Regional Rundown: Class 2A

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id="128209" first="Abigail" last="Tomblin"] (2022) of South Central High School (Union Mills, Indiana). 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 2A 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!   Winamac Regional - Game-1: Eastside (16-9) vs. Fairfield (22-3), 11:00 a.m. EDT - Game-2: Andrean (20-6) vs. South Central (Union Mills) (26-0), 1:00 p.m. EDT - Championship: 8:00 p.m. EDT Comments: The Eastside Blazers won a very tight, eight-team Sectional, so they understand the pressures of close games against good opponents. They have a nice group of upperclassmen, led by Seniors Skyelar Kessler and Mataya Bireley, plus Junior forward Grace Kreischer and Freshman guard Sydnee Kessler give them good minutes as well. They are a streaky team, winning games in stretches, but at the moment they have won four in a row and six of their last eight. Fairfield had an outstanding regular season, and this is their third Regional appearance in the last five years. The Falcons do have a standout in Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="59749" first="Brea" last="Garber"], but they also get contributions from Senior guard Brooke Sanchez, plus Junior wings Bailey Willard and Morgan Gawthrop. They will need a balanced attack to win two games tomorrow. Andrean is doing Andrean things, controlling the tempo offensively, knocking down open jumpers from the outside, and playing stingy defense. Junior guards [player_tooltip player_id="127214" first="Tori" last="Allen"] and [player_tooltip player_id="300077" first="Lauren" last="Colon"] are as good as they come at their role, taking care of the basketball and making open jump-shots with range beyond the arc. They are also long, scrappy defenders. Freshman wing [player_tooltip player_id="295810" first="Lindsay" last="Arcella"] is a nice athlete with skill, and Senior [player_tooltip player_id="128200" first="Lauryn" last="Swain"] plays much bigger than she is and adds that necessary toughness to the lineup. Then there is South Central, and the Satellites have survived to this point unscathed. They did see a couple of close calls in the Sectional rounds, but they are a veteran team with nice balance. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="128209" first="Abigail" last="Tomblin"] is their heart and soul, as she brings versatility, toughness, and the ability to create to the lineup. She’s also a four-year contributor. Senior wing Delanie Gale is another tough kid who outworks her matchups. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="203664" first="Olivia" last="Marks"] is a motor kid who contributes at both ends of the floor, plus she’s a nice, fluid athlete. Predictions: The morning game will have a lot of undertones to it, as Eastside and Fairfield share a conference. In fact, they met in consecutive games this year (1/7 and 1/11), with the teams splitting the pair by narrow margins each time. There is a lot of familiarity here, so this one will be a grind, and it will likely come down to who makes that final adjustment, who can manage foul trouble, and/or who can simply make free throws down the stretch. Fairfield will have the most talented player on the floor, which also happens to be the toughest matchup, so I’m going to lean that way, but only by a 42-40 final score. The second game should also be quite a battle. Both teams have experience, both teams play excellent defense, and both teams endure a tough regular season schedule. They’ll be ready. I actually think this is a more even matchup than records might suggest, and the fact South Central had a couple of close Sectional games does worry me a bit. I think this game is a coin-flip, but I think I will still lean the way of the Satellites, but barely...South Central 48, Andrean 47. That means Fairfield and South Central would meet in the evening contest. I actually think South Central’s style of play and balance favor them in this matchup. I think it will be a good game, but one in which the Satellites control it throughout. I think South Central keeps their winning ways going with a 51-45 victory over the Falcons.   Frankton Regional - Game-1: Frankton (20-5) vs. Carroll (Flora) (18-7), 10:00 a.m. EDT - Game-2: Clinton Prairie (18-7) vs. Winchester (23-1), 12:00 p.m. EDT - Championship: 8:00 p.m. EDT Comments: Frankton is typically much more comfortable at home, and this year they only suffered one loss there, and that was to Class 4A power Fishers. They will be in their own locker room Saturday, eating at their own tables, etc., and that should help calm any nerves they might have, let alone they’ve been here before. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="128149" first="Lauryn" last="Bates"] and Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="303406" first="Cagney" last="Utterback"] are good with the basketball and can find open teammates. Sophomore wing Emma Sperry could be the x-factor, as she’s a smooth, fluid, skilled wing who can play a point guard role or knock down open shots. Carroll thought maybe they’d miss Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="201873" first="Alli" last="Harness"] for the remainder of the season, but a little tape later, and she’s playing through two fractured wrists. The combination of her and Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id="239358" first="Madison" last="Wagner"] are explosive offensively and tough to stop. Sophomore Laney Johnson is a third young prospect who can get them a bucket when they need it. The Cougars finished Sectional play with a nice win over a strong Pioneer group. Clinton Prairie is one of those teams where it seems like everyone is about the same size, they all play extremely hard, and they all contribute. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="267402" first="Tynlie" last="Neal"] is the one player who can take over a game for them, though, as she acts as both facilitator and scorer for the Gophers. Juniors Sydney Swan and Claire Ecenbarger have been the most consistent of the rest of this mostly veteran group. Winchester fell back to Class 2A this year after a stint in Class 3A due to their previous state tournament success. Well, they are in the driver’s seat once again, only losing one game to a tough Class 3A Madison squad over the holiday break. The Golden Falcons have grown up in a successful program, and they only know one way to play. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="127219" first="Caitlyn" last="Campbell"] is one of the most talented, lesser-known prospects in the state. She is extremely long, fluid, skilled, and athletic. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="300078" first="Morgan" last="Lawrence"] has put together another nice year as well for Winchester. Seniors Gena Moore and Taylor Hicks offer experienced support. Predictions: Frankton has played a bit tougher schedule than Carroll this year, and they’ve turned out more consistent results. I think the Cougars are slightly more talented and possibly deeper, but I think Frankton’s experience and ability to play on their home floor will help. Carroll is maybe one year away from making a much deeper run, as I think Frankton wins the first game, 52-44. The second game will be a tough one for Clinton Prairie. Whatever they can bring to the table, Winchester has seen it this year on multiple occasions. I think the Golden Falcons will be ready to play early, and they run out to a quick lead and then keep the Gophers at arm’s length. I’ll take Winchester, 58-44. In the evening contest, I’m not sure even home-court advantage can help the Frankton Eagles. They will be prepared, and they will certainly play hard and execute at times, but I think Winchester is just going to be too much for them. I can see a game where Winchester maybe leads by two or three at half, but then they separate themselves in the third quarter, winning 55-46.   Southmont Regional - Game-1: University (21-4) vs. Union County (12-8), 10:00 a.m. EDT - Game-2: North Putnam (17-8) vs. Heritage Christian (16-11), 12:00 p.m. EDT - Championship: 8:00 p.m. EDT Comments: The Trailblazers of University have been to three Regionals the last four years, so this is a comfortable situation for them to be in. They have also advanced to a pair of Semi-States, including last year. They are deep, and they are talented, so I don’t see anything about this environment causing problems for them. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="59772" first="Payton" last="Seay"] and Junior front-liner [player_tooltip player_id="59743" first="Kelsey" last="DuBois"] are both unique matchup problems. Seay is a strong, physical, attacking wing, while DuBois is a highly skilled, but very strong, inside-out post. Senior transfers [player_tooltip player_id="243579" first="Patty" last="Chikamba"] (Covenant Christian) and [player_tooltip player_id="243583" first="Emily" last="Adamowicz"] (Muncie Burris) give the Trailblazers more experience and talent on the wings, while Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="241194" first="Jordan" last="Patterson"] does a little of everything for them. Union County pulled off a mild upset of Northeastern in Sectional play, and the Lady Patriots are now playing with "house money". They are a hard-working, well-coached group, and they’ll be ready to play tomorrow. Senior Faith Richardson and Junior Brooke Fields are their top two scorers, but neither average more than 7.6 points per game. They will get good balance, though, as they’ll go seven deep. North Putnam suffered through a rough middle part of their season, losing eight of nine games at one point. But they opened the year winning seven games, and they are currently on a nine-game winning streak. Senior guard Kyla Willis has long been one of their best players, and everyone will be keying in on the 1000-point scorer. Fellow Seniors Marin Davies and Annabelle Gross will need to step up if they are to win and advance. Heritage Christian, like Winchester (above), has come back down to their enrollment classification in 2A after several years of playing "up" due to past success. The Lady Eagles have a virtually new roster from a year ago, but leading scoring [player_tooltip player_id="377061" first="Audrey" last="Booher"], a Senior guard, is a staple in the program. The sister trio of Senior Grace Marshall, Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="177341" first="Koryn" last="Marshall"], and Freshman [player_tooltip player_id="324078" first="Joslyn" last="Marshall"] are all new this season, coming from New Palestine, as are Freshman forward [player_tooltip player_id="324071" first="Casey" last="Frost"] (Carmel) and Sophomore guard Mya Davis (Lawrence Central). The Eagles are clicking now, winning eight of their last ten games. Predictions: Kudos to Union County and what they accomplished this season and in their Sectional play. But I just think University is going to be too much for them early and often. The Trailblazers like to pressure the ball, plus they are always on attack offensively. Union County’s only hope is to make shots and get back and set defensively. I think University gets out early though and cruises, 60-27. The second early game should be a bit more competitive, but I still think Heritage Christian has a decisive advantage. The Lady Eagles get contributions throughout their roster, while the Lady Cougars rely so heavily on Kyla Willis. If Heritage Christian can contain Willis, they should get an early lead and manage it throughout. I like Heritage Christian over North Putnam, 51-38. The Regional final should be a good one, with University taking on Heritage Christian. I think the two teams match up very well with each other, except I can’t figure out how Heritage Christian will defend [player_tooltip player_id="59743" first="Kelsey" last="DuBois"] at the basket. That’s the advantage University needs, and I think the Trailblazers advance to another Semi-State as they beat the Eagles, 53-44.   Crawford County Regional - Game-1: Forest Park (22-3) vs. Eastern (Pekin) (15-11), 10:00 a.m. EDT - Game-2: North Knox (20-6) vs. South Ripley (18-8), 12:00 p.m. EDT - Championship: 7:00 p.m. EDT Comments: Forest Park has been strong all season, and the Rangers have a tall, long roster that gives most opponents problems. They have played, and beaten, good teams, so I think they’ll be comfortable this weekend, especially since they were here a year ago and want to make amends for their performance. Junior forwards [player_tooltip player_id="178237" first="Amber" last="Tretter"] and [player_tooltip player_id="59728" first="Lydia" last="Betz"] lead the charge for the Rangers, while Senior guard Ali Welp is another talented, seasoned veteran. Eastern is also comfortable with postseason success, and the Musketeers are well-coached and find ways to beat you when you let your guard down. They will certainly be a tough "out" for anyone in this Regional, so don’t be surprised if they are still standing come Sunday. Junior front-liner [player_tooltip player_id="372344" first="Kyia" last="McKinley"] controls the paint for them and is who they center their offense around. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="59777" first="Ava" last="Sowder"] has also stepped up nicely this season. Senior guards Christina Knight and McKenna Jeter also provide depth and experience, though Knight was at Borden a year ago. North Knox is yet another program who has been here before, and Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="128199" first="Graycie" last="Poe"] will be one of the most experienced, top players in this Regional. She has started since her Freshman year, and she looks to cap her career off with another deep playoff run. Freshman wing [player_tooltip player_id="295765" first="Alex" last="McKinley"] has shown great potential this year, and she is a capable #2 to Poe. Junior guard Reegan Hammelman is a versatile, experienced player. If they can ensure Poe has good looks, and McKinley handles the big stage well, they will be tough to beat. South Ripley just makes this Regional that much stronger, having advanced to its fifth Regional in six seasons now. The Lady Raiders don’t have a standout, per se, just great balance, depth, and the ability to play within a system and out-execute opponents. Seniors Gracie Gunter, Rachel Meyer, and Sarah Meyer, plus Juniors Emily Flood and Katelynn Samples are part of a formidable lineup that could give others trouble. Predictions: The first game of the day should be quite a matchup. I think it will come down to a number of adjustments, and whether or not the girls respond and adapt to changes. I still think Forest Park has too much size and talent, plus those same kids are also skilled and experienced. I look for Forest Park to win a tough one over Eastern, 41-36. The second contest could also turn out to be a nice one, though I think North Knox will keep South Ripley at bay. It might be close throughout, but I don’t anticipate a ton of lead changes. I would expect North Knox to take care of business with a 40-33 win. In the nightcap, look for Forest Park to utilize their size inside early and often. I think they just present too many matchup problems for North Knox, while still being able to defend the Warriors. I think the Rangers advance to the Semi-State for the first time this century with a hard-fought, 45-39 victory over North Knox.