State Tourney Preview: Sectionals #21-#24

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='462366' first='Alivia' last='Bolinger'] (2026) of Fort Wayne's Concordia Lutheran High School.   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 next week. Below is a look at each of the Sectionals that will feed into the Bellmont Regional the following weekend. This includes the Class 3A teams from Sectionals #21-#24. Please stay tuned, as this weekend we will have a quick synopsis of each of the remaining Sectionals across classes 3A, 2A, and 1A.   .   Sectional #21 at Concordia Lutheran: Game-1: Heritage (5-15) vs. Bishop Dwenger (8-15) Game-2: Leo (11-10) vs. Concordia Lutheran (8-13) Game-3: Garrett (10-11) vs. Angola (11-10) Game-4: Woodlan (19-4) vs. Winner Game-1 Game-5: Winner Game-2 vs. Winner Game-3 Game-6: Winner Game-4 vs. Winner Game-5   Overview: Woodlan has the best record, they are 5-0 against Sectional #21 competition, but they have also had a couple of close calls, and I feel like this Sectional has four to five teams who can make a run at the crown. Woodlan relies heavily on the forward play of Senior [player_tooltip player_id='372357' first='Avah' last='Smith'] (15.2p, 9.2r, 2.4s) and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='264114' first='Taylor' last='Kneubuhler'] (14.0p, 4.5r, 2.4a). Both are high-energy kids who make a ton of hustle plays. Smith operates more inside of a 15-foot bubble, while Kneubuhler is comfortable in the mid-post or around the perimeter. From there, they have balanced team play and put a lot or pressure on opponents that way. Concordia Lutheran might be under .500 record-wise, but they have played a Top-40 schedule and have competed against some of Northeast Indiana's best teams. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='96089' first='Annaka' last='Nelson'] (11.8p, 8.0r) and Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='462366' first='Alivia' last='Bolinger'] (12.0p, 5.0r) will try to help the Cadets to their first Sectional title since the 2017-2018 season. Angola, Garrett, and Leo strike me as teams who could cause some problems. Angola always has long athletes, and they tend to play with speed and use pressure defenses. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='298265' first='Kylie' last='Caswell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='201879' first='Macy' last='Oberlin'] headline the Lady Hornets this season. Garrett was a Semi-State team a year ago, but graduation hit them hard in June of 2022. Now it's up to [player_tooltip player_id='127226' first='Bailey' last='Kelham'] (18.9p, 9.7r, 2.5s) to be a standout most nights for the Railroaders to succeed, though she's more than capable of a 40-point performance. Leo is working its way back to a winning record, something it hasn't seen since the 2016-2017 season. A combination of veterans and talented youth have made that happen so far this season.   Sectional #21 Players to Watch: Angola - [player_tooltip player_id='298265' first='Kylie' last='Caswell'], 2024 Angola - [player_tooltip player_id='201879' first='Macy' last='Oberlin'], 2024 Angola - Leah Snyder, 2024 Bishop Dwenger - [player_tooltip player_id='201870' first='Giselle' last='Eke'], 2024 Bishop Dwenger - Anna Ponder, 2024 Concordia Lutheran - [player_tooltip player_id='96089' first='Annaka' last='Nelson'], 2023 - 11.8p, 8.0r Concordia Lutheran - [player_tooltip player_id='462366' first='Alivia' last='Bolinger'], 2026 - 12.0p, 5.0r Concordia Lutheran - Lauren Goodman, 2025 - 7.1p, 4.0r, 2.6a Garrett - [player_tooltip player_id='127226' first='Bailey' last='Kelham'], 2023 - 18.9p, 9.7r, 2.5s Garrett - Maddy Schenkel, 2023 - 7.0p, 4.1r, 2.8a Garrett - [player_tooltip player_id='572811' first='Kelsey' last='Bergman'], 2024 - 5.1p, 8.3r, 2.1b Heritage - Claire Bickel, 2023 - 13.9p, 4.3r Leo - Leah May, 2023 - 10.9p, 4.0r Leo - Leah Shappell, 2026 - 7.3p, 5.7r Woodlan - [player_tooltip player_id='372357' first='Avah' last='Smith'], 2023 - 15.2p, 9.2r, 2.4s Woodlan - [player_tooltip player_id='264114' first='Taylor' last='Kneubuhler'], 2024 - 14.0p, 4.5r, 2.4a Woodlan - Addie Goheen, 2023 - 5.1p, 2.2r, 3.4a   .   Sectional #22 at Benton Central: Game-1: Twin Lakes (22-0) vs. North Montgomery (3-19) Game-2: Benton Central (16-8) vs. Western (15-8) Game-3: Rensselaer Central (12-9) vs. Frankfort (2-19) Game-4: West Lafayette (18-5) vs. Winner Game-1 Game-5: Winner Game-2 vs. Winner Game-3 Game-6: Winner Game-4 vs. Winner Game-5   Overview: Sectional #22 could be incredibly entertaining this season. Twin Lakes has overwhelmed most of their opponents each time out. Their 3-guard arsenal is always tough to stop. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='177346' first='Olivia' last='Nickerson'] (18.6p, 4.4r, 2.5a, 2.1s) is their sharp-shooter, and she can erupt for big nights. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='295786' first='Addison' last='Bowsman'] (17.0p, 5.7r, 7.0a) is as disciplined and heady of a young point guard as you'll find. And Senior [player_tooltip player_id='96094' first='Addison' last='Ward'] (11.9p, 3.4r, 2.3a) hides in the shadows of those two and strikes when people disrespect her game. She can handle, create, and shoot it herself. West Lafayette has played Twin Lakes twice already, and the most recent meeting, December 6th, ended up being a narrow 62-60 outcome in favor of Twin Lakes. Needless to say, West Lafayette knows what it takes to beat Twin Lakes, now they just have to put it all together for 32 minutes next week. The Red Devils have a talented Junior in [player_tooltip player_id='177359' first='Adrianne' last='Tolen'] (16.4p, 7.9r, 2.5a, 4.3s). Another Junior, [player_tooltip player_id='177360' first='Sarah' last='Werth'] (13.7p, 4.3r, 2.5a), missed last season with an injury, but she has been strong inside and out for them this year. Also keep an eye on Senior [player_tooltip player_id='127228' first='Kennedy' last='Martin'] (12.5p, 3.6r, 3.1a). She is a very good perimeter shooter with a quick release. Benton Central, Western, and Rensselaer Central also all pose problems for teams in this field. Benton Central is always a threat to make a deep tourney run, and this year they feature Junior post [player_tooltip player_id='176407' first='Sarah' last='Gick']. Western has a pair of Junior guards in [player_tooltip player_id='572810' first='Chloe' last='Hunt'] (13.2p, 5.8r, 2.5a, 3.2s) and [player_tooltip player_id='496049' first='Mackenzie' last='York'] (11.6p, 3.2r, 2.4a, 2.4s) who have stepped up immensely this season. Both are capable of scoring or running offense. And Rensselaer Central is somewhat young, led by Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='295796' first='Taylor' last='VanMeter'], but they are long, strong, and athletic. It would be dumb not to favor an undefeated Twin Lakes team, but they'll have their work cut out for them on Friday and Saturday evenings next week.   Sectional #22 Players to Watch: Benton Central - [player_tooltip player_id='176407' first='Sarah' last='Gick'], 2024 Benton Central - Rachel Tolen, 2024 Benton Central - [player_tooltip player_id='369829' first='Sienna' last='Foster'], 2024 Frankfort - Madyson Cook, 2023 - 9.0p, 2.2r, 3.0s North Montgomery - [player_tooltip player_id='828036' first='Piper' last='Ramey'], 2025 - 11.7p, 9.4r, 2.3a, 2.1s North Montgomery - Macee Norman, 2026 - 8.4p, 5.4r Rensselaer Central - [player_tooltip player_id='295796' first='Taylor' last='VanMeter'], 2025 Rensselaer Central - [player_tooltip player_id='453224' first='Carly' last='Drone'], 2025 Rensselaer Central - [player_tooltip player_id='492323' first='Kamri' last='Rowland'], 2026 Twin Lakes - [player_tooltip player_id='177346' first='Olivia' last='Nickerson'], 2024 - 18.6p, 4.4r, 2.5a, 2.1s Twin Lakes - [player_tooltip player_id='295786' first='Addison' last='Bowsman'], 2025 - 17.0p, 5.7r, 7.0a Twin Lakes - [player_tooltip player_id='96094' first='Addison' last='Ward'], 2023 - 11.9p, 3.4r, 2.3a Twin Lakes - [player_tooltip player_id='406158' first='Hannah' last='Hodgen'], 2023 - 6.0p, 6.6r, 2.6a West Lafayette - [player_tooltip player_id='177359' first='Adrianne' last='Tolen'], 2024 - 16.4p, 7.9r, 2.5a, 4.3s West Lafayette - [player_tooltip player_id='177360' first='Sarah' last='Werth'], 2024 - 13.7p, 4.3r, 2.5a West Lafayette - [player_tooltip player_id='127228' first='Kennedy' last='Martin'], 2023 - 12.5p, 3.6r, 3.1a West Lafayette - [player_tooltip player_id='574560' first='Annie' last='Karlaftis'], 2023 - 6.9p, 7.7r Western - [player_tooltip player_id='572810' first='Chloe' last='Hunt'], 2024 - 13.2p, 5.8r, 2.5a, 3.2s Western - [player_tooltip player_id='496049' first='Mackenzie' last='York'], 2024 - 11.6p, 3.2r, 2.4a, 2.4s Western - [player_tooltip player_id='372362' first='Caroline' last='Long'], 2023 - 9.8p, 6.8r Western - [player_tooltip player_id='825927' first='Kayleigh' last='Turner'], 2024 - 9.2p, 2.8r, 2.0s   .   Sectional #23 at Norwell: Game-1: Peru (9-12) vs. Maconaquah (4-17) Game-2: Bellmont (16-4) vs. Oak Hill (8-14) Game-3: Northwestern (14-4) vs. Mississinewa (6-16) Game-4: Norwell (18-3) vs. Winner Game-1 Game-5: Winner Game-2 vs. Winner Game-3 Game-6: Winner Game-4 vs. Winner Game-5   Overview: If you live in Northeast Indiana, Sectional #23 could be the place to be next week, especially Friday and Saturday evenings. Norwell, Bellmont, and Northwestern are all Top-50 teams in the Sagarin Ratings, with Norwell coming in at #8 overall. They've had an outstanding season, led by Junior [player_tooltip player_id='264113' first='Kennedy' last='Fuelling']. She gets backcourt support from Junior [player_tooltip player_id='331809' first='Makenzie' last='Fuess'] and frontcourt support from Senior [player_tooltip player_id='59783' first='Skyla' last='Tomasek']. Last season, it was Bellmont knocking off Norwell and advancing to the Regional. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='460828' first='Sydney' last='Keane'] and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='455940' first='Hailey' last='Cole'] are no stranger to the spotlight, and the pair gives them a chance against any of these opponents. Northwestern falls back to Class 3A following three years in Class 4A due to the success factor. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='59762' first='McKenna' last='Layden'] (21.2p, 6.6r, 3.8a, 3.1s) is committed to Purdue University, and she could be the best "watch" in the Sectional, due to her ability at 6-2 to make plays for herself or others. I think Sectional #23 will come down to those three teams, and I have a feeling it's Norwell's year to contend to get all the way to Gainbridge Fieldhouse.   Sectional #23 Players to Watch: Bellmont - [player_tooltip player_id='455940' first='Hailey' last='Cole'], 2024 Bellmont - [player_tooltip player_id='460828' first='Sydney' last='Keane'], 2023 Bellmont - Lauren Bleke, 2025 Maconaquah - Miranda Stoll, 2024 - 17.3p, 7.1r Maconaquah - Bailey Carson, 2024 - 6.7p, 4.1r, 2.7a Mississinewa - [player_tooltip player_id='828051' first='Jaci' last='Crick'], 2025 - 15.5p, 6.0r, 2.4s Mississinewa - Abby Smith, 2023 - 10.0p, 2.0r Northwestern - [player_tooltip player_id='59762' first='McKenna' last='Layden'], 2023 - 21.2p, 6.6r, 3.8a, 3.1s Northwestern - [player_tooltip player_id='386496' first='Anna' last='Bishir'], 2025 - 9.8p, 2.6a Northwestern - [player_tooltip player_id='825933' first='Lexi' last='Hale'], 2024 - 8.3p, 6.6r Norwell - [player_tooltip player_id='264113' first='Kennedy' last='Fuelling'], 2024 Norwell - [player_tooltip player_id='331809' first='Makenzie' last='Fuess'], 2024 Norwell - [player_tooltip player_id='59783' first='Skyla' last='Tomasek'], 2023 Oak Hill - Liz Godfrey, 2025 - 10.7p, 2.2r Oak Hill - Taylor Holloway, 2024 - 7.1p, 3.1r, 2.4a, 2.2s Peru - Brianna Bennett, 2023 - 12.0p, 3.7r, 5.0a, 2.8s Peru - Emma Eldridge, 2023 - 8.8p, 5.7r, 2.8a, 2.9s Peru - [player_tooltip player_id='761184' first='Addison' last='Robbins'], 2026 - 6.5p, 3.1r, 2.4a   .   Sectional #24 at Hamilton Heights: Game-1: Centerville (5-12) vs. Jay County (21-1) Game-2: Delta (6-14) vs. Frankton (16-6) Game-3: New Castle (0-22) vs. Yorktown (9-11) Game-4: Hamilton Heights (17-5) vs. Winner Game-1 Game-5: Winner Game-2 vs. Winner Game-3 Game-6: Winner Game-4 vs. Winner Game-5   Overview: Sectional #24 also has three teams at the top who can all win this thing. Hamilton Heights is the favorite, especially playing at home, and they have beaten both Jay County and Frankton, though by a combined total of four points, with an overtime period added in there as well. The Lady Huskies are guard dominant this season, and it starts with Junior [player_tooltip player_id='177352' first='Camryn' last='Runner'] (18.8p, 7.0r, 2.9s). She is a dynamic scorer, a very good shooter, but she can also act as a key ball-handler. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='331787' first='Kaylee' last='Rhoton'] and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='298256' first='Ella' last='Hickok'] add support from the perimeter, so while Rhoton can bury shots outside, Hickok is a water-bug quick/fast point guard who can cause havoc defensively. Jay County leans heavily on 2022 Indiana Junior All-Star [player_tooltip player_id='96091' first='Renna' last='Schwieterman'] (21.8p, 6.8r, 2.6a, 3.4s), but the Patriots always seem to have some nice complimentary pieces as well. This year, Senior Gaby Bilbrey (12.7p, 7.6r) has stepped up nicely. Frankton moved from Class 2A to Class 3A due to enrollment numbers, but the Eagles did finish as Class 2A Runners-Up in 2020 and 2022, so they have major postseason experience. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='572794' first='Emma' last='Sperry'] (13.0p, 7.4r, 2.1a, 2.3s) is a nice talent who doesn't play grassroots ball, so she's somewhat of an unknown on a statewide level, but she has both talent and skill at 6-0. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='572817' first='Amaya' last='Collins'] (11.8p, 2.3r, 2.1a, 2.7s) is a very good shooter for the Eagles, but she has started to do more in a primary ball-handler role.   Sectional #24 Players to Watch: Centerville - Gabby Duke, 2023 Delta - [player_tooltip player_id='832654' first='Jillian' last='Barr'], 2026 - 13.4p, 8.6r, 2.8s Delta - [player_tooltip player_id='572821' first='Paizley' last='Cool'], 2024 - 9.4p, 7.8r Frankton - [player_tooltip player_id='572794' first='Emma' last='Sperry'], 2024 - 13.0p, 7.4r, 2.1a, 2.3s Frankton - [player_tooltip player_id='572817' first='Amaya' last='Collins'], 2024 - 11.8p, 2.3r, 2.1a, 2.7s Frankton - Haylee Niccum, 2023 - 9.4p, 5.5r Frankton - Isabella Dean, 2023 - 8.0p, 3.2r, 2.5a, 2.4s Hamilton Heights - [player_tooltip player_id='177352' first='Camryn' last='Runner'], 2024 - 18.8p, 7.0r, 2.9s Hamilton Heights - [player_tooltip player_id='331787' first='Kaylee' last='Rhoton'], 2023 - 8.3p Hamilton Heights - [player_tooltip player_id='298256' first='Ella' last='Hickok'], 2024 - 7.7p, 3.4r, 3.7a, 2.4s Jay County - [player_tooltip player_id='96091' first='Renna' last='Schwieterman'], 2023 - 21.8p, 6.8r, 2.6a, 3.4s Jay County - Gabi Bilbrey, 2023 - 12.7p, 7.6r Jay County - Molly Muhlenkamp, 2024 - 7.1p, 4.2r Jay County - Sophia Saxman, 2024 - 6.8p, 5.7r, 2.5a, 2.5s New Castle - [player_tooltip player_id='572805' first='Emma' last='Hart'], 2024 - 17.7p, 3.7r, 2.6s Yorktown - Amari Wright, 2023 - 15.2p, 5.0r, 2.3a, 3.6s Yorktown - [player_tooltip player_id='486126' first='Lilly' last='Sylvester'], 2026 - 7.6p, 6.8r

The featured image is of Alivia Bolinger Alivia Bolinger 6'1" | PF/SF Concordia Lutheran | 2026 State IN (2026) of Fort Wayne's Concordia Lutheran High School.