State Tourney Preview: Sectionals #29-#32

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='177332' first='Sophia' last='Johnson'] (2024) of Evansville's Reitz Memorial 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 next week. Below is a look at each of the Sectionals that will feed into the Charlestown Regional the following weekend. This includes the Class 3A teams from Sectionals #29-#32. Please stay tuned, as this weekend we will have a quick synopsis of each of the remaining Sectionals across classes 2A and 1A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #29 at Rushville Consolidated:</font></strong><br>Game-1: South Dearborn (5-18) vs. Connersville (8-14)<br>Game-2: Franklin County (15-5) vs. Batesville (12-10)<br>Game-3: Greensburg (13-9) vs. Rushville (11-13)<br>Game-4: Lawrenceburg (11-12) 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> Sectional #29 is always highly competitive, and 2023 shouldn't disappoint either. Maybe they don't have the highly ranked teams they've had in years past; however, I feel like there are no less than five teams who can compete for a title. Greensburg is the most talented, they are 7-0 against Sectional #29 competition, and they play a tough schedule. However, a majority of their production comes from the Freshman and Sophomore classes, so the bigger stage of the state tournament could catch up to them, or they could just be excited and attack it. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='295778' first='Leah' last='West'] is a physical, skillful front-liner who can play inside or around the perimeter. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='479613' first='Alyson' last='Powers'] is a long and athletic playmaker who can score it in bunches. Franklin County had a nice regular season, posting 15 wins for the first time since the 2016-2017 season. Senior <strong>Kassidy Schell</strong> (<em>14.1p, 4.9r, 3.2a</em>) and Junior <strong>Nicole Mears</strong> (<em>11.9p, 10.3r</em>) lead the way for the Lady Wildcats. Rushville could be the biggest problem for Greensburg, as the Lady Lions finished 5-1 against Sectional #29 opponents, including a win over Franklin County on January 3rd, along with a 1-point loss to the Pirates back in early December.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #29 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Batesville - [player_tooltip player_id='570377' first='Alyson' last='Peters'], 2025 - 12.8p, 7.0r<br>Batesville - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='727108' first='Sophie' last='Gesell']</strong>, 2025 - 6.7p, 4.4r, 2.5a<br>Batesville - <strong>Lydia Haskamp</strong>, 2025 - 6.5p, 5.9r<br>Connersville - <strong>Hailey Sembach</strong>, 2024 - 10.1p, 7.1r<br>Connersville - <strong>Addison Jones</strong>, 2026 - 8.2p, 3.0r, 2.1s<br>Franklin County - <strong>Kassidy Schell</strong>, 2023 - 14.1p, 4.9r, 3.2a<br>Franklin County - <strong>Nicole Mears</strong>, 2024 - 11.9p, 10.3r<br>Franklin County - <strong>Kiersten Schell</strong>, 2023 - 7.0p, 2.7r, 2.8a<br>Greensburg - [player_tooltip player_id='295778' first='Leah' last='West'], 2025<br>Greensburg - [player_tooltip player_id='571840' first='Emma' last='McQueen'], 2025<br>Greensburg - [player_tooltip player_id='479613' first='Alyson' last='Powers'], 2026<br>Greensburg - [player_tooltip player_id='486506' first='Mary' last='Harmon'], 2026<br>Lawrenceburg - [player_tooltip player_id='361750' first='Lizzie' last='Redar'], 2023 - 14.4p, 10.7r<br>Lawrenceburg - <strong>Aubree Labazzo</strong>, 2026 - 9.0, 3.4r, 4.2a, 2.8s<br>Lawrenceburg - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122761' first='Natalie' last='Knigga']</strong>, 2025 - 8.8p, 5.9r<br>Rushville - [player_tooltip player_id='59764' first='Briley' last='Munchel'], 2023 - 13.1p, 3.7r, 3.9a, 2.6s<br>Rushville - [player_tooltip player_id='570387' first='Leonie' last='Boyer'], 2025 - 12.8p, 7.4r<br>Rushville - <strong>Belle Gossett</strong>, 2023 - 10.6p, 6.8r<br>South Dearborn - <strong>Kiersten Dixon</strong>, 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #30 at Corydon Central:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Salem (5-18) vs. Madison Consolidated (9-11)<br>Game-2: Charlestown (17-6) vs. Corydon Central (21-2)<br>Game-3: Scottsburg (18-5) vs. Winner Game-1<br>Game-4: North Harrison (5-16) vs. Winner Game-2<br>Game-5: Winner Game-3 vs. Winner Game-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> Sectional #30 again holds up as one of the best in the state in Class 3A. Three of these teams are in the Top-80 as far as Sagarin Ratings go, and all six teams play a Top-100 schedule. Corydon has put together an extremely strong resume, though one of their two losses was to Scottsburg by 14 points. That was December 1st, and since then, they've knocked off some strong programs. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='178232' first='Ava' last='Weber'] (<em>20.7p, 6.1r, 2.6a, 2.7s</em>) is their do-everything go-to player. She always seems to come up with big baskets, rebounds, etc. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='324096' first='Josie' last='Vaughn'] (<em>11.8p, 3.4r, 3.2a, 2.7s</em>) is a dynamic lead guard who can control tempo and make shots. Scottsburg matched Corydon's 4-1 record against Sectional #30 opponents, with their lone loss coming against Madison in overtime just a couple of weeks ago. The Lady Warriors are one of the most dangerous perimeter shooting teams in the state. They can fill it up from just about any position, and they have multiple threats outside. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='295802' first='Ellie' last='Richardson'], Senior [player_tooltip player_id='241196' first='Hannah' last='Stutsman'], and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='298262' first='Carrie' last='Hiler'] stand out. Charlestown is another team with good balance and talent. With a pair of Senior guards in [player_tooltip player_id='127229' first='Tatum' last='McFarland'] and [player_tooltip player_id='178233' first='Laney' last='Hawkins'], plus Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='177348' first='Maddie' last='Nipper'], they roster a highly experienced backcourt. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='177316' first='Kennedy' last='Coleman'] is also highly productive inside and out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #30 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Charlestown - [player_tooltip player_id='127229' first='Tatum' last='McFarland'], 2023<br>Charlestown - [player_tooltip player_id='178233' first='Laney' last='Hawkins'], 2023<br>Charlestown - [player_tooltip player_id='177348' first='Maddie' last='Nipper'], 2024<br>Charlestown - [player_tooltip player_id='177316' first='Kennedy' last='Coleman'], 2024<br>Corydon Central - [player_tooltip player_id='178232' first='Ava' last='Weber'], 2023 - 20.7p, 6.1r, 2.6a, 2.7s<br>Corydon Central - [player_tooltip player_id='324096' first='Josie' last='Vaughn'], 2025 - 11.8p, 3.4r, 3.2a, 2.7s<br>Corydon Central - <strong>Bailey Orme</strong>, 2023 - 7.7p, 2.8r, 5.9a, 3.7s<br>Corydon Central - [player_tooltip player_id='404110' first='Alyssa' last='Groover'], 2025 - 6.0p, 5.3r<br>Madison - <strong>Juliana Davis</strong>, 2026 - 11.2p, 4.5r, 3.2s<br>Madison - [player_tooltip player_id='574549' first='Cameran' last='Cahall'], 2023 - 9.9p, 5.5r, 2.3a<br>Madison - <strong>Casey Dyer</strong>, 2023 - 8.3p, 5.3r<br>North Harrison - <strong>Sydney Smith</strong>, 2024 - 11.2p, 4.6r, 2.2s<br>North Harrison - <strong>Grace Goldman</strong>, 2026 - 10.4p, 5.0r<br>Salem - <strong>Sidney Brown</strong>, 2023<br>Salem - <strong>Kendall Hickey</strong>, 2024<br>Scottsburg - [player_tooltip player_id='295802' first='Ellie' last='Richardson'], 2025<br>Scottsburg - [player_tooltip player_id='241196' first='Hannah' last='Stutsman'], 2023<br>Scottsburg - [player_tooltip player_id='298262' first='Carrie' last='Hiler'], 2024<br>Scottsburg - [player_tooltip player_id='496047' first='Lola' last='Fouts'], 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #31 at Princeton:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Heritage Hills (14-8) vs. Southridge (16-7)<br>Game-2: Pike Central (4-18) vs. Princeton (13-10)<br>Game-3: Vincennes Lincoln (11-11) vs. Winner Game-1<br>Game-4: Washington (14-8) vs. Winner Game-2<br>Game-5: Winner Game-3 vs. Winner Game-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> This Sectional is a bit tricky, because five of these teams are very close in competitiveness, and for the most part, they have exchanged wins and losses against each other. Vincennes Lincoln stands out at 3-0 against Sectional #31 competition, and they have beaten Washington and Heritage Hills. Washington has beaten Southridge. Southridge has beaten Princeton. Princeton has beaten Washington...and so forth. Vincennes Lincoln has also played the toughest schedule, so I would give them a lean as the favorite. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='510511' first='Arianna' last='Gerkin'] is a do-everything forward who can play inside or out. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='59761' first='Gracie' last='Kramer'] is a nice ball-control point guard for the Alices. Washington is young but talented. Strong Sophomore and Freshman classes led by front-liners [player_tooltip player_id='324075' first='Olivia' last='Gilley'], a Sophomore, and [player_tooltip player_id='486519' first='Katherine' last='Reed'], a Freshman, give them a great deal of hope for future seasons as well. Southridge looks to Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='295767' first='Avah' last='Montgomery'] for leadership and scoring, while Heritage Hills and Princeton have good balance and the potential to win games. Sectional #31 should be highly entertaining, with just about any team capable of winning multiple games this coming week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #31 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Heritage Hills - <strong>Olivia Susnjara</strong>, 2023 - 11.0p, 3.4r<br>Heritage Hills - <strong>Rylie Schipp</strong>, 2024 - 9.6p, 6.0r, 2.3s<br>Heritage Hills - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218643' first='Mayci' last='Litherland']</strong>, 2025 - 7.0p, 4.5r, 2.8a<br>Pike Central - <strong>Brailey Mills</strong>, 2024 - 8.7p, 3.1r<br>Princeton - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='825965' first='Lexi' last='Smith']</strong>, 2024<br>Princeton - <strong>Azaryon Wesley</strong>, 2024<br>Southridge - [player_tooltip player_id='295767' first='Avah' last='Montgomery'], 2025<br>Southridge - <strong>Bailey Keusch</strong>, 2023<br>Vincennes Lincoln - [player_tooltip player_id='510511' first='Arianna' last='Gerkin'], 2024<br>Vincennes Lincoln - [player_tooltip player_id='59761' first='Gracie' last='Kramer'], 2023<br>Vincennes Lincoln - [player_tooltip player_id='177353' first='Macy' last='Sexton'], 2024<br>Vincennes Lincoln - [player_tooltip player_id='241198' first='Faith' last='Fleetwood'], 2023<br>Washington - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='767081' first='Aubrey' last='Frank']</strong>, 2025 - 8.1p, 2.4r, 2.0a<br>Washington - [player_tooltip player_id='486476' first='Shaylyn' last='Hawk'], 2026 - 8.0p, 4.0r<br>Washington - [player_tooltip player_id='486519' first='Katherine' last='Reed'], 2026 - 7.9p, 5.7r<br>Washington - [player_tooltip player_id='324075' first='Olivia' last='Gilley'], 2025 - 7.9p, 6.3r</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #32 at Mt. Vernon (Posey):</font></strong><br>Game-1: Evansville Memorial (23-1) vs. Mt. Vernon (Posey) (1-19)<br>Game-2: Boonville (9-13) vs. Evansville Mater Dei (11-12)<br>Game-3: Evansville Bosse (0-20) vs. Winner Game-1<br>Game-4: Gibson Southern (18-4) vs. Winner Game-2<br>Game-5: Winner Game-3 vs. Winner Game-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> Sectional #32 is very top heavy with Evansville Memorial and Gibson Southern, and the two are aligned perfectly for a rematch in the Sectional finale. The two teams met on December 6th, with Memorial winning, 59-41. Memorial has talent, skill, experience, and the potential to make a run to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='127211' first='Emily' last='Mattingly'] (<em>15.3p, 5.3r, 3.1a, 3.0s</em>), plus Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='556017' first='Avery' last='Kelley'] (<em>15.0p, 5.8r, 4.0a, 2.3s</em>) and [player_tooltip player_id='177332' first='Sophia' last='Johnson'] (<em>12.9p, 6.8r, 2.1s</em>), have each played in big games since their Freshman years, and they look to cap off this season with a deep playoff run. Gibson Southern matches up with a trio of double-digit scorers of their own, and Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='295774' first='Gabby' last='Spink'] (<em>13.7p, 2.5r, 5.1a</em>) was unavailable due to injury when they met Memorial the first time. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='177324' first='Chloey' last='Graham'] (<em>17.3p, 5.1r, 2.9s</em>) has been strong all season, while Senior [player_tooltip player_id='574558' first='Alexis' last='Tucker'] (<em>13.4p, 6.8r</em>) has had nice moments, interrupted by a midseason injury, but she's back playing again. If there is a third team who could knock off either of these two, it's likely to be Mater Dei, though they have lost twice to Memorial, by 26 and 27 points. The Wildcats are led by Senior front-liner [player_tooltip player_id='96096' first='Kate' last='Wenger'] (<em>12.1p, 10.5r</em>).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #32 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Boonville - <strong>Na'Jyia Einerwold</strong>, 2023<br>Boonville - [player_tooltip player_id='534674' first='Emily' last='Parker'], 2026<br>Bosse - <strong>Grace Doty</strong>, 2023<br>Gibson Southern - [player_tooltip player_id='177324' first='Chloey' last='Graham'], 2024 - 17.3p, 5.1r, 2.9s<br>Gibson Southern - [player_tooltip player_id='295774' first='Gabby' last='Spink'], 2025 - 13.7p, 2.5r, 5.1a<br>Gibson Southern - [player_tooltip player_id='574558' first='Alexis' last='Tucker'], 2023 - 13.4p, 6.8r<br>Gibson Southern - [player_tooltip player_id='127243' first='Ava' last='Weisheit'], 2023 - 8.0p, 5.6r, 2.1a<br>Mater Dei - [player_tooltip player_id='96096' first='Kate' last='Wenger'], 2023 - 12.1p, 10.5r<br>Mater Dei - [player_tooltip player_id='574559' first='Molly' last='Schmitt'], 2023 - 7.5p, 3.5r, 2.0a<br>Mater Dei - <strong>Chelsea Turner</strong>, 2024 - 7.1p, 5.9r, 2.0s<br>Mater Dei - [player_tooltip player_id='177320' first='Brylee' last='Delano'], 2024 - 7.1p, 2.8r<br>Memorial - [player_tooltip player_id='127211' first='Emily' last='Mattingly'], 2023 - 15.3p, 5.3r, 3.1a, 3.0s<br>Memorial - [player_tooltip player_id='556017' first='Avery' last='Kelley'], 2024 - 15.0p, 5.8r, 4.0a, 2.3s<br>Memorial - [player_tooltip player_id='177332' first='Sophia' last='Johnson'], 2024 - 12.9p, 6.8r, 2.1s<br>Memorial - [player_tooltip player_id='295756' first='Myla' last='Browning'], 2025 - 9.5p, 3.3r, 2.2a<br>Memorial - [player_tooltip player_id='127217' first='Lydia' last='Bordfeld'], 2023 - 6.9p, 4.3r, 2.5a, 2.0s<br>Mt. Vernon - <strong>Arlissa Sharber</strong>, 2024 - 9.5p, 5.3r<br>Mt. Vernon - <strong>Lera Wilson</strong>, 2023 - 6.6p, 5.1r</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->