Season Preview: Class 4A, Sectional #14

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we wind down our Sectional preview articles, we will individualize the final few as one Sectional per article. This article focuses on Sectional #14 in Class 4A, which feeds into one of the Southern Regionals. Below is a look at the teams in Sectional #14, along with some general comments and analysis.<br><small>(<em>SAG = Final 2022-2023 Multiclass Sagarin Rating (395 teams); SOS = Final 2022-2023 Strength of Schedule</em>)</small></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #14</font></strong><br>Franklin Community (18-6), SAG 14, SOS 25<br>East Central (15-11), SAG 46, SOS 32<br>Columbus North (14-9), SAG 55, SOS 26<br>Columbus East (10-14), SAG 56, SOS 20<br>Shelbyville (15-9), SAG 84, SOS 106<br>Whiteland Community (12-11), SAG 103, SOS 76</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sectional #14 had a new cast of teams a season ago, and Spring graduation took several players with it. One school who should be business as usual is Franklin Community. The Grizzly Cubs welcome back a Senior class that has had several members see a Varsity floor since their Freshman year, and they should be seasoned to make a deep state tournament run once again. <strong>Kyndall Jochim</strong> (<em>10.9p, 3.0r</em>) did graduate, and she took a nice perimeter jumper with her. But the Grizzly Cubs have several other threats as well. 5-11 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='455947' first='Brooklyn' last='York']</strong> (<em>11.4p, 3.0r, 2.0a</em>) and 5-9 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='326479' first='Erica' last='Buening']</strong> (<em>9.4p, 4.7r</em>) each bring an inside-out presence where they are able to score around the paint or knock down open jumpers. 5-11 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='177336' first='Scarlett' last='Kimbrell']</strong> (<em>8.6p, 6.1r</em>) and 5-1 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='176408' first='Lauren' last='Klem']</strong> (<em>6.5p, 5.2r, 4.5a, 2.9s</em>) are both highly skilled shooters with deep range. Kimbrell can also get to the basket, while Klem is a feisty defender and facilitator. 5-8 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='874141' first='Emma' last='Sappenfield']</strong> (<em>5.0p, 2.7r</em>) looks for a bigger role this season in Jochim's absence, but Juniors <strong>Maggie Doty</strong>, a 5-7 guard, and <strong>Aubrey Runyon</strong>, a 5-10 wing, also look to impact this lineup a lot more moving forward. 5-7 Senior guard <strong>Sam Rinehold</strong>, plus Freshmen <strong>Addi King</strong>, a 5-11 forward, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751071' first='Izzy' last='Stillabower']</strong>, a 5-4 point guard, also look to get into the rotation at some point this year. East Central suffered as tough of graduation losses as just about anyone statewide, with nine players graduating, including six of their top seven scorers from last season. Most notably missing are <strong>Josie Trabel</strong> (<em>20.3p, 10.0r, 3.0a, 2.6s</em>), <strong>Laney Baker</strong> (<em>13.7p, 3.7r, 3.0a, 2.3s</em>), and <strong>Caitlyn Dick</strong> (<em>6.3p</em>). Of the eligible returnees, 5-9 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='506030' first='Emily' last='Klem']</strong> (<em>5.7p, 3.0r</em>) has the most experience, but she isn't currently on their online roster, which would make things that much tougher for the Trojans. 5-8 Junior guard <strong>Anna Black</strong> (<em>0.9p, 2.1r</em>) has seen extensive action, and could be the de facto leader this season. Look for 5-4 Sophomore guard <strong>Nevaeh Tudor</strong>, 5-6 Junior wing <strong>Kylee Ferreira</strong>, and 6-0 Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122835' first='Meredith' last='Sizemore']</strong> to get first crack at starting alongside Black in 2023-2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Columbus North has typically been a strong team in the 2000s, and they look to mix a strong Freshman class with some seasoned upperclassmen in 2023-2024. They did, however, graduate <strong>Lauren Barker</strong> (<em>14.0p, 2.9r</em>), <strong>Emma Long</strong> (<em>4.2p, 2.9a</em>), and <strong>Kayla Jones</strong> (<em>3.2p, 3.4r</em>). Additionally, Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='572815' first='Kathryn' last='Wilson']</strong> (<em>6.7p, 6.9r</em>), Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='264117' first='Elise' last='Preston']</strong> (<em>2.9p, 2.0r</em>), and Junior post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='506020' first='Kennedy' last='Horn']</strong> (<em>5.4p, 4.5r</em>) opted not to return, but there is still plenty to get excited about. 5-7 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828082' first='Hadassah' last='Hurt']</strong> (<em>6.6p</em>) is the top perimeter performer back, while 5-11 Sophomore wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='567136' first='Miley' last='McClellan']</strong> (<em>5.3p, 2.9r</em>) saw Varsity action immediately a year ago. 5-9 wing <strong>Olivia Johnson</strong> (<em>2.9p</em>) is another Senior with multiple years of Varsity experience under her belt. From there it's mostly newcomers, but talented ones at that. 5-6 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751086' first='Kaylie' last='Harmon']</strong>, 5-7 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756241' first='Avery' last='Johnson']</strong>, and 5-6 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='750681' first='Ava' last='Wilson']</strong> are a trio of rookie guards who should see immediate action, if not start and lead the team. 5-9 Sophomore wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='761160' first='Kenna' last='Conrad']</strong>, 5-9 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='506029' first='Sydney' last='Johnson']</strong>, 5-8 Junior forward <strong>Paige Terry</strong>, and 5-10 Senior forward <strong>Kaitlin White</strong> have all played sparingly in the past but look for increased roles this season. If the Bulldogs gel quickly, there is enough talent here to make a run at Sectional #14. Columbus East would like nothing more than to cause problems for rival Columbus North, and they still have some pieces to make that happen. East does say "goodbye" to 2023 Indiana All-Star <strong>Saige Stahl</strong> (<em>26.0p, 9.9r, 3.2s</em>), <strong>Leah Bachmann</strong> (<em>8.9p, 6.6r, 2.0a</em>), <strong>Allison Craig</strong> (<em>5.5p</em>), <strong>Maeleigh Roberts</strong> (<em>5.5p</em>), <strong>Brielle Stevens</strong> (<em>1.5p</em>), and <strong>Heidi Murphy</strong> due to graduation. However, 5-9 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='326483' first='Jenna' last='Guse']</strong> (<em>6.4p, 2.7r</em>) does return and looks to lead the Olympians this season. Fellow Seniors, 5-9 forward <strong>Messiah Trapp</strong> (<em>2.4p, 2.3r</em>) and 5-6 guard <strong>Victoria Cuhadar</strong> (<em>0.5p</em>), have seen action in a season or two each and can help. But the biggest impact could be felt by 5-6 Senior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='201881' first='Madelyn' last='Poe']</strong> (<em>15.5p, 4.7r, 2.9a, 2.6s</em>), a transfer from Hauser High School. Poe has savvy, skill, and has played at a high level growing up. She should be instantly productive. Additionally, 6-1 Senior post <strong>Caroline Frost</strong> looks to join the mix and add size to this group of guards and wings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the first time in four years, Shelbyville will have to play without star guard <strong>Kylee Edwards</strong> (<em>19.5p, 8.1r, 3.3s</em>). She graduated, along with <strong>Abigail Brenner</strong> (<em>6.4p, 4.0r, 2.0s</em>) and <strong>Hailey Pogue</strong> (<em>1.6p, 2.7r</em>). Now, the Golden Bears turn to 5-8 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='572814' first='Ava' last='Wilson']</strong> (<em>18.0p, 5.4r, 3.4s</em>) to lead them into action. She is strong, tough-nosed, and she has nice touch around the perimeter. 5-7 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486504' first='Ellie' last='Keller']</strong> (<em>3.7p, 2.8r</em>) also flashed nice potential, and she should be key for Shelbyville the next three seasons. 5-10 forward <strong>Ella Johnson</strong> (<em>1.7p, 3.7r</em>) and 5-3 guard <strong>Ellie Simpson</strong> (<em>2.2p</em>) bring additional Senior experience to the lineup. Look for Sophomore guard <strong>Hannah Baker</strong> to be in the mix for a starting spot this year, as well as Senior <strong>Lilly Marshall</strong> and Freshman <strong>Addy Marshall</strong>. <strong>Lilly Johnson</strong> is another front-liner who could see key minutes this season for the Golden Bears. The good news is Whiteland posted a winning record in 2022-2023 and they return two of their top three scorers. The bad news is promising Junior <strong>Addison Emberton</strong> (<em>9.6p, 2.5r, 2.3a, 2.1s</em>) is not playing this year. She joins graduates <strong>Emma Piercy</strong> (<em>7.4p, 2.5r, 2.2a</em>) and <strong>Brooklyn Taylor</strong> (<em>2.7p, 2.7r</em>) on the way out. The Warriors will now lean heavily on 5-8 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='718307' first='Gwen' last='Higdon']</strong> (<em>12.5p, 4.7r</em>) and 5-10 Sophomore forward <strong>Carly Vondielingen</strong> (<em>7.7p, 7.2r</em>), who impressed at times as a rookie. Fellow Sophomore <strong>Sophia Dyer</strong> (<em>6.3p, 6.9r</em>), a 5-11 front-liner, also saw quality minutes and helps the Warriors form a sizeable frontcourt. 5-5 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122651' first='Sukhman' last='Bains']</strong> (<em>4.2p, 3.5r, 3.3a</em>) can handle point guard duties and will be needed a great deal more this year, plus 5-6 Junior guard <strong>Sam Roadruck</strong> can add another scorer in the backcourt. Also keep in consideration Freshman guard <strong>Alexa Lee</strong>, who could find starting opportunities later in the season, once she becomes more comfortable at the Varsity level. If Whiteland's guard play is as consistent as its frontcourt play, they could again be on the winning side of .500.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->