State Tourney Preview: Sectionals #45-#48

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='59777' first='Ava' last='Sowder'] (2023) of Eastern High School (Pekin, IN).</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 Crawford County Regional the following weekend. This includes the Class 2A teams from Sectionals #45-#48. Please stay tuned, as this weekend we will have a quick synopsis of each of the remaining Sectionals across class 1A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #45 at Switzerland County:</font></strong><br>Game-1: North Decatur (17-5) vs. South Ripley (13-9)<br>Game-2: Hauser (9-11) vs. Milan (4-18)<br>Game-3: Switzerland County (13-9) vs. Winner Game-1<br>Game-4: Winner Game-2 vs. Winner Game-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> North Decatur has been a successful girls' basketball program throughout the 2000s, winning a lot more games than it has lost, however, they've only claimed three Sectional titles in this century (<em>2000, 2009, 2020</em>). Senior [player_tooltip player_id='241190' first='Madelyn' last='Bohman'] (<em>8.1p, 7.0r</em>) would like to be the first graduating class to earn two titles in their career. The Lady Chargers look to be in good position to do so, entering the state tournament 4-0 against Sectional #45 competition with a win over each of the other opponents, and no margin closer than 14 points. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='366794' first='Madi' last='Allen'] (<em>14.1p, 5.3r, 3.9a</em>) is their do-everything wing, while Bohman and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='572816' first='Ella' last='Kunz'] (<em>12.1p, 7.9r</em>) add a little size to the frontcourt. South Ripley and Switzerland County will use the "sum of their pieces" approach to secure victories, and I would consider them the biggest threats to North Decatur, however, keep an eye on Hauser and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='201881' first='Madelyn' last='Poe']. She is skilled and can explode for big games at any moment. She's capable of willing them to a crown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #45 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Hauser - [player_tooltip player_id='201881' first='Madelyn' last='Poe'], 2024 - 15.1p, 4.8r, 3.1a, 2.8s<br>Hauser - <strong>Kyliegh Parrott</strong>, 2023 - 9.8p, 2.6r, 3.5a, 2.1s<br>Hauser - <strong>Adrianna Musillami</strong>, 2023 - 7.5p, 5.4r<br>Milan - <strong>Rachel Holt</strong>, 2024<br>North Decatur - [player_tooltip player_id='366794' first='Madi' last='Allen'], 2025 - 14.1p, 5.3r, 3.9a<br>North Decatur - [player_tooltip player_id='572816' first='Ella' last='Kunz'], 2024 - 12.1p, 7.9r<br>North Decatur - [player_tooltip player_id='241190' first='Madelyn' last='Bohman'], 2023 - 8.1p, 7.0r<br>North Decatur - <strong>Kelsey Haley</strong>, 2025 - 8.0p, 2.8r, 3.1a<br>South Ripley - <strong>Katelynn Samples</strong>, 2023 - 9.0, 7.0r<br>South Ripley - <strong>Emily Flood</strong>, 2023 - 9.3p, 3.4r<br>South Ripley - <strong>Reese Obendorf</strong>, 2024 - 7.6p, 5.0r, 2.0s<br>Switzerland County - <strong>Grace White</strong>, 2023<br>Switzerland County - <strong>Halle Archer</strong>, 2024<br>Switzerland County - <strong>Macy Collier</strong>, 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #46 at Austin:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Eastern (Pekin) (10-12) vs. Our Lady of Providence (14-8)<br>Game-2: Henryville (6-16) vs. Southwestern (Hanover) (8-15)<br>Game-3: Clarksville (5-17) vs. Austin (14-9)<br>Game-4: Brownstown Central (17-7) 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 #46 could go about any of four different directions. Brownstown Central comes down to Class 2A from Class 3A, and kids on this roster have contributed to three Sectional titles and one Regional title. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='178236' first='Madelyn' last='Hackman'] is one of the best guards in Southern Indiana, regardless of class, and she'll be at the forefront of what the Lady Braves want to get done. Providence has had a resurgence led by a strong group of underclassmen. Freshman <strong>Addison Smith</strong> (<em>16.0p, 2.3r, 2.0a, 3.7s</em>) can fill it up from all levels, while her twin sister, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='885219' first='Avery' last='Smith']</strong> (<em>7.5p, 6.2r, 2.0s</em>), makes a lot of hustle plays for this group. They have depth as well that can contribute. Eastern is always worth mentioning at this time of year, and the combination of Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='372344' first='Kyia' last='McKinley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='59777' first='Ava' last='Sowder'] should help lead them as long as they're still alive. Austin has used the talents of their own Freshman in [player_tooltip player_id='567133' first='Brynn' last='Owens']. She can score it or create for others, and they look to compete this year and down the road with her at the top. Eastern and Providence will have the toughest paths to a title, only because they face off against each other immediately to earn a chance at Brownstown on Friday night. Austin while likely get a shot at whoever is left on the other side of the bracket come Saturday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #46 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Austin - [player_tooltip player_id='567133' first='Brynn' last='Owens'], 2026<br>Austin - <strong>Mallory Buckel</strong>, 2023<br>Brownstown - [player_tooltip player_id='178236' first='Madelyn' last='Hackman'], 2023<br>Brownstown - <strong>Kalee Borden</strong>, 2023<br>Clarksville - <strong>Dahja Gaines</strong>, 2023 - 14.4p, 6.4<br>Eastern - [player_tooltip player_id='372344' first='Kyia' last='McKinley'], 2023<br>Eastern - [player_tooltip player_id='59777' first='Ava' last='Sowder'], 2023<br>Henryville - <strong>Alexis Marion</strong>, 2024<br>Henryville - <strong>Hillary White</strong>, 2024<br>Providence - <strong>Addison Smith</strong>, 2026 - 16.0p, 2.3r, 2.0a, 3.7s<br>Providence - <strong>Lillie Weber</strong>, 2023 - 9.4p, 4.0r<br>Providence - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='885219' first='Avery' last='Smith']</strong>, 2026 - 7.5p, 6.2r, 2.0s<br>Southwestern - <strong>Ashley Fulton</strong>, 2024 - 13.7p, 5.6r, 3.5a, 2.3s<br>Southwestern - <strong>Claudia Oliver</strong>, 2025 - 10.6p, 4.2r, 2.6a<br>Southwestern - <strong>Chloey Leach</strong>, 2025 - 8.1p, 6.0r</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #47 at Eastern Greene:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Paoli (14-10) vs. North Daviess (8-14)<br>Game-2: Sullivan (14-9) vs. South Knox (18-6)<br>Game-3: Linton-Stockton (18-3) vs. Eastern Greene (17-7)<br>Game-4: North Knox (23-1) vs. Mitchell (5-17)<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> This 8-team Sectional could be rather entertaining all week, as six of the eight teams have winning records and find themselves among the top 38 teams in Class 2A based on Sagarin Ratings. North Knox is at the top of the list, following a near-perfect regular season. They are very balanced and paced by a slew of youngsters, most notably Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='295765' first='Alex' last='McKinley'] (<em>10.0p, 4.2r</em>) and [player_tooltip player_id='473675' first='Brynna' last='Collins'] (<em>9.5p, 4.3r, 2.8s</em>). The Lady Warriors are also 5-0 against Sectional #47 competition. I look at Linton-Stockton as potentially the toughest "out" for North Knox in the Sectional round, as the Lady Miners have major tournament success in their recent history. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='326486' first='Bradie' last='Chambers'] and <strong>Sydney Jerrells</strong> are versatile offensive weapons, but they also put a lot of pressure on opponents through their team defenses. South Knox graduated a number of 2022 players, but they've bounced back nicely and can manage to win 20 games this season. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='570374' first='Ella' last='Bobe'] is a really nice guard prospect. Paoli is sort of the veteran group of the bunch, with Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='203657' first='Jackie' last='Crews'] (<em>15.1p, 3.5r, 2.0a, 2.0s</em>) and [player_tooltip player_id='460843' first='Ryleigh' last='Anderson'] (<em>8.3p, 6.3r</em>) as Varsity mainstays throughout their careers. Sullivan graduated two of their best ever in June of 2022, but they've managed to remain competitive through balance and some nice younger players. Sophomore <strong>Jacie Wilson</strong> (<em>12.4p, 7.2r</em>) has been really good inside for them. Eastern Greene leans on a pair of sisters in Senior [player_tooltip player_id='300079' first='Kenady' last='Hudson'] and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='177329' first='Keylee' last='Hudson'], as they attempt to win their first Sectional game since 2017.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #47 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Eastern Greene - [player_tooltip player_id='177329' first='Keylee' last='Hudson'], 2024<br>Eastern Greene - [player_tooltip player_id='300079' first='Kenady' last='Hudson'], 2023<br>Eastern Greene - <strong>Mia Uland</strong>, 2023<br>Linton - [player_tooltip player_id='326486' first='Bradie' last='Chambers'], 2024<br>Linton - <strong>Sydney Jerrells</strong>, 2024<br>Linton - [player_tooltip player_id='495982' first='Addisyn' last='Mckee'], 2025<br>Linton - [player_tooltip player_id='495992' first='Alyvia' last='Mckee'], 2025<br>Mitchell - [player_tooltip player_id='203651' first='Brooklyn' last='Peterson'], 2023<br>Mitchell - <strong>Mylea Slone</strong>, 2023<br>Mitchell - <strong>Elodie Canfield</strong>, 2023<br>North Daviess - <strong>Madi Lengacher</strong>, 2024<br>North Daviess - <strong>Hadley Parisien</strong>, 2023<br>North Knox - [player_tooltip player_id='295765' first='Alex' last='McKinley'], 2025 - 10.0p, 4.2r<br>North Knox - [player_tooltip player_id='473675' first='Brynna' last='Collins'], 2025 - 9.5p, 4.3r, 2.8s<br>North Knox - [player_tooltip player_id='420275' first='Lexi' last='Primus'], 2026 - 8.4p<br>North Knox - [player_tooltip player_id='362315' first='Brooklyn' last='Sturgeon'], 2025 - 7.0p, 2.1r<br>North Knox - <strong>Reegan Hammelman</strong>, 2023 - 6.1p, 4.2r, 3.0a<br>Paoli - [player_tooltip player_id='203657' first='Jackie' last='Crews'], 2023 - 15.1p, 3.5r, 2.0a, 2.0s<br>Paoli - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='825889' first='Carley' last='Higgins']</strong>, 2024 - 9.1p, 5.9r, 2.6a<br>Paoli - [player_tooltip player_id='460843' first='Ryleigh' last='Anderson'], 2023 - 8.3p, 6.3r<br>South Knox - [player_tooltip player_id='570374' first='Ella' last='Bobe'], 2025<br>South Knox - <strong>Shelby Burke</strong>, 2024<br>Sullivan - <strong>Jacie Wilson</strong>, 2025 - 12.4p, 7.2r<br>Sullivan - <strong>Avery Wiltermood</strong>, 2023 - 11.1p, 3.0r, 2.3a<br>Sullivan - <strong>Lexis Drake</strong>, 2024 - 6.9p, 2.9r<br>Sullivan - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='761171' first='Avari' last='Kelley']</strong>, 2025 - 6.1p, 2.3r, 3.7a, 3.0s</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #48 at Forest Park:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Crawford County (15-8) vs. South Spencer (15-7)<br>Game-2: Forest Park (19-3) vs. North Posey (9-11)<br>Game-3: Perry Central (6-16) vs. Winner Game-1<br>Game-4: Tell City (5-17) vs. Winner Game-2<br>Game-5: Winner Game-3 vs. Winner Game-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> Last season, Sectional #48 saw Forest Park make its way to downtown Indianapolis, culminating in their first State Championship in just their second appearance. Four of their five starters from that game returned, and they are once again a strong favorite to at least win this Sectional, if not advance much farther. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='178237' first='Amber' last='Tretter'] was a 2022 Indiana Junior All-Star and is committed to Miami University (Ohio). She is their mismatch in Class 2A, because she can play inside or out at 6-1. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='574547' first='Carley' last='Begle'] is a worker on the interior, grabbing rebound after rebound. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='59728' first='Lydia' last='Betz'] has the size and strength of an interior player, but she plays on the perimeter because of her ball skill and ability to score outside. South Spencer could be the team to put a lot of pressure on the Lady Rangers. South Spencer has a nice backcourt, consisting of all-energy Senior [player_tooltip player_id='241197' first='Trinity' last='Britton'] (<em>15.7p, 4.4r, 4.1a, 2.5s</em>) and skillful Junior [player_tooltip player_id='455943' first='Molly' last='Schulte'] (<em>11.4p, 4.4r, 4.3a, 2.4s</em>). They can control games and frustrate opponents, but they'll need to take care of the ball just a little better than most nights to knock off Forest Park. Crawford County actually beat South Spencer, 53-50, back on December 20th, so they could be another Sectional threat. Those two teams meet for the rematch in the first game Tuesday evening. At the same time, Forest Park took care of Crawford County, 54-26, on December 29th, so the Wolfpack will need a little different gameplan if they earn the opportunity to unseat the Lady Rangers in the finale on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #48 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Crawford County - <strong>Emily Kerce</strong>, 2023<br>Crawford County - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218694' first='Maddyson' last='Sturgeon']</strong>, 2025<br>Forest Park - [player_tooltip player_id='178237' first='Amber' last='Tretter'], 2023<br>Forest Park - [player_tooltip player_id='59728' first='Lydia' last='Betz'], 2023<br>Forest Park - [player_tooltip player_id='574547' first='Carley' last='Begle'], 2023<br>Forest Park - <strong>Gabey Gray</strong>, 2023<br>North Posey - <strong>Alyssa Heath</strong>, 2025 - 9.1p, 6.7r<br>North Posey - <strong>Mallory Luigs</strong>, 2026 - 8.2p, 3.9r, 2.1a<br>North Posey - <strong>Jazalyn Ward</strong>, 2026 - 8.0p, 6.0r<br>Perry Central - <strong>Jadyn Smith</strong>, 2023<br>Perry Central - <strong>Maggie Cunningham</strong>, 2023<br>South Spencer - [player_tooltip player_id='241197' first='Trinity' last='Britton'], 2023 - 15.7p, 4.4r, 4.1a, 2.5s<br>South Spencer - [player_tooltip player_id='455943' first='Molly' last='Schulte'], 2024 - 11.4p, 4.4r, 4.3a, 2.4s<br>South Spencer - <strong>Sally Shelton</strong>, 2024 - 7.3p, 4.2r<br>Tell City - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828948' first='Reese' last='Ford']</strong>, 2026 - 9.1p, 4.8r<br>Tell City - <strong>Jaylie Albin</strong>, 2023 - 7.6p, 3.6r, 2.0a</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->