Regional Rundown: Class 1A

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id="59789" first="Linzie" last="Wernert"] (2023) of Lanesville High School. Even though Mother Nature interfered with Sectional week, Sectional play concluded earlier this week around the state, and we can look forward to tomorrow's matchups in the Regional round. We are now down to a "Sweet-16" in each class, and with two rounds of games scheduled for Saturday at each site, we will end the day with a "Final Four" in each class headed to Semi-State. Below is a quick look at those Class 1A matchups, along with some quick insight and picks as to who we think could survive and advance. Good luck to all teams continuing to participate in the 2021-2022 Indiana State Tournament!   Caston Regional - Game-1: Kouts (20-6) vs. North White (18-6), 10:00 a.m. EDT - Game-2: Blackhawk Christian (18-7) vs. Argos (16-8), 12:00 p.m. EDT - Championship: 8:00 p.m. EDT Comments: Kouts is in the Regional for the second year in a row, but this time they aim for making it farther than the morning game. The inside-out duo of Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="96074" first="Allison" last="Capouch"] and Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="182151" first="Lyndsey" last="Kobza"] are certainly capable of carrying this team. Capouch has "in the gym" range, while Kobza can score it a little at all three levels and is an effective rebounder. Junior Emma Garavalia is a nice, long, athletic wing as well. North White is a product of all of its parts, they work well together, and they've knocked off some quality teams throughout the year. They've also done so minus maybe their most talented athlete in Senior [player_tooltip player_id="303410" first="Lynzi" last="Heimlich"], who was injured late in the Fall. Senior Caitlin Conn and Junior Tessa Robertson are strong up front, while Seniors Lauren Annis and Hannah Cosgray, plus Junior Abigale Spry, man the backcourt. If they are able to make it a half-court game and play with discipline and patience, they can knock off most Class 1A competition. Blackhawk Christian is making their third consecutive Regional appearance, but they have bowed out each of the last two seasons in the first game. This could be their year to advance. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="182146" first="Hailee" last="Kline"] is a big-time contributor for them. She can score and defend, and she's a nice all-around athlete. Look for Senior guard Lily Helmuth, Senior forward Regan Miller, and Junior forward Aubrie Swain to offer Kline support at both ends of the floor. Argos has won five games in a row, and they defeated all three Sectional matchups by 22 or more points. Senior front-liner [player_tooltip player_id="243581" first="Elizabeth" last="Edmonds"] is critical to what they do, so if they can get her going, they'll be tough to stop. Juniors Bella Stults and Emma Dunlap, plus Sophomore Samantha Redinger, all help contribute to the scoring column, plus they have multiple years of experience, though none of them had won a Sectional title until this season. Predictions: The first game should be highly entertaining, as both teams play a little different. Kouts would prefer to play with some tempo, get into their offense early, and find the hoop often. North White can be content executing in the half-court, making efficient plays when Kouts breaks down. Kouts might have the two best players in this matchup, but North White has more depth and experience. I think North White will give Kouts trouble with their defense, making this a low-scoring game, but I think Capouch and Kobza make shots down the stretch, and Kouts beats North White, 37-36, in a nail-biter. In the second game, we have two veteran teams matching up with each other. I think this is Blackhawk Christian's year, though. They have stronger perimeter play, and I think Kline can go for 25 points. Look for Blackhawk Christian to knock off Argos, 45-37. If it's Kouts and Blackhawk Christian in the evening game, I think these two teams are much more similar than their two morning opponents. I have a feeling we'll see a shootout between Capouch and Kline in this one, but I think Blackhawk has a little more depth, and the Lady Braves pull out a narrow victory, 50-48.   Wes-Del Regional - Game-1: Lafayette Central Catholic (21-4) vs. Blue River Valley (24-2), 10:00 a.m. EDT - Game-2: Cowan (7-15) vs. North Miami (14-8), 12:00 p.m. EDT - Championship: 8:00 p.m. EDT Comments: If I had to pick a favorite to win state, I think Lafayette Central Catholic would be that team. They've had a strong year, and against elite competition. They played a good Class 4A type of schedule, and they've shredded competition at times this season. Their one weakness is simply that they aren't very big, but they have several good guards, they can shoot or attack, and they are very tenacious defensively. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="128133" first="Karsyn" last="Cherry"] and Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="128204" first="Caitlin" last="Dineen"] have been regulars for four years now, but Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="127241" first="Tori" last="Thompson"] and Freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id="295785" first="Carley" last="Barrett"] are equally as skilled and talented. Blue River Valley is a team with some size, as Senior post [player_tooltip player_id="97266" first="Ally" last="Madden"] leads the way for the Vikings. Even still, Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="203655" first="Maci" last="Chamberlin"] is one of the state's best shooters, and she's a capable playmaker. Those two work tremendously well together, but there is more to their roster. Senior Samantha Loveless has also stepped up for them this year, offering an additional scoring threat. I said last week not to count Cowan out, and I considered them as a legitimate threat to win their Sectional. Sure enough, they won three games and here they are. They are well-coached, and they have one of the more under-appreciated guards in this Regional in Senior [player_tooltip player_id="243568" first="Lauren" last="Smith"]. She is crafty with the ball in her hands, she can shoot it with range, and she's a feisty on-ball defender who can create havoc for opposing ball-handlers. Senior forward Emma Johnson can play a little inside and out and gives them some balance. North Miami has been somewhat up and down all season, but they avenged one of their losses in the Sectional Final, plus the Warriors have enough firepower to compete with most teams. Junior transfer [player_tooltip player_id="361363" first="Logan" last="Mouser"] (Peru) has been a big-time addition for them this year, and she has found her groove. Sophomore Kaiden Hanley and Junior Ellie Musselman are also double-digit scorers, making the Warriors tough to defend because you can't just take one player away. Predictions: Blue River Valley does have Central Catholic's kryptonite in [player_tooltip player_id="97266" first="Ally" last="Madden"], but if the Lady Knights can use their ball pressure and make this an 84-foot game, Blue River could struggle to consistently run up and down with them. I think there will be an adjustment period early in the game, but I look at Central Catholic to eventually prevail, 63-54. Cowan actually gave Blue River a run for their money a couple of weeks ago, but I think at this stage, everyone will be dialed in. I think North Miami will be on alert for any upset, they'll use their superior depth and balance to control Cowan, and the Warriors will survive and advance with a comfortable, 56-42 triumph. In the final game of this Regional, I look for Lafayette Central Catholic to match up much better with North Miami. I think they will be scoring it in bunches from the tip, and I anticipate Lafayette Central Catholic will advance with an easy, 66-44 victory.   Southwestern (Shelbyville) Regional - Game-1: Bethesda Christian (14-7) vs. Greenwood Christian (14-11), 10:00 a.m. EDT - Game-2: Waldron (22-1) vs. Bloomfield (12-11), 12:00 p.m. EDT - Championship: 7:30 p.m. EDT Comments: Bethesda Christian has the best player in this Regional in high-scoring, Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="177322" first="Kenzie" last="Fulks"]. She can make shots from anywhere, plus she's an attacker who can facilitate when needed. Junior guard Paige Vawter offers them another offensive weapon, so as long as one of them can consistently make shots, they have a chance. The Lady Patriots have not won a Regional game this century, despite this being their third consecutive trip to this round. Greenwood Christian graduated as much as anyone in 2021, but they are back, and they have another solid team. Senior guard Dani Simon has stepped into a leadership role this year, while Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="377050" first="Ellie" last="Bigelow"] has been a Varsity regular for three years now. Sophomore Sydney Waldron enrolled this year from Providence, giving them a nice, experienced youngster with some offensive punch. Waldron was geared up for this season, especially with the Senior talent they possess. The Senior trio of [player_tooltip player_id="303401" first="Bella" last="Larrison"], Megan Bogemann, and Nichole Garner are tough together, but they also have three additional Seniors rostered who play solid minutes, and eight Seniors in total. They were fortunate to escape earlier this week with their overtime win against Jac-Cen-Del. The Bloomfield Cardinals are riding high, following their mild upset of North Central (Farmersburg) in the Sectional finale. They might have 11 losses at this point, but they are winners of seven in a row, and they've seemed to right the ship. Senior forward Gracie Lowry is arguably their best player this year, while Juniors Delaney Richardson and Brianna Bucher offer more size and versatility to the lineup. Predictions: Bethesda Christian and Greenwood Christian saw each other in mid-January, with GCA winning by ten, but I think they actually match up quite well in this first game. This game could come down to whoever has the last shot. With [player_tooltip player_id="177322" first="Kenzie" last="Fulks"] on Bethesda's roster, I am going to lean their way, but I can see a number of lead changes and an overtime game potentially coming. Look for Bethesda Christian to knock off Greenwood Christian in this rematch, 50-48. In the second game, while I think Bloomfield has some size and capable forwards, Waldron is mostly guards and wings, still with some size. I think Waldron and their eight Seniors are just too much for the Cardinals, and Waldon wins this one, 57-33. Tomorrow night, I again anticipate Waldron just being too much for Bethesda Christian. I think they control the tempo from the outset, though Fulks likely puts up 25 points, however I think Waldron's okay with that because they outscore the Lady Patriots, 59-40.   West Washington Regional - Game-1: Tecumseh (16-8) vs. Trinity Lutheran (16-8), 10:30 a.m. EDT - Game-2: Vincennes Rivet (20-6) vs. Lanesville (25-1), 12:30 p.m. EDT - Championship: 7:30 p.m. EDT Comments: This Regional is crazy, with three of the top seven teams in the Class 1A Sagarin ratings represented here. And Trinity Lutheran is no slouch, coming in at #14. Tecumseh has been here three consecutive years, and they've made the Regional Final three consecutive years. They play incredibly hard and physical, and they have one of the Regional's best players in Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="97268" first="Kaybree" last="Oxley"]. She is as tough and hard-working as they come, and she can singlehandedly will them to wins. Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id="369833" first="Jenna" last="Donohoo"] is another strong, interior presence who will rebound and defend the paint. Junior guard Karsyn Flowers is another nice athlete, and she acts as their playmaker and facilitator. Trinity Lutheran struggled for size this year...the first time in a while. However, Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="59779" first="Bailey" last="Tabeling"] is a knockdown shooter, a nice athlete, and she can attack the basket or facilitate as well. She'll be a difficult matchup for all opponents here. Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id="326481" first="Liza" last="Froedge"] is a long, fluid kid who can make shots outside or glide to the basket. Diminutive Senior guard Kailene Cockerham has good all-around skill, plus she adds a lot of value to the lineup with her experience. Vincennes Rivet is one of the bigger teams in the state, regardless of class. They can start/play as many as four six-footers at a time if they want. Still, though, Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="303409" first="Maddisyn" last="Halter"] is one of their top players. Add in 6-0 Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="128121" first="Meredith" last="Weiss"], as well as sisters [player_tooltip player_id="369823" first="Anna" last="Herman"], a 6-3 Sophomore, and Mary Herman, a 6-1 Freshman, and the Lady Patriots are somewhat intimidating to match up with. Lanesville has made it this far for a fourth year in a row, however they are looking to win a Regional game for the first time during that span. The Eagles are led by Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="59789" first="Linzie" last="Wernert"] and Junior post Morgan Sonner, but they also have a pair of Freshmen who have stood out this year as well. Those rookies include [player_tooltip player_id="295760" first="Hadley" last="Crosier"] and [player_tooltip player_id="324067" first="Hylton" last="Brumley"]. Look for them to be on a mission this year. Predictions: Despite both team's postseason success, Tecumseh and Trinity Lutheran have yet to match up while their current players have been in high school. Both teams have made runs, and both teams play extremely hard, but I think Trinity Lutheran will have a tough time stopping both Oxley and Donohoo inside tomorrow. If they can, I think Trinity Lutheran survives this game, otherwise, I think I am going with Tecumseh in the early game, 56-47. In the second contest, I think it takes Lanesville much of the game to figure out Rivet's size and how to negotiate it offensively. The last time these two teams met was when all of the current Seniors were Freshmen, so I'm not sure that will have much of a mark on this game. I do think the Eagles are a little better scoring the ball, because Rivet will clog the lane well. However, I believe Lanesville advances with a narrow, 40-36 win. In this Regional's championship game, look for Tecumseh and Lanesville to match up very well together. Both have experienced forwards/frontline play, so I think that's an even battle, however in the backcourt Lanesville might be a little more talented, though Tecumseh boasts more experience. This is a toss-up for me, but I think Lanesville finally gets it done and advances to the Semi-State, taking care of Tecumseh, 47-41.