State Tourney Preview: Sectionals #41-#44

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='177342' first='Addisen' last='Mastriano'] (2024) of Northeastern 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 Southmont Regional the following weekend. This includes the Class 2A teams from Sectionals #41-#44. 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 #41 at Hagerstown:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Hagerstown (8-15) vs. Northeastern (15-8)<br>Game-2: Knightstown (3-19) vs. Shenandoah (8-13)<br>Game-3: Union County (14-9) vs. Winner Game-1<br>Game-4: Winner Game-2 vs. Winner Game-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> In this 5-team Sectional, the Northeastern Lady Knights are likely the favorite. They are 4-0 against Sectional #41 competition, with one win by 13 points and the other three by 41 or more points. What's scary is, all of Northeastern's key players are non-Seniors, meaning they'll be strong next year as well. Junior post [player_tooltip player_id='177342' first='Addisen' last='Mastriano'] (<em>11.7p, 9.3r, 3.1a, 3.4b</em>) is a matchup problem on the interior, but she doesn't see a ton of double-teams, because she has good guards around her. Rookie [player_tooltip player_id='486539' first='Adysson' last='Kircher'] (<em>14.5p, 2.5r, 2.2a, 3.0s</em>) and Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='404112' first='Ava' last='Mikesell'] (<em>10.3p, 2.3r, 4.3a, 4.0s</em>) knock down open shots, control tempo, and cause havoc defensively. If anyone can challenge Northeastern, it's likely going to be Union County on Friday night. The Lady Patriots are well-coached and disciplined, and they can frustrate opponents. Senior <strong>Shelby Hill</strong> (<em>10.1p, 7.2r</em>) had a nice regular season for Union County. You might also keep an eye on Shenandoah Freshman <strong>Gabbi Patrick</strong> (<em>9.0p, 3.3r, 2.1s</em>), who should only get better as she gains more experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #41 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Hagerstown - <strong>Delaney Oliger</strong>, 2023<br>Hagerstown - <strong>Hannah Ridge</strong>, 2023<br>Knightstown - <strong>Taylor Reagan</strong>, 2024 - 7.3p, 3.9r, 2.3s<br>Knightstown - <strong>Anna Roberson</strong>, 2026 - 6.3p, 6.7r<br>Northeastern - [player_tooltip player_id='486539' first='Adysson' last='Kircher'], 2026 - 14.5p, 2.5r, 2.2a, 3.0s<br>Northeastern - [player_tooltip player_id='177342' first='Addisen' last='Mastriano'], 2024 - 11.7p, 9.3r, 3.1a, 3.4b<br>Northeastern - [player_tooltip player_id='404112' first='Ava' last='Mikesell'], 2025 - 10.3p, 2.3r, 4.3a, 4.0s<br>Northeastern - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='773771' first='Juztice' last='Slick']</strong>, 2024 - 8.2p, 4.3r, 2.2s<br>Shenandoah - <strong>Gabbi Patrick</strong>, 2026 - 9.0p, 3.3r, 2.1s<br>Shenandoah - <strong>Kayla Muterspaugh</strong>, 2023 - 7.2p, 3.2r<br>Union County - <strong>Shelby Hill</strong>, 2023 - 10.1p, 7.2r<br>Union County - <strong>Katie McCashland</strong>, 2025 - 8.6p, 3.3r, 2.0s<br>Union County - <strong>Brooke Fields</strong>, 2023 - 5.8p, 2.6r, 3.8a, 2.1s</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #42 at Triton Central:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Eastern Hancock (19-3) vs. Triton Central (18-4)<br>Game-2: Scecina Memorial (11-11) vs. Riverside (2-15)<br>Game-3: Irvington (1-10) vs. Winner Game-1<br>Game-4: Winner Game-2 vs. Winner Game-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> Sectional #42 will almost certainly come down to perennial powers Eastern Hancock and Triton Central, and what do you know, they match up in the very first game of the week. Eastern Hancock is very deep, well-rounded, and experienced. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='241193' first='Grace' last='Stapleton'] (<em>16.3p, 3.5r, 4.8a, 3.5s</em>) is a sharpshooter who you must chase everywhere, but she also does a nice job of running offense and finding teammates. Junior <strong>Sammie Bolding</strong> (<em>12.0p, 2.3a, 2.6s</em>) can help her from the wing, while 6-1 Junior [player_tooltip player_id='455934' first='Ruby' last='White'] (<em>7.5p, 6.0r</em>) is a nice option on the interior. Triton Central has seen their share of winning as well over the last decade, and they are also rather experienced. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='96081' first='Lizzie' last='Graham'] (<em>13.2p, 3.6r</em>) looks to cap off a nice career with a deep tournament run. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='486559' first='Maryrose' last='Felling'] (<em>12.7p, 5.1r, 2.2a</em>) is a talented perimeter shooter who also plays with toughness and grit. Senior <strong>Hallie Schweitzer</strong> (<em>10.4p, 5.3r, 5.1a</em>) is the facilitator for the Lady Tigers, but she can make shots as well. Basketball fans might also keep an eye on Scecina Senior <strong>Abby Moore</strong> (<em>16.8p, 3.5r, 2.7a, 2.8s</em>) who can put up points in bunches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #42 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Eastern Hancock - [player_tooltip player_id='241193' first='Grace' last='Stapleton'], 2023 - 16.3p, 3.5r, 4.8a, 3.5s<br>Eastern Hancock - <strong>Sammie Bolding</strong>, 2024 - 12.0p, 2.3a, 2.6s<br>Eastern Hancock - <strong>Emma Bolding</strong>, 2023 - 7.8p, 3.7r<br>Eastern Hancock - [player_tooltip player_id='455934' first='Ruby' last='White'], 2024 - 7.5p, 6.0r<br>Eastern Hancock - <strong>Makenzie O'Neal</strong>, 2024 - 6.8p, 4.7r, 2.2a, 2.2s<br>Irvington - <strong>De'Angel Laster</strong>, 2023<br>Riverside - <strong>Janiaya Thomas</strong>, 2023<br>Riverside - <strong>Aunna Smith</strong>, 2026<br>Scecina - <strong>Abby Moore</strong>, 2023 - 16.8p, 3.5r, 2.7a, 2.8s<br>Scecina - <strong>Anna Welborn</strong>, 2023 - 9.0p, 7.2r<br>Triton Central - [player_tooltip player_id='96081' first='Lizzie' last='Graham'], 2023 - 13.2p, 3.6r<br>Triton Central - [player_tooltip player_id='486559' first='Maryrose' last='Felling'], 2026 - 12.7p, 5.1r, 2.2a<br>Triton Central - <strong>Hallie Schweitzer</strong>, 2023 - 10.4p, 5.3r, 5.1a<br>Triton Central - <strong>Brooklyn Bailey</strong>, 2024 - 9.8p, 7.9r</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #43 at University:</font></strong><br>Game-1: University (18-4) vs. Sheridan (13-8)<br>Game-2: Park Tudor (14-6) vs. Covenant Christian (7-15)<br>Game-3: Winner Game-1 vs. Winner Game-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> Just a 4-team Sectional this year, this is likely going to come down to University just handling their business. They are bigger, more talented, and more experienced than the other teams here. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='59772' first='Payton' last='Seay'] (<em>20.0p, 7.5r, 2.9a, 2.8s</em>), 6-2 [player_tooltip player_id='59743' first='Kelsey' last='DuBois'] (<em>15.1p, 11.3r, 2.8a, 3.4b</em>), and [player_tooltip player_id='241194' first='Jordan' last='Patterson'] (<em>8.3p, 3.2r, 2.7a</em>) have been Varsity mainstays throughout their careers, and they are seeking a state title now. If anyone has a shot to upset the Trailblazers in Sectional #43, it's likely Sheridan. They are somewhat young and inexperienced; however, they are talented. Sheridan is led by 6-0 Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='324072' first='Kenzie' last='Garner'] (<em>18.7p, 9.6r, 2.9a, 4.3s</em>) who can really shoot the ball from all over the floor. Park Tudor also has a big-time scorer to watch in Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='372359' first='Gretchen' last='Farley'] (<em>17.5p, 4.4r, 2.8a, 3.6s</em>).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #43 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Covenant Christian - <strong>Ella Crane</strong>, 2023 - 13.8p, 10.3r, 2.6s<br>Covenant Christian - <strong>Avery Reichart</strong>, 2025 - 9.1p, 2.6r, 2.5s<br>Park Tudor - [player_tooltip player_id='372359' first='Gretchen' last='Farley'], 2023 - 17.5p, 4.4r, 2.8a, 3.6s<br>Park Tudor - <strong>Dominae Butler</strong>, 2024 - 7.7p, 4.7r, 2.0a, 3.0s<br>Park Tudor - <strong>Lilly Harris</strong>, 2024 - 6.8p, 7.9r, 2.1s<br>Sheridan - [player_tooltip player_id='324072' first='Kenzie' last='Garner'], 2025 - 18.7p, 9.6r, 2.9a, 4.3s<br>Sheridan - <strong>Chaney Smith</strong>, 2023 - 8.6p, 3.0r, 2.1s<br>Sheridan - <strong>Ashley Webel</strong>, 2025 - 6.6p<br>University - [player_tooltip player_id='59772' first='Payton' last='Seay'], 2023 - 20.0p, 7.5r, 2.9a, 2.8s<br>University - [player_tooltip player_id='59743' first='Kelsey' last='DuBois'], 2023 - 15.1p, 11.3r, 2.8a, 3.4b<br>University - [player_tooltip player_id='241194' first='Jordan' last='Patterson'], 2023 - 8.3p, 3.2r, 2.7a<br>University - [player_tooltip player_id='331806' first='Taylor' last='Seay'], 2025 - 7.5p, 3.2r</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #44 at Greencastle:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Southmont (11-10) vs. Greencastle (19-4)<br>Game-2: South Putnam (7-15) vs. Riverton Parke (10-10)<br>Game-3: Parke Heritage (18-5) vs. North Putnam (10-12)<br>Game-4: Cloverdale (2-21) 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> With seven teams, this is clearly the biggest Sectional that feeds into the Southmont Regional. The Greencastle Tiger Cubs are suddenly the favorite after the arrival of Senior [player_tooltip player_id='206425' first='Gloria' last='Brewer'] (<em>26.3p, 11.5r, 3.3a, 5.0s</em>) this season. She was previously homeschooled. She is an explosive offensive weapon, she plays with a great motor, and she can turn over her opposing matchup. Fellow Senior <strong>Emma Hunter</strong> (<em>15.1p, 5.0r, 3.2s</em>) has been a nice second option for the Tiger Cubs, scoring in double digits most nights. Parke Heritage saw a number of good players leave via graduation in June of 2022, but they've managed to play well again this year. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='506018' first='Emma' last='Simpson'] (<em>20.0p, 8.9r, 3.8a, 3.6s</em>) is one of the better guards very few people know much about statewide. She can run offense, score it from all three levels, and she competes each possession. From there, it would likely be a longshot for another team to win Sectional #44, however Greencastle did lose to Southmont, 40-37, but that was way back on November 1st, and the Tiger Cubs have won 11 games in a row heading into Tuesday night. Make sure to keep an eye on double-double machine <strong>Bailey Duke</strong> (<em>11.9p, 14.0r, 3.5a, 3.0s</em>) from Riverton Parke and wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='825896' first='DeLorean' last='Mason']</strong> (<em>13.6p, 6.7r</em>) from Southmont. Duke is a Senior, while Mason is a Junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #44 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Cloverdale - <strong>Kiersten Wade</strong>, 2023<br>Greencastle - [player_tooltip player_id='206425' first='Gloria' last='Brewer'], 2023 - 26.3p, 11.5r, 3.3a, 5.0s<br>Greencastle - <strong>Emma Hunter</strong>, 2023 - 15.1p, 5.0r, 3.2s<br>Greencastle - <strong>Evelyn Briones</strong>, 2024 - 9.1p, 2.8r, 2.0s<br>North Putnam - <strong>Samie Hoops</strong>, 2024<br>Parke Heritage - [player_tooltip player_id='506018' first='Emma' last='Simpson'], 2025 - 20.0p, 8.9r, 3.8a, 3.6s<br>Parke Heritage - <strong>Raegan Ramsey</strong>, 2025 - 13.0p, 7.0r<br>Parke Heritage - <strong>Andrea Perkins</strong>, 2025 - 6.4p, 3.0r, 2.1a<br>Riverton Parke - <strong>Bailey Duke</strong>, 2023 - 11.9p, 14.0r (<em>5.8 off.</em>), 3.5a, 3.0s<br>Riverton Parke - <strong>Haylee Mathas</strong>, 2025 - 9.7p, 3.3r, 3.1s<br>South Putnam - <strong>Hanna Teipen</strong>, 2023<br>Southmont - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='825896' first='DeLorean' last='Mason']</strong>, 2024 - 13.6p, 6.7s<br>Southmont - <strong>Chelsea Veatch</strong>, 2023 - 8.0p, 2.6a, 3.0s<br>Southmont - <strong>Chloe Jenkins</strong>, 2024 - 7.9p, 4.0r</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->