The Stretch Run: Class 4A

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='298252' first='Ava' last='Ziolkowski'] (2024) of Crown Point High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the Sectional draw this coming Sunday and just over a week remaining in the regular season, I wanted to take the time to look back on what has been in Class 4A so far this year, highlighting a handful of teams and prospects, and preparing for the postseason. This won't necessarily be as detailed as our Sectional previews, as the draw will help lay out those matchups and odds to win. However, I did think it was a great opportunity to take note of some of the happenings in Class 4A at this time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Class 4A Top Teams:</font></strong><br>Every year, Class 4A has a number of teams who step up and surprise come tournament time, and this year will likely be no different. The top six teams from our Preseason Top-10 remain in the Sagarin Top-10, plus Ben Davis (12-8), Franklin Community (12-5), and Lawrence Central (16-5) all find their way into the top 18 slots. Lake Central (16-5) has also had another strong year against a fairly tough schedule. Noblesville has prospered in adversity, and the 2022 State Champs might not surprise people in Sectional #8 anymore, after recently defeating previously unbeaten Zionsville. Warren Central has used depth and experience, and they currently sit atop the MIC (<em>Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference</em>). Columbia City has been outstanding, with their only two losses coming to Carroll (Fort Wayne) in their opening game of the year, and by 17 to a loaded South Bend Washington squad over the holiday break. Brownsburg is as high as they are because they have competed on a nightly basis against the state's 4th toughest schedule. While South Bend Washington is a strong favorite to win the North, the South could very well be wide open, with everyone in Sectionals #9 through #16 sitting on three or more losses each.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>PGH Indiana Preseason Top-10</strong></td><td><strong>Sagarin Ratings (<em>as of 1/16/23</em>)</strong></td></tr><tr><td>1. South Bend Washington</td><td>1. South Bend Washington (20-0)</td></tr><tr><td>2. Fishers</td><td>2. Bedford North Lawrence (18-3)</td></tr><tr><td>3. Bedford North Lawrence</td><td>3. Noblesville (19-3)</td></tr><tr><td>4. Zionsville Community</td><td>4. Fort Wayne Northrop (17-2)</td></tr><tr><td>5. Hamilton Southeastern</td><td>5. Zionsville Community (18-1)</td></tr><tr><td>6. Fort Wayne Northrop</td><td>6. Hamilton Southeastern (18-2)</td></tr><tr><td>7. Ben Davis</td><td>7. Fishers (17-2)</td></tr><tr><td>8. Franklin Community</td><td>8. Warren Central (13-4)</td></tr><tr><td>9. Lawrence Central</td><td>9. Columbia City (17-2)</td></tr><tr><td>10. Lake Central</td><td>10. Brownsburg (12-8)</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Class 4A Statistical Leaders:</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-regular"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-regular"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Scoring Leaders:</strong></td><td><strong>Rebounding Leaders:</strong></td><td><strong>Assist Leaders:</strong></td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='96078' first='Asia' last='Donald'], 2023, HHS: 28.8</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='460838' first='Akaoma' last='Odeluga'], 2023, MHS: 13.0</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='2402' first='Olivia' last='Brown'], 2023, HSE: 7.4</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='127236' first='Saige' last='Stahl'], 2023, CE: 26.1</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='177362' first='Juliann' last='Woodard'], 2024, JC: 12.9</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='59747' first='Riley' last='Flinn'], 2023, WLH: 6.8</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='96080' first='Isabella' last='Gizzi'], 2023, NP: 23.6</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='295770' first='Kira' last='Reynolds'], 2025, SBW: 12.9</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='59769' first='Amiyah' last='Reynolds'], 2023, SBW: 6.6</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Steals Leaders:</strong></td><td><strong>3-Pointers Made:</strong></td><td><strong>Free Throw %:</strong></td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='295780' first='Ryiah' last='Wilson'], 2025, SBW: 6.6</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='298263' first='Sydney' last='Gorman'], 2024, FWW: 68</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='59763' first='Preslee' last='Michael'], 2023, THNV: 88.9%</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='419439' first='Lillian' last='Barnes'], 2026, VHS: 6.2</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='298252' first='Ava' last='Ziolkowski'], 2024, CP: 58</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='59757' first='Laila' last='Hull'], 2023, ZCHS: 85.5%</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='177321' first='Joh'nea' last='Donahue'], 2024, FWS: 5.6</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='264111' first='Audrey' last='Annee'], 2024, CG: 55</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='410037' first='Lela' last='Scott'], 2023, SHS: 85.4%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Class 4A Honor Roll:</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+1">On The Rise: </font></strong><font size="+1">[player_tooltip player_id='59751' first='Layla' last='Gold'], 2023, 6-0 F, Cathedral H.S.</font><br>- I've talked about Layla numerous times this past Fall and this season, and the 6-0 forward continues to shine for the Irish. She is long, wiry-strong, fluid, and smooth. She glides effortlessly to the basket, plus she has great touch around the perimeter. She plays with nice versatility, as she can act as a face-up '4' or a bigger wing forward offensively, and she can defend either position. As colleges sift through candidates in the transfer portal, Layla could be a nice prep prospect who offers them four years of service, skill, and talent. She is currently averaging 23.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, while shooting 36% (<em>27-74</em>) from 3-point range and 77% (<em>138-179</em>) from the free throw line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+1">Under-The-Radar Recruit: </font></strong><font size="+1">[player_tooltip player_id='59763' first='Preslee' last='Michael'], 2023, 5-7 G, Terre Haute North Vigo H.S.</font><br>- Preslee spent much of last season as a traditional point guard, averaging just 8.8 points, but also 3.5 assists per game, while setting up 2022 Indiana All-Star <strong>Zoe Stewart</strong> a lot. This season, Preslee has taken on a much more aggressive role offensively, as she has become the center of attention for the Lady Patriots. She is strong at her size, tough-nosed, and she plays with a motor. She is a nice all-around athlete, she can still handle and create, but she's also an accurate perimeter shooter with some range. Through 21 games this year, she is averaging 16.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, while knocking down 38% (<em>37-98</em>) of her 3-point attempts and 89% (<em>64-72</em>) of her charity tosses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+1">Impressive Freshman: </font></strong><font size="+1">[player_tooltip player_id='567130' first='Gracyn' last='Gilliard'], 2026, 5-10 W, Munster H.S.</font><br>- Gracyn popped up on my radar during the Winter, and she is a talent. She has an athletic frame, great length, and she moves well in all directions. She plays with a nice motor, and she affects the game at both ends of the floor. Offensively, she is a point forward. She has great vision and feel, she is a very good midrange shooter, and she can score it through contact at the rim. She has a nice-looking shot, and her 3-point percentage has improved throughout the season. As she continues to develop, her perimeter shooting will be even better. She's also a lockdown defender who can take on point guards, wings, and forwards. She's averaging 18.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 4.8 steals per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->