Regional Rundown: Class 2A

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id="127214" first="Tori" last="Allen"] of Andrean High School. As we enter Regional Saturday, we now have just 16 teams remaining in each of Indiana’s four school classifications. By Valentine’s Day, we will hopefully have our Final Four decided out of each grouping. Below is a look at each of the Regionals in Class 2A, brief analysis of the morning games, as well as a quick prediction as to who we think could advance to the Semi-State. This is one of Indiana’s best weekends when it comes to high school basketball, so be sure to attend (when & where possible) or watch online!!! (All times listed below are Eastern Daylight Time.)   WINAMAC REGIONAL 11:00 a.m. North Judson-San Pierre (18-5) vs. Andrean (18-1) North Judson enters their third Regional in four years, having been upset in the Sectional Championship a season ago. This is actually the first time since 2016 that they haven’t had 20 wins at this point in the season. There is a lot to like about the Bluejays, and it begins with Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="35021" first="Lilliann" last="Frasure"] (23.8p, 9.8r, 4.3a, 4.5s). She does everything for this team, from score, to rebound, to handle the ball and run offense at times. She has a nonstop motor and is one of the best competitors in the state. Younger sister Sophia Frasure (11.3p, 4.4r), a Sophomore wing, has really stepped up this season to become the #2 option offensively. She’s coming off of a career-high 27 points in the Sectional Final. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="127218" first="Olivia" last="Burkett"] (7.6p, 2.3r, 2.5a) brings experience, skill, and toughness to the lineup, while Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="130388" first="Abby" last="Chambers"] (7.3p, 6.2r) has shown flashes of being able to score in double-figures at any time. The Bluejays aren’t terribly deep, as their bench averaged less than 3.0 points per game, so they must keep these four players on the floor and out of foul trouble. Andrean has made a remarkable jump from last season. Yes, they were a Regional qualifier a year ago, but they finished at just 15-13 with a several underclassmen leading the charge. This season, they have really matured and learned how to battle top competition, with their only loss being by six points (56-50) to Class 4A #2 Crown Point. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="99429" first="Julia" last="Schutz"] (15.1p, 9.2r) has been a staple in the lineup since her Freshman year, and she can control the paint, the mid-post, or play comfortably around the perimeter. Sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id="127214" first="Tori" last="Allen"] (14.9p, 4.6r, 5.1a) and Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="245962" first="Dyamond" last="Blair"] (14.7p, 3.7r, 3.2a, 2.8s) have made the biggest strides statistically from last season. Allen is a long, smooth lead guard who has a great feel for the game. Blair is a strong, low-to-the-ground athlete who makes explosive plays and gets into gaps well. Sophomores Lauren Colon (6.9p, 3.3r, 3.3a) and Abbi Foster (6.3p, 3.5r) are playing much stronger and have contributed more this season as well. The 59ers also have some bench depth to turn to when needed. 2:00 p.m. Bluffton (14-10) vs. Fairfield (14-8) Bluffton has had a roller-coaster season so far, as they sprinted out of the gates at 5-0, struggled a little against good competition right after Christmas, but they enter the Regional having won four of their last five. The Tigers are a Senior-laden team, not very deep, but they have balance and good experience. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="62597" first="Emme" last="Boots"] (15.5p, 7.0r, 2.8s) is as tough as they come, plus she plays with a great motor. She can score it from the perimeter or attack the basket, plus she’ll defend and rebound. 6-1 Senior post [player_tooltip player_id="184247" first="Zoe" last="Barger"] (9.3p, 5.9r) gives them a huge presence in the paint, especially defensively. She is an opportunistic scorer who you can’t let establish position. Senior wing Natalie Lehrman (5.5p, 4.0r) and Junior guard Monroe Heller (4.4p, 2.0r) are their next best scoring options. For Fairfield, they too started out 5-0 and have had a similar season, though they are relying on mostly non-Seniors to lead the way. 6-0 Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id="59749" first="Brea" last="Garber"] is a Division-I prospect who holds offers already. She has size, skill, and a nice feel for the game. Sophomore wing Bailey Willard is probably their second best scorer and rebounder, while Sophomore guard Morgan Gawthrop gets quality minutes as well. Junior guard Brooke Sanchez takes on some of the ball-handling duties and plays with poise. Not only are the Falcons in the Regional this season, but they have a nice foundation to be very strong the next couple of seasons as well. Regional Predictions: The first game should be a tremendous matchup. Andrean beat North Judson 48-36 back on January 16th, but I have a feeling this one will be much closer. I think the 59ers have too much depth, so if they can do their best to contain L. Frasure at least a little bit, that should give them a significant advantage. I look for Andrean to win by six points. The second game will be competitive, and it will be an experience versus youthful energy matchup. The key will be whether anyone from Bluffton can match up defensively against Garber, because I think Fairfield matches up well against Bluffton. I think I’ll take Fairfield in this one, but by just three points. I think the title game will be won by the team who survives the 11:00 a.m. game. In this case, I think Andrean will knock off Fairfield by a dozen, though it might take them three quarters to separate. Andrean has youth and experience, plus they were just here a season ago with mostly the same players.   FRANKTON REGIONAL 10:00 a.m. Rochester (12-8) vs. Clinton Prairie (20-2) After Carroll (Flora) was upset on opening night, Sectional #37 became wide open for just about anyone to take, and the Zebras of Rochester stepped up. They upset North Judson-San Pierre to begin their season, then saw several highs and lows throughout. They don’t really have a superstar on the roster, but they play as many as 11 players, depending on matchups. What they have is good size and some length. Senior forward Kaitlin Rogers (8.8p, 6.0r, 2.7a) and Junior forward Alexus Thomas (8.4p, 7.1r, 2 .0s) top the Zebras in scoring and rebounding. 6-1 Sophomore post Amelia Scorsone (7.4p, 4.4r), Sophomore point guard Emma Howdeshell (6.1p, 2.1r, 2.5a, 2.4s), 6-1 Junior forward Emily Hughes (6.2p, 4.8r), and Sophomore forward Kennedy Jackson (5.0p, 4.6r) are regulars in the rotation. Clinton Prairie is another team that can play any number of players each game. They do have a rotation, but 14 girls have seen action in 14 or more games. Junior guard Tynlie Neal (12.8p, 5.6r, 2.6a) and Sophomore forward Sydney Swan (10.2p, 5.8r) are their two double-digit scorers. Neal is a strong, physical perimeter player with good skill and the ability to make shots with range. Swan is a tall wing who can also make shots from the perimeter or play in the mid-post. Sophomore guard Claire Ecenbarger (7.5p, 3.0r, 2.3a), plus a trio of Seniors, see the most minutes of the remaining players. Those Seniors include forward Kylee Maish (7.0p, 4.2r), forward Rylee Ward (6.5p), and wing Hannah Wilson (3.3p, 4.9r, 2.1a). 12:00 p.m. Tipton (17-7) vs. Frankton (23-3) For this matchup, we can just rewind to a January 14th tilt in which Frankton jumped out to a big early lead. Tipton scratched and clawed its way back into the contest, before losing 53-50. Both teams have talent, balance, and size, so it should be fun for spectators to watch. Tipton leans heavily on the trio of Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="61070" first="Ella" last="Wolfe"] (14.1p, 3.6r, 2.8a, 2.8s), Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="61076" first="Abigail" last="Parker"] (11.6p, 3.8r, 2.0a), and 6-3 Sophomore post [player_tooltip player_id="127234" first="Ashlee" last="Schram"] (14.2p, 12.5r, 2.7b). Wolfe is a fast and athletic playmaker who can score it at all three levels, plus she will get after it defensively. Parker is a wiry strong driver who likes to attack the basket, and she has a nice mid-range game. Schram is a skilled post with good size and nice hands. She catches and finishes it well around the rim, plus she has shown some touch in the mid-post. Junior wing Olivia Spidel (5.8p, 2.6r) is a consistent perimeter shooter with range who also plays with a nice motor, while Freshman guard Hallie Wolfe (3.6p, 2.3r, 2.0s) has started to see more opportunity lately due to another injured player. Frankton was the 2020 Class 2A State Runner-Up, and they counter Tipton with their own balance and depth. 6-1 Senior post [player_tooltip player_id="130345" first="Chloee" last="Thomas"] (12.3p, 6.7r) has been outstanding down the stretch. She is much more athletic and well-balanced than her strong frame might predict. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="128149" first="Lauryn" last="Bates"] (11.5p, 9.0r, 3.7a, 2.5s) is kind of their do-everything Swiss Army Knife. She plays a point forward role, she’s a nice athlete, and she can score, rebound, and defend for the Eagles. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="99419" first="Ava" last="Gardner"] (10.8p, 2.3a) is their third double-digit scorer, and she is a pure shooter outside who must be chased. Junior point guard Cagney Utterback (9.6p, 4.2r, 3.1a) really stepped up her game this season, and she has made some big plays down the stretch for the Eagles. Junior wing Bailee Webb (7.1p, 2.3r) and Sophomore guard Isabella Dean (3.2p, 2.0r) are scrappy hustlers who contribute in non-statistical ways as well. Dean is an exceptional on-ball defender. Regional Predictions: If Clinton Prairie can make shots and adjust to Rochester’s size and length, I think they play too fast with too many weapons for Rochester to keep up. The Zebras best hope is to force tough shots, rebound, and let their defense do the talking. They need to control tempo and have long possessions offensively. I think Clinton Prairie wins this one by double-digits, but I think it can be anywhere from 10-25 points depending on shooting percentages. The second game will be a nail-biter that will come down to the wire. Both teams have size, shooting, and athletes. They will both be disciplined in the half-court, so I think it really comes down to who can force the inopportune turnover, or who strays from their discipline a bit. Foul trouble could really affect this game, depending on which specific players it hits, so this one truly is a 50-50 game that can go either way. I think I have to lean towards Frankton, with them hosting and having been deep in the playoffs a year ago. I’ll take the Eagles 49-48. The nightcap could be equally as entertaining. Again I lean towards Frankton’s experience, but also their size and versatility. They can guard hard, and I think they’ll control the boards against Clinton Prairie. I like the Eagles over the Gophers in this one, probably by 6-8 points.   SOUTHMONT REGIONAL 10:00 a.m. Triton Central (20-3) vs. University (10-3) The Triton Central Tigers are in the midst of a seven-game win-streak, and they’ve won 14 of their last 15. It doesn’t seem to matter who’s available to them, they are just stringing together 20-win season after 20-win season now. Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="99430" first="Taylor" last="Heath"] (15.0p, 5.2r, 9.1a, 3.4s) has been outstanding this year. Not only is she one of the best distributors in the state, but she proved this season that she can shoot/score the ball at a high-level as well. She is tough, feisty, and plays with a great motor. 6-1 Senior post [player_tooltip player_id="130351" first="Bailey" last="Stamper"] (9.9p, 7.5r, 3.7b) is the perfect back-end defender. She plays hard, she’s physical, and she rotates well to help or to block/affect shots. Adding more offense to her game has been big for the Tigers this season. Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id="96081" first="Lizzie" last="Graham"] (13.3p, 4.7r) got her feet wet on Varsity a year ago, but she was thrusted into more of a starring role this year and stepped up. She is tough and physical, plus she plays with a nice motor. Sophomore wing Jenna Cox (6.8p, 3.8r, 2.0a) has also given them good minutes this year. University struggled to get games in this season, with no less than three long breaks in their year due to COVID precautions. And while they seem to lose a couple of contributors to graduation each season, they seem to reload and continue stacking up wins. This year, 6-1 Sophomore front-liner [player_tooltip player_id="59743" first="Kelsey" last="DuBois"] (16.7p 11.9r, 2.3a, 2.1s, 2.5b) has been a handful. She is strong and powerful, and she can control the low-block. But she also has tremendous perimeter skill and can create offense for others. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="130336" first="Sierra" last="Hinds"] (15.7p, 5.3r, 2.7a, 2.7s) plays with an outstanding motor, and she has scored it much more consistently this season. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="59772" first="Payton" last="Seay"] (13.6p, 8.8r, 3.0a, 2.7s) is an absolute bulldog of a guard. She is strong, physical, and aggressive. She plays with a nice motor, plus she’ll rebound and defend with great effort. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="241194" first="Jordan" last="Patterson"] (7.4p, 4.5r, 2.2a, 2.3s) is another nice athlete on the perimeter who plays extremely hard. 1:00 p.m. Shenandoah (21-3) vs. South Putnam (14-1) This is the season the Shenandoah Lady Raiders have been looking forward to. Their top four players are all Seniors, and they have won 82 games so far throughout their careers. Their losses this year were of quality, losing to Heritage Christian by six, Frankton by two, and Blue River Valley by seven. They have since won 18 games in a row. The Raiders are led by the inside-out duo of Senior front-liner [player_tooltip player_id="130371" first="Erikka" last="Hill"] (21.6p, 13.5r, 4.1a, 4.4s) and Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="99406" first="Kathryn" last="Perry"] (18.9p, 5.5a, 4.4s). Those two have been dynamic throughout their entire careers, and the Raiders are tough to stop when both of them are playing well. Hill is a strong, physical, high-motor power forward who has scored it much better this season. Perry is a diminutive playmaker, but she’s quick, tough-nosed, and she can really shoot/score it from anywhere on the floor. Senior wing Rachel Soden (8.8p, 2.0r, 2.3a) offers Shenandoah a third scoring option, while Senior post Jenna Stewart (5.3p, 6.5r, 3.1a, 2.0b) helps Hill patrol the paint. South Putnam has overcome it’s share of distractions to put together a nearly unscathed year. Their last regular season game was January 12th, but they jumped into Sectional play and took care of business with relative ease. Their lineup is extremely experienced, with nearly all Seniors and Juniors giving them quality minutes. Junior front-liner Brie Miller (13.6p, 9.3r, 2.1s) has been a welcomed addition after transferring in from North Putnam over the Summer. She gives them the interior scoring threat they needed. Senior point guard Chloe Custis (12.1p, 4.8r, 3.4a, 3.5s) and Senior guard Brionna Egold (11.2p, 3.7r, 2.8a, 2.6s) are two more double-figure scoring threats for the Eagles. Custis is the floor general and can knock down shots outside, while Egold is more of an attacking scorer. The Eagles do go about nine deep regularly, and Senior front-liner Macie Bumgardner (6.6p, 5.5r) is the top scorer and rebounder of the remaining roster. Regional Predictions: In the morning game, Triton Central will bring experience, toughness, and physicality, while University will lean on it’s athleticism and speed, along with DuBois in the middle. If Triton Central can contain DuBois some and limit her rebounds, plus take care of the ball against University’s pressure, then I think Triton Central wins by four or five points. However, if DuBois sees a lot of touches and the Trailblazers are able to turn over the Tigers often, I think University can win a close one. I’m not sure what to expect out of this second game either. I do think Shenandoah is better prepared for the moment, having played some heavyweights throughout the season. South Putnam has balance and veteran leadership, and while everything is screaming that this will be a one-possession game, I am thinking Shenandoah wins by 8-10 points. Give me Triton Central from the first game versus Shenandoah in the Regional Final, and you have a matchup of former Sectional rivals. Shenandoah has been waiting for this opportunity, having fallen to the Tigers each of the last four seasons, whether it be in the former Sectional or the Regional last year. I think Shenandoah is actually a slight favorite on paper, however this game will come down to nerves and discipline. If Shenandoah can stay focused on the task and not the past, and if they can make shots, I think they win by five. However, if Shenandoah is more focused on revenge than the game itself, I can see Triton Central winning by the same five-point margin.   CRAWFORD COUNTY REGIONAL 10:00 a.m. Linton-Stockton (23-1) vs. Forest Park (17-3) Everything suggests Linton-Stockton is the favorite to repeat as the Class 2A State Champions. They returned the same starting lineup, they have won 31 of their last 32 games with their only loss being to Class 4A Bedford North Lawrence on December 22nd, and they have just been shredding the competition. They haven’t had a single-digit game since they beat Class 3A Evansville Memorial 48-43 in overtime on January 9th. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="10685" first="Vanessa" last="Shafford"] is so versatile, tough, skilled, and consistently effective each time out. She’ll handle the ball and make plays for others, but she can shoot/score from anywhere, plus she’ll rebound and defend. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="99363" first="Aubrey" last="Burgess"] can be an x-factor at times, because her energy is contagious. She is athletic, and she can create turnover after turnover defensively, frustrating opponents. 6-0 Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="35069" first="Haley" last="Rose"] is a really nice athlete with skill facing the basket. She can shoot/score it outside or in the mid-post, plus she can defend multiple positions. Junior post Gentry Warrick does a nice job of patrolling the paint defensively, and she is a tough rebounder and an opportunistic scorer inside. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="157175" first="Jaylee" last="Hayes"] is an underappreciated shooter and athlete, who when everyone draws attention, she gets easy scoring opportunities. Forest Park has a nice, young nucleus, and they have built something special to sustain the next couple of seasons. 6-1 Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id="178237" first="Amber" last="Tretter"] has great potential as a prospect, and she has become a really nice high school player. She is long, fluid, and skilled as well. Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id="59728" first="Lydia" last="Betz"] is a tough, strong, physical, and skilled player who can play point forward or even post smaller defenders. Junior guard Ali Welp brings experience to the lineup, and she can handle and play point or score it from the wing. Sophomore front-liner Carley Begle is another interior player who gives the Rangers good minutes up front. 12:00 p.m. South Ripley (17-5) vs. Eastern (Pekin) (13-9) After beginning the season 7-4, the South Ripley Raiders have won 10 of their last 11 games. They now return to the Regional for the fourth time in the last five years. The Raiders have eight girls who see regular minutes, and another four who have played in 10 or more games this season. Leading the way are Junior front-liner Rachel Meyer (10.6p, 6.4r, 3.4a) and Junior forward Gracie Gunter (9.4p, 5.2r, 2.2a, 3.0s). Meyer is more of a post threat on the interior, but she does have some skill in the mid-post, while Gunter is a wing who provides the Raiders with outside shooting. Senior guard L.J. McQueen (7.0p, 3.7r, 2.7a, 2.3s) brings experience and stability to the backcourt, while Junior forward Sarah Meyer (6.4p, 5.3r) provides more punch in the paint. The Musketeers of Eastern (Pekin) had a somewhat uneven regular season, but they survived a tough Sectional Final with Crawford County to advance to their fourth Regional in five years. I would not take Eastern lightly because of their record, though, as they’ve had tremendous postseason success, including a 2017 Class 2A State Championship. This year they don’t really have a star, and they play with great balance within their system. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="245970" first="Kendra" last="Sill"] (11.0p, 5.1r) was one of the hardest workers I saw during the Summer/Fall of 2020. She has length, fluid athleticism, and solid all-around skill. Sophomore front-liner Kyia McKinley (9.1p, 6.1r) has established herself as a nice post presence for the Musketeers at both ends of the floor. Senior wing Shelbi Patton (8.5p, 4.3r) is a veteran who brings good experience and balanced skill to the lineup. Junior guard McKenna Jeter (7.5p, 2.9r, 2.1a) has turned into a nice playmaker for Eastern, and she will be on the ball quite a bit. Senior point guard Shelby Casey (3.9p, 2.1r, 2.4a) isn’t much of a scorer, but she handles it a lot as well, plus she manages the game and gives them nice hustle plays. Regional Predictions: Sorry to be so blunt here, but this is Linton-Stockton’s Regional to win or lose. In the morning game, I think their experience, talent, and skill will show early and often against Forest Park. The Rangers are good, and they’ve had a nice season, but they are probably a year away from beating a group like the Miners. I think Linton wins this one by 20-plus. In the second game, I anticipate a good one. It will be about ball control, patience, and earning trips to the free throw line. Every possession will matter between South Ripley and Eastern, but I fully expect Eastern to take control late and win by 6-8 points. In the Regional Final, again I put this all on Linton. If they play their way, take care of the ball, make shots, and force Eastern into turnovers, I expect the Miners to advance with a 15-plus point win. I do think Eastern can limit possessions in the game, so it might not be a high-scoring affair, but I’m not sure the Musketeers can match the Miners’ offensive output.