State Tourney Preview: Sectionals #33-#36

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='326491' first='Kayla' last='Wilkerson'] (2024) of Lake Station's Thomas A. Edison High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The IHSAA Sectional draw took place last 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 just a matter of days. Below is a look at each of the Sectionals that will feed into the Winamac Regional the following weekend. This includes the Class 2A teams from Sectionals #33-#36. 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 #33 at Andrean:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Gary Lighthouse CPA (0-14) vs. North Newton (3-19)<br>Game-2: Gary 21st Century (3-15) vs. Whiting (7-14)<br>Game-3: Illiana Christian (9-11) vs. Bowman Academy (7-13)<br>Game-4: Lake Station Edison (17-4) vs. Andrean (21-3)<br>Game-5: Winner Game-1 vs. Winner Game-2<br>Game-6: Winner Game-3 vs. Winner Game-4<br>Game-7: Winner Game-5 vs. Winner Game-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> Sectional #33 isn't very strong top to bottom, and it appears the two best teams (<em>Andrean &amp; Lake Station</em>) match up in the first round on Wednesday night. Per Sagarin Ratings, Andrean would rank #40 among Class 4A teams, plus they have played a "4A/3A" schedule. The only Sectional #33 opponent they have played is Lake Station, whom they defeated, 66-49, on January 17th. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='127214' first='Tori' last='Allen'] (<em>17.2p, 4.5r, 3.5a</em>) and [player_tooltip player_id='300077' first='Lauren' last='Colon'] (<em>9.7p, 2.9r, 3.0a</em>) take care of the backcourt responsibilities, while 6-0 Sophomore <strong>Maddie Walton</strong> (<em>9.2p, 6.5r</em>) is much improved and a real defensive presence along the frontline. Lake Station is likely the one team with the firepower to knock off Andrean, but they will need a concerted team effort and to take care of the ball in order to upset the host 59ers. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='574552' first='Tranika' last='Randolph'] (<em>19.7p</em>) has been huge since transferring in from Bishop Noll. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='376135' first='Darne' last='Toney'] (<em>11.5p</em>) is a nice athlete who can lock up, Senior [player_tooltip player_id='127223' first='Nasiya' last='Gause'] (<em>11.4p</em>) is a strong, physical guard with good ball skill, and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='326491' first='Kayla' last='Wilkerson'] (<em>11.0p</em>) is a long, athletic wing who shows versatility at both ends of the floor. Also keep an eye on Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='570383' first='Kahlen' last='Robinson'] (<em>17.0p, 3.8r, 5.9s</em>) of Bowman and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='369837' first='Makenna' last='Schleman'] (<em>13.8p, 9.8r, 2.5b</em>) of North Newton. They are probably the most talented perimeter and interior players not on the above-mentioned teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #33 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Andrean - [player_tooltip player_id='127214' first='Tori' last='Allen'], 2023 - 17.2p, 4.5r, 3.5a<br>Andrean - [player_tooltip player_id='300077' first='Lauren' last='Colon'], 2023 - 9.7p, 2.9r, 3.0a<br>Andrean - <strong>Maddie Walton</strong>, 2025 - 9.2p, 6.5r<br>Andrean - [player_tooltip player_id='295810' first='Lindsay' last='Arcella'], 2025 - 7.8p, 2.8r, 2.7a<br>Bowman - [player_tooltip player_id='570383' first='Kahlen' last='Robinson'], 2025 - 17.0p, 3.8r, 5.9s<br>Bowman - <strong>Beauti Santiago</strong>, 2023 - 6.7p, 6.1r<br>Gary 21st - <strong>Amplius Starks</strong>, 2024<br>Gary Lighthouse - <strong>J'Niya Campbell</strong>, 2025<br>Illiana Christian - <strong>Faith VanRyn</strong>, 2023<br>Illiana Christian - <strong>Cheyenne DeJong</strong>, 2024<br>Lake Station - [player_tooltip player_id='574552' first='Tranika' last='Randolph'], 2023 - 19.7p<br>Lake Station - [player_tooltip player_id='376135' first='Darne' last='Toney'], 2023 - 11.5p<br>Lake Station - [player_tooltip player_id='127223' first='Nasiya' last='Gause'], 2023 - 11.4p<br>Lake Station - [player_tooltip player_id='326491' first='Kayla' last='Wilkerson'], 2024 - 11.0p<br>North Newton - [player_tooltip player_id='369837' first='Makenna' last='Schleman'], 2024 - 13.8p, 9.8r, 2.5b<br>Whiting - <strong>Alyssa Quinones</strong>, 2024 - 11.3p, 2.1s<br>Whiting - <strong>Torie Davis</strong>, 2024 - 8.1p, 2.9r</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #34 at North Judson-San Pierre:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Hebron (5-19) vs. South Central (Union Mills) (20-3)<br>Game-2: North Judson-San Pierre (15-7) vs. LaVille (17-6)<br>Game-3: South Bend Career Academy (6-15) vs. Winner Game-1<br>Game-4: Wheeler (4-17) vs. Winner Game-2<br>Game-5: Winner Game-3 vs. Winner Game-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> Host North Judson is 3-0 against Sectional #34 competition, including a 4-point win over South Central and an 8-point win against LaVille. Those are probably the three teams I would look at to win this title. The Bluejays of North Judson go as Senior [player_tooltip player_id='300071' first='Sophia' last='Frasure'] (<em>16.4p, 8.5r</em>) goes. If she's able to get rhythm shots and fill it up, they usually win. If she doesn't, they can struggle at times to score. Look for Senior [player_tooltip player_id='127218' first='Olivia' last='Burkett'] (<em>5.5p, 3.9r, 5.1a</em>) to possibly assert herself more offensively this coming week. South Central will be the mathematical (<em>Sagarin</em>) favorite to win Sectional #34. They are deep and experienced, and despite some big 2022 graduation losses, they've settled into new roles and still managed to win 20 games this season. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='203664' first='Olivia' last='Marks'] (<em>15.0p, 6.2r</em>) is a high-motor, mid-post forward who plays with great versatility. Younger sister, Junior [player_tooltip player_id='201877' first='Sadie' last='Marks'] (<em>8.7p, 5.3r, 2.5a</em>), has a bit more skill and athleticism, and she has started to really "figure it out" this year. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='59782' first='Lillian' last='Tolmen'] (<em>8.5p, 4.1r, 2.7s</em>) is another skillful, versatile wing who can contribute in a variety of ways. From there, look for LaVille to use its strong interior play to gain an advantage each time out. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='574553' first='Lucy' last='Sherk'] (<em>12.7p, 7.7r</em>) and <strong>Heaylyn Kwiatkowski</strong> (<em>11.3p, 5.5r, 2.1a, 2.6s</em>) are a pair of skilled forwards who can play a little inside or around the perimeter, but who are really good in the mid-range game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #34 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Hebron - [player_tooltip player_id='574565' first='Sidney' last='Elijah'], 2023 - 12.4p, 6.8r, 2.5s<br>LaVille - [player_tooltip player_id='574553' first='Lucy' last='Sherk'], 2023 - 12.7p, 7.7r<br>LaVille - <strong>Heaylyn Kwiatkowski</strong>, 2023 - 11.3p, 5.5r, 2.1a, 2.6s<br>LaVille - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218593' first='Brooke' last='Edison']</strong>, 2025 - 5.6p, 4.7r, 2.2s<br>North Judson - [player_tooltip player_id='300071' first='Sophia' last='Frasure'], 2023 - 16.4p, 8.5r<br>North Judson - [player_tooltip player_id='127218' first='Olivia' last='Burkett'], 2023 - 5.5p, 3.9r, 5.1a<br>SBCA - <strong>Adreania Hyde</strong>, 2023<br>South Central - [player_tooltip player_id='203664' first='Olivia' last='Marks'], 2023 - 15.0p, 6.2r<br>South Central - [player_tooltip player_id='201877' first='Sadie' last='Marks'], 2024 - 8.7p, 5.3r, 2.5a<br>South Central - [player_tooltip player_id='59782' first='Lillian' last='Tolmen'], 2023 - 8.5p, 4.1r, 2.7s<br>South Central - <strong>Hope Welsh</strong>, 2024 - 8.2p, 3.1r, 2.0a<br>Wheeler - <strong>Mia DeJesus</strong>, 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #35 at Central Noble:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Churubusco (5-17) vs. Westview (8-14)<br>Game-2: Central Noble (21-2) vs. Prairie Heights (1-21)<br>Game-3: Fremont (8-14) vs. Winner Game-1<br>Game-4: Eastside (15-8) vs. Winner Game-2<br>Game-5: Winner Game-3 vs. Winner Game-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> Central Noble ripped off 19 straight wins to begin the year, and with the exception of running into Class 3A monster Fairfield two games in a row, the Lady Cougars have put together an outstanding year. They are 6-0 against Sectional #35 opponents, including two wins over Eastside, one by 22 points, but the most recent one by only seven points. Senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='203666' first='Madison' last='Vice'] (<em>18.0p, 6.1r, 4.9a, 3.6s</em>) and [player_tooltip player_id='264990' first='Meghan' last='Kiebel'] (<em>13.5p, 4.1r, 2.3a</em>) can control a game, take over a game, whatever the Cougars need. They will be incredibly tough to stop in this Sectional. If there is a team here who can knock them off, it would be Eastside, and the Blazers will likely meet them in the second game of Friday night's Semifinals. Eastside does have a nice interior player in 6-1 Senior [player_tooltip player_id='574551' first='Grace' last='Kreischer'], and if they can get her the ball early and often, they can potentially use it as their mismatch against Central Noble. I've also enjoyed what I've seen out of Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923168' first='Sydnee' last='Kessler']</strong>, plus the Blazers have a few other experience, balanced guards and wings as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #35 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Central Noble - [player_tooltip player_id='203666' first='Madison' last='Vice'], 2023 - 18.0p, 6.1r, 4.9a, 3.6s<br>Central Noble - [player_tooltip player_id='264990' first='Meghan' last='Kiebel'], 2023 - 13.5p, 4.1r, 2.3a<br>Central Noble - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832697' first='Grace' last='Swank']</strong>, 2026 - 4.7p, 6.5r<br>Churubusco - <strong>Brooklyn Sinclair</strong>, 2025 - 8.1p, 2.1r<br>Eastside - [player_tooltip player_id='574551' first='Grace' last='Kreischer'], 2023<br>Eastside - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923168' first='Sydnee' last='Kessler']</strong>, 2025<br>Fremont - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218657' first='Addy' last='Parr']</strong>, 2025 - 13.1p, 3.5r, 2.6s<br>Fremont - <strong>Natalie Gochenour</strong>, 2023 - 8.6p, 7.4, 2.2s<br>Prairie Heights - <strong>Ava Boots</strong>, 2024 - 6.9p, 3.0r<br>Westview - <strong>MyKayla Mast</strong>, 2026 - 9.4p, 4.8r<br>Westview - <strong>Hope Bortner</strong>, 2024 - 8.9p, 3.0r<br>Westview - <strong>Sara Lapp</strong>, 2023 - 7.4p, 4.7r</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #36 at Lewis Cass:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Wabash (15-7) vs. Pioneer (19-3)<br>Game-2: North Miami (17-5) vs. Winamac (4-19)<br>Game-3: Lewis Cass (7-16) vs. Winner Game-1<br>Game-4: Winner Game-2 vs. Winner Game-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> The Pioneer Lady Panthers have one of the best players in Class 2A in Senior [player_tooltip player_id='59732' first='Ashlynn' last='Brooke'] (<em>24.0p, 5.5r, 6.0a, 5.2s</em>), plus several of their players have immense state tournament experience, having won the 2021 Class 1A State Championship and being the 2020 Class 1A Runners-Up. Containing Brooke will be key for Panther opponents, but Junior <strong>Kylie Attinger</strong> (<em>9.0p, 6.2r, 2.1s</em>) does a nice job in the mid-post and around the basket. Pioneer is 2-0 against Sectional #36 competition, but so is North Miami, and the two teams just 26 miles apart haven't played each other since November 19th of 2019. The Lady Warriors are the biggest threat to Pioneer, and they have a trio of players who can get it done on a given night. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='572820' first='Kaiden' last='Hanley'] (<em>15.8p, 6.3r, 2.0a, 4.6s</em>) has had a big year and is a nice athlete in the mid-range game. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='361363' first='Logan' last='Mouser'] (<em>12.6p, 2.7r, 2.9a, 2.3s</em>) is capable of a 30-point night if she gets hot outside, and Senior <strong>Allison Bowman</strong> (<em>9.5p, 3.0r, 3.0a, 2.1s</em>) does a nice job of finding opportunities off of her teammates. I would also beware of Wabash, as they can be very feisty as a group. They have typically been a great screening team, willing to make a lot of the "hustle" plays each time out. With three double-figure scorers themselves, they can come at you from a lot of different ways. Senior <strong>Libby Mattern</strong> (<em>10.1p, 4.8r, 3.0a</em>) has the most experience, but Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122733' first='Kaitlynn' last='Honeycutt']</strong> (<em>11.8p, 3.2r, 2.5a, 3.3s</em>) has done a nice job this season as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #36 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Lewis Cass - <strong>Aftin Griffin</strong>, 2026 - 8.0p<br>Lewis Cass - <strong>Elly Logan</strong>, 2023 - 6.8p, 6.9r<br>North Miami - [player_tooltip player_id='572820' first='Kaiden' last='Hanley'], 2024 - 15.8p, 6.3r, 2.0a, 4.6s<br>North Miami - [player_tooltip player_id='361363' first='Logan' last='Mouser'], 2023 - 12.6p, 2.7r, 2.9a, 2.3s<br>North Miami - <strong>Allison Bowman</strong>, 2023 - 9.5p, 3.0r, 3.0a, 2.1s<br>Pioneer - [player_tooltip player_id='59732' first='Ashlynn' last='Brooke'], 2023 - 24.0p, 5.5r, 6.0a, 5.2s<br>Pioneer - <strong>Kylie Attinger</strong>, 2024 - 9.0p, 6.2r, 2.1s<br>Pioneer - <strong>Paula Collado-Fernandez</strong>, 2025 - 7.6p, 4.5r, 2.3s<br>Wabash - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122733' first='Kaitlynn' last='Honeycutt']</strong>, 2025 - 11.8p, 3.2r, 2.5a, 3.3s<br>Wabash - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='825912' first='Kierra' last='Wilson']</strong>, 2024 - 11.4p, 6.4r<br>Wabash - <strong>Libby Mattern</strong>, 2023 - 10.1p, 4.8r, 3.0a<br>Wabash - <strong>Rylee Yoakum</strong>, 2023 - 8.1p, 4.6r, 2.8a, 2.5s<br>Winamac - [player_tooltip player_id='486524' first='Kandace' last='Kroft'], 2026 - 8.5p, 5.0r, 2.1a</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->