Sectional Preview: Class 3A North
Last Sunday evening, teams from all over the state gathered to watch the annual state tournament pairings show on the IHSAA TV Network. While they watched online, they were able to see who they are matched up with for their…
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Continue ReadingLast Sunday evening, teams from all over the state gathered to watch the annual state tournament pairings show on the IHSAA TV Network. While they watched online, they were able to see who they are matched up with for their opening round games, and they were able to view potential opponents for later in the tournament. With the tournament tipping off tomorrow, I wanted to take the time to preview each Sectional and offer some thoughts on teams and players. Below is a look at Sectionals #17-#24 from Class 3A.
Sectional #17
Most Intriguing First Round Matchup: Hammond Clark vs. Hammond
While this game might not be filled with the two most talented teams in Sectional #17 or with two teams possessing good records, it does have two reasonably balanced teams and should prove to be a very competitive game.
Most Intriguing Potential Matchup: Griffith vs. Gary Lighthouse CPA
Both of these teams are 3-0 against the rest of the Sectional field, both have dominated the rest of the Sectional field, plus they have not faced each other this season. To me, that spells incredibly intriguing. They are very close in the Sagarin ratings as well, and I can see either team winning Sectional #17.
Sectional Championship Prediction: Gary Lighthouse CPA 54, Griffith 49
Both teams have had solid seasons, but I think Lighthouse’s trio of Trinity Barnes (2022), Prentciss Gates (2021), and Iatia Poston (2022) will be too much for Griffith, unless the Panthers can take care of the basketball and limit possessions.
X-Factor Player: Marisa Esquivel, 2022, Griffith
Marisa has played beyond her years at times this season. She is a solid perimeter shooter who has gotten hot in games, and if she can put together a consistent week, and more importantly a great game where she has 20+ points and knocks down a few 3-pointers, Griffith has a shot at being the Sectional #17 champs.
Top Players To Watch In Sectional #17:
Trinity Barnes, 2022, Gary Lighthouse CPA
Prentciss Gates, 2021, Gary Lighthouse CPA
Iatia Poston, 2022, Gary Lighthouse CPA
Julissa Hamm, 2021, Griffith
Marisa Esquivel, 2022, Griffith
Ariel Esquivel, 2021, Griffith
Jai Reed, 2020, Calumet
Dominique Johnson, 2020, Hammond Gavit
Maria Carter, 2020, Hammond Gavit
Destiny Johnson, 2021, Hammond Clark
Sectional #18
Most Intriguing First Round Matchup: Wheeler vs. River Forest
Wheeler has 11 wins on the season to River Forest’s five. But don’t let that fool you, as River Forest defeated Wheeler 48-38 back in early December. I’ll be curious to see if Wheeler can avenge that loss or if River Forest moves on.
Most Intriguing Potential Matchup: Kankakee Valley vs. Knox
Kankakee Valley is down from Class 4A this season, but when these two teams met around Thanksgiving, it was Knox pulling off the 50-45 win. Knox is 22-1 on the season, but KV plays a much tougher schedule. This should be a pretty even battle and possibly a one-possession game.
Sectional Championship Prediction: Knox 49, Kankakee Valley 41
Knox has put together and impressive season, with their only loss being to a very good North Judson team just a week and a half ago. They bounced back with two wins this past week, and they’ll be tough to upset here.
X-Factor Player: Lilly Toppen, 2023, Kankakee Valley
I know it’s a lot to ask of a Freshman, but if KV is going to upset Knox in Sectional #18, Toppen will likely have to be fantastic. She is a long, fluid, pure shooter, but she’s still young, thin, and figuring things out as she goes. If she can put together a 20-point outing, I think they have a chance to win.
Top Players To Watch In Sectional #18:
Remi Jordan, 2021, Knox
Felicity Olejniczak, 2021, Knox
Lilly Toppen, 2023, Kankakee Valley
Courtney Sizemore, 2020, Kankakee Valley
Sam Martin, 2020, Kankakee Valley
Amanda Schreiber, 2020, Hanover Central
Nevaeh Govert, 2021, Hanover Central
Rachel Johnson, 2021, Wheeler
Lucy Pugh, 2020, Culver Academy
Tranika Randolph, 2023, River Forest
Sectional #19
Most Intriguing First Round Matchup: John Glenn vs. Mishawaka Marian
Last season, McKenzie Hudgen (2021) transferred from John Glenn to Mishawaka Marian, so until she graduates, this matchup will always have fan appeal. Marian is the better team, but Glenn is a feisty group, so this should be fun.
Most Intriguing Potential Matchup: South Bend Saint Joseph vs. Mishawaka Marian
When the two schools met on January 7, it was Saint Joseph with the thrilling 66-63 overtime win. Marian has since finished the season on an eight-game winning streak. This will be an absolute battle, and I can see it being much lower scoring as well.
Sectional Championship Prediction: Mishawaka Marian 63, South Bend Washington 59
Between these two teams and Saint Joseph, I find myself torn about Sectional #19, so I went “chalk” here based on Sagarin ratings. South Bend Washington is undeniably talented, but they are young as well. Marian has a blend of upperclassmen and talented youngsters. This could be a really fun Sectional final.
X-Factor Player: Keegan Sullivan, 2020, South Bend Saint Joseph
While I really like Mishawaka Marian and South Bend Washington as well, Sullivan could carry Saint Joseph to a Sectional #19 title. She is tough-nosed, skilled, and has great experience in big games. She was on their 2017 Class 3A State Championship team. Look for her to put together an impressive week.
Top Players To Watch In Sectional #19:
Nevaeh Foster, 2023, Mishawaka Marian
Christina Himelick, 2020, Mishawaka Marian
McKenzie Hudgen, 2020, Mishawaka Marian
Mila Reynolds, 2022, South Bend Washington
Amiyah Reynolds, 2023, South Bend Washington
RaShunda Jones, 2023, South Bend Washington
Keegan Sullivan, 2020, South Bend Saint Joseph
Kashlin Biffle, 2020, South Bend Saint Joseph
Seja Lang, 2021, John Glenn
Regan Ward, 2020, South Bend Clay
Jordan Winters, 2021, New Prairie
Eva Dodds, 2023, New Prairie
Jamie Lawson, 2020, Jimtown
Sectional #20
Most Intriguing First Round Matchup: NorthWood vs. Tippecanoe Valley
Right off the bat, two teams who have battled year after year for this Sectional face off. A couple of weeks back, NorthWood put the pedal down and beat Tippecanoe Valley 49-23, but I’m going to bet on the Vikings making this a great game, if not possibly upsetting NorthWood the second time around.
Most Intriguing Potential Matchup: Lakeland vs. Central Noble
Lakeland is an up-and-coming program, while Central Noble just graduated their two best players of all-time and bumped up to Class 3A from Class 2A. Central Noble got the better of Lakeland earlier this season, but the Lakers will be looking for Sectional revenge at home. This should be a good one.
Sectional Championship Prediction: NorthWood 62, Lakeland 49
The interior duo of Maddy Payne (2020) and Kate Rulli (2020) for the NorthWood Black Swish could be a bit too imposing for Lakeland’s front-liners. The Lakers counter with wing Bailey Hartsough (2021), but I’m not sure even she is enough to stop NorthWood from winning another Sectional title.
X-Factor Player: Sydney Wagner, 2021, Tippecanoe Valley
Wagner is certainly someone who could cause problems for Sectional #20 opponents. She has put together an outstanding season and more than doubled her scoring from her Sophomore year. She can get hot and contribute in a number of ways, plus her surrounding cast is good enough to win Sectional #20.
Top Players To Watch In Sectional #20:
Kate Rulli, 2020, NorthWood
Maddy Payne, 2020, NorthWood
Alea Minnich, 2021, NorthWood
Sydney Wagner, 2021, Tippecanoe Valley
Jillian Walls, 2020, Tippecanoe Valley
Kaydence Mellott, 2023, Tippecanoe Valley
Bailey Hartsough, 2021, Lakeland
Keirstin Roose, 2021, Lakeland
Bridgette Gray, 2021, Central Noble
Lydia Andrews, 2021, Central Noble
Lillian Mast, 2021, West Noble
Jazmyn Smith, 2022, West Noble
Emily Haines, 2022, Wawasee
Jada Carter, 2022, Wawasee
Sectional #21
Most Intriguing First Round Matchup: Woodlan vs. Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger
These two teams did not match up during the regular season, but both have a legit shot to advance from this game. Woodlan has the better record and maybe the best player in Addie Bayman (2020), while Bishop Dwenger has played a tougher schedule and has a balanced roster themselves.
Most Intriguing Potential Matchup: Angola vs. Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran
Once again, these are two teams who have yet to face each other. Angola boasts a 21-2 record and a 20-game winning streak. Concordia has a big history of tournament success, and they won’t wilt under pressure. This should be an outstanding battle that could come down to a final possession.
Sectional Championship Prediction: Angola 57, Garrett 45
Angola is absolutely rolling right now, but I think Garrett will give them quite a game for about three quarters. Big-time players make big plays in big games, and I think Hanna Knoll (2021) is the key down the stretch for the Hornets.
X-Factor Player: Bailey Kelham, 2023, Garrett
I’m sure the Railroaders had an idea Kelham would be good for them throughout her career, but I’m not sure they expected this from her in year-1. She is averaging 16.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, plus she has a 45-point game already under her belt. If she can put together a 25-point game, they have a shot to knock off Angola.
Top Players To Watch In Sectional #21:
Hanna Knoll, 2021, Angola
Lauren Leach, 2022, Angola
Kayla Fenstermaker, 2020, Angola
Addison Bayman, 2020, Woodlan
Dakotah Krohn, 2022, Woodlan
Chanteese Craig, 2021, Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran
C.C. Calloway, 2021, Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran
Molly Ream, 2020, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger
Carissa Wiegman, 2020, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger
Bailey Kelham, 2023, Garrett
Nataley Armstrong, 2022, Garrett
Leah May, 2023, Leo
Sectional #22
Most Intriguing First Round Matchup: West Lafayette vs. Twin Lakes
This is a rematch from a December 10 game in which Twin Lakes survived 51-46. Both teams are relying on a mixture of youth and veterans, so this will come down to which team’s youngsters have improved the most since early in the season.
Most Intriguing Potential Matchup: Western vs. West Lafayette
It’s looking like West Lafayette is on the avenge tour, as they also lost to Western, 32-25, back on January 10. This should be a very competitive game, as Western is 3-1 against Sectional #22 foes. I anticipate some back and forth in this one.
Sectional Championship Prediction: Benton Central 64, West Lafayette 41
I do think this game will be much closer than the first time they met, a 71-33 contest on December 12. But I think Benton Central is one of the best teams in Class 3A, and they are looking to make a return trip to Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
X-Factor Player: Alaina Omonodé, 2020, West Lafayette
Omonodé is the heart and soul of this Red Devil team, and their season has leaned a lot on whether opponents have collapsed on her, effectively shutting her down, or allowed her to play free. She is a 16.9-point, 14.0-rebound per game kid, and she has the potential to go for 30 & 20 on any given night.
Top Players To Watch In Sectional #22:
Audrey Strawsma, 2020, Benton Central
Kelsey Coffman, 2020, Benton Central
Tressa Senesac, 2022, Benton Central
Alaina Omonodé, 2020, West Lafayette
Kylie Reif, 2022, West Lafayette
Courtlynn Crowe, 2020, Peru
Cate Wolfe, 2022, Peru
Haley Scott, 2021, Western
Karson Lechner, 2022, Western
Addi Ward, 2023, Twin Lakes
Evelyn Scharer, 2023, Twin Lakes
Lilly Maple, 2022, Maconaquah
Madison Wilson, 2021, Maconaquah
Sectional #23
Most Intriguing First Round Matchup: Fort Wayne Bishop Luers vs. Norwell
These are arguably the two most talented teams in Sectional #23, and they get it started with the only game on Tuesday night. Norwell won the first meeting in late-November, 72-70 in overtime. This will be a nail-biter from beginning to end, and it will come down to Norwell’s experience versus Luers ability to make shots.
Most Intriguing Potential Matchup: Bellmont vs. Oak Hill
This would begin a new Sectional rivalry, as Oak Hill moved up from Class 2A to Class 3A following their 2019 State Championship. Bellmont has been strong these last few years, but Oak Hill has put together a nice season behind Senior post Taylor Westgate (2020). This should be a good one for all to enjoy.
Sectional Championship Prediction: Norwell 48, Bellmont 42
Two teams with a history, separated by a mere 16 miles. Norwell relies on Senior Breann Barger and a strong Junior class, while Bellmont is led by Seniors Meghan Busick and Kenzie McMahon. This should be a gritty, hard-fought game that will come down to execution, and I feel like Norwell’s guard play will solidfy the victory.
X-Factor Player: Kenzie McMahon, 2020, Bellmont
McMahon had an outstanding Spring and Summer, and she will need to be equal to the task for Bellmont to navigate through this tough Sectional. She is strong, athletic, and plays with maybe the best motor in the state. If she can average a double-double throughout the week, Bellmont could be a surprise Sectional champion.
Top Players To Watch In Sectional #23:
Breann Barger, 2020, Norwell
Maiah Shelton, 2021, Norwell
Kaylee Fuelling, 2021, Norwell
Lauren Bales, 2021, Norwell
Lydia Reimbold, 2020, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers
Kennedy Glenn, 2020, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers
Dori Javins, 2020, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers
Meghan Busick, 2020, Bellmont
Kenzie McMahon, 2020, Bellmont
Taylor Westgate, 2020, Oak Hill
Abby Shaw, 2020, Oak Hill
Riley McKee, 2020, Mississinewa
Mia Catey, 2022, Mississinewa
Bree Dossen, 2020, Heritage
Abby Sheehan, 2020, Heritage
McKenzie Cooper, 2020, Eastern (Greentown)
Jeanie Crabtree, 2020, Eastern (Greentown)
Sectional #24
Most Intriguing First Round Matchup: Yorktown vs. Hamilton Heights
This could be one of the best games of the entire Sectional. Yorktown is deep with quality Juniors, while Hamilton Heights has strong guard play throughout their roster. It should be up and down in terms of tempo, and the team who plays the most efficient will end up on top.
Most Intriguing Potential Matchup: Jay County vs. Winchester Community
This is a backyard rivalry that could come to fruition because of Winchester moving up to Class 3A from Class 2A due to their success factor. Winchester won the regular season meeting 72-51 back in November, but Jay County began the year 1-5 and has gone 13-3 since. This won’t be a 21-point game the second time around.
Sectional Championship Prediction: Winchester Community 58, Yorktown 53
Winchester has so much postseason experience from these past few years, while Yorktown has such a strong and talented backcourt. This is a tough one to pick, and typically I choose guards in tournament games. But I’m leaning towards what Maddie Lawrence (2020) and Becca Chamberlin (2020) bring for Winchester.
X-Factor Player: Mykayla Moran, 2022, Hamilton Heights
Moran is a matchup problem for pretty much every team in Sectional #24. The 6-3 post has developed her game nicely over the past couple of seasons, and if Heights wants, they can make her the focal point down the stretch in games. If she can be a double-double machine, the Huskies can win Sectional #24.
Top Players To Watch In Sectional #24:
Maddie Lawrence, 2020, Winchester Community
Becca Chamberlin, 2020, Winchester Community
Caitlyn Campbell, 2023, Winchester Community
Bayleigh Runner, 2020, Hamilton Heights
Jillian Osswald, 2021, Hamilton Heights
Mykayla Moran, 2022, Hamilton Heights
Carley Culberson, 2021, Yorktown
Elizabeth Reece, 2021, Yorktown
Tobi Bell, 2020, Yorktown
Renna Schwieterman, 2023, Jay County
Madison Dirksen, 2022, Jay County
Gracie Gilland, 2022, Delta
Kassidy Dishman, 2020, Delta
Karsen Morgan, 2022, New Castle
Macayla McGowan, 2021, New Castle
Emily Adamowicz, 2022, Muncie Burris