Regional Preview: Class 3A North

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='331766' first='Aliyah' last='Hershberger'] (2023) of Mishawaka's Marian Catholic High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following a pair of Sectional championship games Monday evening, the Regional fields are now set. This season, the IHSAA decided to make the Regional a one-game affair to win a title, with two Regional games at the same host site, similar to past Semi-States. Therefore, there will now be two Regional winners at each site. The Semi-States will be a four-team, three-game event next Saturday, where teams in each class must win twice to advance to the State Finals. As for the Regionals, below is a look at the two Regionals in Class 3A taking place in the Northern half of the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Jimtown Regional:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Mishawaka Marian (22-5) vs. Tippecanoe Valley (21-3),1:00 p.m. ET<br>Game-2: Fairfield (24-2) vs. Highland (17-6), 4:00 p.m. ET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game-1:</strong> Without South Bend Washington in their Sectional, Mishawaka Marian was able to coast through, for the most part. Jimtown did offer a bit of a challenge, but the Lady Knights won by 11 points Tuesday night (<em>then by 26 and 40 points in the following games Friday and Saturday</em>). Senior [player_tooltip player_id='59748' first='Nevaeh' last='Foster'] has had an outstanding Senior season and a stellar career, amassing more than 2200 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists, and 300 steals. This season, she has gotten help from Senior transfer [player_tooltip player_id='331766' first='Aliyah' last='Hershberger'] and Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='460826' first='Shayla' last='Alexander']. That trio should be able to control the ball offensively and pressure the ball defensively against Tippecanoe Valley. Valley, winners in 18 or their last 19 outings, also have a strong Senior presence. [player_tooltip player_id='203668' first='Kaydence' last='Mellott'] is their big-time shooter/scorer, but they also have a nice balance of skill and size throughout their roster. The Lady Vikings will mix up defenses and try to frustrate the Knights by keeping them guessing. The wildcard here is Marian Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='127232' first='MaKaya' last='Porter']. She returned late in the season from a knee injury and played in two games, but she sat out to rest it during the Sectional week games. She could be a huge presence inside against Tippecanoe Valley, if she plays. Regardless, I think Marian has a slight edge, as Foster helped them to a Regional her Freshman year, whereas the Vikings last Regional appearance was in 2017. I'll say Mishawaka Marian in a close one, 48-46.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game-2:</strong> Following a 6-16 2018-2019 campaign, Fairfield has used a strong 2023 class to compile a 77-25 record during their four-year careers. They look to keep that streak going this Saturday. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='59749' first='Brea' last='Garber'] has been the centerpiece to that success, but fellow Seniors <strong>Bailey Willard</strong> and <strong>Morgan Gawthrop</strong> have also played big roles in helping the Falcons to a number of those victories. Freshman wing [player_tooltip player_id='567137' first='Eva' last='Herbert'] is another to keep an eye on, as she has star potential once she adds a little more strength. Highland moved down from Class 4A due to enrollment numbers, and they are a matchup problem for most teams. They are short, quick, fast, and athletic, plus they shoot the ball from the perimeter at every position. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='460841' first='Payton' last='Reid'] and Freshman <strong>Jordan Steele</strong> are their two most potent perimeter threats, as they each have quick-trigger lefty strokes outside. Junior <strong>Aaliyah Keil</strong> is an athletic attacker with nice length, plus she plays with a great motor. This game comes down to the discipline and structure of Fairfield versus the speed and athleticism of Highland. With Fairfield's experience from their Semi-State run a year ago, I think that gives the Falcons a significant in-the-moment advantage. Look for Fairfield to prevail, 51-37.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong><br>Fairfield - [player_tooltip player_id='59749' first='Brea' last='Garber'], 2023<br>Fairfield - <strong>Bailey Willard</strong>, 2023<br>Fairfield - <strong>Morgan Gawthrop</strong>, 2023<br>Fairfield - [player_tooltip player_id='567137' first='Eva' last='Herbert'], 2026<br>Highland - <strong>Aaliyah Keil</strong>, 2024 - 11.5p, 4.2r, 2.6s<br>Highland - <strong>Jordan Steele</strong>, 2026 - 10.9p, 3.8r<br>Highland - [player_tooltip player_id='460841' first='Payton' last='Reid'], 2023 - 10.4p, 4.5r<br>Highland - <strong>Cailey Belloso</strong>, 2023 - 4.9p, 5.3r<br>Marian - [player_tooltip player_id='59748' first='Nevaeh' last='Foster'], 2023 - 25.6p, 6.4r, 3.6a, 3.3s<br>Marian - [player_tooltip player_id='127232' first='MaKaya' last='Porter'], 2023 - 14.0p, 7.5r, 3.0a (<em>in 2 games</em>)<br>Marian - [player_tooltip player_id='331766' first='Aliyah' last='Hershberger'], 2023 - 11.4p, 2.3r, 2.9a<br>Marian - [player_tooltip player_id='460826' first='Shayla' last='Alexander'], 2023 - 11.0p, 5.4r, 3.4a, 2.0s<br>Marian - <strong>Christa Porter</strong>, 2025 - 4.3p, 8.2r<br>Tippecanoe Valley - [player_tooltip player_id='203668' first='Kaydence' last='Mellott'], 2023 - 19.5p, 5.5r, 2.5s<br>Tippecanoe Valley - <strong>Lily Ault</strong>, 2023 - 7.6p<br>Tippecanoe Valley - <strong>Molly Moriarty</strong>, 2023 - 5.6p, 2.5r, 3.8a, 2.7s<br>Tippecanoe Valley - <strong>Macy Petersen</strong>, 2024 - 5.3p, 4.9r<br>Tippecanoe Valley - [player_tooltip player_id='574564' first='Corinna' last='Stiles'], 2023 - 5.1p, 5.7r, 2.5a, 2.2s</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Bellmont Regional:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Hamilton Heights (19-5) vs. Norwell (21-3), 4:00 p.m. ET<br>Game-2: Twin Lakes (26-0) vs. Garrett (14-11), 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game-1:</strong> These teams haven't met in a little over three years, so most of the players involved aren't terribly familiar with each other. With that said, these two programs have been two of the most successful in Class 3A over the last 15 years or so. Both teams are very structured with nice basketball players, and this could be one of those 32-minute dogfights. Hamilton Heights leans on standout Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='177352' first='Camryn' last='Runner'] most games, however Senior [player_tooltip player_id='331787' first='Kaylee' last='Rhoton'] and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='298256' first='Ella' last='Hickok'] complete a strong backcourt for the Lady Huskies, and they go as their backcourt goes. Norwell has gotten an outstanding season from Junior [player_tooltip player_id='264113' first='Kennedy' last='Fuelling']. She is an excellent perimeter shooter, an athletic attacker, and an effortful defender. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='331809' first='Makenzie' last='Fuess'] is a tough-nosed point guard who brings a lot of energy, while 6-2 Senior [player_tooltip player_id='59783' first='Skyla' last='Tomasek'] is a major defensive presence protecting the paint. Like I said before, this game will be a real battle, and it will be a well-earned victory for whoever can escape. I will lean on Norwell here a little, taking the Lady Knights by a 47-42 margin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game-2:</strong> When Garrett graduated a ton of production in June of 2022, I think a lot of people thought they'd struggle and have to climb the uphill battle most nights. In some cases, that was true, but Senior [player_tooltip player_id='127226' first='Bailey' last='Kelham'] is a different kind of monster who can put the team on her back and will them to victories. Junior front-liner [player_tooltip player_id='572811' first='Kelsey' last='Bergman'] has also had shining moments and is starting to figure it out on the interior. The Lady Railroaders put together a strong Sectional run, winning three games against three solid programs by a total of 16 points. However, next up is Twin Lakes. 26-0 Twin Lakes. #1 in Class 3A Twin Lakes. The Lady Indians are as tough of a matchup in Class 3A as there is, because of their skillful and experienced guard play and ability to score it anywhere inside of 30-feet. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='177346' first='Olivia' last='Nickerson'] is a sharp-shooter with in-the-gym range. You can't allow her any space or any rhythm. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='295786' first='Addison' last='Bowsman'] is a high-level point guard with a great feel for the game. She just understands when to pass and when to score it herself. And Senior [player_tooltip player_id='96094' first='Addison' last='Ward'] is a little under the radar because of the others, and she can very well have a 20-point night, bury shots outside, or find open teammates for scores. And, if you over-help to any of those three, Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='406158' first='Hannah' last='Hodgen'] and <strong>Kora Pass</strong> are there waiting for layup after layup. It has been a fun ride for Garrett, and I'm sure they'll be well-prepared and play hard, but Twin Lakes wins this one, 57-36.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong><br>Garrett - [player_tooltip player_id='127226' first='Bailey' last='Kelham'], 2023 - 19.8p, 9.3r, 2.4s<br>Garrett - <strong>Maddy Schenkel</strong>, 2023 - 6.8p, 4.0r, 2.8a<br>Garrett - [player_tooltip player_id='572811' first='Kelsey' last='Bergman'], 2024 - 5.8p, 8.6r, 2.0b<br>Garrett - <strong>Aida Haynes</strong>, 2023 - 5.1p<br>Hamilton Heights - [player_tooltip player_id='177352' first='Camryn' last='Runner'], 2024 - 18.9p, 7.1r, 2.7s<br>Hamilton Heights - [player_tooltip player_id='298256' first='Ella' last='Hickok'], 2024 - 8.8p, 3.4r, 3.5a, 2.3s<br>Hamilton Heights - [player_tooltip player_id='331787' first='Kaylee' last='Rhoton'], 2023 - 7.6p<br>Hamilton Heights - <strong>Katie Brown</strong>, 2025 - 4.1p<br>Norwell - [player_tooltip player_id='264113' first='Kennedy' last='Fuelling'], 2024<br>Norwell - [player_tooltip player_id='331809' first='Makenzie' last='Fuess'], 2024<br>Norwell - [player_tooltip player_id='59783' first='Skyla' last='Tomasek'], 2023<br>Twin Lakes - [player_tooltip player_id='177346' first='Olivia' last='Nickerson'], 2024 - 19.0p, 4.2r, 2.3a, 2.6s<br>Twin Lakes - [player_tooltip player_id='295786' first='Addison' last='Bowsman'], 2025 - 17.5p, 5.5r, 7.2a<br>Twin Lakes - [player_tooltip player_id='96094' first='Addison' last='Ward'], 2023 - 11.1p, 3.3r, 2.2a<br>Twin Lakes - [player_tooltip player_id='406158' first='Hannah' last='Hodgen'], 2023 - 6.1p, 6.4r, 2.6a<br>Twin Lakes - <strong>Kora Pass</strong>, 2023 - 4.2p, 7.5r</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->