Regional Preview: Class 4A South

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='295799' first='Kya' last='Hurt'] (2025) of Lawrence North 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 Southern half of the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Decatur Central Regional:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Lawrence North (17-9) vs. Brownsburg (16-9), 1:00 p.m. ET<br>Game-2: Ben Davis (17-9) vs. Mt. Vernon (Fortville) (19-6), 4:00 p.m. ET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game-1:</strong> Brownsburg defeated Lawrence North, 59-52, back on December 29th. The two teams are a bit of a contrast stylistically, as Lawrence North likes to push tempo and pressure the ball, while Brownsburg prefers to play efficiently, execute in the half-court, and play good, sound defense. Lawrence North looks to Senior wings [player_tooltip player_id='155437' first='Monica' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='127212' first='Laniya' last='Early'] to provide the spark, as both are long, athletic, and can make plays at either end of the floor. They get help on the perimeter this year from Junior [player_tooltip player_id='572824' first='Kamara' last='Mills'] and Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='295799' first='Kya' last='Hurt']. Sophomore post [player_tooltip player_id='295793' first='Jamaya' last='Thomas'] is big, strong, physical, and hard-working, and it's going to take everything she has to combat 6-6 Sophomore post [player_tooltip player_id='295789' first='Avery' last='Gordon'] of Brownsburg. The Lady Bulldog center is also strong and physical, and it's difficult to keep her from establishing position inside. Gordon is the key for Brownsburg, because of her size, so if she's able to stay on the floor for long periods of time, the Bulldogs have the advantage. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='59780' first='Kailyn' last='Terrell'] is a feisty, tough-nosed lead guard for Brownsburg, and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='201875' first='Emma' last='Hendricks'] is a dangerous perimeter shooter. But it all starts and ends with Gordon for the Bulldogs. I will take Brownsburg, barely, because of Gordon's size and Terrell's leadership. However, if Lawrence North can attack Gordon and get her in foul trouble early, this game could flip quickly. Still, give me Brownsburg in a nail-biter, 51-49.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game-2:</strong> This game ought to be fun, as these same two teams met last year in the Regional, with Ben Davis prevailing, 53-49. Mt. Vernon is down three key starters from a year ago, while the Lady Giants didn't graduate nearly as much production. The Giants return a great deal of size, length, and athleticism. 6-3 Senior post [player_tooltip player_id='203653' first='Cristen' last='Carter'] has significantly stepped up her offensive game from a year ago, and fellow Senior [player_tooltip player_id='96082' first='Taylor' last='Guess'] has also been much more impactful. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='572797' first='Zoe' last='Wheeler'] has given them a nice boost offensively, and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='177331' first='Scottlynn' last='Johnson'] has provided an additional interior presence. For the Lady Marauders, Junior [player_tooltip player_id='177344' first='Ellery' last='Minch'] is as versatile as they come. She can battle some inside, play in the mid-post, or handle the ball and knock down shots outside. They will likely need her inside for much of this contest. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='372347' first='Khloe' last='Patterson'] is all energy all the time. She feeds off of emotion, and as long as she can maintain focus, she could be a matchup problem for Ben Davis. I also liked the potential I saw in Sophomore Kenyonrae Kenny earlier this year. She is a long, athletic playmaker, but she will take chances. As long as she can minimize her turnovers, she could be a definite x-factor in this game. I like Ben Davis because of their experience, though Mt. Vernon has talent of their own. With that said, I'll take Ben Davis over Mt. Vernon, 54-45.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong><br>Ben Davis - [player_tooltip player_id='203653' first='Cristen' last='Carter'], 2023 - 18.9p, 12.7r<br>Ben Davis - [player_tooltip player_id='96082' first='Taylor' last='Guess'], 2023 - 11.8p, 7.2r<br>Ben Davis - [player_tooltip player_id='572797' first='Zoe' last='Wheeler'], 2024 - 9.7p, 3.9r, 2.3a<br>Ben Davis - [player_tooltip player_id='155438' first='Kaleah' last='Toomer'], 2023 - 8.5p, 3.0r, 3.7a<br>Ben Davis - [player_tooltip player_id='177331' first='Scottlynn' last='Johnson'], 2024 - 3.1p, 4.1r<br>Ben Davis - [player_tooltip player_id='59735' first='Kirsten' last='Clark'], 2023 - 2.6p, 2.0r, 2.4a<br>Brownsburg - [player_tooltip player_id='295789' first='Avery' last='Gordon'], 2025 - 18.3p, 8.8r, 2.7b<br>Brownsburg - [player_tooltip player_id='59780' first='Kailyn' last='Terrell'], 2023 - 10.0p, 3.6r, 3.3a, 2.0s<br>Brownsburg - [player_tooltip player_id='201875' first='Emma' last='Hendricks'], 2024 - 9.4p, 6.1r, 3.2a<br>Brownsburg - [player_tooltip player_id='574562' first='Megan' last='Eaker'], 2023 - 6.4p, 2.6r<br>Brownsburg - <strong>Morgan Montgomery</strong>, 2025 - 3.6p, 2.7r<br>Lawrence North - [player_tooltip player_id='155437' first='Monica' last='Williams'], 2023 - 13.7p, 3.8r, 2.5a, 2.8s<br>Lawrence North - [player_tooltip player_id='127212' first='Laniya' last='Early'], 2023 - 8.9p, 4.7r<br>Lawrence North - [player_tooltip player_id='295793' first='Jamaya' last='Thomas'], 2025 - 8.0p, 4.7r<br>Lawrence North - [player_tooltip player_id='572824' first='Kamara' last='Mills'], 2024 - 7.9p, 2.7r<br>Lawrence North - [player_tooltip player_id='295799' first='Kya' last='Hurt'], 2025 - 7.3p, 4.6r, 2.4a, 2.0s<br>Mt. Vernon - [player_tooltip player_id='177344' first='Ellery' last='Minch'], 2024 - 16.4p, 5.3r<br>Mt. Vernon - [player_tooltip player_id='425632' first='Kanyonrae' last='Kenny'], 2025 - 8.1p, 3.9r, 2.0a, 2.4s<br>Mt. Vernon - [player_tooltip player_id='372347' first='Khloe' last='Patterson'], 2023 - 7.5p, 7.3r, 3.8a, 2.5s<br>Mt. Vernon - <strong>Easton Wampler</strong>, 2024 - 6.8p, 2.6r, 2.2s<br>Mt. Vernon - <strong>Kaitlyn Laffey</strong>, 2024 - 5.3p, 2.0r</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Bedford North Lawrence Regional:</font></strong><br>Game-1: Center Grove (21-4) vs. Franklin Community (18-5), 4:00 p.m. ET<br>Game-2: Evansville Central (15-11) vs. Bedford North Lawrence (23-3), 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game-1:</strong> Located just 9.3 miles apart, Center Grove and Franklin are terribly familiar with one another. The Grizzly Cubs knocked off the Lady Trojans, 38-34, back in mid-November, dropping Center Grove to a 4-4 start to the season. The Trojans haven't lost since, rattling off 17 consecutive victories. Franklin started their season 3-3, and they've now won 15 of 17 games, including eight in a row. This should be a really interesting matchup, and it could be a dogfight in the 30s, or an offensive explosion in the 60s, especially considering the quality of perimeter play each team possesses. Center Grove has incredible balance in their backcourt, with Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='59756' first='Ella' last='Hobson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='59729' first='Savanna' last='Bischoff'], Junior [player_tooltip player_id='177311' first='Aubrie' last='Booker'], and Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='295755' first='Lilly' last='Bischoff'] each averaging between 5.7 and 6.6 points per game. Add to that Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='264111' first='Audrey' last='Annee'], and they can be lethal from the perimeter. Franklin can match that, as they have knocked down 209 3-pointers as a team through 22 "statted" games this season (<em>online stats incomplete from their first matchup with CG</em>). The Grizzly Cubs have seven players who've knocked down 15 or more 3-pointers this year, so they come at you from all positions. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='177336' first='Scarlett' last='Kimbrell'] (<em>45 made 3s</em>) and [player_tooltip player_id='455947' first='Brooklyn' last='York'] (<em>36 made 3s</em>), plus Senior [player_tooltip player_id='300067' first='Kyndell' last='Jochim'] (<em>31 made 3s</em>) top the list. This is honestly probably a pick'em game, since these two teams match up about as well as any in the Regional round. I will lean slightly towards Center Grove, though, for no reason other than their two-and-a-half-month win streak. Final score: 45-39.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game-2:</strong> Hats off to a young Evansville Central team who handled their business in Sectional #16 with a trio of nice wins over Castle, Evansville North, and Jasper. Their core of Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='492324' first='Madalyn' last='Shirley'], Sophomore Delaney Steers, and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='572806' first='Mackenzie' last='White'] give the Lady Bear faithful a lot of hope for more success in the near future. This weekend, however, it will take a small miracle for Central to compete with Bedford North Lawrence. The Lady Stars will be the best Indiana team Central has faced this year, and Bedford comes at you with a tremendously talented backcourt. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='59766' first='Karsyn' last='Norman'] will receive a lot of Miss Basketball votes this year, while Junior [player_tooltip player_id='176409' first='Chloe' last='Spreen'] will be in the hunt for the award a year from now. They are dynamic as shooters, scorers, and facilitators. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='177308' first='Madisyn' last='Bailey'] is another skilled, hard-working guard who can produce consistently. The Stars have also gotten a nice season from Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='574554' first='Mallory' last='Pride']. I have a feeling Bedford, who is used to this spotlight, takes advantage of some Central nerves early and often and controls this one from the tip. I will select Bedford North Lawrence, 68-33.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong><br>Bedford N. Lawrence - [player_tooltip player_id='176409' first='Chloe' last='Spreen'], 2024 - 18.7p, 5.4r, 3.4a, 2.8s<br>Bedford N. Lawrence - [player_tooltip player_id='59766' first='Karsyn' last='Norman'], 2023 - 16.8p, 4.2r, 4.4a, 2.6s<br>Bedford N. Lawrence - [player_tooltip player_id='574554' first='Mallory' last='Pride'], 2023 - 10.6p, 7.0r<br>Bedford N. Lawrence - [player_tooltip player_id='177308' first='Madisyn' last='Bailey'], 2024 - 7.7p, 4.1r, 3.5a, 2.8s<br>Bedford N. Lawrence - <strong>Emma Brown</strong>, 2023 - 4.8p<br>Center Grove - [player_tooltip player_id='264111' first='Audrey' last='Annee'], 2024 - 13.1p, 2.5r<br>Center Grove - [player_tooltip player_id='295755' first='Lilly' last='Bischoff'], 2025 - 6.6p, 3.1r, 2.2a<br>Center Grove - [player_tooltip player_id='177311' first='Aubrie' last='Booker'], 2024 - 6.5p, 3.1r, 2.2a<br>Center Grove - [player_tooltip player_id='59756' first='Ella' last='Hobson'], 2023 - 6.1p, 2.2r, 3.8a<br>Center Grove - [player_tooltip player_id='201884' first='Rachel' last='Wirts'], 2024 - 5.9p, 5.0r<br>Center Grove - [player_tooltip player_id='59729' first='Savanna' last='Bischoff'], 2023 - 5.7p, 3.1r, 2.7a<br>Evansville Central - [player_tooltip player_id='492324' first='Madalyn' last='Shirley'], 2026 - 12.3p, 7.3r, 2.5b<br>Evansville Central - <strong>Delaney Steers</strong>, 2025 - 11.0p, 4.9r, 2.6s<br>Evansville Central - [player_tooltip player_id='572806' first='Mackenzie' last='White'], 2024 - 9.3p, 4.8r<br>Evansville Central - <strong>Mya Skelton</strong>, 2025 - 5.9p, 2.8r<br>Evansville Central - [player_tooltip player_id='556017' first='Avery' last='Kelley'], 2025 - 3.0p, 2.0r<br>Franklin - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='455947' first='Brooklyn' last='York']</strong>, 2024 - 11.4p, 3.0r, 2.0a<br>Franklin - [player_tooltip player_id='300067' first='Kyndell' last='Jochim'], 2023 - 10.9p, 3.0r<br>Franklin - [player_tooltip player_id='326479' first='Erica' last='Buening'], 2024 - 9.4p, 4.7r<br>Franklin - [player_tooltip player_id='177336' first='Scarlett' last='Kimbrell'], 2024 - 8.6p, 6.1r<br>Franklin - [player_tooltip player_id='176408' first='Lauren' last='Klem'], 2024 - 6.5p, 5.2r, 4.5a, 2.9s<br>Franklin - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='874141' first='Emma' last='Sappenfield']</strong>, 2024 - 5.0p, 2.7r</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->