Season Preview: Class 4A, Sectional #14
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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…
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Continue ReadingAs 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.
(SAG = Final 2022-2023 Multiclass Sagarin Rating (395 teams); SOS = Final 2022-2023 Strength of Schedule)
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Sectional #14
Franklin Community (18-6), SAG 14, SOS 25
East Central (15-11), SAG 46, SOS 32
Columbus North (14-9), SAG 55, SOS 26
Columbus East (10-14), SAG 56, SOS 20
Shelbyville (15-9), SAG 84, SOS 106
Whiteland Community (12-11), SAG 103, SOS 76
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. Kyndall Jochim (10.9p, 3.0r) 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 Brooklyn York Brooklyn York 5'11" | PF Franklin Community | 2024 State IN (11.4p, 3.0r, 2.0a) and 5-9 Senior forward Erica Buening Erica Buening 5'9" | PF Franklin Community | 2024 State IN (9.4p, 4.7r) each bring an inside-out presence where they are able to score around the paint or knock down open jumpers. 5-11 Senior wing Scarlett Kimbrell Scarlett Kimbrell 5'11" | SF Franklin Community | 2024 State IN (8.6p, 6.1r) and 5-1 Senior guard Lauren Klem Lauren Klem 5'1" | PG Franklin Community | 2024 State IN (6.5p, 5.2r, 4.5a, 2.9s) 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 Emma Sappenfield Emma Sappenfield 5'8" | SG Franklin Community | 2024 IN (5.0p, 2.7r) looks for a bigger role this season in Jochim’s absence, but Juniors Maggie Doty, a 5-7 guard, and Aubrey Runyon, a 5-10 wing, also look to impact this lineup a lot more moving forward. 5-7 Senior guard Sam Rinehold, plus Freshmen Addi King, a 5-11 forward, and Izzy Stillabower Izzy Stillabower 5'5" | CG Franklin Community | 2027 IN , 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 Josie Trabel (20.3p, 10.0r, 3.0a, 2.6s), Laney Baker (13.7p, 3.7r, 3.0a, 2.3s), and Caitlyn Dick (6.3p). Of the eligible returnees, 5-9 Junior wing Emily Klem Emily Klem 5'9" | SF East Central | 2025 IN (5.7p, 3.0r) 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 Anna Black (0.9p, 2.1r) has seen extensive action, and could be the de facto leader this season. Look for 5-4 Sophomore guard Nevaeh Tudor, 5-6 Junior wing Kylee Ferreira, and 6-0 Junior forward Meredith Sizemore to get first crack at starting alongside Black in 2023-2024.
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 Lauren Barker (14.0p, 2.9r), Emma Long (4.2p, 2.9a), and Kayla Jones (3.2p, 3.4r). Additionally, Senior forward Kathryn Wilson Kathryn Wilson 5'10" | PF Columbus North | 2024 IN (6.7p, 6.9r), Senior guard Elise Preston Elise Preston 5'7" | CG Columbus North | 2024 IN (2.9p, 2.0r), and Junior post Kennedy Horn Kennedy Horn 6'3" | C Columbus North | 2025 IN (5.4p, 4.5r) opted not to return, but there is still plenty to get excited about. 5-7 Junior guard Hadassah Hurt Hadassah Hurt 5'7" | SG Columbus North | 2025 IN (6.6p) is the top perimeter performer back, while 5-11 Sophomore wing Miley McClellan Miley McClellan 6'0" | SF Columbus North | 2026 State IN (5.3p, 2.9r) saw Varsity action immediately a year ago. 5-9 wing Olivia Johnson (2.9p) 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 Kaylie Harmon Kaylie Harmon 5'7" | CG Columbus North | 2027 State IN , 5-7 guard Avery Johnson Avery Johnson 5'7" | SG Columbus North | 2027 IN , and 5-6 guard Ava Wilson Ava Wilson 5'6" | CG Columbus North | 2027 IN are a trio of rookie guards who should see immediate action, if not start and lead the team. 5-9 Sophomore wing Kenna Conrad Kenna Conrad 5'9" | SF Columbus North | 2026 IN , 5-9 Junior wing Sydney Johnson Sydney Johnson 5'8" | SF Columbus North | 2025 IN , 5-8 Junior forward Paige Terry, and 5-10 Senior forward Kaitlin White 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 Saige Stahl (26.0p, 9.9r, 3.2s), Leah Bachmann (8.9p, 6.6r, 2.0a), Allison Craig (5.5p), Maeleigh Roberts (5.5p), Brielle Stevens (1.5p), and Heidi Murphy due to graduation. However, 5-9 Senior guard Jenna Guse Jenna Guse 5'9" | SG Columbus East | 2024 IN (6.4p, 2.7r) does return and looks to lead the Olympians this season. Fellow Seniors, 5-9 forward Messiah Trapp (2.4p, 2.3r) and 5-6 guard Victoria Cuhadar (0.5p), 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 Madelyn Poe Madelyn Poe 5'6" | PG Columbus East | 2024 State IN (15.5p, 4.7r, 2.9a, 2.6s), 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 Caroline Frost looks to join the mix and add size to this group of guards and wings.
For the first time in four years, Shelbyville will have to play without star guard Kylee Edwards (19.5p, 8.1r, 3.3s). She graduated, along with Abigail Brenner (6.4p, 4.0r, 2.0s) and Hailey Pogue (1.6p, 2.7r). Now, the Golden Bears turn to 5-8 Senior forward Ava Wilson Ava Wilson 5'8" | SF Shelbyville | 2024 IN (18.0p, 5.4r, 3.4s) to lead them into action. She is strong, tough-nosed, and she has nice touch around the perimeter. 5-7 Sophomore guard Ellie Keller Ellie Keller 5'6" | SG Shelbyville | 2026 IN (3.7p, 2.8r) also flashed nice potential, and she should be key for Shelbyville the next three seasons. 5-10 forward Ella Johnson (1.7p, 3.7r) and 5-3 guard Ellie Simpson (2.2p) bring additional Senior experience to the lineup. Look for Sophomore guard Hannah Baker to be in the mix for a starting spot this year, as well as Senior Lilly Marshall and Freshman Addy Marshall. Lilly Johnson 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 Addison Emberton (9.6p, 2.5r, 2.3a, 2.1s) is not playing this year. She joins graduates Emma Piercy (7.4p, 2.5r, 2.2a) and Brooklyn Taylor (2.7p, 2.7r) on the way out. The Warriors will now lean heavily on 5-8 Senior forward Gwen Higdon Gwen Higdon 5'8" | SF Whiteland | 2024 IN (12.5p, 4.7r) and 5-10 Sophomore forward Carly Vondielingen (7.7p, 7.2r), who impressed at times as a rookie. Fellow Sophomore Sophia Dyer (6.3p, 6.9r), a 5-11 front-liner, also saw quality minutes and helps the Warriors form a sizeable frontcourt. 5-5 Junior guard Sukhman Bains (4.2p, 3.5r, 3.3a) can handle point guard duties and will be needed a great deal more this year, plus 5-6 Junior guard Sam Roadruck can add another scorer in the backcourt. Also keep in consideration Freshman guard Alexa Lee, 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.