Season Preview: Class 2A, Sectionals 33-36

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='467897' first='Bridget' last='Timbrook'] (2025) of Churubusco High School.   Today, October 30, is the first day Indiana high school teams are eligible to begin official games, therefore the beginning of the 2023-2024 high school season is already here. This article serves as the fifth of 16 in total, previewing each Sectional in the state. I will continue by taking a look at the first Class 2A North Regional, which incorporates the winners of Sectional #33 through Sectional #36. Below is a look at the teams in each of those Sectionals, along with some general comments and analysis. (SAG = Final 2022-2023 Multiclass Sagarin Rating (395 teams); SOS = Final 2022-2023 Strength of Schedule)   .   Sectional #33 Andrean (25-4), SAG 75, SOS 131 Lake Station Edison (17-5), SAG 106, SOS 352 Illiana Christian (10-12), SAG 329, SOS 301 Whiting (8-15), SAG 360, SOS 370 North Newton (5-20), SAG 363, SOS 318 Gary Bowman (7-14), SAG 367, SOS 378 Gary 21st Century (3-16), SAG 386, SOS 384 Gary Lighthouse CPA (0-15), SAG 395, SOS 389   Sectional #33 was reconstructed last season, and with the exception of Andrean and Lake Station at the top, it wasn't a very strong field of teams. Andrean and Lake Station both graduated some major pieces, but both should remain in an upper tier of their own in 2023-2024. The Andrean 59ers graduated four players in total, including one of their best players in recent memory in guard Tori Allen (16.1p, 4.3r, 3.6a), as well as skillful guard Lauren Colon (10.3p, 2.8r, 3.2a). Both are now playing college basketball. 5-9 Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='295810' first='Lindsay' last='Arcella'] (8.3p, 3.1r, 3.1a) is now the focal point offensively, and she's capable of 30-point nights. 6-0 Junior post [player_tooltip player_id='626935' first='Maddie' last='Walton'] (8.3p, 6.6r) is a nice athlete capable of double-doubles most nights herself, plus she has continually improved each season. There isn't a great deal of experience after those two, but 5-3 Senior guard Liv Delevic (3.6p, 2.7r) is a dangerous perimeter shooter who can find shots from the wings and long corners. Based on the difficulty of their schedule, there could be a few tough nights, but as far as this Sectional is concerned, Lake Station still presents the biggest challenges for the 59ers. As for the Lake Station Eagles, they too graduated four players, including their top three scorers. Wing Tranika Randolph (19.9p, 5.0r, 2.4s), along with guards Darne Toney (11.9p, 5.0r) and Nasiya Gause (11.2p, 3.0r), are all off playing college basketball themselves. Gause scored 1119 points in her career, while Toney and Randolph each eclipsed the 750-point mark. But there is optimism as long and athletic 5-8 Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='326491' first='Kayla' last='Wilkerson'] (10.5p, 2.4r) returns, plus athletic 5-7 Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='455941' first='Aniah' last='Lewis'] (5.3p, 4.2r) is also back. Additionally, 5-4 Junior guard Torri Chabes (2.2p, 4.8a) did a nice job of distributing the ball a year ago, and she returns to the fold. Illiana Christian has only been IHSAA tourney eligible for three years now, and they have had some good seasons in the past. Last year they played as many as 10 girls at times, but unfortunately, they also graduated six of them, including leading scorer Faith VanRyn (7.4p, 2.0r). The Vikings do return a pair of experienced veterans, however, in 5-5 Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1122788' first='Abbie' last='Ritzema'] (7.2p, 2.4r) and 5-7 Senior post Cheyenne DeJong (5.2p, 7.6r). They offer a nice inside-outside tandem, but the Vikings will need several other inexperienced players to fill key roles if they are to match last season's 10 wins.   Whiting is one team who could play the role of spoiler in Sectional #33. They improved from five wins in 2021-2022 to eight wins last year, and they return four of their top five players. Gone is Alondra Rodriguez (7.4p, 2.5r), but Seniors Alyssa Quinones (11.4p), a guard, Torie Davis (8.5p, 2.4r), a 5-11 post, and Aaliah Blanco (3.5p), another guard, all return, plus Sophomore forward Alexis Perez (3.6p) saw some action as a rookie. A big boost for the Oilers is the addition of Bishop Noll transfer [player_tooltip player_id='295777' first='Victoria' last='Velez'] (3.7p, 2.3r), a 5-7 Junior guard. She should make an instant impact with this group. The Spartans of North Newton struggled through a tough 2022-2023 season, plus they graduated their second and third leading scorers in Lexi Cunningham (4.1p, 4.7r, 2.0s) and Madelyn Arrenholz (3.0p, 6.0r, 2.6a, 2.1s). However, the Spartans do have one of the best post prospects in Sectional #33, and that is 6-1 Senior [player_tooltip player_id='369837' first='Makenna' last='Schleman'] (14.0p, 9.4r, 2.4b). She has good size and strength, plus she's fairly mobile. They will need a lot of growth from the remaining cast, though, to improve their win total. Gary Bowman graduated their top interior presence in post Beauti Santiago (7.3p, 6.1r), however they do return electric 5-6 junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='570383' first='Kahlen' last='Robinson'] (16.6p, 3.8r, 5.8s). She is quite the defensive presence and is very good out in transition. 5-7 Junior forward Janiyah Jackson (3.7p, 5.9r, 2.3s) also returns with strong Varsity experience, but otherwise it's a fairly young and new roster for the Eagles. Gary 21st Century continues to aim towards its first winning season as an IHSAA member. It may not happen in 2023-2024, but they do have several returnees. 5-5 guard Angel Johnson, 6-0 forward Amplias Starks, and 5-8 post Sinnay Hicks bring Senior leadership, while Alana Corral and Laila Gomez are a pair of Junior guards. 5-4 Sophomore guard Dashonna Glover played as a Freshman last year. Gary Lighthouse fielded a team last year after missing the 2021-2022 Sectional due to low numbers. There are three Seniors for them to lean on in 5-10 forward Madison Gaines, 5-6 guard Kamyah Hampton, and 5-11 forward Beyonce Buckingham. Beyond that, the Lions will need a number of people to step up.   .   Sectional #34 South Central (Union Mills) (23-4), SAG 107, SOS 236 North Judson-San Pierre (15-8), SAG 161, SOS 151 LaVille (19-7), SAG 167, SOS 249 Hebron (5-20), SAG 336, SOS 242 Wheeler (4-18), SAG 343, SOS 273 South Bend Career Academy (6-16), SAG 379, SOS 365   South Central was once again a force in Sectional #34 during the 2022-2023 season. It seemed like everywhere you looked there was someone named Marks or someone named Welsh, as six of their top seven players shared those last names. Unfortunately for the Satellites, Olivia Marks (15.2p, 6.1r) and Kate Welsh (6.9p, 2.7r, 3.0a) both graduated, as did second leading scorer Lillian Tolmen (9.1p, 4.1r, 3.0s). Now, they turn to a somewhat experienced returning cast, but one who will need to find a leader to step into the spotlight this season. Candidates come from 5-9 Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='201877' first='Sadie' last='Marks'] (8.9p, 5.4r, 2.6a), 5-6 Senior guard Hope Welsh (8.4p, 3.4r), 5-8 Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='832674' first='Samantha' last='Marks'] (3.1p, 3.7r), and 5-9 Sophomore wing Makenna Welsh (1.0p). 5-6 guard Gwen Mendenhall (0.4p) is another Sophomore who saw action in 10 games a year ago. If those five returnees can step it up a notch, South Central should again be a team to reckon with. North Judson-San Pierre put together a really nice 2022-2023 season. Top stat producer Sophia Frasure (16.6p, 8.3r) graduated, along with Olivia Burkett (5.7p, 4.0r, 5.2a) and Morgan Hensley (5.6p, 6.0r). Of the returnees, the top scorer back is 5-6 Senior wing Raegan Hensley (5.7p, 4.5r). 5-9 Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='880530' first='Kyleigh' last='Lehiy'] (5.0p, 4.3r) also saw several minutes, while 5-10 Senior forward Anna Garbison (1.5p, 1.5r) saw action in 22 games. No other player took the floor more than eight times. The Bluejays will need a number of youngsters to step up this season if they wish to match last year's success. 6-1 Sophomore forward Molly Madsen could surprise some people with her skill and versatility. The Lancers of LaVille are always right there competing with most teams. This season, however, they must do so without four graduates, including their top two performers in Heaylyn Kwiatkowski (11.8p, 6.1r, 2.4s) and Lucy Sherk (11.2p, 7.2r). Now leading the way are 5-8 Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1218593' first='Brooke' last='Edison'] (6.6p, 4.0r, 2.3s), 5-5 Junior guard Mikalah Kuskye (4.7p, 2.0r), and 5-6 Senior guard Lily Smith (4.1p, 2.4r). 5-7 Senior wing London Kwiatkowski (2.9p, 2.4r) and 5-8 Junior forward Jasmine Foster (2.4p) could also step into starting roles at some point this season.   The Hebron Hawks would like to better their five wins from a season ago, but they'll have to do so without graduated 6-0 post Sidney Elijah (12.4p, 6.8r, 2.5s) and 5-10 forward Gabby Wagoner (6.5p, 7.0r). The Hawks had a shortened roster a season ago, so there should be a lot of opportunity for people to step in and play immediately. 5-5 Senior guard Madelyn Heck (5.0p, 2.4r), 5-7 Junior guard Paige Rokosz (3.2p), and Senior forward Jadyn Byars (3.1p, 6.9r) will likely get first crack at leadership roles this season. Wheeler dropped down to Class 2A a year ago, but they still struggled to find any traction in Sectional #34. While they did graduate four Seniors, no one averaged more than 6.7 points per game, and that was graduate Mia DeJesus. The Bearcats return five Seniors who each played in 17 or more games a year ago, so the possibility of increasing their win total certainly exists. Topping that list of returnees are 5-4 wing Abby Ordonez (5.1p, 4.3r) and 5-4 guard Lexi Cutka (4.1p, 2.5r). The Trailblazers of South Bend's Career Academy had never won more than two games in their previous eight seasons of existence, so last year was a big step in the right direction. Now, they must deal with the graduation losses of Adreania Hyde (12.5p, 8.8r, 2.5s) and Gabby Terrell (6.3p, 4.4r), along with two others. They now put their faith in a trio of Sophomores who got their feet wet as rookies, as well as a five player Freshman class. The Sophomores include guard Ciya Mudalier (4.6p, 3.5r), wing Olivia Cooper (2.9p, 3.4r), and front-liner Coriyah Martin (0.7p, 4.3r).   .   Sectional #35 Central Noble (26-3), SAG 67, SOS 165 Eastside (15-9), SAG 130, SOS 163 Westview (10-15), SAG 258, SOS 229 Fremont (8-15), SAG 303, SOS 220 Churubusco, (5-18), SAG 308, SOS 268 Prairie Heights (1-22), SAG 317, SOS 198   After five consecutive losing seasons, the Cougars of Central Noble have now stacked up eight consecutive winning seasons, including a 2018 State Championship, as well as three additional Semi-State appearances. While this season they will still likely find success more often than not, they must do so without graduated mainstays Madison Vice (18.5p, 6.4r, 5.0a, 3.7s), Meghan Kiebel (12.7p, 4.0r, 2.0a), and Abby Hile (2.8p, 3.6r). With the Cougars, it has been a next-girl-up approach, so expect 5-6 Senior wing Makenna Malcolm (5.8p, 2.8r, 2.1a), 6-0 Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='832697' first='Grace' last='Swank'] (5.0p, 6.3r), and/or 5-6 Junior guard Kierra Bolen (3.9p) to step into more of a go-to role this Winter. 5-6 Junior guard Taylor Custer (1.1p, 1.3r) is another player who could see a big role increase as well, after having such a good Spring & Summer grassroots season. The Eastside Blazers have been competitive of late, and they will push Central Noble this year. Unfortunately for the Blazers, 6-1 front-liner Grace Kreischer (12.4p, 8.5r, 2.1s, 1.3b) left via the diploma. 5-5 Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='773841' first='Paige' last='Traxler'] and 5-7 Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='923168' first='Sydnee' last='Kessler'] do both return. Traxler is an athletic and active combo guard who plays extremely hard, while Kessler is a very good perimeter shooter with some strength and toughness to her game. 5-11 Senior forward Haley Weis gives them at least a little size inside, while 5-1 Senior guard Jayci Kitchen, 5-9 Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='923186' first='Lily' last='Kreischer'], and 5-8 Junior wing Lilli Cline add to the Blazers' perimeter depth. With all of their experienced guards and wings, Eastside will cause problems, but they will need to be able to rebound and protect the basket. Beware of the Fremont Eagles the next couple of years. The Eagles graduated one of the best players in program history in 2022, yet last season they matched their eight wins from the year before. Additionally, they return nearly all of their production, plus they welcome a strong Freshman class. This group could cause a lot of problems very soon. Leading the returnees is 5-7 Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1218657' first='Addy' last='Parr'] (13.5p, 4.0r, 2.6s), who more than doubled her scoring from the year prior. Fellow Junior Rylee Goetz (5.5p, 4.9r), a 5-9 forward, returns following an unfortunate midseason departure last year. 5-8 Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='496058' first='McKenzie' last='Parnin'] (3.2p, 4.4r), plus 5-7 Junior wing Brayleigh Moss (3.1p, 3.7r), have also each logged a great deal of experience the last couple of seasons. Missing from last year is graduated wing Natalie Gouchenour (8.4p, 7.3r, 2.2s), but two Freshmen should be able to make up for her production. 5-5 Freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='751063' first='Grace' last='Scharlach'] steps in and can act as a true point guard for the Eagles, though she is also a capable shooter/scorer from anywhere, plus she's very quick/fast and explosive. Also keep an eye out for 5-7 Freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='751110' first='Mya' last='Turner']. Once she adapts to the physicality of the Varsity game, she can bring more scoring.   Westview looks to return to their past glory, and after last year's 10-win season and appearance in the Sectional final, that might be very close. They only played six girls in their primary rotation, however, only three return. 5-10 Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='773840' first='MyKayla' last='Mast'] (9.3p, 4.8r) and 5-3 Senior guard Hope Bortner (8.6p, 3.3r) were their top two scorers, so they should be set around the perimeter. Mast is a long, fluidly athletic kid, who as she continues getting stronger, could become a takeover type of player and significantly increase her output each year. Also returning to the fold is 5-6 Junior forward Morgan Reigsecker (3.6p, 4.0r). Missed most of the graduates is Sara Lapp (7.6p, 4.8r). If the Warriors can figure out how to defend the interior and rebound without much size, they can contend in Sectional #35, but there will be a learning curve as they break in a few newcomers to the rotation. Sophomores Bre Cory (5-11) and Maddie Grossman (6-0) do offer a little size, if they choose to go that route. Churubusco continues to play several girls on Varsity each night. Last season, 13 girls saw action in 13 or more games. That should benefit them in some ways, at least. Gone, however, are Hailee Gaerte (6.4p), Kena Hamman (5.6p, 5.2r, 2.3s), and Madison Hosted (3.5p, 4.6r). 5-5 Junior guard Brooklyn Sinclair (7.3p, 2.0r) does return, and she was the Eagles' leading scorer a year ago. Also back of significance are 5-5 Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='467897' first='Bridget' last='Timbrook'] (5.9p, 3.5r, 2.5a) and 5-5 Senior guard Jorja DeBolt (4.2p, 3.2r). The Eagles are another team trying to figure out how to manage the paint, but they should be scrappy this year. That just leaves Prairie Heights in Sectional #35, and they were very inexperienced a season ago. 5-7 Senior guard Ava Boots (6.7p, 2.9r) and 5-10 Junior forrward [player_tooltip player_id='1218651' first='Emily' last='McCrea'] (6.2p, 5.5r) are the most seasoned of the returnees, and they are looking to help the Panthers win several more games this year.   .   Sectional #36 Pioneer (21-4), SAG 119, SOS 228 North Miami (19-6), SAG 128, SOS 205 Wabash (15-8), SAG 162, SOS 225 Lewis Cass (7-17), SAG 237, SOS 148 Winamac (4-20), SAG 280, SOS 178   Sectional #36 could be the Wild, Wild West in 2023-2024, as a number of graduation losses potentially bring the field closer together. The Panthers of Pioneer graduated Indiana All-Star Ashlynn Brooke (23.8p, 5.4r, 5.6a, 5.0s), plus they have changed head coaches. While they return a great deal of experience, it will be curious to see if they find another go-to scorer, or if it will be a committee format. 5-8 Senior forward Kylie Attinger (8.5p, 6.3r, 2.1s) has logged multiple years of experience for the Panthers, while 6-0 Senior forward Brooklyn Borges (8.2p, 4.7r) returns after only playing six games last year before being injured. 5-8 Junior forward Paula Collado-Fernandez (8.1p, 4.6r, 2.5s) adds to an already solid frontline. 5-7 guard [player_tooltip player_id='831907' first='Makenna' last='Strycker'] (5.1p) has the most experience in the backcourt, but she could definitely use a running 'mate this season. Pioneer will still be solid, probably more of an interior team now, but wins could come a lot tougher this season. North Miami was also significantly impacted by graduation, but more so by numbers than a single individual. 5-10 Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='572820' first='Kaiden' last='Hanley'] (15.9p, 6.5r, 4.5s) does return, but the Warriors lost four of their top six players to the diploma. Missed most will be guards Logan Mouser (12.6p, 2.7r, 2.9a, 2.3s) and Allison Bowman (9.6p, 2.9r, 2.8a, 2.0s). 5-7 Sophomore guard Laney Musall (6.2p) gained valuable experience as a rookie, while 5-7 Senior guard Emily Smith (3.4p, 3.2r, 3.6a, 2.4s) returns to the point and gives them a steady hand in the backcourt. Look for Musall to really up her production in a starting role. The Warriors can definitely make a run in Sectional #36 this season, as long as a few newcomers step up and at least provide some stability.   Wabash is always a feisty bunch, and they tend to compete with most teams on their schedule each year. 5-6 Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1122733' first='Kaitlynn' last='Honeycutt'] (12.4p, 3.2r, 2.4a, 3.2s) and 5-9 Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='825912' first='Kierra' last='Wilson'] (11.3p, 6.3r) return after leading the Apaches in scoring a season ago. However, in a rotation that saw six girls play the primary minutes, the other four graduated. Guards Libby Mattern (9.8p, 4.7r, 3.1a) and Rylee Yoakum (8.6p, 4.9r, 2.7a, 2.4s) will be missed most after solid careers by both of them. Now, Wabash must rely on some younger players to round out the rotation and keep them in the hunt. With Honeycutt and Wilson onboard, they should still remain competitive. Lewis Cass is a team who could ascend this season due to the return of a lot of their production. Elly Logan (6.9p, 6.7r) was by far the most productive of their 2023 graduates, however 2024 post [player_tooltip player_id='874125' first='Kinsey' last='Mennen'] (4.9p, 7.8r, 3.0a, 2.5b) reportedly graduated early. Back in the fold, however, are 5-1 Sophomore guard Aftin Griffin (7.9p), 5-5 Sophomore guard Anna Hedrick (5.8p, 2.9r, 2.0s), and 5-11 Junior post [player_tooltip player_id='1218683' first='Mylie' last='Sipe'] (3.3p, 2.8r). That trio gained a lot of experience and could potentially lead them to a 10-win season. Winamac is another team who "spread the wealth" last season, seeing 15 ladies play in 15 or more games. Despite graduating three players, none of which averaged more than 5.0 points per game, the Warriors should see continued improvement in 2023-2024. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='486524' first='Kandace' last='Kroft'] (8.4p, 4.9r, 2.1a) stepped in immediately and led the team in scoring as a rookie. 5-7 Senior guard Maggie Smith (5.3p, 2.8r, 2.7a, 2.0s) and 5-8 Senior forward Piper Link (4.5p, 3.6r) brought some experience and leadership to the table. After those three, expect several younger players to get their turns to contribute once again.

The featured image is of Bridget Timbrook Bridget Timbrook 5'4" | CG Churubusco | 2025 IN (2025) of Churubusco High School.