Panthers, Hatchets Meet in Semistate Showdown

Jennings County and Washington have overcome long regional title droughts ahead of Saturday's Class 3A semifinal matchup.

Feb. 23, 2026 at 8:23pm

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When Class 3A No. 8 Jennings County faces off against 3A No. 6 Washington in the semifinals of the Southport Semistate on Saturday, the two teams will be in similar positions. Both squads ended long regional championship droughts last weekend, with Jennings winning its first regional since 1993 and Washington claiming its first since 1997. The teams have also avenged regular-season losses in both the sectional final and the regional rounds.

Why it matters

This matchup features two programs that have overcome past struggles to reach new heights this season. The winner will advance to the semistate championship game with a chance to play for a state title, making this a pivotal moment for both teams' seasons.

The details

Jennings County is led by 6-foot Kansas recruit Mollie Ernstes, who is averaging 24.2 points, 4.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Junior Etta Young adds 14.6 points and a team-high 8.4 rebounds. Washington is paced by 6-foot-2 Murray State recruit Katie Reed, who puts up 17.7 points and 8.2 rebounds per contest. The Hatchets' only regulation loss came by three points against Evansville Reitz, the team that beat Columbus North in the regional.

  • The semifinal matchup is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2026.
  • The semistate championship game will take place at 8 p.m. on the same day, with the winner advancing to the state title game.

The players

Kristi (Green) Sigler

The head coach of Jennings County, who led the Panthers to their last regional title in 1993 before going on to play at Indiana University.

Gretchen Miles

The head coach of Washington, who led the Hatchets to their last regional championship in 1997, the final year of one-class basketball in Indiana.

Katie Reed

A 6-foot-2 Murray State recruit who is the star of this year's Washington team, averaging 17.7 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.

Mollie Ernstes

A 6-foot Kansas recruit who leads Jennings County, averaging 24.2 points, 4.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

Etta Young

A junior at Jennings County who adds 14.6 points and a team-high 8.4 rebounds per contest.

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What they’re saying

“Defensively, they're only giving up 33 points a game, so they're very good on the defensive end of the floor.”

— Kristi (Green) Sigler, Head Coach, Jennings County

“Defensively, we were very good. We changed the matchups based on our first outing with them. We took care of the ball a lot better. We came out with a good start and played with a lot of confidence throughout the game.”

— Kristi (Green) Sigler, Head Coach, Jennings County

What’s next

The winners of the two semifinal matchups will meet in the semistate championship game at 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2026, with a berth in the state title game on the line.

The takeaway

This semistate showdown features two programs that have overcome past struggles to reach new heights this season. Whichever team emerges victorious will have the opportunity to play for a state championship, making this a pivotal moment in the histories of both Jennings County and Washington.