State Tourney Preview: Sectionals #9-#12

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='331796' first='Jacelyn' last='Starks'] (2024) of Anderson High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 Decatur Central Regional the following weekend. This includes the Class 4A teams from Sectionals #9-#12. Please stay tuned, as this week we will have a quick synopsis of each of the 64 Sectionals across all four classifications.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #9 at Pendleton Heights:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Greenfield-Central (12-9) vs. Pendleton Heights (13-8)<br>Game-2: New Palestine (10-10) vs. Richmond (6-14)<br>Game-3: Muncie Central (5-15) vs. Anderson (6-13)<br>Game-4: Mt. Vernon (Fortville) (15-6) 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 #9 is filled with members of the Hoosier Heritage Conference and the North Central Conference. There are four teams with 10 or more wins, and I tend to lean towards those teams as favorites here. Pendleton Heights and Mt. Vernon have been the most consistent in the group against the toughest schedules. Pendleton leans on the sister duo of Senior [player_tooltip player_id='241199' first='Whitney' last='Warfel'] (<em>15.4p, 5.5r</em>) and Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='295797' first='Kaycie' last='Warfel'] (<em>21.0p, 4.1r, 3.4s</em>). They provide a nice inside-out punch for the Arabians. Mt. Vernon is led by one of the better 2024 prospects in [player_tooltip player_id='177344' first='Ellery' last='Minch']. She can play inside or out all by herself, plus she has good size and skill. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='425632' first='Kanyonrae' last='Kenny'] has shown flashes of great play throughout the year, while Senior [player_tooltip player_id='372347' first='Khloe' last='Patterson'] is a big-time energy kid who teammates feed off of. New Palestine boasts a big-time scorer in Senior [player_tooltip player_id='96080' first='Isabella' last='Gizzi'] (<em>23.6p, 5.4r, 2.0a, 2.8s</em>). If she can get consistent help offensively, they are capable of knocking off anyone in this field. Greenfield-Central is still somewhat young, but experienced. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='324066' first='Chaney' last='Brown'] (<em>13.8p, 6.0r, 2.3s</em>) is in her second year leading her squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #9 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Anderson - [player_tooltip player_id='331796' first='Jacelyn' last='Starks'], 2024 - 13.6p, 2.7r, 2.2s<br>Anderson - <strong>Zoe Allen</strong>, 2023 - 7.4p, 2.4r, 3.3s<br>Greenfield-Central - [player_tooltip player_id='324066' first='Chaney' last='Brown'], 2025 - 13.8p, 6.0r, 2.3s<br>Greenfield-Central - <strong>Aryana Hibbard</strong>, 2023 - 10.5p, 3.4r, 2.0a, 2.0s<br>Greenfield-Central - [player_tooltip player_id='511387' first='Brooklyn' last='McConnell'], 2025 - 7.8p, 2.1r<br>Mt. Vernon (Fortville) - [player_tooltip player_id='177344' first='Ellery' last='Minch'], 2024<br>Mt. Vernon (Fortville) - [player_tooltip player_id='425632' first='Kanyonrae' last='Kenny'], 2025<br>Mt. Vernon (Fortville) - [player_tooltip player_id='372347' first='Khloe' last='Patterson'], 2023<br>Muncie Central - [player_tooltip player_id='572807' first='Gabby' last='Douglass'], 2024 - 13.2p, 5.3r, 2.4a, 4.1s<br>Muncie Central - <strong>Taj Isom</strong>, 2024 - 4.9p, 4.2r<br>New Palestine - [player_tooltip player_id='96080' first='Isabella' last='Gizzi'], 2023 - 23.6p, 5.4r, 2.0a, 2.8s<br>New Palestine - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='825990' first='Vivian' last='Miller']</strong>, 2024 - 9.5p, 2.3r, 2.7a<br>New Palestine - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='825997' first='Allie' last='Blum']</strong>, 2024 - 9.0p, 5.9r, 2.3s<br>Pendleton Heights - [player_tooltip player_id='295797' first='Kaycie' last='Warfel'], 2025 - 21.0p, 4.1r, 3.4s<br>Pendleton Heights - [player_tooltip player_id='241199' first='Whitney' last='Warfel'], 2023 - 15.4p, 5.5r<br>Pendleton Heights - <strong>Berkley Shelton</strong>, 2023 - 7.3p, 6.4r<br>Richmond - [player_tooltip player_id='570373' first='Madison' last='Sonsini'], 2025 - 14.7p, 4.8r<br>Richmond - <strong>Maren Bolser</strong>, 2025 - 7.8p, 3.8r</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #10 at Lawrence Central:</font></strong><br>Game-1: North Central (Indianapolis) (7-13) vs. Lawrence North (13-8)<br>Game-2: Arsenal Technical (8-14) vs. Crispus Attucks (12-9)<br>Game-3: Warren Central (14-5) vs. Lawrence Central (16-6)<br>Game-4: Cathedral (9-12) 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 #10 is loaded with talented individuals and talented teams. Any of about five teams can take this Sectional, but the two I would pick as favorites, Warren Central and Lawrence Central, meet immediately. Warren has played with a great deal of depth, and they roster a lot of Senior and Junior talent. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='59726' first='Asiah' last='Baxter'] (<em>15.8p, 11.2r</em>) and [player_tooltip player_id='59781' first='Sanaa' last='Thomas'] (<em>7.0p, 3.8r, 6.3a</em>) have been staples in the Lady Warrior lineup for four years now, so they should be dialed in. Junior transfer [player_tooltip player_id='331815' first='Denyha' last='Jacobs'] (<em>16.2p, 6.9r, 2.7a, 4.2s</em>) has been a huge compliment to the Seniors. Lawrence Central, on the other hand, is playing an extremely group of youngsters. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='295763' first='Jaylah' last='Lampley'] (<em>16.2p, 5.8r, 2.2a</em>) and [player_tooltip player_id='295753' first='Laila' last='Abdurraqib'] (<em>13.9p, 6.0r, 3.6a, 3.3s</em>), plus Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='492321' first='Lola' last='Lampley'] (<em>11.6p, 4.8r, 3.4a, 2.9s</em>) form a trio of double-figure scorers who possess elite talent and skill. They will be a handful for Warren Central right out of the gate but should also be considered a top team in this field. Lawrence North also has enough talent and experience to cause problems for people. Senior wings [player_tooltip player_id='155437' first='Monica' last='Williams'] (<em>14.8p, 3.6r, 2.3a, 3.1s</em>) and [player_tooltip player_id='127212' first='Laniya' last='Early'] (<em>9.0p, 4.3r</em>) can run and jump, and both make plays offensively and defensively. North Central has played the 6th toughest schedule in the state and has competed down to the wire most nights. If they can figure out a way to win four or five more possessions each game, they could be 14-7 instead of 7-14. They are led by Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='96077' first='Ava' last='Couch'] and [player_tooltip player_id='178231' first='Trinity' last='Archey']. Then there's Cathedral, and Senior [player_tooltip player_id='59751' first='Layla' last='Gold'] (<em>22.8p, 9.4r, 2.5a</em>) has been outstanding all year. As a group, the Irish have good height, length, and athleticism, plus they beat Warren Central back in November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #10 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Arsenal Technical - [player_tooltip player_id='572822' first='Kayla' last='Lacombe'], 2024 - 21.4p, 9.2r, 2.7a, 2.3s<br>Arsenal Technical - <strong>Jasmine Chambers</strong>, 2024 - 12.2p, 7.5r, 2.7a, 3.2s<br>Cathedral - [player_tooltip player_id='59751' first='Layla' last='Gold'], 2023 - 22.8p, 9.4r, 2.5a<br>Cathedral - [player_tooltip player_id='326477' first='Taylor' last='Lewis'], 2024 - 9.9p, 7.5r<br>Cathedral - [player_tooltip player_id='496026' first='Jaeda' last='Wilson'], 2025 - 7.5p, 3.0r<br>Crispus Attucks - <strong>Daisha Bullock</strong>, 2023 - 13.1p, 2.9r, 2.4s<br>Crispus Attucks - <strong>Mariah Kenter-Garrett</strong>, 2025 - 9.7p, 3.7r, 2.7a, 4.0s<br>Lawrence Central - [player_tooltip player_id='295763' first='Jaylah' last='Lampley'], 2025 - 16.2p, 5.8r, 2.2a<br>Lawrence Central - [player_tooltip player_id='295753' first='Laila' last='Abdurraqib'], 2025 - 13.9p, 6.0r, 3.6a, 3.3s<br>Lawrence Central - [player_tooltip player_id='492321' first='Lola' last='Lampley'], 2026 - 11.6p, 4.8r, 3.4a, 2.9s<br>Lawrence Central - [player_tooltip player_id='492322' first='Aniyah' last='McKenzie'], 2026 - 8.3p, 3.6r<br>Lawrence North - [player_tooltip player_id='155437' first='Monica' last='Williams'], 2023 - 14.8p, 3.6r, 2.3a, 3.1s<br>Lawrence North - [player_tooltip player_id='127212' first='Laniya' last='Early'], 2023 - 9.0p, 4.3r<br>Lawrence North - [player_tooltip player_id='295793' first='Jamaya' last='Thomas'], 2025 - 8.0p, 4.5r<br>Lawrence North - [player_tooltip player_id='295799' first='Kya' last='Hurt'], 2025 - 6.6p, 4.3r, 2.2a, 2.2s<br>North Central (Indy) - [player_tooltip player_id='96077' first='Ava' last='Couch'], 2023<br>North Central (Indy) - [player_tooltip player_id='178231' first='Trinity' last='Archey'], 2023<br>North Central (Indy) - [player_tooltip player_id='59753' first='Nakiya' last='Harris'], 2023<br>North Central (Indy) - [player_tooltip player_id='326493' first='Kaitlyn' last='Hoff'], 2024<br>Warren Central - [player_tooltip player_id='331815' first='Denyha' last='Jacobs'], 2024 - 16.2p, 6.9r, 2.7a, 4.2s<br>Warren Central - [player_tooltip player_id='59726' first='Asiah' last='Baxter'], 2023 - 15.8p, 11.2r<br>Warren Central - [player_tooltip player_id='567132' first='Denell' last='Jacobs'], 2026 - 9.5p, 2.9r, 2.3s<br>Warren Central - [player_tooltip player_id='59781' first='Sanaa' last='Thomas'], 2023 - 7.0p, 3.8r, 6.3a</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #11 at Southport:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Southport (10-10) vs. Ben Davis (12-9)<br>Game-2: Perry Meridian (3-15) vs. Franklin Central (5-15)<br>Game-3: Decatur Central (12-7) vs. Roncalli (16-4)<br>Game-4: Pike (5-15) 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> The Lady Giants of Ben Davis have won three of the last four Sectional titles here, and they are strong once again in 2022-2023. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='203653' first='Cristen' last='Carter'] (<em>19.1p, 12.5r, 2.0s</em>) has been dominant this season, as she has gone from being a defensive presence to a total ballplayer. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='96082' first='Taylor' last='Guess'] (<em>11.9p, 6.4r</em>) brings additional size and great athleticism to the floor. Beyond that, the Giants have a number of skilled and talented wings and guards. Roncalli will likely bring as much of a challenge as anyone. The backcourt of Senior [player_tooltip player_id='96084' first='Sydney' last='Horton'] (<em>12.8p, 3.7r, 2.9a</em>) and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='239349' first='Claire' last='Lindsey'] (<em>12.0p, 4.3r, 3.4a</em>) has a lot of experience, good skill, and they work well together. They also managed to beat Ben Davis 59-58 just before Christmas. From there, it's kind of wide open. Decatur Central has talented Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='331774' first='Kamrah' last='Banks'] (<em>17.5p, 2.9r, 2.1s</em>), and Southport has a balanced group of upperclassmen, plus Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='570372' first='Kassie' last='McMasters'] (<em>14.3p, 5.6r, 2.9a, 2.7s</em>) has stepped up this year. While Pike, Franklin Central, and Perry Meridian don't have the most impressive of records, they have played tough schedules and can potentially give the upper-tier teams fits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #11 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Ben Davis - [player_tooltip player_id='203653' first='Cristen' last='Carter'], 2023 - 19.1p, 12.5r, 2.0s<br>Ben Davis - [player_tooltip player_id='96082' first='Taylor' last='Guess'], 2023 - 11.9p, 6.4r<br>Ben Davis - [player_tooltip player_id='572797' first='Zoe' last='Wheeler'], 2024 - 9.6p, 4.1r, 2.3a<br>Ben Davis - [player_tooltip player_id='155438' first='Kaleah' last='Toomer'], 2023 - 8.6p, 3.0r, 3.5a<br>Decatur Central - [player_tooltip player_id='331774' first='Kamrah' last='Banks'], 2026 - 17.5p, 2.9r, 2.1s<br>Decatur Central - [player_tooltip player_id='453215' first='Soriah' last='Gouard'], 2025 - 12.2p, 7.8r<br>Decatur Central - [player_tooltip player_id='486537' first='Naja' last='Winston'], 2026 - 9.8p, 8.4r, 4.2a, 4.3s<br>Franklin Central - [player_tooltip player_id='295800' first='Lily' last='Graves'], 2025 - 15.1p, 5.6r<br>Franklin Central - [player_tooltip player_id='264120' first='Carys' last='Wilson'], 2024 - 9.1p, 5.2r<br>Perry Meridian - [player_tooltip player_id='59765' first='Maya' last='Mundy'], 2023 - 13.5p, 5.5r, 2.5s<br>Perry Meridian - <strong>Izzy Egan</strong>, 2024 - 7.4p, 5.4r<br>Pike - [player_tooltip player_id='59727' first='Giavonnie' last='Belton'], 2023<br>Pike - [player_tooltip player_id='96076' first='Alexia' last='Cole'], 2023<br>Pike - [player_tooltip player_id='453218' first='Ashiyah' last='Teague'], 2025<br>Roncalli - [player_tooltip player_id='96084' first='Sydney' last='Horton'], 2023 - 12.8p, 3.7r, 2.9a<br>Roncalli - [player_tooltip player_id='239349' first='Claire' last='Lindsey'], 2024 - 12.0p, 4.3r, 3.4a<br>Roncalli - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826016' first='Taylor' last='Turk']</strong>, 2024 - 8.2p, 3.7r<br>Southport - [player_tooltip player_id='570372' first='Kassie' last='McMasters'], 2025 - 14.3p, 5.6r, 2.9a, 2.7s<br>Southport - [player_tooltip player_id='460832' first='CeCe' last='Mitchell'], 2023 - 12.6p, 5.9r, 2.5s<br>Southport - [player_tooltip player_id='410037' first='Lela' last='Scott'], 2023 - 9.3p, 7.3r, 3.1a, 2.6s</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #12 at Terre Haute South Vigo:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Plainfield (6-15) vs. Terre Haute North Vigo (10-13)<br>Game-2: Terre Haute South Vigo (7-14) vs. Avon (9-11)<br>Game-3: Brownsburg (14-8) vs. Winner Game-1<br>Game-4: Winner Game-2 vs. Winner Game-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong> Sectional #12 is just a 5-team field, but four of the five teams are under .500 record-wise. Brownsburg stands out here, they've played a tough schedule, and they are 4-0 against Sectional competition, with the closest game being 11 points. 6-6 Sophomore post [player_tooltip player_id='295789' first='Avery' last='Gordon'] (<em>18.5p, 8.9r, 2.9b</em>) is a matchup problem for just about anyone, and she should have her way with most of these opponents. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='59780' first='Kailyn' last='Terrell'] (<em>9.7p, 3.3r, 3.5a, 2.0s</em>) is the Lady Bulldogs' emotional leader, plus she plays with an outstanding motor and toughness. Avon is a tough matchup for some teams, because they play several smaller, quick/fast, and explosive guards who can really cause havoc defensively and push the ball in transition. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='366801' first='Aniah' last='Smith'] (<em>16.4p, 3.2r, 3.8a, 4.2s</em>) is the best of the bunch. If anyone can get Gordon in foul trouble, it might be Plainfield. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='239347' first='Payton' last='Benge'] (<em>15.2p, 8.2r, 2.3s</em>) has some size and strength, plus her ability to stretch the defense could take Gordon away from the basket. The Terre Haute schools are somewhat in transition right now, but if anyone can win a game or two it's like North, as Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='59763' first='Preslee' last='Michael'] (<em>16.8p, 6.9r, 2.8a</em>) can take over games at times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional #12 Players to Watch:</strong><br>Avon - [player_tooltip player_id='366801' first='Aniah' last='Smith'], 2025 - 16.4p, 3.2r, 3.8a, 4.2s<br>Avon - [player_tooltip player_id='331808' first='Nyla' last='Lewis'], 2023 - 11.9p, 2.7r, 2.6a<br>Avon - [player_tooltip player_id='331819' first='Amya' last='Bass'], 2024 - 8.3p, 2.1r, 2.0a, 3.8s<br>Brownsburg - [player_tooltip player_id='295789' first='Avery' last='Gordon'], 2025 - 18.5p, 8.9r, 2.9b<br>Brownsburg - [player_tooltip player_id='59780' first='Kailyn' last='Terrell'], 2023 - 9.7p, 3.3r, 3.5a, 2.0s<br>Brownsburg - [player_tooltip player_id='201875' first='Emma' last='Hendricks'], 2024 - 9.7p, 5.8r, 3.1a<br>Plainfield - [player_tooltip player_id='239347' first='Payton' last='Benge'], 2024 - 15.2p, 8.2r, 2.3a<br>Plainfield - [player_tooltip player_id='486496' first='Berkeley' last='Williams'], 2026 - 13.4p, 4.0r<br>TH North Vigo - [player_tooltip player_id='59763' first='Preslee' last='Michael'], 2023 - 16.8p, 6.9r, 2.8a<br>TH North Vigo - <strong>Jetta Harmon</strong>, 2023 - 6.5p, 5.1r, 2.9a<br>TH South Vigo - [player_tooltip player_id='449149' first='Katherine' last='Sarver'], 2026 - 6.2p, 2.8r</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->