Class 1A Season Preview: Sectionals #53-#56

The beginning of the high school season is right around the corner, as we are just two weeks away from the first official games. With that in mind, I wanted to begin our thorough preview of the 2019-2020 season. I will continue by taking a look at the second Class 1A North Regional, which incorporates the winners of Sectionals #53 through #56. Below is a look at the teams in each of those Sectionals, along with some general comments and analysis. I will continue previewing the upcoming season over the next couple of weeks, with my final preview articles likely posting the first week of games.   (SAG = Final 2018-2019 Multiclass Sagarin Rating (403 teams); SOS = Final 2018-2019 Strength of Schedule)   Sectional #53 Northfield (25-3) SAG 59; SOS 259 North Miami (15-7) SAG 217; SOS 307 Southwood (5-19) SAG 313; SOS 246 Southern Wells (6-17) SAG 316; SOS 283 Lakeland Christian (13-10) SAG 340; SOS 375 Last season, Northfield made quite the push in the postseason, getting all the way to the Semi-State before falling to eventual State Champion Marquette Catholic. Then graduation hit them somewhat hard, as guards Ariel Dale (1334 career points, 189 made career 3-pointers) and Kelcie Thomson (1083 career points, 378 career assists, 335 career steals), plus forward Ally Keaffaber (3.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg), forward Abbey Ross, and forward Melanie Beery all exited. However, the team was comprised of mostly Seniors & Sophomores, and several of the Sophomores-turned-Juniors are ready to step up and lead. Junior wing Kyra Kennedy (9.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.1 spg) is an incredible athlete, who flies around the floor making plays at both ends. Junior post Addi Baker (7.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg) saw significant varsity minutes as well last season. I also noted from our Top 250 Expo that Junior wings Emma Hoover (4.8 ppg) and Kearston Stout (3.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg) seemed primed for much-improved seasons this year. Those who think Northfield is “down” better be careful of a hungry Junior group who has tasted tournament success. If anyone is going to test Northfield in this Sectional, it’s likely going to be North Miami. After spending last season in Class 2A, the Warriors are back in Class 1A looking to make a run. Over the Summer of 2018, North Miami saw their top two scorers transfer, one of which being 6’4, and no one was sure what to expect. But several girls stepped up, and they now return a great deal of experience having graduated just one player. Senior point guard Bailey Keim (15.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.0 apg, 3.7 spg) returns to run the show. Senior Hannah Hall (12.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.1 apg, 3.3 spg) and Senior Maryann Freeman (12.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.0 spg) also scored in double-figures. Rounding out the rotation should be Junior Taylor Tinney (4.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg) and Junior Kendra Donaldson (2.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg). Senior guard Makenna Pace (10.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.8 spg) is back to lead Southwood into battle to try and improve last season’s record. Southern Wells will attempt the same by turning to Junior wing Georgia Hanauer to lead the way. She’ll get help from Senior point guard Jenna Eltzroth. And the Cougars of Lakeland Christian have won double-digit games in all four seasons under Coach Kaufman’s tenure. Senior wing Tori Calizo (11.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.3 spg) and Sophomore guard Jessi Calizo (7.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.5 spg) should pace them this season, but they are without graduated forward Anna Reimink (8.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.6 apg, 4.2 spg).   Sectional #54 North Vermillion (24-3) SAG 189; SOS 356 Covington (13-9) SAG 246; SOS 342 Attica (14-9) SAG 264; SOS 349 Clinton Central (10-12) SAG 303; SOS 334 Faith Christian (1-20) SAG 387; SOS 379 While they didn’t play the toughest schedule in the world, North Vermillion did improve from 12-13 during the 2017-2018 season, to an impressive 24-3 last year, and they once again look like a favorite to win this Sectional in 2019-2020. They did so behind the duo of Junior wing McKenzie Crowder (14.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.8 spg) and Senior guard Rylee Dowers (13.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.0 apg, 4.0 spg). From there, the Falcons are a little limited in experience, but Senior post Hannah Ellis (4.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and Sophomore forward Ava Martin (2.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg) should see their opportunities increase significantly this time around. Covington is kind of a wildcard this year, as they often see ebbs and flows in their record from year to year, but they are always competitive. As they have dropped from Class 2A to Sectional #54, they will have to play without graduated guards McKenna Chapman and Madison Karrfalt, but they return a well-rounded forward in Senior Chloe Morris, plus Senior wing Reese Noble looks to step up this season. Attica had a solid season in 2018-2019, but now they must play without 6’1 forward Naomi McDaniel (17.7 ppg, 12.1 rpg, 3.4 spg, 1.9 bpg) or 5’11 wing Karissa Pluimer (11.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.8 apg), both 2019 graduates. Sophomore guard Cece Rice (5.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg), Junior guard Charlie Moore (5.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg), Senior forward Keela Howard (2.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg), and Sophomore wing Tatum Nunnally (2.2 ppg) will need to step up this year. Clinton Central reached ten wins for the first time since the 2003-2004 season, but in order to match that, they’ll need to replace the production of graduated guard Kaylea Whitcomb (12.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.4 apg, 3.0 spg). A good starting spot would be Senior point guard Jessica Akard (10.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.1 apg, 3.9 spg), but Senior forward Hannah McQuinn (6.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.2 spg), Sophomore forward Kendall Davison (4.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg), and Senior wing Cassidi Jenkins (3.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg) can also help. Faith Christian looks to improve, and the good news is their top three scorers from last season are all just Sophomores now. The trio of wing Sydney Argo (9.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.0 apg, 3.1 spg), guard Ellen VanDokkenburg (5.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg), and wing Maddie Schoenradt (5.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.8 spg) look to continue building this program.   Sectional #55 Daleville (13-10) SAG 261; SOS 367 Cowan (10-16) SAG 283; SOS 306 Tri-Central (10-13) SAG 285; SOS 316 Liberty Christian (8-13) SAG 333; SOS 372 Anderson Prep (7-15) SAG 359; SOS 381 Wes-Del (1-19) SAG 381; SOS 336 Neither Cowan nor Daleville has had much success in girls’ basketball in the 2000s, but both programs are going through nice stretches right now where they should both be in double-digit wins for at least the next couple of seasons. Cowan knocked off Daleville by two points in the Sectional final last year, and they return leading scorer Kaylee Kear (12.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg), a Junior post. Sophomore guard Lauren Smith (4.8 ppg), Junior forward Shelbi Crabtree (3.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg), and Sophomore forward Emma Johnson (2.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg) are primed for much bigger roles this season. But the Blackhawks must overcome the graduation losses of forward Elizabeth Clevenger (8.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg), guard Ashley Evans (6.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg), and post Payton Maher (3.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg). Daleville did graduate point guard Mackenzie Walker (10.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.2 apg, 3.9 spg), but they have one of the more talented, but least talked about, players in the Munciana area in Junior wing Heather Pautler (17.5 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 3.3 spg), a long and rangy inside-out threat. Senior guard Ashlyn Craig (8.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg) could take over point guard duties this season. Sophomore front-liner Audrey Voss (7.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg) got her feet wet as a rookie, and Junior Malia Walker (3.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg) saw quality minutes as well. Tri-Central moves into Sectional #55 and will be a tough challenge for the rest of the field. While their second and third leading scorers, Carinne Henderson (11.6 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.1 spg) and Jaide Cassity (9.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg), both graduated, they return a quartet of Juniors with a lot of experience. Leading the way is point guard Kenadie Fernung (15.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.3 apg). She’ll get help from twin guards Brittany (7.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.3 spg) & Brooklyn Temple (3.8 ppg, 2.0 spg). The fourth Junior on hand with experience is Azia Bowman (3.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg). As for the remaining teams in Sectional #55, Liberty Christian graduated guard Kennedy Fillmore (13.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 4.7 spg) and forward Paige Grant (7.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg), but they return some production in Senior post Elena Tufts (9.2 ppg, 9.3 rpg) and Senior forward Maddy Harmon (6.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg). Anderson Prep has a trio of Seniors leading the way in wing Madison Stamm (15.4 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 2.1 spg), forward Savannah Prewett (13.9 ppg, 9.8 rpg), and guard Tommya Davis (9.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.4 spg). And Wes-Del looks to improve this year once Senior wing Izabella Mitchell (9.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.1 spg) gets back to 100% following a January knee injury.   Sectional #56 Blue River Valley (20-7) SAG 168; SOS 317 Union City (14-9) SAG 199; SOS 268 Tri (11-12) SAG 258; SOS 290 Cambridge City Lincoln (10-12) SAG 271; SOS 291 Randolph Southern (7-16) SAG 290; SOS 255 Seton Catholic (4-19) SAG 376; SOS 332 Union-Modoc (0-20) SAG 393; SOS 337 Blue River Valley was the class of this field last year, winning 20 games and advancing to the Regional final, but this season sees them without their entire starting backcourt of Lindsey Williams (13.1 ppg), Hannah Foster (8.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.1 apg, 2.0 spg), and Haley Foster (7.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.2 spg), all gone via graduation. They do return mobile and versatile Sophomore post Ally Madden (11.8 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 2.5 bpg), who proved as a Freshman that she was a force inside. Junior forward Mallory Cross (3.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg) will be the top candidate to step up into a supporting role with Madden early this season, but they’ll need to find more production from the remaining group of players. A strong 2022 class kept Union City on the map last year, and this time as Sophomores they look to only improve their record. Sophomore wing Skylie Lutz (15.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg) was the team’s leading scorer, while Sophomore guard Mariah Claywell (13.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.7 apg, 3.0 spg) finished second. Sophomore post Emily Livingston (5.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg) also saw quality minutes last season. Senior guard Mackenzie Green (8.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.0 spg) provides veteran leadership, as she’s a dynamic little water-bug who plays with grit and toughness. They are my early favorite to win this Sectional. I also wouldn’t count out Tri, as they have been competitive each of the last few seasons. Auburn Harvey (7.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.0 spg) and Kaley Harrison (5.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg) did graduate, but they return some really nice ballplayers. Junior post Averi Phelps (11.8 ppg, 9.4 rpg) can be tough to handle inside for opposing teams, and Junior point guard Maddie Burchett (6.3 ppg, 2.9 apg, 2.9 spg) should see steady increases in her production this year. Those two should get help from Senior guards Bayleigh Appleby (5.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and Makenna Hawk (2.2 ppg). Cambridge City Lincoln moves into Sectional #56, and they had a solid 2018-2019 campaign, but they also graduated their top five scorers, including Emmie Pugh (14.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.3 spg) and Allie Owens (12.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.1 apg). Junior wing Delanie Russell (1.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg) likely now becomes more of a focal point. Randolph Southern posted their first losing season since 2001-2002, plus they graduated their most productive player, Cierra Tomey (10.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.0 spg). They’ll need Senior forward Kalee Hayes (6.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg) and Senior guard Shelby Jeffers (5.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.3 apg) to step up big-time. Seton Catholic graduated four of their top five scorers, but they do return their second leading scorer in Sophomore guard Lydia Reichley (7.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 5.9 spg). And Union-Modoc looks for a spark behind Junior post Danielle Ogden (7.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.0 bpg).   Feature image is of Bailey Keim of North Miami High School. Image is courtesy of Wendy Keim's Twitter account.