Class 3A North Reginal Preview Part 2

As we continue our Class 3A Regional breakdowns, let’s turn our attention to the other Class 3A Regional in the North. This one incorporates Sectionals #21 through #24. 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 couple of weeks, 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 #21 Fairfield (24-3) SAG 4/40; SOS 116 Tippecanoe Valley (20-4) SAG 19/79; SOS 166 NorthWood (16-9) SAG 20/80; SOS 64 West Noble (18-7) SAG 31/103; SOS 188 Wawasee (13-11) SAG 39/131; SOS 86 Lakeland (10-13) SAG 58/203; SOS 173 [caption id="attachment_13248" align="alignright" width="214"] Sophie Bussard of Tippecanoe Valley[/caption] Fairfield knew they were going to have a good 2017-2018 season, but I’m not sure they anticipated 24 wins, a Sectional #21 title, and a Semi-State appearance. This season the Falcons will be nearly starting from scratch, as they build a new team minus their top six scorers, who all graduated. Gone are Erica Zook (11.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.1 spg), Felicity Bontrager (8.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg), Jordan Kintigh (8.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg), Jenean Schwartz (8.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.8 spg, 45 made 3s), Katie Lashley (8.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg), and Drea Lockwood (3.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg). 2021 forward Jillian Litwiler (2.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg), 2020 wing Chloe Dell, 2020 wing Kara Kitson, and 2019 wing Morgan Sanchez have some Varsity experience, but they’ll need to step up big-time this season. Sectional #21 has always been uber-competitive, and this year it’s wide open and should be a battle. Tippecanoe Valley has had a lot of recent success, and there is still talent in their program, but they must deal with several losses. Addy Miller (13.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 56 made 3s), Asia O’Connor (4.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg), and Olivia Trippiedi (4.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.2 spg) all graduated. In addition, 2019 wing Emily Peterson (9.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg) has essentially “retired” due to her injury history and transferred to Warsaw. All four of the above players were starters. The Vikings do return leading scorer Sophie Bussard (16.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 3.0 spg), a 2019 guard who has already committed to Division-I Southeast Missouri State. They’ll need 2020 guard Jillian Walls (3.8 ppg), 2020 post Makenzie Woodcox (3.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg), and 2020 guard Emma Craig (2.2 ppg) to step into key roles this season. The Black Swish of NorthWood have always been a solid program, and they should once again compete for the Sectional #21 title. Forward Savannah Feenstra (10.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.3 apg) did graduate, but they return everyone else. 2019 guard Kenzie Bergman (9.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 2.6 spg), 2020 front-liner Maddy Payne (9.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg), 2020 forward Kate Rulli (7.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg), 2020 forward Karlie Fielstra (3.0 ppg), and 2019 guard Neely Trenshaw (2.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.4 apg) are a formidable lineup. West Noble is always a pesky and competitive team, and this season they are as experienced as they’ve ever been. I wouldn’t count out a 20+ win season. Kasia Weigold (4.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg) was the only significant graduation loss. Leading a deep 2019 class of returnees is wing Madison Schermerhorn (9.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.4 apg, 4.4 spg). Other Seniors with a lot of Varsity experience are point guard Lauren Burns (8.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 3.0 spg), wing Tori Miller (7.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg), forward Megan Godfrey (7.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.0 spg), wing Angela Gross (5.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.3 spg), wing Tara Miller (3.7 ppg, 2.2 spg), and post Becky Yoder (2.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg). 2020 wing Kristina Teel (5.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg) also has a great deal of experience. Wawasee is typically a very feisty team, but they must replace three Varsity mainstays who graduated. Those three are Aubrey Kuhn (9.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.0 apg, 2.6 spg, 30 made 3s), Hannah-Marie Lamle (7.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg), and Kabrea Rostochak (5.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg). 2019 guard Casey Schroeder (11.9 ppg, 2.1 spg) was the leading scorer and is back, plus 2019 post Caitlin Wortinger (4.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg) also returns. Last season was the first time Lakeland has won ten (or more) games since 2007-2008, and while Beka Stroop (8.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.3 apg) and Tanner Metcalf (3.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg) graduated, they return a fairly young nucleus. 2021 guard Bailey Hartsough (15.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.4 apg, 3.0 spg) is a real talent and was their leading scorer. 2021 guard Keirstin Roose (8.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.3 spg) also played a lot as a Freshman. 2020 forward Beth Stroop (5.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg), 2019 point guard Makayla Mast (4.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, 2.2 spg), and 2020 post Isabelle Larimer (3.4 ppg, 3.4 rebounds) should round out their roster.   Sectional #22 Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran (17-8) SAG 3/35; SOS 58 Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (12-9) SAG 11/54; SOS 84 Angola (23-4) SAG 13/67; SOS 164 Leo (11-12) SAG 44/148; SOS 119 Garrett (8-15) SAG 73/259; SOS 186 Woodlan (8-15) SAG 76/282; SOS 268 New Haven (2-21) SAG 84/335; SOS 158 Fort Wayne Concordia has won eight of the last nine Sectionals, including a couple of State Championships, and this season they look strong once again. They are featured in our Top-50 teams, regardless of class, so we’ll preview them in greater detail at the end of next week. If anyone is going to challenge the Cadets this season, look for it to be Angola. They return eight of the ten ladies who played in their rotation last year. They too are featured in that Top-50, so look for their preview later this week, likely on Wednesday. [caption id="attachment_13250" align="alignleft" width="200"] Hannah Adams of Leo[/caption] Bishop Dwenger is going to have a whole new look this season, as they graduated their top four scorers and seven Seniors in total. The biggest losses are Ellen Ross (16.8 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 2.8 apg), who is now playing at Butler, Olivia Sterba (14.9 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.0 spg), Caitlyn Ryan (8.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.3 apg, 3.1 spg), and Grace Wharton (6.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg). 2020 guard Molly Ream (6.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.6 apg, 3.6 spg) had a nice Summer and is primed to take over, and 2020 forward Carissa Wiegman (5.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg) is very solid as well. Who will play alongside them is the question to answer now. Leo is always competitive, and this year they’ll look to a solid frontline to lead them. 2019 forward Hannah Adams (8.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg), and 2020 forwards Ashley Miller (5.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and Brooke Smith (5.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.1 apg, 3.7 bpg) lead the way. 2020 guard Lily Brandenberger (2.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg) and 2019 wing Cate Steward (2.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg) also return. Guard play will be the question, as the Lions graduated Sydney Pierce (14.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.3 spg), and promising 2021 guard McKenna Dietsch (6.6 ppg) transferred to Adams Central. The Garrett Railroaders have had impactful graduation losses over the last few seasons, but this year they return their core. Back are 2019 guards Kenzie Casselman and Lexi Baver, and 2019 post Camden Bodey. That should help them create some sense of stability and return to double-digit wins once again. Woodlan is set up pretty well for a nice 2-year run, as they return their top six scorers from a year ago, with the top four all being Juniors this season. Dynamic 2020 guard Addison Bayman (16.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.4 apg, 3.9 spg) leads the way. She is joined in the lineup by 2020 forward Gabby Joyce (5.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg), and 2020 guards Taya Kitzmiller (5.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and Hannah Albertson (4.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg). New Haven looks to improve their win total from a year ago, but to do so, they’ll have to manage without four graduates. Look for 2019 guard Raeshawn Norfleet to take on more of a scoring role this season.   Sectional #23 Norwell (17-6) SAG 9/49; SOS 81 Fort Wayne Bishop Luers (18-8) SAG 15/70; SOS 63 Marion (21-5) SAG 16/76; SOS 142 Bellmont (19-5) SAG 17/77; SOS 189 Columbia City (9-16) SAG 50/164; SOS 71 Mississinewa (11-12) SAG 64/230; SOS 198 Heritage (9-13) SAG 70/252; SOS 242 [caption id="attachment_13251" align="alignright" width="217"] Jazmyn Turner of Marion[/caption] Sectional #23 is one of the most competitive Sectionals in Northern Indiana. This season, everyone is good enough to beat anyone else on a given night. Last year’s champion, the Marion Giants, return six of their top seven scorers, including their top three. They are led by athletic 6-0 2019 forward Jazmyn Turner (15.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and talented 6-6 2020 post Ra’Shaya Kyle (15.0 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 4.4 bpg). Also back are 2019 guard Ellie Vermillion (8.1 ppg, 2.1 spg), 2019 post Ayanna Harvey (3.1 ppg), 2019 guard Markeisha Jackson (2.2. ppg), and 2019 forward Leilanu Jackson (2.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg). Bellmont is probably the team in the best position to challenge Marion, as they return a talented player of their own in 2019 do-everything wing Grace Hunter (16.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 5.1 apg, 2.8 spg). 2020 guard Meghan Busick (10.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.0 spg) and 2020 forward Kenzie McMahon (8.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.1 spg) also return with a great deal of experience. The Squaws did graduate guard Emily Fuelling (9.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and post Alyssa Selking (3.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg), and they will be missed. Norwell and Bishop Luers have always been very competitive, winning numerous Sectional titles between them. This season they both look to bring back a few pieces, but replace a few pieces as well. For the Knights of Norwell, they return much of their frontline. 2019 forwards Aubrey Dunnuck and Ashley VandenBoom, and 2020 forward Breann Barger all return. They also return a strong 2021 class, led by wing Maiah Shelton, and guards Kaylee Fuelling and Lauren Bales. But they will miss high-energy forward Logan Rowles and steady guard Brielle Wilson. For the Knights of Bishop Luers, they graduate their leading scorer as well, forward Kathryn Knapke (14.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.7 spg), but they return everyone else. Versatile 2020 guard Lydia Reimbold (10.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.3 apg, 3.3 spg, 1.6 bpg) makes plays at both ends of the floor. 2021 wing Janaiya Bright (6.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.6 spg), 2019 wing Katelynn Gray (4.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg), 2020 wings Libby Bierbaum (4.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg) and Kennedy Glenn (3.4 ppg), 2020 forward Dori Javins (3.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg), and 2019 guard Ashlynn Gray (3.0 ppg) all return. Columbia City looks to get back above .500, and they have a good reason to expect that this year. 6-0 2019 forward Alaina Rongos (17.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.2 spg) has returned after spending her first three years at Canterbury. Rongos grew up in the Columbia City school system. 2020 guards Olivia Shearer, Carly Mabie, and Grace Schrader all return. 2019 guard Grace Cotter and 2019 wing Hunter Alles also return with experience. Newcomer Rebekah Marshall, a talented 2022 wing, could have an immediate impact as well. After Mississinewa graduated do-everything forward Erika Foy (17.4 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.4 spg) and classmate Holli Greer (5.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg), it might be presumed tough for Ole Miss to hit double-digit wins again. That’s until 6-3 2020 forward Caily Bolser (10.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.0 bpg, 23 made 3s) and 6-1 2019 sister Cailyn Bolser (5.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg) moved in from North Miami. They should join 6-1 2019 post Halle Planck (6.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.5 bpg) on the frontline to give Mississinewa one of the more imposing frontcourts in Class 3A. 2019 guard Tyler Bartel (7.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.0 apg), 2021 guard Alayna Webb (7.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.8 apg), and 2019 wing Ally Hewitt (7.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg) return on the perimeter for the Indians. Last, but certainly not least, is Heritage High, and they too could get to double-figure wins this season after graduating only one player, Karlee Fackler (8.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg). Leading the Patriots this season should be 2020 wing Bree Dossen (11.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg), 2020 guard Abby Sheehan (7.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.0 apg), 2019 guard Nevaeh Feasby (6.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2.0 spg), and 2019 forward Taylor Zelt (6.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg).   Sectional #24 Hamilton Heights (20-8) SAG 5/41; SOS 62 Jay County (16-9) SAG 26/92; SOS 155 New Castle (10-14) SAG 29/99; SOS 77 Yorktown (13-10) SAG 32/106; SOS 148 Delta (10-14) SAG 61/209; SOS 145 Muncie Burris Laboratory (7-16) SAG 97/378; 369 Blackford (1-22) SAG 98/382; SOS 221 Hamilton Heights was the 2018 Sectional #24 Champion, but this season they’ll have to replace graduated forward Kayla Kirtley (12.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg), point guard Lexi Branham (8.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.9 apg), plus forward Ana Collar (6.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 3.3 spg). The backcourt should still be sound, with the return of 2020 point guard Bayleigh Runner (10.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.0 spg), 2020 guard Payton Disset (3.4 ppg), plus 2021 guards Jillian Osswald and Sierra Hinds. 2019 forward Lauryn Wiley (5.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg), and 2021 forwards Chloee Thomas (2.6 ppg) and Ella Shields (2.3 ppg) picked up a little experience last season. Newcomer MyKayla Moran, a 6-3 2022 post, could have the biggest impact on the frontline though, because she’s the true post they don’t really have returning. The toughest competition for Hamilton Heights this season might be the Yorktown Tigers. They started three Freshmen, a Sophomore, and a Junior for much of last season, and their fast-paced style of play frustrates opponents. 2021 guards Carley Culberson (15.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.5 apg, 4.1 spg, 44 made 3s) and Elizabeth Reece (12.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 47 made 3s) lead the way. 2019 forward Ellie Miller (4.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.2 spg), 2021 wing Lea Alexander (4.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg), and 2020 post Tobi Bell (3.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg) round out the starting lineup. Look for 6-0 2021 post Jaylynn Dunsmore (2.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg) to play a bigger role this season as well. Jay County had a very nice season a year ago, but they must now play without graduated guard Hanna Ault (14.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 41 made 3s). 2019 forward Shelby Caldwell (15.1 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 36 made 3s) does return, as do 2019 point guard Kendra Muhlenkamp (9.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.7 spg) and 2019 post Gwen Omstead (4.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg). They play structured and disciplined, but they’ll need another guard to step up this season. [caption id="attachment_13252" align="alignleft" width="247"] Cameron Tabor of New Castle[/caption] New Castle was 5-2 against Sectional #24 opponents last year, but both losses came at the hands of Yorktown. The Trojans return the state’s leading returning 2019 scorer in guard Cameron Tabor (23.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.5 apg, 3.3 spg, 1.5 bpg, 53 made 3s). The backcourt should be intact, as 2019 guard Alyssa Semler (4.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.0 spg) and 2020 guard Cloie York (2.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg) both return. Who will play up front is the question. New Castle graduated Haylie Graham (6.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg), Mackayla Huckeby (5.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg), and Gabby Williams, plus 2020 forward Megan Mills (6.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg) transferred to Pendleton Heights. Delta graduated three of the eight players who saw regular minutes last season, most notably post Kortney Helm (8.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg). But 2020 guard Kassidy Dishman (9.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.0 apg) is a nice player, as is 2019 forward Miranda Hart (8.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg). 2020 forward Madison Delaney (7.2 ppg) and 2019 guard Brooklyn Matheny (4.5 ppg) also return to the lineup. They also get back 2019 forward Avery Lewman, who missed the 2017-2018 season with a knee injury. Muncie Burris benefitted a season ago from the addition of 2019 forward DeKayla Elliott (16.0 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.1 spg). She’ll be joined by 2019 Constance Prater (7.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.5 spg). The graduated Makayla Usher (9.4 ppg, 8.8 rpg), and none of the other returnees averaged more than 1.7 ppg, so everything will likely funnel through Elliott once again. Blackford looks to improve this season, and having nearly everyone back should help. One player of note is 2019 forward Gretchen Messersmith (3.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg).   Header photo of Fairfield celebrating their 2018 Regional Championship; photo courtesy of goshennews.com. Photo of Sophie Bussard courtesy of inkfreenews.com. Photo of Hannah Adams courtesy of journalgazette.net. Photo of Jazmyn Turner courtesy of grantcountysportsnetwork.com. Photo of Cameron Tabor courtesy of The Star Press Twitter account.