Class 1A North Regional Preview Part 2

Continuing our Class 1A Regional breakdowns, let’s turn our attention to the other Class 1A Regional in the North. This one incorporates Sectionals #53 through #56. Below is a look at the teams in each of those Sectionals, along with some general comments and analysis. We will continue previewing the upcoming season over the course of the next month, with our final preview articles posting on Halloween.   (SAG = Final 2017-2018 Sagarin Rating in Class 1A/Multiclass; SOS = Final 2017-2018 Strength of Schedule)   Sectional #53 Attica (20-5) SAG 20/212; SOS 361 *Rockville (20-8) SAG 34/248; SOS 352 North Vermillion (12-13) SAG 63/315; SOS 364 Riverton Parke (8-17) SAG 66/330; SOS 329 *Turkey Run (1-22) SAG 84/380; SOS 350 Faith Christian (0-21) SAG 93/404; SOS 360 *Rockville and Turkey Run have consolidated to form Park Heritage High School One immediate change has taken place in Sectional #53. Rockville was the 2018 Sectional Champion, but you won’t find “Rockville” on any trophy going forward, because Rockville Community High School has consolidated with Turkey Run High School to form the new Parke Heritage High School in Rockville, Indiana. The combination of the two schools should theoretically increase their competitiveness due to enrollment numbers, but both high schools graduated a number of key seniors. Returning, though, should be 2019 wing Taylor Dugger and 2020 forward Maya Cook. I wouldn’t bet against them in this Sectional, but they will have serious competition this season. [caption id="attachment_12261" align="alignright" width="201"] Naomi McDaniel of Attica[/caption] Attica looks to contend for the title this season, and they will do so by getting behind 6-foot 2019 forward Naomi McDaniel, arguably the most talented prospect in this Sectional. Attica also returns 2019 guard Karissa Pluimer, but they did suffer several graduation losses. The sleeper in Sectional #53 could be North Vermillion. They won 12 games a year ago with a relatively inexperienced group, led by 2021 guard McKenzie Crowder (11.9 ppg). Look for them to be much-improved this season, as 2019 guards Kahrie Balding (6.7 ppg, 2.9apg) and Cierra Chevrount (6.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg), plus 2020 post Hannah Ellis (6.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg) add to a diverse starting lineup. Riverton Parke graduated leading scorer and rebounder Josie Eslinger (14.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg), but they return four 2019 starters. Look for Grace Pharr (6.8 ppg), Camryn Clapp (6.4 ppg), and Mackenzie Schermann (5.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg) to lead the way for the Panthers. Faith Christian unfortunately graduated their leading scorer, Madi Schultz (9.4 ppg), and returns no one who averaged more than 2.6 points per game.   Sectional #54 Northfield (18-6) SAG 5/107; SOS 276 Tri-Central (16-11) SAG 25/225; SOS 293 Southwood (5-19) SAG 59/307; SOS 234 Clinton Central (8-14) SAG 67/337; SOS 351 Frontier (4-18) SAG 73/355; SOS 333 [caption id="attachment_12264" align="alignleft" width="217"] Ariel Dale of Northfield[/caption] Just a five-team field, Sectional #54 does include one of the best Class 1A teams in Northern Indiana in Northfield High School. The Norse were actually newcomers to Class 1A last year, and they had it rolling, entering the Sectional Championship on an 8-game win streak, but a historically tough Tri-Central squad ended their season. Northfield returns an interesting mix of 2019s and 2021s this season, after having no seniors one year ago. Leading the way are 2019 guards Ariel Dale (16.7 ppg) and Kelcie Thomson (13.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 4.9 apg, 4.0 spg). Dale is in our Top-150 rankings. 2019 forwards Ally Keaffaber (7.2 ppg), Abbey Ross, and Melanie Beery solidify the frontcourt, while 2021 post Addi Baker (6.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg) had a very nice rookie season. Tri-Central is always a tough tournament “out”, but they graduated their top two scorers, Emily Richard (10.4 ppg) and Sarah Quesada (10.2 ppg), plus skillful 2019 wing Paige Bennett transferred to Guerin Catholic School. They also graduated two other key contributors. Top returnees for the Trojans are 2019 forward Jaide Cassity (5.3 ppg) and 2021 guard Kenadie Fernung (5.2 ppg). The other three schools will also come to battle. Southwood played no seniors in their core rotation last year, and they’ll be led this year by 2020 guard Makenna Pace (9.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg), 2019 wing Morgan Farr (7.3 ppg, 3.9 spg), and 2020 forward Erin Lehner (6.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg). Clinton Central also returns nearly all of their production. They lean on 2019 guard Kaylea Whitcomb (8.0 ppg) and 2020 guard Jessica Akard (7.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg). Frontier returns a big-time scorer in 2019 guard Katelynn Hall (20.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.5 spg). 2020 forward Kyra Wilson (6.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg) should pair nicely with Hall.   Sectional #55 Southern Wells (11-15) SAG 44/270; SOS 311 Liberty Christian (10-14) SAG 55/297; SOS 337 Daleville (7-15) SAG 58/305; SOS 325 Cowan (8-15) SAG 68/339; SOS 322 Wes-Del (4-19) SAG 78/361; SOS 336 Anderson Prep (3-19) SAG 87/390; SOS 381 Southern Wells has seemingly dominated Sectional play over the years, winning ten of the last twelve Sectional titles. You’d have to give Southern Wells a slight edge because of their experience, but they did graduate two key players in Jessica Yencer (8.0 ppg) and Jada Johnson (7.8). Returning, however, is leading scorer Georgia Hanauer (8.9 ppg), just a 2021 guard. The Raiders also have 2019 guard Kelli Neff (7.0 ppg) and 2019 forward Kirtlyn Noble (4.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg) back as well. [caption id="attachment_12265" align="alignright" width="200"] Izabella Mitchell of Wes-Del[/caption] Liberty Christian likely poses the biggest threat to the Raiders, but the Lions did graduate leading scorer and rebounder Sarah Aikin (14.6 ppg, 9.8 rpg). I’d expect 2019 guard Kennedy Filmore (8.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg), 2020 forward Maddy Harmon (6.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg), and 2020 post Elena Tufts (5.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg) to pick up the slack and take on leadership roles. Daleville actually put together their winningest season in five years, but they graduated leading scorers Madison Savage (11.2 ppg) and Evy Halbert (10.1 ppg). 2021 forward Heather Pautler (7.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg) and 2019 guard Mackenzie Walker (7.8 ppg) should be their top two players this season. Cowan starts with a nice trio of 2021 forward Kaylee Kear (10.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg), 2019 forward Elizabeth Clevenger (10.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg), and 2019 guard Ashley Evans (8.1 ppg, 2.8 apg). They graduated very little from last season’s roster, and they could be a tough “out” this season. Wes-Del returns leading scorer Izabella Mitchell (11.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg), a 2020, but they graduated the only other two girls who averaged more than three points per game in Alexis Clock (9.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and Jasmin Brown (8.0 ppg). Anderson Prep will look to improve behind top scorers Savannah Prewett (10.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg), a 2020 forward, and Tommya Davis (7.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg), a 2020 guard. One wildcard for them could be 2020 wing Madison Stamm, a transfer from Mount Vernon High School in Fortville.   Sectional #56 Randolph Southern (18-7) SAG 14/180; SOS 313 Tri (21-5) SAG 18/201; SOS 320 Union City (9-14) SAG 38/261; SOS 235 Blue River Valley (14-9) SAG 41/264; SOS 338 Seton Catholic (3-20) SAG 86/389; SOS 349 Union-Modoc (1-20) SAG 94/405; SOS 327 Sectional #56 could be very competitive at the top, as four teams have a legitimate argument to be the top contender for this crown. Tri High won the title last season, but the graduation losses of their top three scorers will definitely be tough to overcome. Gone via the diploma are Payton Moore (16.4 ppg, 9.7 rpg), Kaley Harrison (9.1 ppg), and Lauren Bouslog (6.5 ppg). 2021 post Averi Phelps (5.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg), and 2021 guard Maddie Burchett (4.7 ppg, 2.5 apg) earned major minutes as rookies, plus 2019 guard Auburn Harvey (5.6 ppg) brings experience as well. Randolph Southern could prove to be Tri’s tallest hurdle, but the Rebels also graduated leading scorer Ally Saylor (15.2 ppg, 3.7 apg), plus key contributors Hope Brown (4.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and Zoe Fisher (4.6 ppg). This year they’ll turn to productive 2019 Cierra Tomey (11.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.1 apg, 3.0 spg), and a solid 2020 in Shelby Jeffers (6.7 ppg). 2019 Maddy Mikesell (4.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and 2020 Kalee Hayes (3.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg) also bring back experience. [caption id="attachment_12266" align="alignleft" width="214"] Mackenzie Green of Union City[/caption] Blue River Valley might return as much of a veteran team as anyone, plus they have a huge newcomer. 2019 twin guards Haley (13.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.3 apg) and Hannah Foster (9.4 ppg, 4.0 apg, 3.0 spg) return to the backcourt, as does 2019 guard Lindsey Williams (12.6 ppg). Junior forward Rachel Snavely (3.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg) was their leading rebounder a year ago, but the biggest presence this season will be 6-1 2022 post Ally Madden, who will take up a lot of space and cause mismatch problems on the interior. Union City was a 2017 State Finals participant, then they graduated all of their size in 2017, and in June of this year they graduated their best guard in Justiss Cantu (11.7 ppg, 3.7 apg, 4.0 spg), plus a solid contributor in Ellie Kerns (8.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg). I anticipate 2020 guard Mackenzie Green (8.4 ppg) and 2020 forward Maddy Cox (6.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg) will be their top performers this season. Seton Catholic will be led this year by 2019 post Cassidy Frame (8.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg), while Union will look to 2021 post Danielle Ogden (6.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg).   Header photo of Tri-Central (in white) vs. Marquette Catholic in the 2018 Semi-State game; photo courtesy of nwitimes.com. Photo of Naomi McDaniel courtesy of newsbug.info. Photo of Ariel Dale courtesy of inkfreenews.com. Photo of Izabella Mitchell courtesy of postyourt.com. Photo of Mackenzie Green courtesy of the Midwest Finest Twitter account.