, two aces and seven assists. Canada recorded 21 digs at semistate vs. Jasper, and 11 kills on .333 hitting against Plainfield in September.

Myra Finnity, Greenwood Christian, MB

The 6-1 sophomore recorded 84 blocks, 35 of which were solo efforts. She reached seven blocks against Perry Meridian and Scecina, and logged five in both matches vs. 3A’s New Palestine. Finnity rounded out her line with 99 kills on .227 hitting, eight aces, 44 digs and 10 assists for the regional champions.

Evaana Galbreath, Lawrence Central, S-OPP

Galbreath accumulated 571 assists, 198 digs, 52 aces and 12 blocks over 92 sets. She had four matches with 30-plus assists, including a career-high 40 in a four-set win over Speedway in August.

Stella Hamood, Avon, L-DS

Hamood scored 466 digs across 88 sets, averaging 16.6 per match. She posted 30 aces and seven kills, as well, plus 69 assists – three more than her total from 2024. Hamood reached a season-high 31 digs in a four-set loss to Bellmont.

Allie Kizzee, Monrovia, OPP-DS

Kizzee recorded 71 aces and 167 service points across 101 sets. She had seven aces in a three-set sweep of Beech Grove, and has 84 for her career. Kizzee picked up 221 digs, as well.

Mckenna Muncy, Danville, MB

The second-year middle reset her career-high with 231 kills on .351 hitting. She also racked up 49 blocks, 26 digs and eight assists. Muncy had nine matches with 10-plus kills, led by 17 on .400 hitting vs. Terre Haute North.

Malia Norfleet, Lawrence North, MB

The 5-9 middle averaged over a block per match, totaling 47 (15 solo) over 106 sets played. She also registered 145 kills, four aces, 12 digs and three assists. Norfleet had seven blocks in a three-set loss to two-time defending Class A state champion Trinity Lutheran in August.

Lillian Pass, Lutheran, OH-OPP

Pass built upon a strong freshman campaign, recording 277 kills on .209 hitting, 55 aces, 134 digs and eight assists — all career-highs. She completed her line with 24 blocks, two off her total from a year ago.

Kenleigh Raby, Western Boone, S

Raby ran the Stars’ retooled offense at a high-level, averaging 7.4 assists over 84 sets (620 total). She also notched 192 digs, 22 aces, 26 kills and 14 blocks. Raby tallied 45 assists in a five-set win over Frankfort and 40 in a five-set loss to Cascade.

Olivia Reeves, Greenfield-Central, OH-OPP

Reeves will be the Cougars’ top returning attacker next season. She scored 279 kills, second most on the team, as a sophomore, and rounded out her line with 38 aces, 107 digs, eight blocks and eight assists.

Olivia Schiffli, Hamilton Heights, OH

Schiffli shined alongside Macie Smith on the Huskies’ attack, piling up 279 kills in 95 sets. She also recorded 173 digs, 44 aces, 16 blocks and eight assists for the regional champions, and will be a cornerstone for this program entering next season.

Genevieve Schroeder, Greenwood, OH

Schroeder picked up 149 kills, 43 aces, eight blocks and 129 digs in her first full varsity season. She had four matches with 10-plus terminations, led by 12 in a four-set win over Southport. She also tallied 11 kills on .400 hitting in a three-set loss to New Palestine.

Micah Shanklin, Lawrence North, MB

Shanklin led the Wildcats with her 49 blocks, 14 of which were solo efforts. She set her season-high with six blocks against Warren Central and had four against Trinity Lutheran. Shanklin logged seven kills in three matches, and finished the season with 114 terminations (.303 hitting).

Stella Short, Pendleton Heights, L

The second-year libero averaged 6.5 digs per match and 2.2 per set, with 206 over 95 sets. She was among the team leaders with 61 aces and logged 75 assists. Short had five aces in two matches, and cleared 10 digs on eight occasions.

Tay Walker, Greenfield-Central, OH-OPP

Walker logged 218 terminations, 15 blocks, 13 aces and 118 digs in her first varsity season. She reached double-digit kills in four matches, tallying 15 apiece against Shelbyville (.429 hitting) and Lawrence Central.

Regan Ward, Pike, OH-MB

The 6-foot attacker put together a career year with the Red Devils, notching 229 kills on .251 hitting. She also collected 21 aces, 56 total blocks (19 solo), 98 digs and 14 assists. Ward had 10-plus kills in 10 matches, led by 13 on .500 hitting in a 2-1 loss to Rising Sun. She had a season-high five blocks against Seymour and logged four in three sets vs. Zionsville.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Brynn Baker, Fishers, MB; Izzy Bigelow, Speedway, S; Jordyn Blair, Westfield, MB; Anna Cope, Covenant Christian, DS; Addison Corn, Beech Grove, MB-DS; Emmi Custer, Pendleton Heights; Brooklyn Deppe, Danville, DS-OPP; Rachel Filimoeulie, Lawrence Central, OH-DS; Reagan Futa, Cathedral, DS; Amelia Hartman, Perry Meridian, RS; DeAsia John, Pike, OH-MB; Landry LePage, Lebanon, DS; Alexa Massingill, Western Boone, OPP-OH; Madelynn Matelic, Speedway, MH-fRS; Reese Morrow, Pendleton Heights; Sydney Reed, Pike, OH; Emily Shepherd, Western Boone, OH; Ava Stone, Roncalli, MB; Molly Tucker, Danville, OH

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen. Get IndyStar’s high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter.

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Indiana

Indiana National Guard identifies soldier killed in I-65 crash

Published

1 day ago

November 17, 2025

Press Room

Indiana National Guard identifies soldier killed in I-65 crash

LEBANON, Ind. (WISH) — The Indiana National Guard has identified the specialist who died in a crash on Interstate 65 near Lebanon that also left three other soldiers injured.

Specialist Terry Frye of Lafayette joined the Guard in March 2020 as an infantryman with Company D in Frankfort. The Guard says in Frye’s five years of service, he received the National Defense Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon.

He and three other soldiers who were members of Company D, 2nd Battalion, 151st Infantry Regiment were en route from Frankfort to Camp Atterbury for a drill weekend when they were in a crash on I-65 near I-865.

The Boone County Sheriff’s office reported after the accident that three vehicles were involved: A military Humvee, a white SUV, and semitruck hauling cars.

The Guard says the accident is still under investigation and has not detailed the cause of the crash. They also did not provide updates on the three injured soldiers, who were in serious condition as of Friday.

Sgt. Tyler Moriarty of the Boone County Sheriff’s Office told the media following the accident that accidents involving the military are rare and he urged drivers to drive carefully.

“Hug your loved ones,” Moriarty said. “We’ve seen a lot of bad stuff lately involving accidents and vehicles. It’s one of those things. Accidents are still accidents. They can happen to anyone, and it’s one of those things. Slow down and be cautious. And know your surroundings when you’re driving because it’s not just yourself when you’re driving, it’s other families, and potentially your family.”

Original statement from Indiana National Guard, Gov. Mike Braun

Four Indiana National Guard soldiers from Company D, 2nd Battalion, 151st Infantry Regiment were involved in a multivehicle collision on I-65 in Boone County, Friday, Nov.14. The collision resulted in the death of one soldier.
The loss of any of our Guardsmen is tragic, and we offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the soldier’s family, loved ones and friends.
“We take our responsibility to soldiers and their families seriously. As an organization, we become a family to each other, and the death of a fellow service member resonates throughout the force. We offer our sincerest condolences to the soldier’s family, friends and fellow soldiers. The loss is felt deeply, and we will continue to provide support to his family,” said Maj. Gen. Larry Muennich, Indiana National Guard adjutant general.
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Indiana Gov. Mike Braun also expressed his sympathies.
“The Indiana National Guard is always there for Hoosiers and our communities, and we must always be there for them in their time of need and tragedy. I extend my deepest condolences to the soldier’s family and friends,” said Braun.
The soldiers were traveling in a convoy from the Frankfort Armory to Camp Atterbury for training on a drill weekend when the accident occurred. Support for our service members and their families can be found through Military One Source at 1-800-342-9647 and the Indiana National Guard chaplain corps at 1-317-508-2573.

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President Trump ‘very disappointed’ in Indiana Senate Republicans

Published

2 days ago

November 16, 2025

Press Room

President Trump ‘very disappointed’ in Indiana Senate Republicans

INDIANAPOLIS — President Donald Trump is criticizing Indiana State Senate Republicans in a Truth Social post, saying he is “very disappointed” that lawmakers do not want to move forward with redistricting. He also said that Governor Mike Braun “wouldn’t be governor without him.”

This comes after Indiana Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, a Republican, announced Friday that the Indiana Senate will not return in December to vote on redistricting, due to a lack of votes.

The Trump Administration has been adamantly pushing mid-decade redistricting in Indiana in an attempt to gain more Republican seats in the 2026 midterm elections. Redistricting is traditionally tied to the census, with new maps drawn every 10 years. Vice President J.D. Vance even flew to Indiana to try and convince state Republicans to comply with the president’s unprecedented demand for mid-decade redistricting.

In his Truth Social post, Trump refers to Braun as “a friend of mine,” but then says that Braun “perhaps, is not working the way he should to get the necessary votes.” Trump continues by saying, “Mike wouldn’t be Governor without me (Not even close!).”

The president goes even further, implying Republicans who don’t agree with his desires to be “weak” while also calling for “any republican that votes against this important redistricting” to be primaried.

In the final line of the post, he says senators should “do their job,” adding, “if not, let’s get them out of office ASAP.”

Learn more about the redistricting decision here. Find The Truth Social post here.

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