State Tourney Preview: Sectionals #1-#4

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='486535' first='Kenedi' last='Bradley'] (2026) of Chesterton High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The IHSAA Sectional draw took place Sunday evening, so all of the 390+ schools participating in this year's state tournament found out when they would be playing their first game, which will take place in a little over a week. Below is a look at each of the Sectionals that will feed into the LaPorte Regional the following weekend. This includes the Class 4A teams from Sectionals #1-#4. Please stay tuned, as this week we will have a quick synopsis of each of the 64 Sectionals across all four classifications.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #1 at Lake Central:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Hammond Morton (7-13) vs. Hammond Central (7-13)<br>Game-2: Munster (16-6) vs. Merrillville (4-18)<br>Game-3: Lake Central (17-5) vs. East Chicago Central (14-6)<br>Game-4: Gary West Side (1-18) vs. Winner Game-1<br>Game-5: Winner Game-2 vs. Winner Game-3<br>Game-6: Winner Game-4 vs. Winner Game-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> Lake Central has been the dominant force in Sectional #1 this season, as they have (1) the best record, (2) the toughest schedule, (3) the deepest roster, and they are 3-0 against Sectional #1 opponents, including a 71-34 victory against Munster in late November. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='176406' first='Aniyah' last='Bishop'] (<em>10.6p, 6.4r, 2.1a</em>) and [player_tooltip player_id='201878' first='Riley' last='Milausnic'] (<em>10.1p</em>) are the leading scorers for the Indians, and they will likely be a heavy favorite in most/all games here. Munster has put together a fantastic season, and they are led by a Freshman in [player_tooltip player_id='567130' first='Gracyn' last='Gilliard'] (<em>18.9p, 4.4r, 2.2a, 4.8s</em>). She is a legitimate Division-I prospect, a skillful and athletic wing, and the Mustangs are likely the best odds to cause problems for Lake Central. They have played some good teams tough down the stretch, and they can at least field a starting lineup who can compete athletically with the Indians. East Chicago has a winning record and will play athletically as well, but they currently have a 374 strength of schedule and a 251 overall Sagarin Rating, so their opening matchup with Lake Central could be a tough one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #1 Players to Watch:</strong><br>East Chicago Central - <strong>Janiyah Watkins</strong>, 2023<br>East Chicago Central - <strong>Keaya Smith</strong>, 2023<br>East Chicago Central - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='881619' first='Lela' last='Edmonds']</strong>, 2026<br>Gary West Side - [player_tooltip player_id='96075' first='Exsencia' last='Cloma'], 2023<br>Hammond Central - [player_tooltip player_id='572802' first='Aniyah' last='Henry'], 2024<br>Hammond Central - [player_tooltip player_id='567131' first='Indiah' last='Hutchinson'], 2026<br>Hammond Morton - <strong>Vanessa Carrera</strong>, 2023<br>Hammond Morton - <strong>Heaven Clopton</strong>, 2023<br>Hammond Morton - <strong>Chanteze Holland</strong>, 2025<br>Lake Central - [player_tooltip player_id='176406' first='Aniyah' last='Bishop'], 2024 - 10.6p, 6.4r, 2.1a<br>Lake Central - [player_tooltip player_id='201878' first='Riley' last='Milausnic'], 2024 - 10.1p<br>Lake Central - [player_tooltip player_id='295811' first='Ayla' last='Krygier'], 2025 - 8.5p, 4.6r<br>Lake Central - [player_tooltip player_id='406433' first='Nadia' last='Clayton'], 2024 - 7.3p, 3.3r, 2.1a, 2.3s<br>Lake Central - [player_tooltip player_id='295781' first='Vanessa' last='Wimberly'], 2025 - 6.2p, 3.8r, 3.1a, 2.8s<br>Merrillville - [player_tooltip player_id='127224' first='Mya-Lee' last='Jackson'], 2023 - 12.6p, 2.9r<br>Merrillville - [player_tooltip player_id='486503' first='Melaney' last='Williams'], 2026 - 7.3p, 4.6r<br>Munster - [player_tooltip player_id='567130' first='Gracyn' last='Gilliard'], 2026 - 18.9p, 4.4r, 2.2a, 4.8s<br>Munster - [player_tooltip player_id='361731' first='Trinity' last='Hogge'], 2023 - 9.6p, 2.3r, 2.7a<br>Munster - <strong>Lillian Mason</strong>, 2023 - 9.2p, 4.6r, 2.3s<br>Munster - [player_tooltip player_id='460838' first='Akaoma' last='Odeluga'], 2023 - 8.7p, 13.1r (<em>6.3 off.</em>)<br>Munster - [player_tooltip player_id='553157' first='Nina' last='Garner'], 2025 - 4.5p, 3.6r</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #2 at Lowell:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Kankakee Valley (15-6) vs. Hobart (11-10)<br>Game-2: Crown Point (14-8) vs. Valparaiso (19-2)<br>Game-3: Lowell (9-12) vs. Chesterton (14-7)<br>Game-4: Portage (13-10) vs. Winner Game-1<br>Game-5: Winner Game-2 vs. Winner Game-3<br>Game-6: Winner Game-4 vs. Winner Game-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> Valparaiso stands out in the Sectional #2 field, not just because of their 19-2 record, but they have 20+ point wins over Kankakee Valley, Crown Point, Chesterton, and Portage. They have gotten strong backcourt play from Senior [player_tooltip player_id='241188' first='Kristin' last='Bukata'] (<em>11.5p, 4.3r, 4.3a, 3.9s</em>) and Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='419439' first='Lillian' last='Barnes'] (<em>16.8p, 6.8r, 3.6a, 6.2s</em>). Those two cause problems for everyone, so the key is to try to contain at least one of them. Crown Point has the recent prestige of being at the top, but their roster is under new leadership this year, and it's now up to Junior [player_tooltip player_id='298252' first='Ava' last='Ziolkowski'] (<em>17.9p, 7.5r, 59 3s</em>) and Senior [player_tooltip player_id='372345' first='Brooke' last='Lindesmith'] (<em>10.1p, 7.2r, 2.3a</em>) to carry the bulk of the load. The rest of the teams in Sectional #2 have to be a little happy seeing Valparaiso and Crown Point squaring off immediately, as they are both in the Top-40 of the Sagarin Ratings. Chesterton and Kankakee Valley both rate out in the 80s, followed by Portage at 111, Hobart at 180, and Lowell at 203. Chesterton has a nice, young nucleus, led by Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='486535' first='Kenedi' last='Bradley'] (<em>10.1p, 2.6r, 2.2s</em>), while Kankakee Valley looks to [player_tooltip player_id='96093' first='Lilly' last='Toppen'] (<em>13.0p, 3.6r</em>) and [player_tooltip player_id='372346' first='Kate' last='Thomas'] (<em>9.8p, 3.3r, 4.7a, 2.9s</em>), Portage leans on [player_tooltip player_id='203661' first='Anjelicia' last='Del Valle'] (<em>13.7p, 4.5r, 2.7a, 2.7s</em>), Hobart has the state's leading scorer in [player_tooltip player_id='96078' first='Asia' last='Donald'] (<em>28.8p, 11.4r, 2.6a, 4.3s</em>), and Lowell has <strong>Reilly Boyer</strong> (<em>5.7p, 3.8r, 3.4a, 3.2s</em>) in their backcourt. Each of those last five players is a Senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #2 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Chesterton - [player_tooltip player_id='486535' first='Kenedi' last='Bradley'], 2026 - 10.1p, 2.6r, 2.2s<br>Chesterton - <strong>Ingrid Hurst</strong>, 2023 - 7.0p, 2.9r, 2.6s<br>Chesterton - <strong>Ciara Bonner</strong>, 2024 - 6.1p, 5.9r, 2.1a<br>Chesterton - <strong>Tenley Davis</strong>, 2026 - 5.6p, 4.6r<br>Crown Point - [player_tooltip player_id='298252' first='Ava' last='Ziolkowski'], 2024 - 17.9p, 7.5r, 59 made 3s<br>Crown Point - [player_tooltip player_id='372345' first='Brooke' last='Lindesmith'], 2023 - 10.1p, 7.2r, 2.3a<br>Crown Point - [player_tooltip player_id='372350' first='Abbi' last='Foster'], 2023 - 7.0p, 3.5r, 2.8a<br>Hobart - [player_tooltip player_id='96078' first='Asia' last='Donald'], 2023 - 28.8p, 11.4r, 2.6a, 4.3s<br>Hobart - <strong>Jesse Neace</strong>, 2024 - 9.1p, 2.9r<br>Hobart - <strong>Nikolina Latinovic</strong>, 2023 - 6.8p, 5.5r<br>Kankakee Valley - [player_tooltip player_id='96093' first='Lilly' last='Toppen'], 2023 - 13.0p, 3.6r<br>Kankakee Valley - [player_tooltip player_id='372346' first='Kate' last='Thomas'], 2023 - 9.8p, 3.3r, 4.7a, 2.9s<br>Kankakee Valley - <strong>Laynie Capellari</strong>, 2023 - 5.8p, 3.7r<br>Lowell - <strong>Reilly Boyer</strong>, 2023 - 5.7p, 3.8r, 3.4a, 3.2s<br>Lowell - <strong>Kirstin Summers</strong>, 2024 - 9.3p, 3.0r<br>Portage - [player_tooltip player_id='203661' first='Anjelicia' last='Del Valle'], 2023 - 13.7p, 4.5r, 2.7a, 2.7s<br>Portage - [player_tooltip player_id='572801' first='Ava' last='Melendez'], 2024 - 12.8p, 4.3r, 3.7a, 2.1s<br>Portage - [player_tooltip player_id='572799' first='Alante' last='Wright'], 2024 - 10.4p, 4.1r<br>Valparaiso - [player_tooltip player_id='419439' first='Lillian' last='Barnes'], 2026 - 16.8p, 6.8r, 3.6a, 6.2s<br>Valparaiso - [player_tooltip player_id='241188' first='Kristin' last='Bukata'], 2023 - 11.5p, 4.3r, 4.3a, 3.9s<br>Valparaiso - <strong>Skyla Dobbertin</strong>, 2023 - 5.3p, 3.8r<br>Valparaiso - [player_tooltip player_id='486512' first='Cadynce' last='Clark'], 2026 - 5.4p</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #3 at Plymouth:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Mishawaka (11-9) vs. South Bend Washington (21-0)<br>Game-2: Michigan City (7-12) vs. LaPorte (0-20)<br>Game-3: South Bend Riley (3-18) vs. Plymouth (8-12)<br>Game-4: South Bend Adams (10-11) vs. Winner Game-1<br>Game-5: Winner Game-2 vs. Winner Game-3<br>Game-6: Winner Game-4 vs. Winner Game-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> Michigan City and Plymouth have to be the most thrilled with this draw because they (1) don't have to play South Bend Washington until the Sectional Championship, and they (2) both could win two games here, though Plymouth has already beaten Michigan City by a 65-33 margin, though that was back in mid-November. South Bend Washington is the odds-on favorite to win Class 4A, let alone Sectional #2, so any intrigue here will be around the other teams playing. Washington has a ton of talent, obviously, but the backcourt duo of [player_tooltip player_id='96086' first='RaShunda' last='Jones'] (<em>20.4p, 3.8r, 4.3a, 4.2s</em>) and [player_tooltip player_id='59769' first='Amiyah' last='Reynolds'] (<em>15.2p, 7.9r, 6.6a, 3.4s</em>) gets one last run together this coming month. Mishawaka will try to counter with Junior [player_tooltip player_id='406434' first='Asiah' last='Shaffer'] and Senior <strong>Katie Baumgartner</strong>, but they will need career nights from their entire roster to pull off the upset. On the other side, Michigan City has an explosive playmaker in Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='366799' first='Paulecia' last='Isom'], while Plymouth looks inside to Senior [player_tooltip player_id='372343' first='Taylor' last='Delp'] (<em>13.1p, 9.7r</em>).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #3 Players to Watch:</strong><br>LaPorte - <strong>Sydney Hill</strong>, 2023<br>LaPorte - <strong>Desiree Shelton</strong>, 2023<br>Michigan City - [player_tooltip player_id='366799' first='Paulecia' last='Isom'], 2025<br>Michigan City - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='496008' first='Divine' last='Woods']</strong>, 2025<br>Michigan City - [player_tooltip player_id='574556' first='Amira' last='Wair'], 2023<br>Mishawaka - [player_tooltip player_id='406434' first='Asiah' last='Shaffer'], 2024<br>Mishawaka - <strong>Katie Baumgartner</strong>, 2023<br>Mishawaka - <strong>Jadyn Handley</strong>, 2023<br>Plymouth - [player_tooltip player_id='372343' first='Taylor' last='Delp'], 2023 - 13.1p, 9.7r<br>Plymouth - <strong>Sophie Miller</strong>, 2025 - 7.0p, 3.0r<br>Plymouth - [player_tooltip player_id='454676' first='Lena' last='Jones'], 2025 - 5.4p, 4.2r, 2.8a<br>South Bend Adams - <strong>Jayne Kelly</strong>, 2023<br>South Bend Adams - <strong>Makayla Crumbley</strong>, 2023<br>South Bend Riley - <strong>Kaytlin Smith</strong>, 2023<br>South Bend Washington - [player_tooltip player_id='96086' first='RaShunda' last='Jones'], 2023 - 20.4p, 3.8r, 4.3a, 4.2s<br>South Bend Washington - [player_tooltip player_id='59769' first='Amiyah' last='Reynolds'], 2023 - 15.2p, 7.9r, 6.6a, 3.4s<br>South Bend Washington - [player_tooltip player_id='295770' first='Kira' last='Reynolds'], 2025 - 16.6p, 12.6r (<em>5.5 off.</em>), 3.1a, 5.0b<br>South Bend Washington - [player_tooltip player_id='295766' first='Monique' last='Mitchell'], 2025 - 13.7p, 3.3r, 2.7s<br>South Bend Washington - [player_tooltip player_id='295780' first='Ryiah' last='Wilson'], 2025 - 11.4p, 3.2r, 4.3a, 6.6s</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #4 at Concord:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Penn (15-6) vs. Northridge (18-5)<br>Game-2: Concord (4-17) vs. Warsaw (16-5)<br>Game-3: Goshen (11-10) vs. Winner Game-1<br>Game-4: Elkhart (13-8) vs. Winner Game-2<br>Game-5: Winner Game-3 vs. Winner Game-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> Sectional #4 could be a fun one, as Penn, Northridge, and Warsaw each have one loss against Sectional #4 opponents. In fact, Northridge has beaten Penn, Warsaw has beaten Northridge, and Penn has beaten Warsaw. The rematch of Penn and Northridge on opening night will be interesting. Both teams are guard-heavy and look to superior backcourt play for success. Sharp-shooting Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='295795' first='Jessa' last='Troy'] (<em>14.3p, 3.7r</em>) for Penn and always energetic Senior [player_tooltip player_id='203654' first='Eva' last='Fisher'] (<em>14.7p, 4.4r, 2.7a, 2.1s</em>) for Northridge should be the most interesting matchup of the night. Key stops and defensive rebounding will be a key component to this outcome. Warsaw is very young this year, led by a pair of Sophomores and a pair of Freshmen, but they are talented and have the highest Sagarin Rating of the group. They have to like their draw, being away from Penn and Northridge. However, as they have in years past, Elkhart could be a dark horse in this race. They get exceptional guard play from Junior [player_tooltip player_id='369826' first='Samiyah' last='Stout'] (<em>16.0p, 4.8r, 4.6a, 5.1s</em>), plus they have really nice team speed and the ability to disrupt opposing offenses. As usual, this will be one of the more difficult Sectionals in the state to predict, but there will definitely be some high-quality basketball played at Concord High School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #4 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Concord - [player_tooltip player_id='331769' first='Kendal' last='Taylor'], 2023 - 6.8p, 5.2r<br>Concord - <strong>Shelby Emerick</strong>, 2026 - 5.8, 2.2r<br>Concord - [player_tooltip player_id='298267' first='Dominique' last='Stilley'], 2024 - 4.5p, 3.6r<br>Elkhart - [player_tooltip player_id='369826' first='Samiyah' last='Stout'], 2024 - 16.0p, 4.8r, 4.6a, 5.1s<br>Elkhart - <strong>Shaniyah Stout</strong>, 2026 - 13.4p, 5.9r<br>Elkhart - [player_tooltip player_id='486489' first='Jordynn' last='Johnson'], 2026 - 8.5p, 2.7r, 2.2a<br>Elkhart - [player_tooltip player_id='369836' first='Jaya' last='Johnson'], 2024 - 7.9p, 4.3r<br>Goshen - [player_tooltip player_id='177328' first='Kyra' last='Hill'], 2024 - 16.2p, 10.3r, 2.6b<br>Goshen - [player_tooltip player_id='241192' first='Tyra' last='Marcum'], 2023 - 10.3p, 10.1r (<em>5.3 off.</em>)<br>Goshen - <strong>Breyana Cline</strong>, 2023 - 5.9p, 2.8r, 3.3a<br>Northridge - [player_tooltip player_id='203654' first='Eva' last='Fisher'], 2023 - 14.7p, 4.4r, 2.7a, 2.1s<br>Northridge - [player_tooltip player_id='177318' first='Morgan' last='Cross'], 2024 - 10.2p, 4.7r, 2.6a, 2.4s<br>Northridge - [player_tooltip player_id='203667' first='Savannah' last='Boerema'], 2023 - 8.2p, 2.9r, 2.3a<br>Northridge - [player_tooltip player_id='201872' first='Gaby' last='Gates'], 2024 - 7.4p, 3.7r<br>Northridge - [player_tooltip player_id='572813' first='Sabrina' last='Miller'], 2024 - 7.2p, 2.3r<br>Penn - [player_tooltip player_id='295795' first='Jessa' last='Troy'], 2025 - 14.3p, 3.7r<br>Penn - [player_tooltip player_id='59744' first='Julia' last='Economou'], 2023 - 11.9p, 6.5r, 2.5s<br>Penn - [player_tooltip player_id='369824' first='Lauren' last='Walsh'], 2024 - 10.0p, 4.0r, 3.5a, 2.3s<br>Penn - [player_tooltip player_id='460833' first='Peyton' last='Brooks'], 2023 - 8.9p, 6.0r<br>Warsaw - [player_tooltip player_id='403531' first='Brooke' last='Zartman'], 2026 - 12.3p, 2.9r<br>Warsaw - [player_tooltip player_id='295782' first='Brooke' last='Winchester'], 2025 - 12.0p, 6.1r<br>Warsaw - [player_tooltip player_id='567134' first='Joslyn' last='Bricker'], 2026 - 12.0p, 2.7r<br>Warsaw - [player_tooltip player_id='324082' first='Abbey' last='Peterson'], 2025 - 8.8p, 2.9r, 2.9a</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->