Regional Preview: Class 3A South

Everything about the Sectional round last week was eventful…the team play, the individual play, the upsets, and even the weather. 64 total teams escaped to play another day…in the Regional round tomorrow, February 9th. Below is a look at the eight teams who represent the eight Sectionals in Class 3A in the Southern half of the bracket, along with some general comments and analysis. By the end of the day Saturday, only two of these eight teams will remain. I will continue previewing the other Regional sites throughout the day, with eight articles posting in total (Class 1A posted yesterday; Class 2A posted earlier today).   SAG = Current 2018-2019 Multiclass Sagarin Rating; SOS = Current 2018-2019 Strength of Schedule *All Game Times Are Eastern Time*   DANVILLE REGIONAL Benton Central (23-4) SAG 27; SOS 116 Danville Community (20-5) SAG 51; SOS 100 Bishop Chatard (16-9) SAG 66; SOS 81 Northview (16-9) SAG 140; SOS 184 10:00a – Benton Central vs. Bishop Chatard 12:00p – Danville vs. Northview 8:00p – Championship Game Benton Central has been in this position many times before, but they haven’t advanced to a Semi-State since 2013. This year, they look to be a slight favorite here, and they have a really nice Senior wing in Emma Fisher. Junior forward Kelsey Coffman and Junior post Audrey Strawsma man the frontline. But this is a “team” by the truest of definitions, and they get more help from Cassidy Minniear (2019), Keely Meadows (2020), Abby Cooley (2019), and Kyrah Tucker (2021). Bishop Chatard will look to attack the Lady Bison with the Sophomore perimeter duo of Zakia Rasheed and Moira McGinley. Those two have been huge for the Trojans, but they get a lot of help from a big Junior class that includes Anna Wuensch, Anna Pruitt, Erika Pemberton, Mary Borchers, DeeDee Caskey, and Sarah Meek. Grace Adams (2022) and Grace McGinley (2019) also contribute. Danville was probably a deeper all-around team a year ago, but they played some young kids who have improved a lot, plus star wing Ella Collier (2020) returned and has put together an outstanding season. Maddie Patterson (2021) is another one of the underclassmen who played real minutes a season ago. Jenna Cowart (2019), Haley Godwin (2022), Katie Davis (2020), Chloe Gould (2021), and Peyton Turner (2019) are the other regulars who produce this time around. Northview maybe even surprised itself a little bit, overcoming a so-so regular season to dispatch of a tough Owen Valley team during Sectional play. The Knights look to multisport star Jenny Lundy (2019) to lead them on the court Saturday. They’ve also gotten a very nice season from Freshman Macy Timberman. From there Northview looks to Makayla Sparks (2019), McKenzie Barger (2020), and Addy Thompson (2019) for support. Championship Game Prediction: Benton Central over Danville Community   CHARLESTOWN REGIONAL Gibson Southern (23-3) SAG 39; SOS 163 Greensburg (20-4) SAG 49; SOS 88 Salem (22-3) SAG 53; SOS 72 Vincennes Lincoln (23-3) SAG 57; SOS 138 10:00a – Greensburg vs. Salem 12:00p – Gibson Southern vs. Vincennes Lincoln 7:30p – Championship Game Gibson Southern started a little slow at 5-3, but they have now won 18 games in a row and are a slight favorite to push that to 20 in a row and win this Regional. They will have a tough task each game, as this is an incredibly balanced and tough Regional. But Gibson Southern has a lot of skillful and talented players to put out on the floor. Meredith Raley (2020) has had a great year and can play inside or out. Tabby Klem (2019) and Kami Miller (2021) are versatile forwards as well who have each averaged double-digits this season. Claire Jones (2020) and Shay Whitten (2020) man the backcourt. Brooke Goedde (2020), Jordyn Graham (2019), and Maci Foster (2020) provide experienced depth to a team few people hear or talk about regularly. Vincennes Lincoln will have to take on the Titans first, and Lincoln has as much size and talent as just about anyone in the South in Class 3A. They could be THE “sleeper” team to get to Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Sophomore forward Maycee Lange is a Division-I prospect and has been outstanding this year. Darrian Carmean (2020) has been equally good. And don’t forget fixture Alison Hein (2019) around the paint; she’s a 4-year starter. They will need Alanna Greene (2020), Dani Kroeger (2022), Victoria Jackson (2020), and Callie Foster (2021) to step up throughout the day in order to win the pair of games needed to advance. Greensburg was the Class 3A Southern representative in the state title game last season, and they look to return behind what was essentially their bench a season ago. Aliyah Evans (2020) was their only returning starter, but Melina Wilkison (2021), Micha Morrison (2020), Anna West (2021), and Taylor Cooney (2021) all saw minutes for the Pirates last season. Bailey Springmeyer (2020), Rose Morrison (2020), and Liz Pavy (2021) add depth this year. From the outset of the season, the Salem Lions are a group I thought could get to Bankers Life Fieldhouse this Winter. I still think they can and should be considered a serious threat, but this Regional will be tough to navigate through. Still, though, the backcourt of Leah Miller (2020) and Hope Tomlinson (2020) will always give them an upper hand. Lettie Nice (2020) is a nice presence in the paint, and Mackenzie Underwood (2019) gives them another productive front-liner. Look for Karly Sweeney (2021) and Callie Backherms (2021) to be involved as well. Championship Game Prediction: Gibson Southern over Greensburg   Header photo of Gibson Southern High School; photo courtesy of gstitans.com.