Merry Midpoint: Class 3A, Sectionals #25-#32

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id="97264" first="Natalie" last="Noel"] (2022) of Salem High School. With 13 weeks in the regular season during the IHSAA girls’ basketball season each year, the Christmas to New Years’ time period basically represents the midpoint of the season by weeks. Nearly every team has played double-digit games at this point, so I wanted to take an early look at who the better teams are in each Class 3A Sectional as they make the turn towards the second half of the season. Below I have highlighted Sectionals #25-#32.   Sectional #25 - Danville - Likely Favorite: Tri-West - Upset Candidate: Danville - Comments: Tri-West and Danville have had their battles over the years, so I can see Sectional #25 easily coming down to these two teams once again. Tri-West made it to the South Semi-State in 2021, falling to Silver Creek, plus they won an early season matchup with Danville this year, 49-38, and more recently, 71-37. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id="61059" first="Kenna" last="Kirby"] (15.0p, 4.8r, 3.2a, 2.4s), [player_tooltip player_id="182150" first="Isabelle" last="Saylor"] (12.6p, 3.2r, 3.0s), and [player_tooltip player_id="267401" first="Adrie" last="Thompson"] (10.8p, 5.0r) again lead the Bruins into battle this season. That’s a strong nucleus, and while they don’t have a great deal of size, Thompson was instrumental to their tournament run last year with her play inside the arc. But Danville is always tournament-ready, so don’t put anything past them. They are 12-5 and had a nine-game win streak that carried through the holidays. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="59791" first="Isabelle" last="Wooten"] (14.2p, 10.6r, 3.8a, 2.4s) has put together a nice year after battling injuries earlier in her career. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id="128164" first="Haley" last="Godwin"] (8.4p, 5.2r, 2.6a, 3.0s) and Haley Ancelet (8.1p, 3.1r) have postseason experience and play with nice versatility. The Warriors will be ready. Sectional #26 - Northview - Likely Favorite: Northview - Upset Candidates: Edgewood/Brownstown Central - Comments: Northview is having an outstanding year, and they escaped with a 48-47 win at Edgewood just last week. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="128177" first="Macey" last="Timberman"] (20.3p, 4.9r, 2.5a) is as dynamic as they come at the Class 3A level. She is quick/fast and athletic, she can shoot/score all over the floor, and she’s an effortful defender. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="344782" first="Audri" last="Spencer"] (12.4p, 3.6r, 2.3a, 3.1s) is a nice compliment with her ball skill and natural feel for the game. Senior Tara Pearce (8.4p, 3.6r) offers the Lady Knights a third scoring presence. As for Edgewood, they lean on a slew of upperclassmen, as they roll out an eight-player rotation consisting of six Seniors and two Juniors. Senior twins Carly Sherfield (12.9p, 3.9r, 2.7s) and Claire Sherfield (5.7p, 2.4r, 3.3s) help around the perimeter. Senior Trista Helms (8.9p, 6.8r, 2.0s) helps control the boards and defend the interior for the Mustangs, who look to get back at Northview if a second opportunity presents itself. Then there is Brownstown Central. The Lady Braves are just 9-10, but they are historically competitive, and they play the equivalent of a Class 4A schedule, tops in Sectional #26. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="178236" first="Madelyn" last="Hackman"] is a three-year starter and their main catalyst. They will hover around .500 during the regular season, but they could cause fits for the Sectional #26 field. Sectional #27 - Guerin Catholic - Likely Favorite: Bishop Chatard - Upset Candidates: Guerin Catholic/Lebanon - Comments: The Lady Trojans of Chatard might be just 7-8 at this point in their season, but they play a Top-40 schedule in the state, so they will be battle-tested when they enter Sectional #27 play. Senior point guards [player_tooltip player_id="243564" first="Isabel" last="Davis"] and [player_tooltip player_id="270064" first="Grace" last="Adams"] lead a mostly veteran cast that also includes Junior Carline Bell and Senior Kate Caskey. Guerin Catholic (8-7) has some big wins, but also some tough losses on their résumé. Their potential to win Sectional #27 is high, but they’ll need continued strong play from Seniors Kathryn Loso (14.8p, 7.2r) and Katie Koger (9.9p, 3.2r). A third scoring threat could certainly help the Golden Eagles. Lebanon is also 8-7, and they have a big scoring threat in Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="243582" first="Alexis" last="Wines"] (17.1p, 5.8r, 2.7a, 4.4s). She can score it at all three levels, plus she can break down defenses and find open teammates. Juniors Alexandria Barr (10.0p, 4.5r, 2.1s) and Maiya Newsom (7.8p, 4.8r, 3.2a, 2.2s) help balance the Tiger lineup. Sectional #28 - Indian Creek - Likely Favorite: Indian Creek - Upset Candidate: Speedway - Comments: Indian Creek is off to a 14-4 start, and they have looked very strong most of the season. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="239346" first="Lauren" last="Foster"] (17.6p, 4.1r, 3.1a) has a nonstop motor, hustling all over the floor, making plays offensively and defensively. 6-2 Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id="201885" first="Faith" last="Wiseman"] (10.5p, 10.0r, 3.1a, 2.9b) is a long, athletic, and skillful kid who can play facing the basket or around the paint. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="303417" first="Emily" last="Todor"] (8.2p, 4.3r, 2.2a, 2.3s) provides a veteran presence in the lineup. Once Brown County transfer [player_tooltip player_id="59746" first="Abby" last="Fleetwood"] (20.6p, 7.3r, 4.6a, 4.7s in 2020-2021) gains eligibility this postseason, the Lady Braves could make a deep run. The Speedway Sparkplugs have posted an 11-4 record thus far, and that’s with a mostly young roster. Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="267403" first="Camiell" last="Perry"] (11.9p, 5.9r, 5.3a, 5.1s) is a blur on the court, with elite speed and quickness. She is a playmaker, offensively and defensively. From there, it’s a pair of Sophomores who have really stepped up. Wing Alex DeLisle (11.1p, 6.2r) and forward Daniella Galvez (8.8p, 7.0r, 2.5s) will help Perry compete for a Sectional #28 title. Sectional #29 - Greensburg - Likely Favorite: Rushville - Upset Candidate: Lawrenceburg - Comments: At this point, Rushville and Lawrenceburg are the only two teams in this seven-team field with winning records at this time. To top that, Rushville is 4-0 against Sectional #29 competition, and they just knocked off Lawrenceburg, 56-51, just before Christmas. Lawrenceburg has a 3-1 record against the field as well. Rushville isn’t very big, but the combination of Senior [player_tooltip player_id="61080" first="Annika" last="Marlow"] (10.4p, 4.4r, 2.9a), Junior [player_tooltip player_id="59764" first="Briley" last="Munchel"] (9.9p, 2.4r, 2.6a, 2.0s), and Sophomore Sophia Dora (7.8p, 5.0r) play much bigger than they are. They are all dynamic, tough-nosed, and hard-working guards. Lawrenceburg counters with Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="361750" first="Lizzie" last="Redar"] (12.8p, 6.4r), Senior forward/post Kirsten Cross (12.6p, 7.3r, 2.1s), plus Senior wing Chloe Meyer (8.6p, 4.9r, 2.7a, 2.6s). The Lady Tigers do have a little size, but they also play with nice versatility. Sectional #30 - North Harrison - Likely Favorite: Silver Creek - Upset Candidates: Anyone Else - Comments: Sliver Creek was expected to tail off a bit, following the graduation of three key starters and scorers, but the Dragons apparently didn’t get the memo. Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="128116" first="Kynidi" last="Striverson"] has been outstanding. Senior guards [player_tooltip player_id="128122" first="Emme" last="Rooney"], [player_tooltip player_id="243587" first="Sydney" last="Sierota"], and Lacey Tingle have helped contribute to an experienced, veteran backcourt that can control the tempo most games. From there, Sectional #30 is up in the air, with seven legitimate teams in the field. Corydon Central is getting strong play from Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="178232" first="Ava" last="Weber"] (19.9p, 7.6r, 2.5a, 3.7s), Junior guard Bailey Orme (9.4p, 2.9r, 4.0a, 3.8s), and Freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id="324096" first="Josie" last="Vaughn"] (9.9p, 2.4r, 3.4a, 3.6s). Charlestown has a strong and deep lineup, led by Senior front-liner [player_tooltip player_id="128152" first="DeMaria" last="King"], Junior guards [player_tooltip player_id="127229" first="Tatum" last="McFarland"] and [player_tooltip player_id="178233" first="Laney" last="Hawkins"], plus Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id="177316" first="Kennedy" last="Coleman"] and [player_tooltip player_id="177348" first="Maddie" last="Nipper"]. The Salem Lions are always competitive, and forwards [player_tooltip player_id="97264" first="Natalie" last="Noel"] plus [player_tooltip player_id="128176" first="Abigail" last="Ratts"] bring great experience, talent, and skill inside and out. Scottsburg and Madison have major upset potential, as does North Harrison, though Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="34549" first="Ali" last="Saunders"] opted to graduate early. Sectional #31 - Washington - Likely Favorite: Washington - Upset Candidate: Vincennes Lincoln - Comments: The Washington Hatchets have been gearing up for this season, and they are 15-3 with a 4-0 record against Sectional #31 competition, including a 61-39 win over Vincennes Lincoln before Thanksgiving. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id="128150" first="Kencia" last="Levasseur"] (14.6p, 7.1r, 3.6a, 2.2s), [player_tooltip player_id="128136" first="Alaina" last="Thorne"] (14.5p, 7.6r, 2.8a), and [player_tooltip player_id="182148" first="Jesse" last="Ledgerwood"] (12.6p, 3.1r, 2.8a) form a three-headed monster that’s tough for most teams to match up with. They have more depth beyond that, plus nice size on their frontline. Vincennes Lincoln is competitive now, but they also include several non-Seniors in their rotation. Guard [player_tooltip player_id="128181" first="Dani" last="Kroeger"] and wing [player_tooltip player_id="128173" first="Chloe" last="Cardinal"] are key Seniors for the Alices, but Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="59761" first="Gracie" last="Kramer"], Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="241198" first="Faith" last="Fleetwood"], and Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id="177353" first="Macy" last="Sexton"] have their imprint on the Vincennes roster as well. Sectional #32 - Gibson Southern - Likely Favorite: Evansville Memorial - Upset Candidate: Gibson Southern - Comments: Evansville Memorial graduated eight Seniors and all they’ve done is post a 12-3 record, 4-0 against Sectional #32 competition. What a response following significant losses. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="127211" first="Emily" last="Mattingly"] (14.7p, 3.6r, 2.0a, 3.1s) was the lone underclassman in the starting lineup last year, and she leads the Tigers into action this time around. She is a talented shooter who has become a well-rounded scorer. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id="177332" first="Sophia" last="Johnson"] (12.8p, 6.6r, 2.4a) and [player_tooltip player_id="177335" first="Avery" last="Kelley"] (9.9p, 4.6r, 2.5a, 2.0s) saw action as Freshmen, but now they are impactful performers each night out. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id="295756" first="Myla" last="Browning"] (5.0p, 3.0r) has also seen her opportunities increase as she’s gained experience throughout the season. Gibson Southern is also fairly young, led by Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="177324" first="Chloey" last="Graham"] (17.4p, 3.8r, 2.0s). She is an elite shooter who can also handle and run offense. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id="295774" first="Gabby" last="Spink"] (12.7p, 3.3r, 4.8a, 2.0s) has been an impressive talent early this season, plus Juniors Alexis Tucker (12.9p, 5.0r) and [player_tooltip player_id="127243" first="Ava" last="Weisheit"] (8.2p, 8.2r, 2.7a) offer nice contributions up front.