State Tourney Preview: Sectionals #5-#8

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='177354' first='Kyndra' last='Sheets'] (2024) of Colombia City 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 Marion Regional the following weekend. This includes the Class 4A teams from Sectionals #5-#8. Please stay tuned, as this week we will have a quick synopsis of each of the 64 Sectionals across all four classifications.   .   Sectional #5 at DeKalb: Game-1: Fort Wayne North Side (6-14) vs. DeKalb (11-10) Game-2: Carroll (Fort Wayne) (14-6) vs. Fort Wayne Northrop (18-3) Game-3: Fort Wayne Snider (17-4) vs. Winner Game-1 Game-4: East Noble (5-16) vs. Winner Game-2 Game-5: Winner Game-3 vs. Winner Game-4   Overview: Sectional #5 has a rather strong field that includes Northrop, Snider, and Carroll. Northrop is a favorite here, posting a 5-0 record against all Sectional #5 opponents. They have beaten four of the five opponents by 29 or more points, with their 79-70 win against Snider being the closest. Senior twins [player_tooltip player_id='59758' first='Saniya' last='Jackson'] (15.1p, 7.0r, 2.5a, 3.1s) and [player_tooltip player_id='59759' first='Nevaeh' last='Jackson'] (15.6p, 5.5r, 2.8a, 2.8s) lead the Lady Bruins, as they have only suffered losses to last year's State Champs, Noblesville, along with current #1 South Bend Washington, and Columbia City. Snider can use elite guard play out of Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='177351' first='Jordyn' last='Poole'] (15.3p, 3.2r, 4.2a, 3.1s) and [player_tooltip player_id='177321' first='Joh'nea' last='Donahue'] (12.4p, 4.6r, 4.2a, 5.7s), plus Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='572796' first='Ciara' last='Sims'] (9.2p, 4.1r) has been playing well in the second half of the season. Carroll matches up with Northrop right from the get-go, and the Chargers have a pair of experienced Senior guards in [player_tooltip player_id='96079' first='Taylor' last='Fordyce'] (15.6p, 5.0r, 3.0a, 2.6s) and [player_tooltip player_id='241187' first='Kayla' last='Gibbs'] (14.8p, 5.1r, 2.3a, 2.5s) leading the way. If they can control tempo, minimize possessions, and take care of the ball, they have enough skill and talent to upset Northrop. Carroll also faces off against Snider later this week, which should prove to be a highly competitive game. One other note, about North Side, is that the Legends began the year 0-7. They are 6-7 since, with those six wins matching the 2017-2018 total. One more win could tie them for their most wins since the 2009-2010 season.   Sectional #5 Players to Watch: Carroll (FW) - [player_tooltip player_id='96079' first='Taylor' last='Fordyce'], 2023 - 15.6p, 5.0r, 3.0a, 2.6s Carroll (FW) - [player_tooltip player_id='241187' first='Kayla' last='Gibbs'], 2023 - 14.8p, 5.1r, 2.3a, 2.5s Carroll (FW) - [player_tooltip player_id='295801' first='Jersey' last='Paul'], 2025 - 9.8p, 2.2r, 2.7a Carroll (FW) - [player_tooltip player_id='486555' first='Lillian' last='George'], 2026 - 8.5p, 5.2r DeKalb - [player_tooltip player_id='404107' first='Ashley' last='Cox'], 2025 DeKalb - Delaney Cox, 2023 DeKalb - Lillie Cone, 2023 East Noble - Bree Walmsley, 2023 - 8.7p, 3.2r, 2.4a East Noble - Payton Quake, 2024 - 7.5p, 5.6r East Noble - Kya Mosley, 2023 - 7.3p, 3.7r FW North Side - Kaleah Williams, 2025 - 13.7p, 3.5r, 5.5s FW North Side - Ja'liyah Paige, 2024 - 8.9p, 10.1r, 3.2s FW North Side - [player_tooltip player_id='455937' first='Aniya' last='Woodson'], 2024 - 6.1p, 4.0r, 3.8s FW Northrop - [player_tooltip player_id='59758' first='Saniya' last='Jackson'], 2023 - 15.1p, 7.0r, 2.5a, 3.1s FW Northrop - [player_tooltip player_id='59759' first='Nevaeh' last='Jackson'], 2023 - 15.6p, 5.5r, 2.8a, 2.8s FW Northrop - [player_tooltip player_id='410034' first='Brooklyn' last='McLemore'], 2023 - 9.3p, 7.9r FW Northrop - [player_tooltip player_id='486518' first='Swynn' last='Jackson'], 2026 - 7.1p, 4.9r, 4.2a, 3.3s FW Snider - [player_tooltip player_id='177351' first='Jordyn' last='Poole'], 2024 - 15.3p, 3.2r, 4.2a, 3.1s FW Snider - [player_tooltip player_id='177321' first='Joh'nea' last='Donahue'], 2024 - 12.4p, 4.6r, 4.2a 5.7s FW Snider - [player_tooltip player_id='572796' first='Ciara' last='Sims'], 2024 - 9.2p, 4.1r FW Snider - [player_tooltip player_id='298261' first='Tia' last='Phinezy'], 2024 - 8.6p, 7.1r, 3.6b   .   Sectional #6 at Huntington North: Game-1: Fort Wayne South Side (2-16) vs. New Haven (2-17) Game-2: Columbia City (19-2) vs. Homestead (16-4) Game-3: Huntington North (16-4) vs. Winner Game-1 Game-4: Fort Wayne Wayne (14-7) vs. Winner Game-2 Game-5: Winner Game-3 vs. Winner Game-4   Overview: With four teams with 13 or more wins already in Sectional #6, this is shaping up to be a really strong group. The wildcard is Columbia City, because they've only played one other Sectional #6 team, Huntington North. While they beat Huntington North in a nailbiter a little over a week ago, 41-39, they have drawn traditional power Homestead in their first-round game. Columbia City will use its strong backcourt play of Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='295754' first='Addison' last='Baxter'] (18.4p, 5.4r, 2.9a, 3.6s), Junior [player_tooltip player_id='177354' first='Kyndra' last='Sheets'] (14.7p, 2.8a, 2.2s), and others to control tempo offensively and hound the ball defensively. Homestead is also rather experienced, and they'll lean on Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='59778' first='Alison' last='Stephens'], [player_tooltip player_id='127237' first='Molly' last='Stock'], and [player_tooltip player_id='300075' first='Sydney' last='Fream'], plus talented Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='492319' first='Myah' last='Epps'] to play a balanced, versatile game. The Spartans are no strangers to the spotlight, and that could provide them an advantage. Though Huntington North fell to Columbia City recently, they have also built a strong season, and the Lady Vikings have a great opportunity to get to the finals behind Senior [player_tooltip player_id='203658' first='Taylor' last='Double']. Wayne is another wildcard, as they have a variety of Junior and Senior guards who compete with quickness and athleticism, plus Senior post [player_tooltip player_id='127213' first='Shabrea' last='O'Quinn'] (9.1p, 6.1r) is a huge presence in the paint.   Sectional #6 Players to Watch: Columbia City - [player_tooltip player_id='295754' first='Addison' last='Baxter'], 2025 - 18.4p, 5.4r, 2.9a, 3.6s Columbia City - [player_tooltip player_id='177354' first='Kyndra' last='Sheets'], 2024 - 14.7p, 2.8a, 2.2s Columbia City - [player_tooltip player_id='406435' first='Molly' last='Baker'], 2024 - 13.0p, 4.6r Columbia City - [player_tooltip player_id='455935' first='Tessa' last='Tonkel'], 2024 FW South Side - [player_tooltip player_id='372354' first='Justice' last='Billingsley'], 2023 FW Wayne - [player_tooltip player_id='574566' first='Aniah' last='Hill'], 2023 - 10.9p, 6.3r, 4.1a, 3.9s FW Wayne - [player_tooltip player_id='298263' first='Sydney' last='Gorman'], 2024 - 10.9p FW Wayne - [player_tooltip player_id='127213' first='Shabrea' last='O'Quinn'], 2023 - 9.1p, 6.1r Homestead - [player_tooltip player_id='59778' first='Alison' last='Stephens'], 2023 Homestead - [player_tooltip player_id='127237' first='Molly' last='Stock'], 2023 Homestead - [player_tooltip player_id='300075' first='Sydney' last='Fream'], 2023 Homestead - [player_tooltip player_id='492319' first='Myah' last='Epps'], 2026 Huntington North - [player_tooltip player_id='203658' first='Taylor' last='Double'], 2023 Huntington North - [player_tooltip player_id='295794' first='Marissa' last='Trout'], 2025 Huntington North - [player_tooltip player_id='455938' first='Gracie' last='Fields'], 2024 New Haven - Janiya Johnson, 2024 New Haven - Alanah Webb, 2026   .   Sectional #7 at Lafayette Jefferson: Game-1: Kokomo (11-12) vs. McCutcheon (11-11) Game-2: Logansport (12-9) vs. Marion (1-21) Game-3: West Lafayette Harrison (14-8) vs. Winner Game-1 Game-4: Lafayette Jefferson (2-20) vs. Winner Game-2 Game-5: Winner Game-3 vs. Winner Game-4   Overview: Sectional #7 will likely be Harrison's for the taking. They are 6-0 against the other five Sectional #7 teams, and while they battled Kokomo to a 42-35 result just two weeks ago, all of the other wins have been by 23 points or more. Harrison has very good size and strength, plus they have experience at the top, with a pair of Seniors and a Junior who each stand 5-11 to 6-2 and have major Varsity experience. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='59747' first='Riley' last='Flinn'] (13.3p, 8.3r, 6.9a, 5.1s) will look to cap a nice high school career with a Sectional #7 title. McCutcheon, Kokomo, and Logansport are in that next tier of teams who can cause problems for Harrison (and each other). McCutcheon has a nice mixture of Senior experience and youthful talent. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='553262' first='Chloe' last='Finney'] (7.2p, 3.0r) has been good for them as a rookie. Kokomo looks to Juniors and Sophomores to lead the way. [player_tooltip player_id='496053' first='MaKaela' last='Drake'] (10.2p, 2.2r) and [player_tooltip player_id='572818' first='Kamaria' last='White'] (6.3p, 4.2r, 3.9a, 2.4s) are explosive guards, while [player_tooltip player_id='369835' first='Aijia' last='Elliott'] (14.4p, 8.6r) is a strong, physical post prospect. Logansport isn't very tall, but they have skilled guards with great experience. [player_tooltip player_id='241191' first='Gabby' last='Richie'] (18.1p, 5.0r, 3.1a, 2.8s) is their best player, and she can score it in bunches.   Sectional #7 Players to Watch: Kokomo - [player_tooltip player_id='369835' first='Aijia' last='Elliott'], 2024 - 14.4p, 8.6r Kokomo - [player_tooltip player_id='496053' first='MaKaela' last='Drake'], 2025 - 10.2p, 2.2r Kokomo - [player_tooltip player_id='572818' first='Kamaria' last='White'], 2024 - 6.3p, 4.2r, 3.9a, 2.4s Lafayette Jeff - [player_tooltip player_id='886667' first='Shaylee' last='Barrett'], 2026 - 9.1p, 5.0r Lafayette Jeff - Trinity Fields, 2023 - 6.7p, 6.6r Logansport - [player_tooltip player_id='241191' first='Gabby' last='Richie'], 2023 - 18.1p, 5.0r, 3.1a, 2.8s Logansport - Lydia Goad, 2024 - 10.8p, 2.9r, 2.4s Logansport - Kendra Sutton, 2023 - 8.5p, 6.7r Marion - Culeeya Jones, 2023 McCutcheon - [player_tooltip player_id='553262' first='Chloe' last='Finney'], 2026 - 7.2p, 3.0r McCutcheon - [player_tooltip player_id='127230' first='Caitlyn' last='Miller'], 2023 - 6.5p, 5.2r, 3.7a, 2.1s WL Harrison - [player_tooltip player_id='59747' first='Riley' last='Flinn'], 2023 - 13.3p, 8.3r, 6.9a, 5.1s WL Harrison - [player_tooltip player_id='369827' first='Riley' last='Whitlock'], 2024 - 12.0p, 4.5r, 2.5s WL Harrison - [player_tooltip player_id='241186' first='Campbell' last='Moore'], 2023 - 8.5p, 7.5r, 2.2s, 4.0b   .   Sectional #8 at Noblesville: Game-1: Carmel (4-17) vs. Fishers (19-2) Game-2: Westfield (12-10) vs. Zionsville (18-2) Game-3: Noblesville (21-3) vs. Winner Game-1 Game-4: Hamilton Southeastern (20-2) vs. Winner Game-2 Game-5: Winner Game-3 vs. Winner Game-4   Overview: Without a doubt, Sectional #8 is the strongest and deepest Sectional in the state, regardless of class. They will have as many eyes on them as anyone this postseason, and four of these teams fall in the Sagarin Ratings Top-7...impressive. Even Sagarin #30 Westfield and #62 Carmel have the firepower to beat anyone in this field. Noblesville is the defending State Champions, and they will come in confident with a recent win over Zionsville. The Millers bring back a great deal of experience from last year's finals team, and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='177361' first='Reagan' last='Wilson'] (16.5p, 3.3r, 3.8a, 3.6s) and Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='295776' first='Meredith' last='Tippner'] (17.5p, 9.0r, 3.0a, 2.5s) have been outstanding all season. Wilson, in fact, poured in a career-high 37 points in that win over Zionsville. Speaking of Zionsville, they boast Miss Basketball candidate [player_tooltip player_id='59757' first='Laila' last='Hull'] (23.2p, 8.1r, 2.2a, 2.7s), along with several other very skilled and talented Seniors and Juniors. That experience had them undefeated for much of the season, but recent losses to Noblesville and Hamilton Southeastern could help them recalibrate and prepare them for next week. Hamilton Southeastern is an incredibly experienced group, with a number of key Seniors back. Point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2402' first='Olivia' last='Brown'] (7.0p, 5.0r, 7.6a, 3.7s) probably doesn't get enough credit for her efforts because she doesn't post high scoring numbers, but she is the ideal facilitator and defender from the lead guard spot. Butler commit [player_tooltip player_id='96087' first='Riley' last='Makalusky'] (19.3p, 3.9r) provides a major scoring punch from the wing for the Royals. Fishers is 18-2, so their credentials are second to none, but they play a little different than most Sectional #8 teams. They have an in-your-face defensive approach, try to speed you up, and make you uncomfortable. They possess a number of elite guards who can contribute in a variety of ways, led by Senior twins [player_tooltip player_id='59775' first='Hailey' last='Smith'] (11.4p, 7.0r, 2.8a, 2.0s) and [player_tooltip player_id='59776' first='Olivia' last='Smith'] (10.0p, 4.0r, 2.4a).   Sectional #8 Players to Watch: Carmel - [player_tooltip player_id='127210' first='Hannah' last='Lach'], 2023 - 8.2p, 4.9r Carmel - [player_tooltip player_id='506016' first='Mackenzie' last='Woods'], 2025 - 6.3p, 4.0r, 2.7a Carmel - [player_tooltip player_id='324070' first='Taryn' last='Fisher'], 2025 - 5.1p, 3.6r Fishers - [player_tooltip player_id='59775' first='Hailey' last='Smith'], 2023 - 11.4p, 7.0r, 2.8a, 2.0s Fishers - [player_tooltip player_id='59776' first='Olivia' last='Smith'], 2023 - 10.0p, 4.0r, 2.4a Fishers - [player_tooltip player_id='176168' first='Talia' last='Harris'], 2024 - 8.9p, 3.6r, 2.3s Fishers - [player_tooltip player_id='148149' first='Alycia' last='Triplett'], 2023 - 7.8p, 5.1r Fishers - [player_tooltip player_id='177355' first='Joirdyn' last='Smith'], 2024 - 7.0p Hamilton Southeastern - [player_tooltip player_id='96087' first='Riley' last='Makalusky'], 2023 - 19.3p, 3.9r Hamilton Southeastern - [player_tooltip player_id='295764' first='Maya' last='Makalusky'], 2025 - 15.5p, 3.7r Hamilton Southeastern - [player_tooltip player_id='2402' first='Olivia' last='Brown'], 2023 - 7.0p, 5.0r, 7.6a, 3.7s Hamilton Southeastern - [player_tooltip player_id='486487' first='Kennedy' last='Holman'], 2026 - 6.2p, 4.2r, 2.9a Hamilton Southeastern - [player_tooltip player_id='59725' first='Teegan' last='Acres'], 2023 - 5.3p, 5.9r, 2.3a Noblesville - [player_tooltip player_id='295776' first='Meredith' last='Tippner'], 2025 - 17.5p, 9.0r, 3.0a, 2.5s Noblesville - [player_tooltip player_id='177361' first='Reagan' last='Wilson'], 2024 - 16.5p, 3.3r, 3.8a, 3.6s Noblesville - [player_tooltip player_id='264991' first='Kaitlyn' last='Shoemaker'], 2023 - 8.0p, 2.8r, 2.5a, 2.5s Noblesville - [player_tooltip player_id='264119' first='Ava' last='Shoemaker'], 2024 - 7.8p, 3.1r Noblesville - [player_tooltip player_id='178230' first='Dani' last='Mendez'], 2023 - 6.0p, 4.9r Westfield - [player_tooltip player_id='177334' first='Elizabeth' last='Kelleher'], 2024 - 11.0p, 5.0r, 3.2a Westfield - [player_tooltip player_id='366803' first='Lindsey' last='Van Dyke'], 2025 - 6.8p, 3.0r Westfield - [player_tooltip player_id='295759' first='Aubrey' last='Crockett'], 2025 - 6.4p, 5.2r, 2.4a Zionsville - [player_tooltip player_id='59757' first='Laila' last='Hull'], 2023 - 23.2p, 8.1r, 2.2a, 2.7s Zionsville - [player_tooltip player_id='177325' first='Emma' last='Haan'], 2024 - 11.0p, 2.9r, 2.3a Zionsville - [player_tooltip player_id='177313' first='Allison' last='Caldwell'], 2024 - 9.7p, 3.1r, 3.1a Zionsville - [player_tooltip player_id='372348' first='Jordyn' last='Coleman'], 2023 - 6.5p, 5.5r Zionsville - [player_tooltip player_id='177338' first='Faith' last='Leedy'], 2024 - 5.5p, 4.7r, 2.4a, 2.2s

The featured image is of Kyndra Sheets Kyndra Sheets 5'6" | PG Columbia City | 2024 State IN (2024) of Colombia City High School.