Class 3A Season Preview: Sectionals #29-#32
The beginning of the high school season is here, as several teams’ first official games have come and gone. With that in mind, I wanted to continue our thorough preview of the 2019-2020 season. In this article, I will take…
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Continue ReadingThe beginning of the high school season is here, as several teams’ first official games have come and gone. With that in mind, I wanted to continue our thorough preview of the 2019-2020 season. In this article, I will take a look at the second Class 3A South Regional, which incorporates the winners of Sectionals #29 through #32. Below is a look at the teams in each of those Sectionals, along with some general comments and analysis. I will finish previewing the upcoming season throughout the rest of this week, with my final preview articles posting throughout the weekend.
(SAG = Final 2018-2019 Multiclass Sagarin Rating (403 teams); SOS = Final 2018-2019 Strength of Schedule)
Sectional #29
Greensburg (20-5) SAG 55; SOS 91
Rushville Consolidated (16-10) SAG 67; SOS 68
Lawrenceburg (21-5) SAG 87; SOS 127
Batesville (9-14) SAG 148; SOS 101
Connersville (10-13) SAG 159; SOS 75
Franklin County (7-15) SAG 202; SOS 129
South Dearborn (10-14) SAG 218; SOS 156
Greensburg graduated five key players, three of them starters, from their 2018 State Runner-Up team, so to turn around and post another 20 wins last season was outstanding on their part. Now, the Pirates return virtually everyone from last year’s team and look to get back to Bankers Life Fieldhouse once again. Senior Bailey Springmeyer (5.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg) and Junior Liz Pavy have apparently chosen not to return, but the core of the roster is intact. Leading the way this time are Junior guard Melina Wilkison (13.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.0 spg), Senior forward Aliyah Evans (13.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3.2 apg), and Senior guard Micha Morrison (12.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg). They each have multiple years of experience, plus they are very skillful ballplayers. Junior point guard Taylor Cooney (5.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.7 apg) is sort of a calming influence when she’s handling the ball. Junior post Anna West (5.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and Senior guard Rose Morrison (2.7 ppg) have each played key Varsity minutes and return solid experience. Senior post Carlee Phillips, Junior wing Klaudia Sims, and Freshman guard Jenna Foster are three newcomers who could see the court this season.
For the first time in years, Rushville will be playing without the service of graduates Taylor Browning (13.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and Allie Smith (8.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.4). But they return a talented and young backcourt, plus several other hard-working kids. Sophomore guards Annika Marlow (8.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.5 spg) and Olivia Yager (7.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg) played immediately last season and have shown growth and improvement over this Spring & Summer. Junior guard Jaeda Miller (3.8 ppg) has now played some Varsity each of the last two seasons. Up front, Senior forward Viktoria Campbell (10.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg in 5 games) returns after missing most of the season due to injury. Senior post Isabella Runnebohm (3.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg) has multiple years of Varsity experience, as do Senior forward Maddi Turner (2.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and Junior wing Abby Buckley (2.0 ppg). Lawrenceburg has had a couple of 20+ win seasons in a row, and a lot of that is due to the production of Senior wing Juliana Kemper (18.8 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.8 spg, 2.0 bpg). She has been outstanding throughout her career, but a Sectional title has eluded the Tigers during her time, falling by 2 in overtime last year to Greensburg. Lawrenceburg has others though, with Senior forward Tristyn Dennis (7.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg) and Senior guard Macey Radenheimer (6.8 ppg) looking to contribute even more this season. From there, Junior Kierah Lowe (2.8 ppg) is the next most experienced player, so they’ll need others to step up. Graduation took Makenna White (7.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg), Justice Chambers (5.2 ppg), and Jenna Farmer (3.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg) from the Tigers.
Two often competitive programs who are going through transition right now, are Batesville and Connersville. Batesville graduated their top two scorers, and four contributors in total. Hattie Westerfeld (15.7 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 3.9 bpg) and Elle Waechter (10.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg) had become fixtures in the Varsity lineup. Hailey Mohr (3.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and Kendall Dickman (2.1 ppg) also graduated. Now it’s up to Senior wing Carlie Werner (6.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg), Sophomore guard Ashley Nobbe (5.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg), and Senior front-liner Macy Prickel (2.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg) to take charge and up their production significantly. Connersville will have a new leader on the bench for the first time in 14 years, plus they graduated seven of their eight rotation players, with the most notable being Marley Smith (12.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.7 apg), Jessica Beckman (10.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg), Lauren Thompson (7.7 ppg), and Elise Bottomley (2.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg). The lone bright spot is Sophomore guard Paige Dunaway (8.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2.0 spg), who is now going to see every defense prepare for her. Junior Maranda Cranfill and Senior Tylissa Beckner saw minimal minutes, but they did get on the floor on multiple occasions. Obviously, there is a lot of opportunity for several girls to step up, one of which could be Freshman Sara Ruble.
Franklin County slipped a little, after seeing double-digit wins the previous three seasons. Now the adjustment will be playing without Abby Orschell, Jenna Orschell, and Megan Getz…basically their entire starting backcourt. Suddenly Senior post Kairee Hodapp and Senior wing Taylor McCreary become the focal points for the Wildcats. Hopefully Freshman post Macy Crain and Freshman wing Josie Rolfes can provide a boost to the lineup. As for South Dearborn, they return skillful Senior guard Kyrstin Bond (15.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.5 spg), who should pass 1000 points sometime around Christmas. Unfortunately for the Knights, Alyssa McClanahan (8.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.1 apg) and Brooke Huddleston (5.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg), the team’s second and third leading scorers from last season, both graduated. That leaves it up to Senior forward Elsa Meek (3.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and Senior guard Bry Lagreca (3.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.2 apg) to step into much bigger roles this year. Freshmen Natalie Rupp and Kiersen Dixon might be able to help immediately as well.
Sectional #30
Salem (24-4) SAG 49; SOS 61
North Harrison (17-7) SAG 56; SOS 58
Scottsburg (17-7) SAG 94; SOS 112
Silver Creek (15-8) SAG 104; SOS 108
Madison Consolidated (11-14) SAG 124; SOS 88
Charlestown (14-10) SAG 130; SOS 144
Corydon Central (10-14) SAG 144; SOS 125
Sectional #30 is one of the most competitive Sectionals in the state, and now that North Harrison has fallen back down to Class 3A, it should be even better. Salem has had a nice string of success, and they will again be among the Class 3A elite this year. Senior guard Leah Miller does it all for the Lions. She can handle the ball and run offense, she’ll get to the basket at will, she can make shots with range, and she will rebound and defend hard. Senior guard Hope Tomlinson and Junior wing Karly Sweeney are two more skillful, tough-nosed kids that round out an impressive backcourt. Up front, Senior post Lettie Nice mans the paint with good size and a nice motor. Junior post Olivia Weber brings toughness and physicality, while Sophomore wing Natalie Noel has the size to help inside and the skill to play outside. Junior guard Callie Backherms, Sophomore guard Macie Tomlinson, and Sophomore forward Abigail Ratts are others who can help build depth. Speaking of North Harrison, they will be playing for the first time in four years without Indiana All-Star Lilly Hatton (24.0 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 4.4 bpg), who graduated. Savana Rhodes (3.1 ppg) was another graduating contributor. Sophomore point guard Alison Saunders (10.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 6.2 apg, 2.6 spg) had an outstanding rookie season and should only continue to get better with added strength. Sophomore forward Diana Burgher (5.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg) will likely be the most improved player for the Lady Cats, as she has grown three inches, gained noticeable strength, and improved her skillset since this time last season. 6’3 Senior post Lucy Robertson (6.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg) could be the x-factor for them, if she can get a little meaner and turn into a double-double threat every night. Senior forward Chloe Jacobi (6.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg) also looks to help on the interior, while Junior guard Skylie Burns and Sophomore forward McKenna Pearson could see their minutes increase significantly this year.
Scottsburg will come strong once again, with the inside-out duo of Senior guard Jaylah Mays (18.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.5 apg) and Junior front-liner Zoe Zellers (11.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg). Those two make up a huge part of what the Warriors want to do each time out. Junior Kady Clancy (8.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.0 spg), Senior Kynleigh Watson (4.5 ppg), Sophomore Allison McGlothlin (2.6 ppg), and Senior Alyssa Stagnolia (2.1 ppg) return the most additional experience. Those four will need to step it up a little to replace the contributions of the graduated Bela Brewster (7.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg). Look for the Warriors to be a tough out come Sectional time. The Dragons of Silver Creek had a really good season one year ago, and they return three nice underclassmen in Junior wing Jaclyn Emly (15.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.1 spg), Sophomore guard Emme Rooney (9.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg), and Junior forward Savannah Kirchgessner (6.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg). But the biggest news came early in the Summer, when Junior guard Alana Striverson (9.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.4 apg) and Sophomore point guard Kynidi Striverson (6.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.5 apg), sisters, transferred in from Louisville’s Male High School. Both are getting recruited by Division-I schools, with Kynidi drawing the most interest. Their athleticism and dynamic play could help the top Class 4A teams, let alone Silver Creek. Suddenly the Dragons could very well be the Sectional favorite, if they can gel together quickly. They did graduate Jordan Balz (5.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.8 spg), Alyssa Wright (4.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg), and Katie Emly (3.0 ppg).
Madison Consolidated has seen its share of talented individuals come through, but they haven’t had a winning season since 2014-2015. This year, Junior front-liner Jade Nutley looks to change that. She has good size & strength, she plays with a motor, and she possesses multi-level skill. Senior forward Paige Young has proven she can produce at times, but with the graduation loss of point guard Bailey Dyer, the Cubs will be looking for any number of ladies to step up and contribute this season. One player who was intriguing over the Summer was Junior guard Desja Jay…a nice, quick/fast athlete who might be able to help in the backcourt. Charlestown could be sneaky good this year, because despite the graduation loss of do-everything guard Samantha Matthews (19.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.0 spg), the Pirates still return a capable backcourt that can make shots and cause problems defensively. Senior guard Karston Watson (11.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.3 apg), Senior guard Jackie Biscardi (8.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.9 apg), and Senior wing Peyton Crace (7.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.2 apg) are the start of something good for Charlestown. Junior wing Skylar Cochran (4.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.5 apg) and Sophomore forward DeMaria King (3.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg) round out the potential starting lineup. Now it’s just a matter of who will step up to create depth, and Freshman guard Laney Hawkins could be one of those players. Corydon Central will be looking to replace graduates Cami Schmitt, Madison Engleman, Grace Carver, and Kaitlyn Kidder. There will be plenty of opportunity for any number of players to step up and fill the void.
Sectional #31
Vincennes Lincoln (23-4) SAG 61; SOS 131
Washington (15-8) SAG 107; SOS 136
Sullivan (14-10) SAG 139; SOS 147
Princeton Community (15-9) SAG 152; SOS 160
Pike Central (5-17) SAG 256; SOS 164
Vincennes Lincoln has put together a tremendous 5-year stretch, and that should only continue this season. They did graduate a big piece of their production in forward Alison Hein (12.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 4.1 bpg), but they return a great deal of talent. Junior forward Maycee Lange (17.0 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 1.7 bpg) is an active and athletic mid-post-and-in type of stat producer. Senior point guard Darrian Carmean (15.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 6.3 apg) was a Junior All-Star, and she does a little of everything well. Sophomore guard Dani Kroeger (4.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.7 apg) and Senior post Victoria Jackson (2.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg in 11 games) are the next most experienced returnees and should continue to steadily contribute. Junior guard Marissa Carmean, Sophomore wing Chloe Cardinal, and Junior guard Kali Haynes all saw several meaningful minutes as well. Look for Freshman point guard Gracie Kramer to get a shot at some floor time early this season.
Washington is an up-and-coming team with some talented younger players to build around. Sophomore playmaking forward Kencia Levasseur seems like the personality of this group, as she plays with a great motor, strength, physicality, and a lot more skill and athleticism than you might assume at first glance. Sophomore forward Alaina Thorne is a long, fluid, and bouncy high-motor mid-post player who could average a double-double this season. Sophomore guard Jessica Ledgerwood is a skillful kid who is coming back from an injury that sidetracked her Freshman season. But there is more to the Hatchets than just those three. A Senior class that includes hard-working forward Ali Barber, forward Hadley Faith, and forward Quincee Healy should help provide a nice mixture of balance, depth, and productivity. Sullivan should continue to improve and make waves, as their two leading scorers were a set of Freshmen twins. Gracie (14.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.1 apg, 3.8 spg) and Delainey Shorter (13.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.9 spg) are a pair of tough-nosed, feisty, active, and skilled combo guards. Add to them Senior guard Reagan Holeman (10.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.4 spg), who can make shots, and the Golden Arrows will have maybe the best backcourt in the Sectional this year. Also returning are Junior guard Debra Smith (3.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.0 spg) and Sophomore post Genevieve Vandergriff (2.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg). Freshman guard Lauren Craighead could be in for some Varsity minutes as well.
The Princeton Tigers return a pair of Juniors who should keep them competitive the next couple of seasons. Junior guard Hannah Sisk (16.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.0 spg) is a tough-nosed, energy player who can score the ball at all levels. Junior wing Reaghan Page (9.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.4 apg) is a versatile player who does a little of everything. Sophomore post Cortney Dove (6.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg) will likely only continue to develop her game as she gets stronger. Senior forward Emma Satore (3.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg) has also seen Varsity minutes and contributed solidly. This year, though, those four will need others to step up, as the Tigers did graduate Keona Louis (7.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.3 apg) and Avery Jones-Taylor (3.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.2 apg). Pike Central took a step back last season due to some 2018 graduation losses. This time, they’ll have to adjust to the graduations of Hailey Marchino and Rebecca Crow. Senior wing Lauren Vaughn, high-motor Senior forward Jalyn Nelson, and Sophomore post Mallory Hunt should be nice building blocks. Junior wing Mallory Hickey and Sophomore wing Kailee Mann might be able to contribute more as well.
Sectional #32
Gibson Southern (24-4) SAG 38; SOS 145
Evansville Memorial (15-9) SAG 58; SOS 76
Heritage Hills (17-6) SAG 112; SOS 228
Mount Vernon-Posey (13-11) SAG 224; SOS 202
Boonville (8-14) SAG 230; SOS 181
Evansville Bosse (7-13) SAG 253; SOS 151
Gibson Southern is primed to have an outstanding season, as there aren’t many Class 3A teams throughout the state with their combination of size, skill, and depth. Forward Tabby Klem (13.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg) did graduate, but there are several girls chomping at the bit to step into her role. Senior forward Meredith Raley (19.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.2 apg) has turned herself into a real problem for opponents over the last calendar year. She is strong, can post, and she can play around the perimeter some. Junior wing Kamryn Miller (10.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.5 apg) could develop into the biggest mismatch on the roster, because she’s a long, athletic, and skilled point forward type that does it all. Senior wing Claire Jones (7.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg) has been steady throughout her career, as have Seniors Shay Whitten (6.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.2 apg) and Brooke Goedde (4.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg). Senior guard Maci Foster (2.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.3 spg) is a tough-nosed little defender who creates havoc. Junior forward Laynie Graham, Sophomore wing Loren Stoll, Sophomore forward Taylor Hart, and 6’3 Sophomore post Taylor Singer are all awaiting their number to be called into action. Freshman wing Ava Weisheit might also fight her way into the rotation.
Evansville Memorial has been a consistent force in the Pocket for some time now. This year, the graduation losses of guards Soffia Rieckers (13.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.9 spg) and Mallory Russell (4.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg) will take some time to adjust to, but the Tigers might even be better. First, skillful Junior wing Ryleigh Anslinger (13.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 3.2 spg) and hard-working Junior forward Peyton Murphy (7.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 2.7 spg) return for their third season of Varsity action. Then, Junior forward Hope Lensing (5.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg), Senior forward Tatum Tornatta (2.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg), Junior guard Savannah Warren (2.4 ppg), Senior guard Mallory Wittmer (2.0 ppg), and Junior post Kennedy Stratman (2.3 rpg) also return and bring depth plus productivity to the lineup. Finally, the additions of Freshman guard Emily Mattingly and Freshman wing Lydia Bordfeld could eventually help elevate them into the Top-10 in Class 3A. Mattingly has the potential to draw Division-I interest. Heritage Hills is another team on the verge of some great things happening. Junior forward Rebekah Gordon (16.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg) should become a double-double machine this season. Sophomore point guard Hadley Lytton (9.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.7 spg) had a really nice Freshman season a year ago. Junior Avery Neff (6.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.6 spg) is a feisty little guard who should compliment Lytton well in the backcourt. Senior guard Brianna Quinn (3.6 ppg) and Junior post Nevah Barnett (3.2 ppg) bring back quality experience. Graduation took Claire Heckel (6.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg) and Morgan Vaal (6.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg) from the rotation, so they will need to find replacements quickly. Look for Junior forward Kylee Appman, Sophomore forward Madison Begle, and Sophomore forward Lauren Sisley to possibly play much bigger roles this season.
Mount Vernon-Posey didn’t post a great record last season, but they did have four Sophomores-now-Juniors lead them, and they look to approach 20 wins this time around. Guard Paige Robinson (13.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.4 spg), point guard Libby Steinhart (10.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.9 apg, 3.6 spg), forward Brooke Jackson (7.1 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 2.2 apg, 3.1 spg, 3.4 bpg), and guard Grace Thompson (6.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.7 apg) should now all be much more comfortable leading this team into battle. Senior forward Bailee Hunsinger (2.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg) and Junior post Catherine Batteiger (2.3 rpg) are the next most experienced players on the roster, so depth could be a bit of a concern. There are four Freshmen on hand who might be able to contribute with that. Boonville should be somewhat improved this season, as they return their top two scorers, which include high-scoring Sophomore guard Alaysha Brandenberger (23.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.5 spg), plus Senior wing Ramey Wilder (13.2 ppg, 8.0 rpg). Sophomore wing Bracie Phillips (3.5 ppg) and Senior forward Kenzie Edwards (2.1 ppg) also have Varsity experience, but Brooke Allen (4.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg) is gone due to graduation, and Senior Mackenzie Mason (5.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 3.4 spg) doesn’t appear to be playing this year. Evansville Bosse will try to get to ten wins this year, and with their top four scorers back, that could be a real possibility. The only graduates the Bulldogs have to deal with are those of Jaden McElroy (5.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2.4 spg) and Tionne Brigham (4.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg). Senior guard Denaya Harris (13.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.6 spg) leads the way for Bosse. Junior guard Aysha Lindsey (8.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg), Senior post Millai Madison (7.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg), and Junior guard Ke’Asia Edwards (5.9 ppg) are the other top producers for the Bulldogs.
Feature image is of Aliyah Evans of Greensburg High School. Image is courtesy of the Indiana Stars Twitter account.