Regional Rundown: Class 3A

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id="128135" first="Tressa" last="Senesac"] (2022) of Benton Central High School. Even though Mother Nature interfered with Sectional week, Sectional play has finally concluded around the state, and we can look forward to Saturday’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 3A 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!   Jimtown Regional - Game-1: West Noble (7-17) vs. Griffith (15-7), 10:30 a.m. EDT - Game-2: South Bend Washington (23-3) vs. Culver Academy (13-11), 12:30 p.m. EDT - Championship: 7:30 p.m. EDT Comments: Everything about West Noble’s Sectional run was improbable, and they very well could win their morning Regional game as well. They were 5-17 entering Sectional play, they hadn’t won since December 30th, and they were previously 0-3 against the two teams they beat to win the Sectional #20 crown. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="128180" first="Jazmyn" last="Smith"] has long been a Varsity contributor, and she can be physical around the rim or score it facing the basket. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="372353" first="Mackensy" last="Mabie"] is a ball of energy and often sparks them into scoring runs. They’ll need to play steady and use this newfound success to drive them, but they can advance from the early game. Their opponent, the Griffith Lady Panthers, have a nice, experienced backcourt, led by Seniors [player_tooltip player_id="377043" first="Cierra" last="Pipkins"], [player_tooltip player_id="303405" first="Marisa" last="Esquivel"], and Peyton Willis, plus Senior forward Ella Rasberry gives them a presence around the basket. They didn’t play the strongest of schedules this Winter, but they can put up points in a hurry, and they’ll need their backcourt to be dialed in and efficient each time they take the floor. The South Bend Washington Panthers are the de facto team to beat in Class 3A, as they were State Runners-Up a season ago, and they returned nearly everyone plus added some talented youngsters. They have carved their way through teams of all strengths, with their three losses coming to Class 4A North Central (Indianapolis), Class 4A Homestead, and prep school La Lumiere from LaPorte, Indiana. They have a number of talented individuals, but Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="97241" first="Mila" last="Reynolds"] has been a standout once again, both scoring the ball and dominating the glass. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="96086" first="RaShunda" last="Jones"] is a dynamic athlete and playmaker, and she might be the best on-ball defender in the state. And Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="59769" first="Amiyah" last="Reynolds"] runs the show and makes this team go, so they’re happy to have her back and healthy. Culver Academy started the season strong, and they’ve finished it strong, winning three of their last four games. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="206420" first="Taylor" last="Bowen"] is their everything, dominating the paint, but she also handles the ball some and can shoot from outside or facilitate. They will need big contributions from the rest of their roster as well, so players like Junior guard Dionna Craig and Junior wing Brighton Bird will need to come up big for the Lady Eagles if they are to advance. Predictions: While the morning game doesn’t have a lot of big names involved, I do think it will be entertaining for those in attendance. I think considering their strength of schedule and what they’ve done lately, West Noble might have the edge, but in postseason play you need guards, and Griffith certainly has that. I think Griffith wins a close one, 43-41. The second game will see South Bend Washington and all of their talent against a physical and structured Culver Academy team. I think the Lady Eagles give it a go for a few minutes, but once Washington adjusts and figures out the best way to pressure, they could separate by halftime. I will pick South Bend Washington here, 67-25. The evening game will likely tilt South Bend Washington’s way early, and they could see 30 points in the first quarter if Griffith can’t handle their pressure and length. Look for South Bend Washington to advance to the Semi-State for the second year in a row by a score of 78-22.   Bellmont Regional - Game-1: Hamilton Heights (18-5) vs. Garrett (25-1), 10:00 a.m. EDT - Game-2: Bellmont (17-8) vs. Benton Central (26-1), 12:00 p.m. EDT - Championship: 8:00 p.m. EDT Comments: Hamilton Heights isn’t very deep, but they have a strong backcourt, and they’ve played a very tough schedule, with three of their five losses coming to Class 4A powers in Noblesville, Fishers, and Westfield, plus one to Class 3A power Benton Central. They can and should give all three opponents in this Regional problems because of their ability to take care of the ball and control tempo. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="177352" first="Camryn" last="Runner"] is quick/fast, good with the ball, plus she can bury shots with range. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="128131" first="Mia" last="Shields"] has also been a nice addition for the Huskies this season, while Senior post [player_tooltip player_id="331781" first="MyKayla" last="Moran"] controls the paint and causes matchup problems for opponents. I’ve said it before, but Garrett has been gearing up for this season. They have a great deal of experience in their lineup, and they’ll have one of the best players in this Regional in Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="127226" first="Bailey" last="Kelham"]. She is long, wiry-strong, and bouncy. She plays with a nice motor, and she can make plays at all levels. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="157170" first="Morgan" last="Ostrowski"] is another talented athlete who can score it in the mid-post or with her back to the basket, plus she’s a capable shot-blocker. And Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="128162" first="Nataley" last="Armstrong"] is one of the best facilitators in the state, but she too can shoot/score when needed. After losing to Norwell by 33 in mid-January, Bellmont surprised a lot of people with their 11-point win over the Knights Saturday evening. Senior guard Kenzie Fuelling is their leader and brings a great deal of experience to the table, as does Junior wing Sydney Keane. They will need others to step up in order to continue advancing this Saturday. Benton Central is a machine. They have nice basketball players, without question, but they are also a product of a system growing up, and they play with such discipline. They wait for you to make mistakes, then they pounce. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="182143" first="Kennedy" last="Tolen"] and Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="128135" first="Tressa" last="Senesac"] are looking to add to their legacy this season, as they have helped the Varsity since they first stepped foot on campus. Sophomore post [player_tooltip player_id="176407" first="Sarah" last="Gick"] has always been a good defender, but she’s stepped up a great deal offensively this year, as well. Predictions: This first matchup could be the game of the day. There will be individual battles, along with the overall team war in this one. I think Garrett might be the better, deeper team, but in a coin-flip, I’m going to lean towards Hamilton Heights, as I think their schedule won’t allow them to be affected as much by the moment, and they probably make one or two more shots down the stretch in a game that sees a number of lead changes. Hamilton Heights wins, barely, 47-45. I think the second contest will see Benton Central do Benton Central things. Bellmont will feel good about how they’re playing, but the Bison will win each quarter by three or four points, and by the end of it the final score is Benton Central 46, Bellmont 35. The nightcap could be a real doozie, no matter who Benton Central plays. Let’s say they play Hamilton Heights, which would be a rematch of their conference battle on January 21st that they won, 54-46. I don’t know that it’s as high of a score this time around, but I think the margin is similar. I think Benton Central wins this Regional and advances to the Semi-State, with the final score being 49-43.   Greencastle Regional - Game-1: Indian Creek (21-4) vs. Brownstown Central (16-11), 10:00 a.m. EDT - Game-2: Bishop Chatard (16-10) vs. Tri-West (17-7), 12:00 p.m. EDT - Championship: 8:00 p.m. EDT Comments: Indian Creek has had a really nice year, and they have a little of everything on their roster. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="239346" first="Lauren" last="Foster"] is the headliner here, as she plays with a tremendous motor and toughness. She is always on the floor getting loose balls, she rebounds her position well, plus she can score it from all levels. Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id="201885" first="Faith" last="Wiseman"] has tremendous height and length, but she’s also fairly fluid and versatile, especially offensively. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="303417" first="Emily" last="Todor"] gives them a third player with double-digit scoring potential, and she’ll need to step up big this weekend for them to advance. Brownstown Central plays an incredibly tough schedule, including the likes of Columbus East and Jennings County. They might have 11 losses, but they are battle-tested for sure. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="178236" first="Madelyn" last="Hackman"] is where opponents will likely start, as she is a strong guard who can do a little of everything at a high level. Senior guard Emma Klinge also brings a great deal of experience to the court for the Lady Braves, who have won three straight Sectionals and look to get to the Semi-State for the second time in three years. Bishop Chatard seems like a Regional regular as well, and even with 10 losses, they too have played some top competition. They have a strong Senior backcourt, with [player_tooltip player_id="243564" first="Isabel" last="Davis"], Kate Caskey, Lillian Mohler, and [player_tooltip player_id="270064" first="Grace" last="Adams"] leading the Lady Trojans. Forwards Caroline Bell, a Junior, and Carly DeCastro, a Senior, give them an interior presence. Tri-West made it to the South Semi-State last season, falling to State Champion Silver Creek. The Lady Bruins look to make it back again, and they are getting it going at the right time, winning nine of their last 11 games. Senior guards [player_tooltip player_id="61059" first="Kenna" last="Kirby"] and [player_tooltip player_id="182150" first="Isabelle" last="Saylor"], plus Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="267401" first="Adrie" last="Thompson"], bring back a wealth of experience from last year, and all are double-figure scorers. Predictions: Game-1 should be nip & tuck throughout, with a number of lead changes, in my estimation. I think Indian Creek has a more talented roster, but they are also relying on a lot of youth. I will still lean towards Indian Creek to knock off Brownstown Central, but I think it will be a close, 49-47 margin, and possibly involve overtime. In the second contest, I think it could again be a tight, hard-fought game, but I’m not sure the lead changes as often, and I’d bank on Tri-West using their experience from last year to keep Chatard at arm’s length the entire game. While it will still be a close game, I look for Tri-West to make free throws in order to knock off Chatard by the final margin, 56-47. In the evening contest, it comes down to the youthful talent of Indian Creek versus the experienced veterans of Tri-West. To me, I tend to look at perimeter matchups, and at this time I think Tri-West has the better perimeter play. They will have to figure out how to deal with Wiseman inside, but I like Tri-West to advance, 57-50.   Charlestown Regional - Game-1: Vincennes Lincoln (17-8) vs. Gibson Southern (18-7), 10:30 a.m. EDT - Game-2: Silver Creek (23-2) vs. Rushville Consolidated (17-9), 12:30 p.m. EDT - Championship: 7:30 p.m. EDT Comments: Vincennes Lincoln pulled off a bit of a stunner, knocking off Washington in Sectional play, but the Alices are a solid team with some talented perimeter players. They can control tempo or attack and score it in bunches. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="128181" first="Dani" last="Kroeger"] is a nice combo guard who can fill it up, attack and finish, or distribute. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="128173" first="Chloe" last="Cardinal"] is a really nice athlete with the ability to score from all three levels. And Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="59761" first="Gracie" last="Kramer"] is a true distributor who can also knock down open shots, plus she can defend the ball. Gibson Southern survived a Tuesday night battle with Evansville Memorial to get here. They are led by a pair of young guards, but the Titans have nice depth and versatility. Sophomore sharp-shooter [player_tooltip player_id="177324" first="Chloey" last="Graham"] leads them into action, while Freshman playmaker [player_tooltip player_id="295774" first="Gabby" last="Spink"] has had some nice moments this year. Junior forwards Alexis Tucker and [player_tooltip player_id="127243" first="Ava" last="Weisheit"] offer rebounding and interior scoring. Silver Creek is the defending State Champion, and despite a number of graduation losses, they have figured out a way to put themselves in this position once again. Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="128116" first="Kynidi" last="Striverson"] has played outstandingly this season, but she’s gotten help from fellow Seniors [player_tooltip player_id="128122" first="Emme" last="Rooney"], [player_tooltip player_id="243587" first="Sydney" last="Sierota"], and Lacey Tingle. They can each handle the ball or make open shots in the Dragons’ four-guard offense. Rushville is one of those programs who just plays the same way each year, regardless of who the faces are. However, Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="61080" first="Annika" last="Marlow"] has had a wonderful career, and she looks to cap it off with a deeper run this season. Rushville fell in the Regional Final to Silver Creek a year ago, so they hope for better luck this time around. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="59764" first="Briley" last="Munchel"] and Sophomore guard Sophia Dora help Marlow on the perimeter. Predictions: Vincennes Lincoln and Gibson Southern squared off back around Thanksgiving, with the Alices winning a four-point contest. I would venture to guess both teams would say they are better at this point in the year. Once again, I think experience comes into play here, so while Gibson Southern does have several Juniors and Seniors on their roster, their top two players are young. I think Vincennes Lincoln will do everything they can to frustrate Graham and Spink, and this will turn into a grind for both teams. I’m not sure either team will see 50 points, and in a virtual coin-flip, I’ll take Vincennes Lincoln, 46-45. Silver Creek and Rushville both suffered roster losses from a season ago, but I feel like Silver Creek has returned a bit more firepower this year. Rushville will play with them, as they are tough and feisty, but ultimately, I think Silver Creek’s experience and talent takes over down the stretch, with the Dragons pulling out a 56-42 victory. In the final game to preview for Class 3A, it’s looking to me like it could be Vincennes Lincoln and Silver Creek. The Alices probably match up just a little better with the Dragons than Rushville does, but I still like Silver Creek to win and advance to the Semi-State by a double-figure margin. I think Silver Creek knocks off Vincennes Lincoln, 59-47, as the Dragons just make a few more shots in the second half.