State Tourney Preview: Sectionals #45-#48
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The featured image is of Ava Sowder Ava Sowder 5'8" | SF Eastern (Pekin) | 2023 IN (2023) of Eastern High School (Pekin, IN). The IHSAA Sectional draw took place last Sunday evening, so all of the 390+ schools participating…
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Continue ReadingThe featured image is of Ava Sowder Ava Sowder 5'8" | SF Eastern (Pekin) | 2023 IN (2023) of Eastern High School (Pekin, IN).
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.
.
Sectional #45 at Switzerland County:
Game-1: North Decatur (17-5) vs. South Ripley (13-9)
Game-2: Hauser (9-11) vs. Milan (4-18)
Game-3: Switzerland County (13-9) vs. Winner Game-1
Game-4: Winner Game-2 vs. Winner Game-3
Overview: 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 (2000, 2009, 2020). Senior Madelyn Bohman Madelyn Bohman 5'9" | SF North Decatur | 2023 IN (8.1p, 7.0r) 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 Madi Allen Madi Allen 5'9" | SG North Decatur | 2025 State IN (14.1p, 5.3r, 3.9a) is their do-everything wing, while Bohman and Junior Ella Kunz Ella Kunz 6'0" | C North Decatur | 2024 IN (12.1p, 7.9r) 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 Madelyn Poe Madelyn Poe 5'6" | PG Columbus East | 2024 State IN . She is skilled and can explode for big games at any moment. She’s capable of willing them to a crown.
Sectional #45 Players to Watch:
Hauser –
Madelyn Poe
Madelyn
Poe
5'6" | PG
Columbus East | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 15.1p, 4.8r, 3.1a, 2.8s
Hauser – Kyliegh Parrott, 2023 – 9.8p, 2.6r, 3.5a, 2.1s
Hauser – Adrianna Musillami, 2023 – 7.5p, 5.4r
Milan – Rachel Holt, 2024
North Decatur –
Madi Allen
Madi
Allen
5'9" | SG
North Decatur | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 14.1p, 5.3r, 3.9a
North Decatur –
Ella Kunz
Ella
Kunz
6'0" | C
North Decatur | 2024
IN
, 2024 – 12.1p, 7.9r
North Decatur –
Madelyn Bohman
Madelyn
Bohman
5'9" | SF
North Decatur | 2023
IN
, 2023 – 8.1p, 7.0r
North Decatur – Kelsey Haley, 2025 – 8.0p, 2.8r, 3.1a
South Ripley – Katelynn Samples, 2023 – 9.0, 7.0r
South Ripley – Emily Flood, 2023 – 9.3p, 3.4r
South Ripley – Reese Obendorf, 2024 – 7.6p, 5.0r, 2.0s
Switzerland County – Grace White, 2023
Switzerland County – Halle Archer, 2024
Switzerland County – Macy Collier, 2024
.
Sectional #46 at Austin:
Game-1: Eastern (Pekin) (10-12) vs. Our Lady of Providence (14-8)
Game-2: Henryville (6-16) vs. Southwestern (Hanover) (8-15)
Game-3: Clarksville (5-17) vs. Austin (14-9)
Game-4: Brownstown Central (17-7) vs. Winner Game-1
Game-5: Winner Game-2 vs. Winner Game-3
Game-6: Winner Game-4 vs. Winner Game-5
Overview: 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 Madelyn Hackman Madelyn Hackman 5'8" | SG Brownstown Central | 2023 State IN 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 Addison Smith (16.0p, 2.3r, 2.0a, 3.7s) can fill it up from all levels, while her twin sister, Avery Smith Avery Smith 5'8" | SF Our Lady of Providence | 2026 IN (7.5p, 6.2r, 2.0s), 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 Kyia McKinley Kyia McKinley 5'11" | PF Eastern (Pekin) | 2023 State IN and Ava Sowder Ava Sowder 5'8" | SF Eastern (Pekin) | 2023 IN should help lead them as long as they’re still alive. Austin has used the talents of their own Freshman in Brynn Owens Brynn Owens 5'7" | CG Austin | 2026 State IN . 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.
Sectional #46 Players to Watch:
Austin –
Brynn Owens
Brynn
Owens
5'7" | CG
Austin | 2026
State
IN
, 2026
Austin – Mallory Buckel, 2023
Brownstown –
Madelyn Hackman
Madelyn
Hackman
5'8" | SG
Brownstown Central | 2023
State
IN
, 2023
Brownstown – Kalee Borden, 2023
Clarksville – Dahja Gaines, 2023 – 14.4p, 6.4
Eastern –
Kyia McKinley
Kyia
McKinley
5'11" | PF
Eastern (Pekin) | 2023
State
IN
, 2023
Eastern –
Ava Sowder
Ava
Sowder
5'8" | SF
Eastern (Pekin) | 2023
IN
, 2023
Henryville – Alexis Marion, 2024
Henryville – Hillary White, 2024
Providence – Addison Smith, 2026 – 16.0p, 2.3r, 2.0a, 3.7s
Providence – Lillie Weber, 2023 – 9.4p, 4.0r
Providence –
Avery Smith
Avery
Smith
5'8" | SF
Our Lady of Providence | 2026
IN
, 2026 – 7.5p, 6.2r, 2.0s
Southwestern – Ashley Fulton, 2024 – 13.7p, 5.6r, 3.5a, 2.3s
Southwestern – Claudia Oliver, 2025 – 10.6p, 4.2r, 2.6a
Southwestern – Chloey Leach, 2025 – 8.1p, 6.0r
.
Sectional #47 at Eastern Greene:
Game-1: Paoli (14-10) vs. North Daviess (8-14)
Game-2: Sullivan (14-9) vs. South Knox (18-6)
Game-3: Linton-Stockton (18-3) vs. Eastern Greene (17-7)
Game-4: North Knox (23-1) vs. Mitchell (5-17)
Game-5: Winner Game-1 vs. Winner Game-2
Game-6: Winner Game-3 vs. Winner Game-4
Game-7: Winner Game-5 vs. Winner Game-6
Overview: 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 Alex McKinley Alex McKinley 5'8" | SG North Knox | 2025 State IN (10.0p, 4.2r) and Brynna Collins Brynna Collins 5'7" | SG North Knox | 2025 State IN (9.5p, 4.3r, 2.8s). 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 Bradie Chambers Bradie Chambers 5'8" | SG Linton-Stockton | 2024 State IN and Sydney Jerrells 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 Ella Bobe Ella Bobe 5'9" | CG South Knox | 2025 State IN is a really nice guard prospect. Paoli is sort of the veteran group of the bunch, with Seniors Jackie Crews Jackie Crews 5'7" | PG Paoli | 2023 State IN (15.1p, 3.5r, 2.0a, 2.0s) and Ryleigh Anderson Ryleigh Anderson 6'0" | C Paoli | 2023 IN (8.3p, 6.3r) 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 Jacie Wilson (12.4p, 7.2r) has been really good inside for them. Eastern Greene leans on a pair of sisters in Senior Kenady Hudson Kenady Hudson 5'11" | PF Eastern Greene | 2023 IN and Junior Keylee Hudson Keylee Hudson 5'10" | SG Eastern Greene | 2024 State IN , as they attempt to win their first Sectional game since 2017.
Sectional #47 Players to Watch:
Eastern Greene –
Keylee Hudson
Keylee
Hudson
5'10" | SG
Eastern Greene | 2024
State
IN
, 2024
Eastern Greene –
Kenady Hudson
Kenady
Hudson
5'11" | PF
Eastern Greene | 2023
IN
, 2023
Eastern Greene – Mia Uland, 2023
Linton –
Bradie Chambers
Bradie
Chambers
5'8" | SG
Linton-Stockton | 2024
State
IN
, 2024
Linton – Sydney Jerrells, 2024
Linton –
Addisyn McKee
Addisyn
McKee
5'6" | SG
Linton-Stockton | 2025
IN
, 2025
Linton –
Alyvia Mckee
Alyvia
Mckee
5'6" | SG
Linton-Stockton | 2025
IN
, 2025
Mitchell –
Brooklyn Peterson
Brooklyn
Peterson
5'10" | PF
Mitchell | 2023
State
IN
, 2023
Mitchell – Mylea Slone, 2023
Mitchell – Elodie Canfield, 2023
North Daviess – Madi Lengacher, 2024
North Daviess – Hadley Parisien, 2023
North Knox –
Alex McKinley
Alex
McKinley
5'8" | SG
North Knox | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 10.0p, 4.2r
North Knox –
Brynna Collins
Brynna
Collins
5'7" | SG
North Knox | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 9.5p, 4.3r, 2.8s
North Knox –
Lexi Primus
Lexi
Primus
5'8" | SG
North Knox | 2026
State
IN
, 2026 – 8.4p
North Knox –
Brooklyn Sturgeon
Brooklyn
Sturgeon
5'3" | CG
North Knox | 2025
IN
, 2025 – 7.0p, 2.1r
North Knox – Reegan Hammelman, 2023 – 6.1p, 4.2r, 3.0a
Paoli –
Jackie Crews
Jackie
Crews
5'7" | PG
Paoli | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 15.1p, 3.5r, 2.0a, 2.0s
Paoli –
Carley Higgins
Carley
Higgins
5'9" | SF
Paoli | 2024
IN
, 2024 – 9.1p, 5.9r, 2.6a
Paoli –
Ryleigh Anderson
Ryleigh
Anderson
6'0" | C
Paoli | 2023
IN
, 2023 – 8.3p, 6.3r
South Knox –
Ella Bobe
Ella
Bobe
5'9" | CG
South Knox | 2025
State
IN
, 2025
South Knox – Shelby Burke, 2024
Sullivan – Jacie Wilson, 2025 – 12.4p, 7.2r
Sullivan – Avery Wiltermood, 2023 – 11.1p, 3.0r, 2.3a
Sullivan – Lexis Drake, 2024 – 6.9p, 2.9r
Sullivan –
Avari Kelley
Avari
Kelley
5'5" | PG
Sullivan | 2026
IN
, 2025 – 6.1p, 2.3r, 3.7a, 3.0s
.
Sectional #48 at Forest Park:
Game-1: Crawford County (15-8) vs. South Spencer (15-7)
Game-2: Forest Park (19-3) vs. North Posey (9-11)
Game-3: Perry Central (6-16) vs. Winner Game-1
Game-4: Tell City (5-17) vs. Winner Game-2
Game-5: Winner Game-3 vs. Winner Game-4
Overview: 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 Amber Tretter Amber Tretter 6'1" | PF Forest Park | 2023 State IN 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 Carley Begle Carley Begle 5'9" | PF Forest Park | 2023 IN is a worker on the interior, grabbing rebound after rebound. Senior Lydia Betz Lydia Betz 5'10" | SF Forest Park | 2023 State IN 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 Trinity Britton Trinity Britton 5'5" | CG South Spencer | 2023 IN (15.7p, 4.4r, 4.1a, 2.5s) and skillful Junior Molly Schulte Molly Schulte 5'7" | PG South Spencer | 2024 IN (11.4p, 4.4r, 4.3a, 2.4s). 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.
Sectional #48 Players to Watch:
Crawford County – Emily Kerce, 2023
Crawford County – Maddyson Sturgeon, 2025
Forest Park –
Amber Tretter
Amber
Tretter
6'1" | PF
Forest Park | 2023
State
IN
, 2023
Forest Park –
Lydia Betz
Lydia
Betz
5'10" | SF
Forest Park | 2023
State
IN
, 2023
Forest Park –
Carley Begle
Carley
Begle
5'9" | PF
Forest Park | 2023
IN
, 2023
Forest Park – Gabey Gray, 2023
North Posey – Alyssa Heath, 2025 – 9.1p, 6.7r
North Posey – Mallory Luigs, 2026 – 8.2p, 3.9r, 2.1a
North Posey – Jazalyn Ward, 2026 – 8.0p, 6.0r
Perry Central – Jadyn Smith, 2023
Perry Central – Maggie Cunningham, 2023
South Spencer –
Trinity Britton
Trinity
Britton
5'5" | CG
South Spencer | 2023
IN
, 2023 – 15.7p, 4.4r, 4.1a, 2.5s
South Spencer –
Molly Schulte
Molly
Schulte
5'7" | PG
South Spencer | 2024
IN
, 2024 – 11.4p, 4.4r, 4.3a, 2.4s
South Spencer – Sally Shelton, 2024 – 7.3p, 4.2r
Tell City –
Reese Ford
Reese
Ford
5'9" | CG
Tell City | 2026
IN
, 2026 – 9.1p, 4.8r
Tell City – Jaylie Albin, 2023 – 7.6p, 3.6r, 2.0a