Merry Midpoint: Class 3A, Sectionals #25-#32
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The featured image is of Natalie Noel Natalie Noel 5'10" | SF Salem | 2022 State IN (2022) of Salem High School. With 13 weeks in the regular season during the IHSAA girls’ basketball season each year, the Christmas to…
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Continue ReadingThe featured image is of Natalie Noel Natalie Noel 5'10" | SF Salem | 2022 State IN (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
Kenna Kirby
Kenna
Kirby
5'8" | SG
Tri-West | 2022
State
IN
(15.0p, 4.8r, 3.2a, 2.4s),
Isabelle Saylor
Isabelle
Saylor
5'7" | SG
Tri-West | 2022
State
IN
(12.6p, 3.2r, 3.0s), and
Adrie Thompson
Adrie
Thompson
5'10" | SF
Tri-West | 2022
State
IN
(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
Isabelle Wooten
Isabelle
Wooten
5'8" | SF
Danville Community | 2023
State
IN
(14.2p, 10.6r, 3.8a, 2.4s) has put together a nice year after battling injuries earlier in her career. Seniors
Haley Godwin
Haley
Godwin
5'9" | SF
Danville | 2022
State
IN
(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
Macey Timberman
Macey
Timberman
5'5" | PG
Northview | 2022
State
IN
(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 Audri 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
Madelyn Hackman
Madelyn
Hackman
5'8" | SG
Brownstown Central | 2023
State
IN
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
Isabel Davis
Isabel
Davis
5'7" | CG
Bishop Chatard | 2022
State
IN
and
Grace Adams
Grace
Adams
5'4" | PG
Bishop Chatard | 2022
IN
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
Alexis Wines
Alexis
Wines
5'6" | CG
Lebanon | 2022
State
IN
(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
Lauren Foster
Lauren
Foster
5'7" | SG
Indian Creek | 2024
State
IN
(17.6p, 4.1r, 3.1a) has a nonstop motor, hustling all over the floor, making plays offensively and defensively. 6-2 Sophomore forward
Faith Wiseman
Faith
Wiseman
6'4" | PF
Indian Creek | 2024
State
IN
(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
Emily Todor
Emily
Todor
5'6" | CG
Indian Creek | 2022
State
IN
(8.2p, 4.3r, 2.2a, 2.3s) provides a veteran presence in the lineup. Once Brown County transfer
Abby Fleetwood
Abby
Fleetwood
5'9" | PG
Indian Creek | 2023
State
IN
(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
Camiell Perry
Camiell
Perry
5'5" | PG
Speedway | 2022
State
IN
(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
Annika Marlow
Annika
Marlow
5'5" | PG
Rushville | 2022
State
IN
(10.4p, 4.4r, 2.9a), Junior
Briley Munchel
Briley
Munchel
5'3" | PG
Rushville Consolidated | 2023
State
IN
(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
Lizzie Redar
Lizzie
Redar
5'10" | SF
Lawrenceburg | 2023
State
IN
(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
Kynidi Striverson
Kynidi
Striverson
5'8" | PG
Silver Creek | 2022
State
IN
has been outstanding. Senior guards
Emme Rooney
Emme
Rooney
5'8" | SG
Silver Creek | 2022
State
IN
,
Sydney Sierota
Sydney
Sierota
5'6" | CG
Silver Creek | 2022
State
IN
, 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
Ava Weber
Ava
Weber
5'11" | SF
Corydon Central | 2023
State
IN
(19.9p, 7.6r, 2.5a, 3.7s), Junior guard Bailey Orme (9.4p, 2.9r, 4.0a, 3.8s), and Freshman guard
Josie Vaughn
Josie
Vaughn
5'5" | PG
Corydon Central | 2025
State
IN
(9.9p, 2.4r, 3.4a, 3.6s). Charlestown has a strong and deep lineup, led by Senior front-liner
DeMaria King
DeMaria
King
5'11" | PF
Charlestown | 2022
State
IN
, Junior guards
Tatum McFarland
Tatum
McFarland
5'8" | SG
Charlestown | 2023
State
IN
and
Laney Hawkins
Laney
Hawkins
5'9" | CG
Charlestown | 2023
State
IN
, plus Sophomores
Kennedy Coleman
Kennedy
Coleman
6'0" | SF
Charlestown | 2024
State
IN
and
Maddie Nipper
Maddie
Nipper
5'5" | PG
Charlestown | 2024
State
IN
. The Salem Lions are always competitive, and forwards
Natalie Noel
Natalie
Noel
5'10" | SF
Salem | 2022
State
IN
plus
Abigail Ratts
Abigail
Ratts
5'11" | PF
Salem | 2022
State
IN
bring great experience, talent, and skill inside and out. Scottsburg and Madison have major upset potential, as does North Harrison, though Senior guard Ali 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
Kencia Levasseur
Kencia
Levasseur
5'7" | SF
Washington | 2022
State
IN
(14.6p, 7.1r, 3.6a, 2.2s),
Alaina Thorne
Alaina
Thorne
6'0" | PF
Washington | 2022
State
IN
(14.5p, 7.6r, 2.8a), and
Jesse Ledgerwood
Jesse
Ledgerwood
5'5" | PG
Washington | 2022
State
IN
(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
Dani Kroeger
Dani
Kroeger
5'6" | CG
Vincennes Lincoln | 2022
State
IN
and wing
Chloe Cardinal
Chloe
Cardinal
5'9" | SF
Vincennes Lincoln | 2022
State
IN
are key Seniors for the Alices, but Junior point guard
Gracie Kramer
Gracie
Kramer
5'4" | PG
Vincennes Lincoln | 2023
State
IN
, Junior guard
Faith Fleetwood
Faith
Fleetwood
5'9" | SG
Vincennes Lincoln | 2023
IN
, and Sophomore wing
Macy Sexton
Macy
Sexton
5'10" | PF
Vincennes Lincoln | 2024
IN
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
Emily Mattingly
Emily
Mattingly
5'10" | SF
Evansville Memorial | 2023
State
IN
(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
Sophie Johnson
Sophie
Johnson
6'0" | PF
Evansville Memorial | 2024
State
IN
(12.8p, 6.6r, 2.4a) and
Avery Kelley
Avery
Kelley
5'6" | PG
Evansville Memorial | 2024
State
IN
(9.9p, 4.6r, 2.5a, 2.0s) saw action as Freshmen, but now they are impactful performers each night out. Freshman
Myla Browning
Myla
Browning
5'11" | SF
Evansville Memorial | 2025
State
IN
(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
Chloey Graham
Chloey
Graham
5'9" | SG
Gibson Southern | 2024
State
IN
(17.4p, 3.8r, 2.0s). She is an elite shooter who can also handle and run offense. Freshman
Gabby Spink
Gabby
Spink
5'9" | CG
Gibson Southern | 2025
State
IN
(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
Ava Weisheit
Ava
Weisheit
5'9" | SF
Gibson Southern | 2023
IN
(8.2p, 8.2r, 2.7a) offer nice contributions up front.