State Tourney Preview: Sectionals #29-#32
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The featured image is of Sophie Johnson Sophie Johnson 6'0" | PF Evansville Memorial | 2024 State IN (2024) of Evansville’s Reitz Memorial High School. The IHSAA Sectional draw took place Sunday evening, so all of the 390+ schools participating…
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Continue ReadingThe featured image is of Sophie Johnson Sophie Johnson 6'0" | PF Evansville Memorial | 2024 State IN (2024) of Evansville’s Reitz Memorial 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 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.
.
Sectional #29 at Rushville Consolidated:
Game-1: South Dearborn (5-18) vs. Connersville (8-14)
Game-2: Franklin County (15-5) vs. Batesville (12-10)
Game-3: Greensburg (13-9) vs. Rushville (11-13)
Game-4: Lawrenceburg (11-12) vs. Winner Game-1
Game-5: Winner Game-2 vs. Winner Game-3
Game-6: Winner Game-4 vs. Winner Game-5
Overview: 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 Leah West Leah West 6'1" | PF Greensburg | 2025 State IN is a physical, skillful front-liner who can play inside or around the perimeter. Freshman Alyson Powers Alyson Powers 5'9" | SG Greensburg | 2026 State IN 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 Kassidy Schell (14.1p, 4.9r, 3.2a) and Junior Nicole Mears (11.9p, 10.3r) 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.
Sectional #29 Players to Watch:
Batesville –
Alyson Peters
Alyson
Peters
5'11" | PF
Batesville | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 12.8p, 7.0r
Batesville –
Sophie Gesell
Sophie
Gesell
5'10" | SF
Batesville | 2025
IN
, 2025 – 6.7p, 4.4r, 2.5a
Batesville – Lydia Haskamp, 2025 – 6.5p, 5.9r
Connersville – Hailey Sembach, 2024 – 10.1p, 7.1r
Connersville – Addison Jones, 2026 – 8.2p, 3.0r, 2.1s
Franklin County – Kassidy Schell, 2023 – 14.1p, 4.9r, 3.2a
Franklin County – Nicole Mears, 2024 – 11.9p, 10.3r
Franklin County – Kiersten Schell, 2023 – 7.0p, 2.7r, 2.8a
Greensburg –
Leah West
Leah
West
6'1" | PF
Greensburg | 2025
State
IN
, 2025
Greensburg –
Emma McQueen
Emma
McQueen
5'5" | PG
Greensburg Community | 2025
IN
, 2025
Greensburg –
Alyson Powers
Alyson
Powers
5'9" | SG
Greensburg | 2026
State
IN
, 2026
Greensburg –
Mary Harmon
Mary
Harmon
5'8" | PG
Greensburg | 2026
State
IN
, 2026
Lawrenceburg –
Lizzie Redar
Lizzie
Redar
5'10" | SF
Lawrenceburg | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 14.4p, 10.7r
Lawrenceburg – Aubree Labazzo, 2026 – 9.0, 3.4r, 4.2a, 2.8s
Lawrenceburg – Natalie Knigga, 2025 – 8.8p, 5.9r
Rushville –
Briley Munchel
Briley
Munchel
5'3" | PG
Rushville Consolidated | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 13.1p, 3.7r, 3.9a, 2.6s
Rushville –
Leonie Boyer
Leonie
Boyer
5'8" | SG
Rushville Consolidated | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 12.8p, 7.4r
Rushville – Belle Gossett, 2023 – 10.6p, 6.8r
South Dearborn – Kiersten Dixon, 2023
.
Sectional #30 at Corydon Central:
Game-1: Salem (5-18) vs. Madison Consolidated (9-11)
Game-2: Charlestown (17-6) vs. Corydon Central (21-2)
Game-3: Scottsburg (18-5) vs. Winner Game-1
Game-4: North Harrison (5-16) vs. Winner Game-2
Game-5: Winner Game-3 vs. Winner Game-4
Overview: 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 Ava Weber Ava Weber 5'11" | SF Corydon Central | 2023 State IN (20.7p, 6.1r, 2.6a, 2.7s) is their do-everything go-to player. She always seems to come up with big baskets, rebounds, etc. Sophomore Josie Vaughn Josie Vaughn 5'5" | PG Corydon Central | 2025 State IN (11.8p, 3.4r, 3.2a, 2.7s) 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 Ellie Richardson Ellie Richardson 5'8" | CG Scottsburg | 2025 State IN , Senior Hannah Stutsman Hannah Stutsman 5'9" | SF Scottsburg | 2023 IN , and Junior Carrie Hiler Carrie Hiler 5'7" | SG Scottsburg | 2024 State IN stand out. Charlestown is another team with good balance and talent. With a pair of Senior guards in Tatum McFarland Tatum McFarland 5'8" | SG Charlestown | 2023 State IN and Laney Hawkins Laney Hawkins 5'9" | CG Charlestown | 2023 State IN , plus Junior guard Maddie Nipper Maddie Nipper 5'5" | PG Charlestown | 2024 State IN , they roster a highly experienced backcourt. Junior Kennedy Coleman Kennedy Coleman 6'0" | SF Charlestown | 2024 State IN is also highly productive inside and out.
Sectional #30 Players to Watch:
Charlestown –
Tatum McFarland
Tatum
McFarland
5'8" | SG
Charlestown | 2023
State
IN
, 2023
Charlestown –
Laney Hawkins
Laney
Hawkins
5'9" | CG
Charlestown | 2023
State
IN
, 2023
Charlestown –
Maddie Nipper
Maddie
Nipper
5'5" | PG
Charlestown | 2024
State
IN
, 2024
Charlestown –
Kennedy Coleman
Kennedy
Coleman
6'0" | SF
Charlestown | 2024
State
IN
, 2024
Corydon Central –
Ava Weber
Ava
Weber
5'11" | SF
Corydon Central | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 20.7p, 6.1r, 2.6a, 2.7s
Corydon Central –
Josie Vaughn
Josie
Vaughn
5'5" | PG
Corydon Central | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 11.8p, 3.4r, 3.2a, 2.7s
Corydon Central – Bailey Orme, 2023 – 7.7p, 2.8r, 5.9a, 3.7s
Corydon Central –
Alyssa Groover
Alyssa
Groover
6'0" | PF
Corydon Central | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 6.0p, 5.3r
Madison – Juliana Davis, 2026 – 11.2p, 4.5r, 3.2s
Madison –
Cameran Cahall
Cameran
Cahall
5'7" | SG
Madison Consolidated | 2023
IN
, 2023 – 9.9p, 5.5r, 2.3a
Madison – Casey Dyer, 2023 – 8.3p, 5.3r
North Harrison – Sydney Smith, 2024 – 11.2p, 4.6r, 2.2s
North Harrison – Grace Goldman, 2026 – 10.4p, 5.0r
Salem – Sidney Brown, 2023
Salem – Kendall Hickey, 2024
Scottsburg –
Ellie Richardson
Ellie
Richardson
5'8" | CG
Scottsburg | 2025
State
IN
, 2025
Scottsburg –
Hannah Stutsman
Hannah
Stutsman
5'9" | SF
Scottsburg | 2023
IN
, 2023
Scottsburg –
Carrie Hiler
Carrie
Hiler
5'7" | SG
Scottsburg | 2024
State
IN
, 2024
Scottsburg –
Lola Fouts
Lola
Fouts
5'5" | PG
Scottsburg | 2025
IN
, 2025
.
Sectional #31 at Princeton:
Game-1: Heritage Hills (14-8) vs. Southridge (16-7)
Game-2: Pike Central (4-18) vs. Princeton (13-10)
Game-3: Vincennes Lincoln (11-11) vs. Winner Game-1
Game-4: Washington (14-8) vs. Winner Game-2
Game-5: Winner Game-3 vs. Winner Game-4
Overview: 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 Arianna Gerkin Arianna Gerkin 5'11" | PF Vincennes Lincoln | 2024 State IN is a do-everything forward who can play inside or out. Senior Gracie Kramer Gracie Kramer 5'4" | PG Vincennes Lincoln | 2023 State IN is a nice ball-control point guard for the Alices. Washington is young but talented. Strong Sophomore and Freshman classes led by front-liners Olivia Gilley Olivia Gilley 6'0" | PF Washington | 2025 IN , a Sophomore, and Katie Reed Katie Reed 6'2" | PF Washington | 2026 State IN , a Freshman, give them a great deal of hope for future seasons as well. Southridge looks to Sophomore Avah Montgomery Avah Montgomery 5'9" | SG Southridge | 2025 State IN 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.
Sectional #31 Players to Watch:
Heritage Hills – Olivia Susnjara, 2023 – 11.0p, 3.4r
Heritage Hills – Rylie Schipp, 2024 – 9.6p, 6.0r, 2.3s
Heritage Hills – Mayci Litherland, 2025 – 7.0p, 4.5r, 2.8a
Pike Central – Brailey Mills, 2024 – 8.7p, 3.1r
Princeton –
Lexi Smith
Lexi
Smith
5'3" | CG
Princeton | 2024
IN
, 2024
Princeton – Azaryon Wesley, 2024
Southridge –
Avah Montgomery
Avah
Montgomery
5'9" | SG
Southridge | 2025
State
IN
, 2025
Southridge – Bailey Keusch, 2023
Vincennes Lincoln –
Arianna Gerkin
Arianna
Gerkin
5'11" | PF
Vincennes Lincoln | 2024
State
IN
, 2024
Vincennes Lincoln –
Gracie Kramer
Gracie
Kramer
5'4" | PG
Vincennes Lincoln | 2023
State
IN
, 2023
Vincennes Lincoln –
Macy Sexton
Macy
Sexton
5'10" | PF
Vincennes Lincoln | 2024
IN
, 2024
Vincennes Lincoln –
Faith Fleetwood
Faith
Fleetwood
5'9" | SG
Vincennes Lincoln | 2023
IN
, 2023
Washington –
Aubrey Frank
Aubrey
Frank
5'8" | CG
Washington | 2025
IN
, 2025 – 8.1p, 2.4r, 2.0a
Washington –
Shaylyn Hawk
Shaylyn
Hawk
5'7" | SG
Washington | 2026
IN
, 2026 – 8.0p, 4.0r
Washington –
Katie Reed
Katie
Reed
6'2" | PF
Washington | 2026
State
IN
, 2026 – 7.9p, 5.7r
Washington –
Olivia Gilley
Olivia
Gilley
6'0" | PF
Washington | 2025
IN
, 2025 – 7.9p, 6.3r
.
Sectional #32 at Mt. Vernon (Posey):
Game-1: Evansville Memorial (23-1) vs. Mt. Vernon (Posey) (1-19)
Game-2: Boonville (9-13) vs. Evansville Mater Dei (11-12)
Game-3: Evansville Bosse (0-20) vs. Winner Game-1
Game-4: Gibson Southern (18-4) vs. Winner Game-2
Game-5: Winner Game-3 vs. Winner Game-4
Overview: 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 Emily Mattingly Emily Mattingly 5'10" | SF Evansville Memorial | 2023 State IN (15.3p, 5.3r, 3.1a, 3.0s), plus Juniors Avery Kelley Avery Kelley 5'4" | PG Evansville Central | 2025 IN (15.0p, 5.8r, 4.0a, 2.3s) and Sophie Johnson Sophie Johnson 6'0" | PF Evansville Memorial | 2024 State IN (12.9p, 6.8r, 2.1s), 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 Gabby Spink Gabby Spink 5'9" | CG Gibson Southern | 2025 State IN (13.7p, 2.5r, 5.1a) was unavailable due to injury when they met Memorial the first time. Junior Chloey Graham Chloey Graham 5'9" | SG Gibson Southern | 2024 State IN (17.3p, 5.1r, 2.9s) has been strong all season, while Senior Alexis Tucker Alexis Tucker 5'10" | PF Gibson Southern | 2023 IN (13.4p, 6.8r) 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 Kate Wenger Kate Wenger 5'11" | PF Evansville Mater Dei | 2023 IN (12.1p, 10.5r).
Sectional #32 Players to Watch:
Boonville – Na’Jyia Einerwold, 2023
Boonville –
Emily Parker
Emily
Parker
5'6" | SF
Perry Central | 2023
IN
, 2026
Bosse – Grace Doty, 2023
Gibson Southern –
Chloey Graham
Chloey
Graham
5'9" | SG
Gibson Southern | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 17.3p, 5.1r, 2.9s
Gibson Southern –
Gabby Spink
Gabby
Spink
5'9" | CG
Gibson Southern | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 13.7p, 2.5r, 5.1a
Gibson Southern –
Alexis Tucker
Alexis
Tucker
5'10" | PF
Gibson Southern | 2023
IN
, 2023 – 13.4p, 6.8r
Gibson Southern –
Ava Weisheit
Ava
Weisheit
5'9" | SF
Gibson Southern | 2023
IN
, 2023 – 8.0p, 5.6r, 2.1a
Mater Dei –
Kate Wenger
Kate
Wenger
5'11" | PF
Evansville Mater Dei | 2023
IN
, 2023 – 12.1p, 10.5r
Mater Dei –
Molly Schmitt
Molly
Schmitt
5'7" | CG
Evansville Mater Dei | 2023
IN
, 2023 – 7.5p, 3.5r, 2.0a
Mater Dei – Chelsea Turner, 2024 – 7.1p, 5.9r, 2.0s
Mater Dei –
Brylee Delano
Brylee
Delano
5'10" | SF
Evansville Mater Dei | 2024
IN
, 2024 – 7.1p, 2.8r
Memorial –
Emily Mattingly
Emily
Mattingly
5'10" | SF
Evansville Memorial | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 15.3p, 5.3r, 3.1a, 3.0s
Memorial –
Avery Kelley
Avery
Kelley
5'4" | PG
Evansville Central | 2025
IN
, 2024 – 15.0p, 5.8r, 4.0a, 2.3s
Memorial –
Sophie Johnson
Sophie
Johnson
6'0" | PF
Evansville Memorial | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 12.9p, 6.8r, 2.1s
Memorial –
Myla Browning
Myla
Browning
5'11" | SF
Evansville Memorial | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 9.5p, 3.3r, 2.2a
Memorial –
Lydia Bordfeld
Lydia
Bordfeld
5'11" | SF
Evansville Memorial | 2023
IN
, 2023 – 6.9p, 4.3r, 2.5a, 2.0s
Mt. Vernon – Arlissa Sharber, 2024 – 9.5p, 5.3r
Mt. Vernon – Lera Wilson, 2023 – 6.6p, 5.1r