State Tourney Preview: Sectionals #61-#64

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='59789' first='Linzie' last='Wernert'] (2023) of Lanesville 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 West Washington Regional the following weekend. This includes the Class 1A teams from Sectionals #61-#64. This concludes our previews of every Sectional in Class 4A, Class 3A, Class 2A, and Class 1A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #61 at Borden:</font></strong><br>Game-1: West Washington (7-14) vs. South Central (Elizabeth) (2-20)<br>Game-2: Christian Academy of Indiana (9-13) vs. Rock Creek Academy (14-6)<br>Game-3: Borden (16-6) vs. Winner Game-1<br>Game-4: Lanesville (22-2) vs. Winner Game-2<br>Game-5: Winner Game-3 vs. Winner Game-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> Sectional #61 is Lanesville, then everyone else. The Lady Eagles are the highest ranked Class 1A team in the state, according to Sagarin Ratings, and it's not close. They have played the equivalence of a Class 3A schedule, with their two losses coming at the hands of Class 3A powers Corydon Central (21-2) and Evansville Memorial (23-1). Lanesville has played all five Sectional #61 opponents, they are 5-0 against them, and the average score of those five games is 60-24. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='59789' first='Linzie' last='Wernert'] (<em>13.6p, 7.1r, 2.1a, 2.9s</em>) and Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='295760' first='Hadley' last='Crosier'] (<em>9.2p, 3.1r, 3.4a, 3.2s</em>) headline the Lady Eagles' roster, but they are much deeper and more talented than just those two. They might be the deepest Class 1A team in the state. If anyone can give them a run, it's likely going to be Borden. The Lady Braves lost to Lanesville by just a 52-38 score, so a tweak here, and an adjustment there, and maybe than can give themselves a better chance to win. Senior <strong>Emily Cissell</strong> has big-time scoring capabilities from the perimeter, and this season she got help from a strong Freshmen class, led by [player_tooltip player_id='486550' first='Riley' last='Rarick'] and [player_tooltip player_id='486522' first='Ava' last='Wheeler']. Those two bring the size, skill, and athleticism that rivals some of the best Freshmen in the state, regardless of class. Also keep an eye on Rock Creek. While they haven't played the strongest of schedules, they have won their most games in a season since 2004-2005. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='567129' first='Kelis' last='Dansby'] (<em>12.7p, 2.3r, 2.1a</em>) and a young roster should be around and competitive for years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #61 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Borden - <strong>Emily Cissell</strong>, 2023<br>Borden - [player_tooltip player_id='486550' first='Riley' last='Rarick'], 2026<br>Borden - [player_tooltip player_id='486522' first='Ava' last='Wheeler'], 2026<br>Christian Academy - <strong>Leah Stevens</strong>, 2025 - 14.0p, 3.8r<br>Christian Academy - <strong>Addison Jackson</strong>, 2026 - 6.0p, 6.0r<br>Lanesville - [player_tooltip player_id='59789' first='Linzie' last='Wernert'], 2023 - 13.6p, 7.1r, 2.1a, 2.9s<br>Lanesville - [player_tooltip player_id='295760' first='Hadley' last='Crosier'], 2025 - 9.2p, 3.1r, 3.4a, 3.2s<br>Lanesville - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='880516' first='Shelby' last='Allen']</strong>, 2025 - 7.3p, 5.7r<br>Lanesville - <strong>Morgan Sonner</strong>, 2023 - 7.3p, 5.2r<br>Lanesville - <strong>Ava Kerr</strong>, 2024 - 7.0p, 2.4r, 2.0a, 2.3s<br>Rock Creek - [player_tooltip player_id='567129' first='Kelis' last='Dansby'], 2026 - 12.7p, 2.3r, 2.1a<br>Rock Creek - <strong>Aleeyah Brown</strong>, 2026 - 9.3p, 6.9r<br>Rock Creek - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122677' first='Rylan' last='Byars']</strong>, 2025 - 7.6p, 3.3r, 2.7a<br>South Central - <strong>Kendall Kiper</strong>, 2023<br>West Washington - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='886356' first='Meredith' last='Deaton']</strong>, 2026 - 11.6p, 6.0r<br>West Washington - <strong>Lilly Thompson</strong>, 2025 - 10.4p, 4.1r, 2.5s</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #62 at Rising Sun:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Shawe Memorial (16-5) vs. Trinity Lutheran (18-6)<br>Game-2: Rising Sun (10-11) vs. Medora (4-14)<br>Game-3: Crothersville (0-16) vs. Winner Game-1<br>Game-4: New Washington (11-11) vs. Winner Game-2<br>Game-5: Winner Game-3 vs. Winner Game-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> Like Lanesville (<em>above</em>), Trinity Lutheran has been a strong force in girls' basketball recently, and they are a heavy favorite to win Sectional #62. They are 3-0 against Sectional #62 opponents, but they have yet to play Shawe Memorial. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='59779' first='Bailey' last='Tabeling'] (<em>23.0p, 8.5r, 4.3a, 2.8s, 2.5b</em>) is the do-everything star for the Lady Cougars, and the 5-10 guard is committed to Division-I Ohio University. Sophomore <strong>Madison Keith</strong> (<em>11.7p, 9.2r, 2.1s</em>) nearly averaged a double-double to support Tabeling from the frontcourt. Shawe Memorial has used strong defense and a balanced offense to get to 16 wins this season. That in itself might just be what it takes to knock off Trinity Lutheran. The two teams meet in the first game tonight. If anyone else has a fighting chance, it's likely New Washington because of star Junior [player_tooltip player_id='572798' first='Kaidin' last='James'], and her ability to affect a game in a variety of ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #62 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Crothersville - <strong>Shania Hyland</strong>, 2023<br>Medora - <strong>Jenna Bowers</strong>, 2024<br>Medora - <strong>Aaralyn Hackney</strong>, 2024<br>New Washington - [player_tooltip player_id='572798' first='Kaidin' last='James'], 2024<br>New Washington - <strong>Sami Mattingly</strong>, 2024<br>New Washington - <strong>Macy Fields</strong>, 2023<br>Rising Sun - <strong>Baylee Morris</strong>, 2023 - 11.7p, 3.0r, 2.4s<br>Rising Sun - <strong>Alyssa Simpson</strong>, 2024 - 10.4p, 10.3r<br>Rising Sun - <strong>Jenna Peelman</strong>, 2024 - 7.5p, 6.8r<br>Shawe - <strong>Autumn Lathrem</strong>, 2023<br>Shawe - <strong>Calli Alderman</strong>, 2023<br>Trinity - [player_tooltip player_id='59779' first='Bailey' last='Tabeling'], 2023 - 23.0p, 8.5r, 4.3a, 2.8s, 2.5b<br>Trinity - <strong>Madison Keith</strong>, 2025 - 11.7p, 9.2, 2.1s<br>Trinity - [player_tooltip player_id='326481' first='Liza' last='Froedge'], 2024 - 9.8p, 3.8r<br>Trinity - <strong>Jordan Brewer</strong>, 2025 - 9.8p, 2.5r</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #63 at Springs Valley:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Vincennes Rivet (12-10) vs. Loogootee (3-20)<br>Game-2: Barr-Reeve (13-9) vs. Shoals (5-18)<br>Game-3: Washington Catholic (5-15) vs. Orleans (11-12)<br>Game-4: Springs Valley (15-7) 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 #63 is rather intriguing to me, as there are three teams standing out to me, but none of them that much more so than the others. Vincennes Rivet would have to be the favorite, if I had to pick one. They are very tall, strong inside, but they also have solid perimeter play. 6-3 Junior [player_tooltip player_id='369823' first='Anna' last='Herman'] and 6-2 Sophomore sister [player_tooltip player_id='404106' first='Mary' last='Herman'] form a wall around the paint. They also have a couple of additional girls who stand 6-0 or taller. That kind of rim protection is intimidating; however, they only beat Barr-Reeve by six points in overtime on December 3rd. Barr-Reeve isn't a high-scoring team, and they use ball-control and sound halfcourt defense to give themselves a chance each night. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='366796' first='Hannah' last='Bledsoe'] (<em>11.9p, 11.9r, 2.7b</em>) is an intriguing youngster who can get 20 points and 15 rebounds at any time. Look for the Lady Vikings to keep every game close. I also think Springs Valley has a nice, youthful group. They might still be a year away from competing for the Sectional title, but Freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='567139' first='Maddie' last='Carnes'] (<em>14.1p, 6.8r</em>) and [player_tooltip player_id='481402' first='Maci' last='Eckerty'] (<em>7.4p, 3.0r, 2.4a, 2.1s</em>) have gotten their careers started off on the right foot. They will cause people problems these next four postseasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #63 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Barr-Reeve - [player_tooltip player_id='366796' first='Hannah' last='Bledsoe'], 2025 - 11.9p, 11.9r, 2.7b<br>Barr-Reeve - <strong>Colleen Trambaugh</strong>, 2023 - 5.7p, 3.8r, 3.0a<br>Loogootee - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='496012' first='Emily' last='Hawkins']</strong>, 2024<br>Orleans - [player_tooltip player_id='567991' first='Callie' last='Alston'], 2026 - 11.3p, 6.2r<br>Orleans - <strong>Mylie Knight</strong>, 2025 - 6.7p, 4.3r, 2.3a<br>Rivet - [player_tooltip player_id='369823' first='Anna' last='Herman'], 2024<br>Rivet - <strong>Kenadee Frey</strong>, 2023<br>Rivet - [player_tooltip player_id='404106' first='Mary' last='Herman'], 2025<br>Shoals - <strong>Gracie Shaw</strong>, 2023<br>Shoals - <strong>Taylor Turpin</strong>, 2024<br>Springs Valley - [player_tooltip player_id='567139' first='Maddie' last='Carnes'], 2026 - 14.1p, 6.8r<br>Springs Valley - [player_tooltip player_id='481402' first='Maci' last='Eckerty'], 2026 - 7.4p, 3.0r, 2.4a, 2.1s<br>Springs Valley - <strong>Brynne Buchanan</strong>, 2023 - 6.7p, 3.0r, 2.8a, 2.1s<br>Washington Catholic - <strong>Mya Cline</strong>, 2023<br>Washington Catholic - <strong>Brynna Hunter</strong>, 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #64 at Tecumseh:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Evansville Christian (15-7) vs. Northeast Dubois (17-4)<br>Game-2: Cannelton (12-10) vs. Tecumseh (9-13)<br>Game-3: Wood Memorial (12-10) vs. Winner Game-1<br>Game-4: Winner Game-2 vs. Winner Game-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> Despite posting a 9-13 record this year, I am going to pick Tecumseh over the Sectional #64 field. They have played the toughest schedule, by far, they are the defending Class 1A State Champs, and they still have a pair of really nice, experienced starters from last year's team in Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='574548' first='Karsyn' last='Flowers'] and Junior front-liner [player_tooltip player_id='369833' first='Jenna' last='Donohoo']. This year won't be a walk in the park, however, as Northeast Dubois offers stiff competition. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='300081' first='Rhylan' last='Kalb'] (<em>14.6p, 7.5r, 2.0a</em>) is a productive force herself, and if she is in a rhythm, she can take over a game. Wood Memorial is another team who is always deep, balanced, and well-coached. They can use that balance and discipline to knock off anyone in this field this year. Also be sure to keep an eye on Senior [player_tooltip player_id='59752' first='Kendall' last='Hale'] (<em>21.5p, 12.5r, 2.3a, 6.5b</em>) of Cannelton and Freshman <strong>Peyton Geer</strong> (<em>13.8p, 3.4a, 3.7s</em>) of Evansville Christian. They are both capable of putting up big numbers at any point in time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #64 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Cannelton - [player_tooltip player_id='59752' first='Kendall' last='Hale'], 2023 - 21.5p, 12.5r, 2.3a, 6.5b<br>Cannelton - <strong>Kylie Anastasiades</strong>, 2025 - 7.6p, 3.8r, 2.9a<br>Evansville Christian - <strong>Peyton Geer</strong>, 2026 - 13.8p, 3.4a, 3.7s<br>Evansville Christian - <strong>Tina Geer</strong>, 2024 - 11.7p, 3.3r, 2.0a, 2.8s<br>Evansville Christian - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1256458' first='Bella' last='Hall']</strong>, 2026 - 10.1p, 8.1r<br>Northeast Dubois - [player_tooltip player_id='300081' first='Rhylan' last='Kalb'], 2023 - 14.6p, 7.5r, 2.0a<br>Northeast Dubois - <strong>Reagan Knies</strong>, 2023 - 6.3p, 3.9r<br>Northeast Dubois - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218635' first='Emmersen' last='Kalb']</strong>, 2025 - 5.9p, 3.9r, 2.0a<br>Tecumseh - [player_tooltip player_id='574548' first='Karsyn' last='Flowers'], 2023<br>Tecumseh - [player_tooltip player_id='369833' first='Jenna' last='Donohoo'], 2024<br>Tecumseh - <strong>Pennelope Lemen</strong>, 2023<br>Wood Memorial - <strong>Megan Keeker</strong>, 2023<br>Wood Memorial - <strong>Kennedy Schoultz</strong>, 2023<br>Wood Memorial - <strong>Kamryn Blacklock</strong>, 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->