State Tourney Preview: Sectionals #53-#56

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='486509' first='Maya' last='Layton'] (2026) of Faith Christian 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 Wes-Del Regional the following weekend. This includes the Class 1A teams from Sectionals #53-#56. Please stay tuned, as tomorrow we will conclude our quick synopses 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 #53 at Southern Wells:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Southwood (16-5) vs. Canterbury (2-17)<br>Game-2: Lakeland Christian (14-6) vs. Southern Wells (7-14)<br>Game-3: Northfield (5-14) vs. Winner Game-1<br>Game-4: Winner Game-2 vs. Winner Game-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> Southwood is the likely front-runner, as the Lady Knights are 3-0 against Sectional #53 competition, plus they've put together a solid resume against a competitive schedule. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='372349' first='Ella' last='Haupert'] (<em>20.0p, 4.3r, 2.5s</em>) is a 4-year Varsity contributor who can score the ball in bunches from every spot on the floor. She gets help from fellow Senior <strong>Aleia Sweet</strong> (<em>11.4p, 6.8r, 2.9a, 3.0s</em>), who is a really nice athlete that plays with good energy. Lakeland Christian has also posted a winning record, and they get strong play from the sister duo of Senior <strong>Mattie Stonebraker</strong> (<em>17.1p, 5.9r, 2.4a, 3.1s</em>) and Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1221113' first='Reese' last='Stonebraker']</strong> (<em>12.3p, 6.7r, 3.1a, 3.1s</em>). I also think Northfield could surprise Southwood on Friday night. They are Wabash County rivals, plus Northfield has a great deal of recent postseason success and experience. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='572800' first='Hannah' last='Holmes'] (<em>16.1p, 14.3r</em>) is a double-double machine around the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #53 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Canterbury - <strong>Isabelle Ellis</strong>, 2023<br>Lakeland - <strong>Mattie Stonebraker</strong>, 2023 - 17.1p, 5.9r, 2.4a, 3.1s<br>Lakeland - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1221113' first='Reese' last='Stonebraker']</strong>, 2026 - 12.3p, 6.7r, 3.1a, 3.1s<br>Lakeland - <strong>Katie Reimink</strong>, 2025 - 7.0p, 3.9r, 2.1a<br>Northfield - [player_tooltip player_id='572800' first='Hannah' last='Holmes'], 2024 - 16.1p, 14.3r (<em>5.8 off.</em>)<br>Northfield - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122656' first='Elli' last='Baker']</strong>, 2025 - 12.3p, 3.2r<br>Northfield - <strong>Camryn Kuhn</strong>, 2025 - 11.5p, 2.4r<br>Southern Wells - <strong>Zoe Needler</strong>, 2023<br>Southern Wells - <strong>Avah Miner</strong>, 2023<br>Southwood - [player_tooltip player_id='372349' first='Ella' last='Haupert'], 2023 - 20.0p, 4.3r, 2.5s<br>Southwood - <strong>Aleia Sweet</strong>, 2023 - 11.4p, 6.8r, 2.9a, 3.0s<br>Southwood - <strong>Alaina Winer</strong>, 2023 - 9.2p, 3.0r, 2.4a, 3.2s</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #54 at Attica:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Clinton Central (16-6) vs. Faith Christian (19-3)<br>Game-2: North Vermillion (9-14) vs. Fountain Central (10-12)<br>Game-3: Attica (6-14) vs. Winner Game-1<br>Game-4: Rossville (13-10) vs. Winner Game-2<br>Game-5: Winner Game-3 vs. Winner Game-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> The best game in Sectional #54 could be the opening game between Clinton Central and Faith Christian. Clinton Central boasts a formidable front-liner in Junior [player_tooltip player_id='455946' first='Sara' last='Parkison'] (<em>15.8p, 7.3r</em>). She is strong, physical, and she plays with an outstanding motor inside. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='486527' first='Carly' last='Davison'] (<em>11.4p, 5.9r, 6.4a, 3.6s</em>) has been a nice addition as a rookie, and she has shown flashes of brilliance at times. Look for her to have a nice, 4-year career. Speaking of Freshmen, Faith Christian has two of the state's best in [player_tooltip player_id='486509' first='Maya' last='Layton'] (<em>20.7p, 9.0r, 5.2a, 4.9s, 2.8b</em>) and [player_tooltip player_id='486538' first='Trinity' last='Wilburn'] (<em>20.9p, 6.6r, 3.6a, 6.4s</em>). Both are dynamic guards with great athleticism. Layton is long, fluid, and somewhat smooth, while Wilburn is a compact, strong, quick, and explosive attacker. Those two alone are a tough matchup for any team, so as long as they get nice support throughout, they can knock off anyone in this field. Also keep an eye on Rossville. The Hornets have a nice Freshman prospect of their own in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='928900' first='Ava' last='Burkle']</strong> (<em>9.7p, 5.4r</em>), but they also possess depth and experience. If they can defend and take care of the basketball, they could be a dark horse candidate in Sectional #54.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #54 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Attica - <strong>Arlee Kerr</strong>, 2023<br>Attica - <strong>Audree Britt</strong>, 2023<br>Clinton Central - [player_tooltip player_id='455946' first='Sara' last='Parkison'], 2024 - 15.8p, 7.3r<br>Clinton Central - [player_tooltip player_id='486527' first='Carly' last='Davison'], 2026 - 11.4p, 5.9r, 6.4a, 3.6s<br>Clinton Central - <strong>Erika Robbins</strong>, 2024 - 7.3p, 2.2r<br>Clinton Central - <strong>Samantha Adams</strong>, 2023 - 6.0p, 4.8r<br>Faith Christian - [player_tooltip player_id='486538' first='Trinity' last='Wilburn'], 2026 - 20.9p, 6.6r, 3.6a, 6.4s<br>Faith Christian - [player_tooltip player_id='486509' first='Maya' last='Layton'], 2026 - 20.7p, 9.0r, 5.2a, 4.9s, 2.8b<br>Faith Christian - <strong>Hannah Bolton</strong>, 2026 - 7.5p, 6.6r, 2.2s<br>Fountain Central - <strong>Hannah Prickett</strong>, 2025<br>Fountain Central - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218629' first='Brailey' last='Hoagland']</strong>, 2025<br>North Vermillion - [player_tooltip player_id='331783' first='Braxtyn' last='Dunham'], 2024 - 8.3p, 3.0r, 2.0a, 2.3s<br>North Vermillion - <strong>Callie Naylor</strong>, 2023 - 8.3p, 3.0r, 3.1s<br>Rossville - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='928900' first='Ava' last='Burkle']</strong>, 2026 - 9.7p, 5.4r<br>Rossville - <strong>Tori Skiles</strong>, 2023 - 9.0p<br>Rossville - <strong>Avery Gorbett</strong>, 2023 - 8.2p, 5.2r</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #55 at Tri-Central:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Daleville (3-18) vs. Tri-Central (9-13)<br>Game-2: Anderson Prep (11-11) vs. Cowan (9-13)<br>Game-3: Winner Game-1 vs. Winner Game-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> Sectional #55 is just a 4-team field this year, with Liberty Christian unfortunately unable to field a Sectional team. Tri-Central is my clear-cut favorite to win, as they have the most experience and have played the toughest schedule of the group by far. Seniors <strong>Megan Conner</strong> (<em>7.9p, 3.6r, 2.2s</em>) and <strong>Karley Leininger</strong> (<em>6.5p, 3.9r, 2.3a, 2.5s</em>) lead a very balanced attack. Anderson Prep is intriguing. They have a really nice post prospect in Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='570379' first='Alivia' last='Peoples'] (<em>12.3p, 9.6r, 2.9s, 2.3b</em>), plus <strong>Arianna Flowers</strong> (<em>8.1p, 4.9r, 2.6s</em>) is a promising Freshman. Can their youthfulness match up with Tri-Central's experience??? And even though Daleville is just 3-18, keep an eye on individual talent <strong>Addisyn Gorthrup</strong> (<em>16.4p, 2.5r, 2.6s</em>). She is a high-scoring Freshman contributor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #55 Players to Watch:</strong><br>APA - [player_tooltip player_id='570379' first='Alivia' last='Peoples'], 2025 - 12.3p, 9.6r, 2.9s, 2.3b<br>APA - <strong>Arianna Flowers</strong>, 2026 - 8.1p, 4.9r, 2.6s<br>APA - <strong>Kaylynn Orr</strong>, 2025 - 7.7p, 5.1r<br>Cowan - <strong>Josie Byrd</strong>, 2023<br>Daleville - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1256446' first='Addisyn' last='Gothrup']</strong>, 2026 - 16.4p, 2.5r, 2.6s<br>Daleville - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122743' first='Trishell' last='Johnson']</strong>, 2025 - 9.5p, 7.3r, 3.7s, 2.7b<br>Tri-Central - <strong>Megan Conner</strong>, 2023 - 7.9p, 3.6r, 2.2s<br>Tri-Central - <strong>Karley Leininger</strong>, 2023 - 6.5p, 3.9r, 2.3a, 2.5s</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #56 at Randolph Southern:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Cambridge City Lincoln (5-15) vs. Randolph Southern (13-7)<br>Game-2: Tri (21-1) vs. Union City (9-14)<br>Game-3: Blue River Valley (15-8) vs. Winner Game-1<br>Game-4: Union (Modoc) (8-11) vs. Winner Game-2<br>Game-5: Winner Game-3 vs. Winner Game-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> Tri has been outstanding in Sectional #56, and at 21-1, I'd have to say anything less than a Sectional crown is likely a disappointment in their eyes. Senior front-liner [player_tooltip player_id='178241' first='Bailey' last='Parham'] (<em>22.3p, 10.6r, 3.5a, 4.0s, 4.0b</em>) is an absolute problem for Class 1A competition inside. She can score, rebound, and defend. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='570375' first='Kenley' last='Cornelius'] (<em>10.1p, 4.4r, 2.5a, 3.9s</em>) is an intriguing young wing whose best days are certainly ahead of her. While Tri is a solid favorite in my eyes, they'll have to pay attention to Blue River Valley and Randolph Southern as well. Blue River graduated a rare Class 1A Indiana All-Star in 2022, but Senior [player_tooltip player_id='203655' first='Maci' last='Chamberlin'] (<em>22.7p, 2.2r, 2.9a, 3.5s</em>) can flat fill it up from outside. She is also a good passer, a playmaker, and a high IQ basketball kid. Sophomore <strong>Charlee Gibson</strong> (<em>10.8p, 3.9r, 2.1a, 2.4s</em>) has stepped into a lot more responsibility this season and performed admirably. She provides a nice #2 role for Chamberlin. Randolph Southern is more of a "sum of their parts" sort of team that is well-coached. If they can control tempo and keep the ball out of Parham's hands, they'd have a fighting chance against Tri. They must first get by Blue River on Friday night, though, which they did by a 48-44 margin two weeks ago. Senior guard <strong>Kaibre Stephan</strong> is someone to keep an eye on for Randolph Southern.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #56 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Blue River - [player_tooltip player_id='203655' first='Maci' last='Chamberlin'], 2023 - 22.7p, 2.2r, 2.9a, 3.5s<br>Blue River - <strong>Charlee Gibson</strong>, 2025 - 10.8p, 3.9r, 2.1a, 2.4s<br>Blue River - <strong>Maciah Driskill</strong>, 2024 - 7.1p, 7.9r, 3.2a<br>Blue River - <strong>Rylee Hallatt</strong>, 2023 - 6.6p, 10.3r<br>Cambridge City - <strong>Elliott Jones</strong>, 2025 - 7.7p<br>Cambridge City - <strong>Alivia Anderson</strong>, 2024 - 6.5p, 4.8r, 2.6a<br>Randolph Southern - <strong>Kaibre Stephan</strong>, 2023<br>Randolph Southern - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763653' first='Brianna' last='Smith']</strong>, 2024<br>Randolph Southern - <strong>Courtney Clear</strong>, 2024<br>Tri - [player_tooltip player_id='178241' first='Bailey' last='Parham'], 2023 - 22.3p, 10.6r, 3.5a, 4.0s, 4.0b<br>Tri - [player_tooltip player_id='570375' first='Kenley' last='Cornelius'], 2025 - 10.1p, 4.4r, 2.5a, 3.9s<br>Tri - <strong>Rylee Boyd</strong>, 2024 - 8.4p, 2.6r, 2.5a<br>Tri - <strong>Abi Clarke</strong>, 2023 - 7.8p, 5.3r<br>Tri - <strong>Amber Rich</strong>, 2023 - 7.5p<br>Union (Modoc) - <strong>Honour Ellis</strong>, 2023 - 13.7p, 9.3r, 2.9b<br>Union (Modoc) - <strong>Zoe Ogden</strong>, 2024 - 9.6p, 5.1r, 2.0a<br>Union (Modoc) - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218605' first='Glory' last='Ellis']</strong>, 2025 - 9.1p, 7.2r<br>Union City - [player_tooltip player_id='570378' first='Oaklee' last='Reichard'], 2025 - 16.1p, 6.1r, 2.4a, 2.3s<br>Union City - <strong>Camryn Fischer</strong>, 2024 - 6.3p, 7.2r</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->