Regional Preview: Class 4A North
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The featured image is of Monique Mitchell Monique Mitchell 5'11" | SF South Bend Washington | 2025 State IN (2025) of South Bend’s Washington High School. Following a pair of Sectional championship games Monday evening, the Regional fields are now…
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Continue ReadingThe featured image is of Monique Mitchell Monique Mitchell 5'11" | SF South Bend Washington | 2025 State IN (2025) of South Bend’s Washington High School.
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.
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LaPorte Regional:
Game-1: Valparaiso (23-2) vs. South Bend Washington (26-0), 2:00 p.m. ET
Game-2: Lake Central (21-5) vs. Northridge (22-5), 5:00 p.m. ET
Game-1: 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 Kristin Bukata Kristin Bukata 5'7" | PG Valparaiso | 2023 State IN and Freshman Lillian Barnes Lillian Barnes 5'11" | SF Valparaiso | 2026 State IN 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 RaShunda Jones RaShunda Jones 5'7" | PG South Bend Washington | 2023 State IN , a Purdue University commit, and Sophomore Ryiah Wilson Ryiah Wilson 5'8" | CG South Bend Washington | 2025 State IN 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 Kira Reynolds Kira Reynolds 6'4" | PF South Bend Washington | 2025 State IN , 5-11 Sophomore Monique Mitchell Monique Mitchell 5'11" | SF South Bend Washington | 2025 State IN , 6-2 Sophomore Zion Belcher-Arill Zion Belcher-Arill 6'2" | PF Campbell Hall | 2025 CA , and 5-11 Sophomore Ayanna Nicholson Ayanna Nicholson 5'11" | PF South Bend Washington | 2025 IN 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.
Game-2: 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 Aniyah Bishop Aniyah Bishop 5'10" | SF Lake Central | 2024 State IN and Sophomore Ayla Krygier Ayla Krygier 6'0" | SF Lake Central | 2025 State IN working the boards and having at least a little height. Northridge will counter with Junior Gaby Gates Gaby Gates 5'11" | PF Northridge | 2024 State IN . Northridge Senior Eva Fisher Eva Fisher 5'8" | SG Northridge | 2023 State IN might be the best player on the floor throughout, but I’d anticipate defensive-minded Junior Nadia Clayton Nadia Clayton 5'7" | SG Lake Central | 2024 State IN sticking to her. Lake Central has a very solid backcourt in Junior Riley Milausnic Riley Milausnic 5'7" | CG Lake Central | 2024 State IN and Sophomore Vanessa Wimberly Vanessa Wimberly 5'5" | PG Lake Central | 2025 State IN as well. The wildcard here could be Northridge Senior Savannah Boerema Savannah Boerema 5'7" | CG Northridge | 2023 State IN . 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.
Players to Watch:
Lake Central –
Aniyah Bishop
Aniyah
Bishop
5'10" | SF
Lake Central | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 10.0p, 6.0r, 2.1a
Lake Central –
Riley Milausnic
Riley
Milausnic
5'7" | CG
Lake Central | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 9.8p, 55 made 3s
Lake Central –
Ayla Krygier
Ayla
Krygier
6'0" | SF
Lake Central | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 8.7p, 4.7r
Lake Central –
Nadia Clayton
Nadia
Clayton
5'7" | SG
Lake Central | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 7.0p, 3.3r, 2.1a, 2.3s
Lake Central –
Vanessa Wimberly
Vanessa
Wimberly
5'5" | PG
Lake Central | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 6.8p, 3.6r, 3.0a, 3.1s
Lake Central –
Kennedie Burks
Kennedie
Burks
5'3" | PG
Lake Central | 2024
IN
, 2024 – 5.2p
Northridge –
Eva Fisher
Eva
Fisher
5'8" | SG
Northridge | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 14.3p, 4.4r, 2.8a, 2.2s
Northridge –
Morgan Cross
Morgan
Cross
5'7" | CG
Northridge | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 10.1p, 4.5r, 2.6a, 2.5s
Northridge –
Savannah Boerema
Savannah
Boerema
5'7" | CG
Northridge | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 8.2p, 2.9r, 2.3a
Northridge –
Gaby Gates
Gaby
Gates
5'11" | PF
Northridge | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 7.3p, 3.6r
Northridge –
Sabrina Miller
Sabrina
Miller
5'8" | SG
Northridge | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 7.2p, 2.0r
Northridge –
Rielyn Goodwin
Rielyn
Goodwin
5'5" | PG
Northridge | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 4.6p, 3.6r, 2.7a, 2.4s
South Bend Washington –
RaShunda Jones
RaShunda
Jones
5'7" | PG
South Bend Washington | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 20.1p, 3.7r, 4.6a, 4.2s
South Bend Washington –
Kira Reynolds
Kira
Reynolds
6'4" | PF
South Bend Washington | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 15.5p, 12.1r (5.1 off.), 3.0a, 5.9b
South Bend Washington –
Monique Mitchell
Monique
Mitchell
5'11" | SF
South Bend Washington | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 13.7p, 3.2r, 2.8s
South Bend Washington –
Ryiah Wilson
Ryiah
Wilson
5'8" | CG
South Bend Washington | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 11.7p, 3.4r, 4.1a, 6.4s
South Bend Washington –
Zion Belcher-Arill
Zion
Belcher-Arill
6'2" | PF
Campbell Hall | 2025
CA
, 2025 – 5.4p, 3.1r
South Bend Washington –
Ayanna Nicholson
Ayanna
Nicholson
5'11" | PF
South Bend Washington | 2025
IN
, 2025 – 2.5p, 3.1r
Valparaiso –
Lillian Barnes
Lillian
Barnes
5'11" | SF
Valparaiso | 2026
State
IN
, 2026 – 17.4p, 7.3r, 3.7a, 6.0s
Valparaiso –
Kristin Bukata
Kristin
Bukata
5'7" | PG
Valparaiso | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 11.0p, 4.5r, 4.4a, 3.8s
Valparaiso –
Cadynce Clark
Cadynce
Clark
5'8" | CG
Valparaiso | 2026
State
IN
, 2026 – 5.4p
Valparaiso – Skyla Dobbertin, 2023 – 5.2p, 3.7r
Valparaiso – Campbell Maclagan, 2023 – 4.3p, 2.3r
.
Marion Regional:
Game-1: Homestead (19-5) vs. Fishers (23-2), 4:00 p.m. ET
Game-2: Fort Wayne Snider (20-4) vs. West Lafayette Harrison (16-9), 7:00 p.m. ET
Game-1: These two teams met a little over a year ago, with Homestead winning by a 51-35 margin. The difference is Ayanna Patterson 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 Alison Stephens Alison Stephens 5'11" | SF Homestead | 2023 State IN , plus Freshmen Myah Epps Myah Epps 5'10" | CG Homestead | 2026 State IN and Gabby Helsom Gabby Helsom 5'11" | PF Homestead | 2026 State IN , 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 Hailey Smith Hailey Smith 5'10" | SG Fishers | 2023 State IN and Olivia Smith Olivia Smith 5'10" | SG Fishers | 2023 State IN , plus Juniors Talia Harris Talia Harris 5'8" | PG Fishers | 2024 State IN and Joirdyn Smith Joirdyn Smith 5'4" | CG Fishers | 2024 State IN 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.
Game-2: 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 Jordyn Poole Jordyn Poole 5'6" | PG Fort Wayne Snider | 2024 State IN is one of the best guards in the state, regardless of class, and the combination of her and Junior Joh’nea Donahue Joh’nea Donahue 5'8" | SG Fort Wayne Snider | 2024 State IN 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 Riley Flinn Riley Flinn 5'11" | SF West Lafayette Harrison | 2023 State IN and Campbell Moore Campbell Moore 6'2" | C West Lafayette Harrison | 2023 State IN , plus Junior Riley Whitlock Riley Whitlock 6'0" | PF West Lafayette Harrison | 2024 State IN 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 Ciara Sims Ciara Sims 5'8" | SF Fort Wayne Snider | 2024 State IN , 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.
Players to Watch:
Fishers –
Hailey Smith
Hailey
Smith
5'10" | SG
Fishers | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 11.6p, 6.8r, 2.7a
Fishers –
Olivia Smith
Olivia
Smith
5'10" | SG
Fishers | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 10.9p, 4.0r, 2.6a
Fishers –
Talia Harris
Talia
Harris
5'8" | PG
Fishers | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 9.5p, 4.0r, 2.2a, 2.3s
Fishers –
Alycia Triplett
Alycia
Triplett
5'11" | PF
Fishers | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 7.4p, 5.1r
Fishers –
Joirdyn Smith
Joirdyn
Smith
5'4" | CG
Fishers | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 7.0p
Fishers –
Kate Thomas
Kate
Thomas
6'1" | PF
Fishers | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 4.0p, 3.3r
FW Snider –
Jordyn Poole
Jordyn
Poole
5'6" | PG
Fort Wayne Snider | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 15.8p, 3.5r, 4.0a, 3.4s
FW Snider –
Joh’nea Donahue
Joh’nea
Donahue
5'8" | SG
Fort Wayne Snider | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 12.4p, 4.5r, 4.0a 5.7s
FW Snider –
Ciara Sims
Ciara
Sims
5'8" | SF
Fort Wayne Snider | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 8.7p, 4.4r
FW Snider –
Tia Phinezy
Tia
Phinezy
6'3" | C
Fort Wayne Snider | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 8.5p, 6.8r, 3.8b
FW Snider –
Kyra Parker
Kyra
Parker
5'9" | SF
Fort Wayne Snider | 2025
IN
, 2024 – 5.2p, 2.2r
Homestead –
Alison Stephens
Alison
Stephens
5'11" | SF
Homestead | 2023
State
IN
, 2023
Homestead –
Molly Stock
Molly
Stock
5'7" | PG
Homestead | 2023
State
IN
, 2023
Homestead –
Evie Bottoms
Evie
Bottoms
5'6" | PG
Homestead | 2023
State
IN
, 2023
Homestead –
Emma Reust
Emma
Reust
5'9" | SG
Homestead | 2024
State
IN
, 2024
Homestead –
Myah Epps
Myah
Epps
5'10" | CG
Homestead | 2026
State
IN
, 2026
Homestead –
Gabby Helsom
Gabby
Helsom
5'11" | PF
Homestead | 2026
State
IN
, 2026
Homestead –
Whitney Ankenbruck-Shooting Guard
Whitney
Ankenbruck-Shooting Guard
5'9" | SF
Homestead | 2026
State
IN
, 2026
WL Harrison –
Riley Flinn
Riley
Flinn
5'11" | SF
West Lafayette Harrison | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 14.2p, 8.2r, 7.0a, 5.0s
WL Harrison –
Riley Whitlock
Riley
Whitlock
6'0" | PF
West Lafayette Harrison | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 12.2p, 4.8r, 2.3s
WL Harrison –
Campbell Moore
Campbell
Moore
6'2" | C
West Lafayette Harrison | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 8.0p, 7.6r, 2.1s, 4.2b
WL Harrison –
Elsie Ahnert
Elsie
Ahnert
5'9" | PF
West Lafayette Harrison | 2025
IN
, 2025 – 5.4p, 5.3r, 2.3s
WL Harrison – Ava Ahnert, 2025 – 4.8p, 3.0r, 2.7a, 2.0s