Regional Preview: Class 4A North

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='295766' first='Monique' last='Mitchell'] (2025) of South Bend's Washington 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 4A 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">LaPorte Regional:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Valparaiso (23-2) vs. South Bend Washington (26-0), 2:00 p.m. ET<br>Game-2: Lake Central (21-5) vs. Northridge (22-5), 5:00 p.m. ET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game-1:</strong> I'm not sure much will get in the way of South Bend Washington, but Valparaiso might cause them some trouble early in the game with their 1-3-1 approach. Additionally, Valparaiso spent some time in the Sectional executing long possessions, I'm sure to win those games, but likely also to better prepare them in case they have a lead against the Lady Panthers this coming weekend. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='241188' first='Kristin' last='Bukata'] and Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='419439' first='Lillian' last='Barnes'] form a nice backcourt for the Lady Vikings, but they will see as intense of full-court pressure as they have all year coming from Senior [player_tooltip player_id='96086' first='RaShunda' last='Jones'], a Purdue University commit, and Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='295780' first='Ryiah' last='Wilson'] of Washington, two of the state's best on-ball defenders. If Valparaiso can turn this into a half-court game, and that's a lot to ask, I think the advantage still stays with Washington because of their size and strength. 6-3 Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='295770' first='Kira' last='Reynolds'], 5-11 Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='295766' first='Monique' last='Mitchell'], 6-2 Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='335982' first='Zion' last='Belcher-Arill'], and 5-11 Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='324081' first='Ayanna' last='Nicholson'] all provide a varying degree of problems inside of the arc. Valparaiso will need to make shots, limit their turnovers, and execute near-flawless transition defense in order to compete. I am taking South Bend Washington, 56-31.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game-2:</strong> These two teams haven't met in over five years, so none of the players involved are terribly familiar with each other, but the coaches should know each other reasonably well. Both teams will play with great balance and strong guard/wing play. There won't be a lot of size on the floor, but there will be length, athleticism, and perimeter scoring. Lake Central will lean on its advantage in length and athleticism, probably try to speed up the game a little, and frustrate the Lady Raiders into turnovers. Northridge will lean on its discipline and execution, good screening, and ability to limit turnovers. It will likely be a single-digit game, even one or two possessions most of the way, and it could come down to someone simply having a breakout performance. If anyone has an advantage inside, it's likely Lake Central with the combination of Junior [player_tooltip player_id='176406' first='Aniyah' last='Bishop'] and Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='295811' first='Ayla' last='Krygier'] working the boards and having at least a little height. Northridge will counter with Junior [player_tooltip player_id='201872' first='Gaby' last='Gates']. Northridge Senior [player_tooltip player_id='203654' first='Eva' last='Fisher'] might be the best player on the floor throughout, but I'd anticipate defensive-minded Junior [player_tooltip player_id='406433' first='Nadia' last='Clayton'] sticking to her. Lake Central has a very solid backcourt in Junior [player_tooltip player_id='201878' first='Riley' last='Milausnic'] and Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='295781' first='Vanessa' last='Wimberly'] as well. The wildcard here could be Northridge Senior [player_tooltip player_id='203667' first='Savannah' last='Boerema']. After transferring to Northridge a season ago and having to sit for a year, she has waited two seasons for this opportunity and has the ability to make big shots when needed. Still, though, I am going to lean towards Lake Central, ever so slightly. I'll take the Lady Indians, 47-45.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong><br>Lake Central - [player_tooltip player_id='176406' first='Aniyah' last='Bishop'], 2024 - 10.0p, 6.0r, 2.1a<br>Lake Central - [player_tooltip player_id='201878' first='Riley' last='Milausnic'], 2024 - 9.8p, 55 made 3s<br>Lake Central - [player_tooltip player_id='295811' first='Ayla' last='Krygier'], 2025 - 8.7p, 4.7r<br>Lake Central - [player_tooltip player_id='406433' first='Nadia' last='Clayton'], 2024 - 7.0p, 3.3r, 2.1a, 2.3s<br>Lake Central - [player_tooltip player_id='295781' first='Vanessa' last='Wimberly'], 2025 - 6.8p, 3.6r, 3.0a, 3.1s<br>Lake Central - [player_tooltip player_id='331801' first='Kennedie' last='Burks'], 2024 - 5.2p<br>Northridge - [player_tooltip player_id='203654' first='Eva' last='Fisher'], 2023 - 14.3p, 4.4r, 2.8a, 2.2s<br>Northridge - [player_tooltip player_id='177318' first='Morgan' last='Cross'], 2024 - 10.1p, 4.5r, 2.6a, 2.5s<br>Northridge - [player_tooltip player_id='203667' first='Savannah' last='Boerema'], 2023 - 8.2p, 2.9r, 2.3a<br>Northridge - [player_tooltip player_id='201872' first='Gaby' last='Gates'], 2024 - 7.3p, 3.6r<br>Northridge - [player_tooltip player_id='572813' first='Sabrina' last='Miller'], 2024 - 7.2p, 2.0r<br>Northridge - [player_tooltip player_id='331802' first='Rielyn' last='Goodwin'], 2025 - 4.6p, 3.6r, 2.7a, 2.4s<br>South Bend Washington - [player_tooltip player_id='96086' first='RaShunda' last='Jones'], 2023 - 20.1p, 3.7r, 4.6a, 4.2s<br>South Bend Washington - [player_tooltip player_id='295770' first='Kira' last='Reynolds'], 2025 - 15.5p, 12.1r (<em>5.1 off.</em>), 3.0a, 5.9b<br>South Bend Washington - [player_tooltip player_id='295766' first='Monique' last='Mitchell'], 2025 - 13.7p, 3.2r, 2.8s<br>South Bend Washington - [player_tooltip player_id='295780' first='Ryiah' last='Wilson'], 2025 - 11.7p, 3.4r, 4.1a, 6.4s<br>South Bend Washington - [player_tooltip player_id='335982' first='Zion' last='Belcher-Arill'], 2025 - 5.4p, 3.1r<br>South Bend Washington - [player_tooltip player_id='324081' first='Ayanna' last='Nicholson'], 2025 - 2.5p, 3.1r<br>Valparaiso - [player_tooltip player_id='419439' first='Lillian' last='Barnes'], 2026 - 17.4p, 7.3r, 3.7a, 6.0s<br>Valparaiso - [player_tooltip player_id='241188' first='Kristin' last='Bukata'], 2023 - 11.0p, 4.5r, 4.4a, 3.8s<br>Valparaiso - [player_tooltip player_id='486512' first='Cadynce' last='Clark'], 2026 - 5.4p<br>Valparaiso - <strong>Skyla Dobbertin</strong>, 2023 - 5.2p, 3.7r<br>Valparaiso - <strong>Campbell Maclagan</strong>, 2023 - 4.3p, 2.3r</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Marion Regional:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Homestead (19-5) vs. Fishers (23-2), 4:00 p.m. ET<br>Game-2: Fort Wayne Snider (20-4) vs. West Lafayette Harrison (16-9), 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game-1:</strong> These two teams met a little over a year ago, with Homestead winning by a 51-35 margin. The difference is <strong>Ayanna Patterson</strong> is not available for the Lady Spartans this time around. Fishers has won 17 games in a row, and they're coming off of an impressive Sectional performance in which they took care of Carmel, won a thrilling double overtime game against Noblesville in a packed Noblesville gym, then defeated Hamilton Southeastern by 14 points. Homestead actually entered Sectional play following a loss, but they managed to escape a tough Columbia City squad, handle an experience Fort Wayne Wayne team, then avenge an early season loss to Huntington North, beating them by a comfortable 15 points in the rematch. Homestead has long been known for their half-court system, their ability to make shots, and their ability to find contributions throughout their roster. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='59778' first='Alison' last='Stephens'], plus Freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='492319' first='Myah' last='Epps'] and [player_tooltip player_id='414465' first='Gabby' last='Helsom'], have done a nice job inside of the arc, but the Spartans will need to take care of the basketball against Fishers' intense pressure. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='59775' first='Hailey' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='59776' first='Olivia' last='Smith'], plus Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='176168' first='Talia' last='Harris'] and [player_tooltip player_id='177355' first='Joirdyn' last='Smith'] apply 84-feet of chaos and disruption. Fishers is so difficult to match up with, and they are really clicking right now. I think Fishers gets out early, but Homestead adjusts and makes this a game, however I'll take the Lady Tigers, 57-49.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game-2:</strong> To the best of my knowledge, these two teams have not met in the 2000s, if ever before. Fort Wayne Snider began the year 2-3, but they have since found their stride, winning 18 of the next 19 games, including seven in a row. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='177351' first='Jordyn' last='Poole'] is one of the best guards in the state, regardless of class, and the combination of her and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='177321' first='Joh'nea' last='Donahue'] are incredibly tough to contain. Both are skilled and athletic playmakers, and they can take over a game. West Lafayette Harrison had its struggles in early January, but they have won seven of nine games since, and possess a distinct size advantage over Snider. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='59747' first='Riley' last='Flinn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='241186' first='Campbell' last='Moore'], plus Junior [player_tooltip player_id='369827' first='Riley' last='Whitlock'] are all sizeable matchup problems for the Lady Panthers. This game is real simple...it will either be the guard play, transition offense, and pressure defense of Snider, or it will be a ball-control, half-court defense, and post-oriented offense of Harrison that gets it done. Whoever is able to play "their way" will win this Regional game. I almost always choose guards in these matchups, so I am going to take Snider here. I just think Poole and Donahue, along with Junior [player_tooltip player_id='572796' first='Ciara' last='Sims'], will be too much for Harrison to contain. The Lady Raiders might make a couple of runs, but look for the Snider Panthers to be in control much of the game, prevailing by a 57-41 margin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong><br>Fishers - [player_tooltip player_id='59775' first='Hailey' last='Smith'], 2023 - 11.6p, 6.8r, 2.7a<br>Fishers - [player_tooltip player_id='59776' first='Olivia' last='Smith'], 2023 - 10.9p, 4.0r, 2.6a<br>Fishers - [player_tooltip player_id='176168' first='Talia' last='Harris'], 2024 - 9.5p, 4.0r, 2.2a, 2.3s<br>Fishers - [player_tooltip player_id='148149' first='Alycia' last='Triplett'], 2023 - 7.4p, 5.1r<br>Fishers - [player_tooltip player_id='177355' first='Joirdyn' last='Smith'], 2024 - 7.0p<br>Fishers - [player_tooltip player_id='177358' first='Kate' last='Thomas'], 2024 - 4.0p, 3.3r<br>FW Snider - [player_tooltip player_id='177351' first='Jordyn' last='Poole'], 2024 - 15.8p, 3.5r, 4.0a, 3.4s<br>FW Snider - [player_tooltip player_id='177321' first='Joh'nea' last='Donahue'], 2024 - 12.4p, 4.5r, 4.0a 5.7s<br>FW Snider - [player_tooltip player_id='572796' first='Ciara' last='Sims'], 2024 - 8.7p, 4.4r<br>FW Snider - [player_tooltip player_id='298261' first='Tia' last='Phinezy'], 2024 - 8.5p, 6.8r, 3.8b<br>FW Snider - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828072' first='Kyra' last='Parker']</strong>, 2024 - 5.2p, 2.2r<br>Homestead - [player_tooltip player_id='59778' first='Alison' last='Stephens'], 2023<br>Homestead - [player_tooltip player_id='127237' first='Molly' last='Stock'], 2023<br>Homestead - [player_tooltip player_id='410035' first='Evie' last='Bottoms'], 2023<br>Homestead - [player_tooltip player_id='369834' first='Emma' last='Reust'], 2024<br>Homestead - [player_tooltip player_id='492319' first='Myah' last='Epps'], 2026<br>Homestead - [player_tooltip player_id='414465' first='Gabby' last='Helsom'], 2026<br>Homestead - [player_tooltip player_id='486540' first='Whitney' last='Ankenbruck'], 2026<br>WL Harrison - [player_tooltip player_id='59747' first='Riley' last='Flinn'], 2023 - 14.2p, 8.2r, 7.0a, 5.0s<br>WL Harrison - [player_tooltip player_id='369827' first='Riley' last='Whitlock'], 2024 - 12.2p, 4.8r, 2.3s<br>WL Harrison - [player_tooltip player_id='241186' first='Campbell' last='Moore'], 2023 - 8.0p, 7.6r, 2.1s, 4.2b<br>WL Harrison - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828096' first='Elsie' last='Ahnert']</strong>, 2025 - 5.4p, 5.3r, 2.3s<br>WL Harrison - <strong>Ava Ahnert</strong>, 2025 - 4.8p, 3.0r, 2.7a, 2.0s</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->