Season Preview: Class 4A, Sectional #15
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The featured image is of Elise Coleman Elise Coleman 6'0" | SF Floyd Central | 2026 State IN (2026) of Floyd Central High School. As we wind down our Sectional preview articles, we will individualize the final few as one…
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Continue ReadingThe featured image is of Elise Coleman Elise Coleman 6'0" | SF Floyd Central | 2026 State IN (2026) of Floyd Central High School.
As we wind down our Sectional preview articles, we will individualize the final few as one Sectional per article. This article focuses on Sectional #15 in Class 4A, which feeds into one of the Southern Regionals. Below is a look at the teams in Sectional #15, 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 #15
Bedford North Lawrence (27-3), SAG 2, SOS 17
Jennings County (16-6), SAG 25, SOS 22
Jeffersonville (14-10), SAG 44, SOS 24
Silver Creek (14-10), SAG 66, SOS 41
Seymour (14-10), SAG 76, SOS 38
Floyd Central (10-13), SAG 122, SOS 43
New Albany (4-20), SAG 199, SOS 44
Sectional #15 is somewhat tiered, with there being three tiers, and Bedford North Lawrence leading the first one. The Stars won the 2023 Class 4A State Championship. They are well-coached, hard-working, and basketball smart kids. However, they graduated Indiana All-Star Karsyn Norman (15.5p, 4.2r, 4.2a, 2.4s), along with Mallory Pride (10.8p, 6.8r), Emma Brown (4.7p), Katie Baumgart (1.4p), and Emma Crane. Now, the Lady Stars will lean even more heavily on 5-9 Senior guard Chloe Spreen Chloe Spreen 5'10" | SG Bedford North Lawrence | 2024 State IN (19.0p, 5.3r, 3.2a, 2.7s). Spreen was a 2023 Indiana Junior All-Star, plus she is a Miss Basketball candidate because of her skill, talent, and consistency on the court. Fellow 5-8 Senior guard Madisyn Bailey Madisyn Bailey 5'9" | PG Bedford North Lawrence | 2024 State IN (7.6p, 4.2r, 3.5a, 2.7s) has always been asked to give solid minutes, but now she’ll be relied upon to score more as well. From here, experience is thin and size is missing, but look for 5-7 Senior wing Bella Jackson (1.1p), 5-6 Junior guard Tori Nikirk (1.0p), 5-6 Junior guard Katie Godlevske Katie Godlevske 5'6" | SG Bedford North Lawrence | 2025 IN (0.8p), and 5-7 Sophomore guard Trinidy Bailey (0.8p) to step into much bigger roles and potential starting spots. Also, 5-9 Freshman wing Miley Sherrill Miley Sherrill 5'9" | SF Bedford North Lawrence | 2027 State IN will likely get an early look; she flashed upside at our PGH Freshman Showcase this Fall. If the Stars need size, look for 6-1 Junior post Harryson Hayes to offer that in matchup situations. Jennings County is a dangerous, hungry team, with plenty of talent and veteran players on hand. The Panthers graduated four players, but really only Megan Vogel (6.5p, 6.6r) and Manto Vadell (3.1p, 2.2r, 3.0a) played much at all. Back in the fold is 6-1 Senior forward Juliann Woodard Juliann Woodard 6'1" | PF Jennings County | 2024 State IN (22.8p, 12.5r, 3.1a, 2.4s, 2.4b), who has gone from being a post to a versatile inside-out threat at both ends of the floor. She was a 2023 Indiana Junior All-Star. 5-10 Sophomore wing Mollie Ernstes Mollie Ernstes 5'11" | SG Jennings County | 2026 State IN (12.0p, 3.2r, 2.6a) flashed big-time potential last Winter, then put together a strong Spring & Summer grassroots season. She is primed for a nice year. The Panthers also welcome back 5-8 Senior wing Alivia Elmore Alivia Elmore 5'8" | SF Jennings County | 2024 State IN (14.4p, 4.1r, 3.1a, 2.1s in 2021-2022), who missed last season after her second knee injury. She brings a ton of energy, toughness, and versatility to the lineup. 5-7 Junior guard Madelyn McIntosh (6.0p, 2.8r) should slide back into the starting lineup again this year, while the fifth spot could be decided based on matchups. Vying for playing time are 5-9 Freshman wing Etta Young Etta Young 5'9" | SF Jennings County | 2027 IN , 6-0 Senior post Alexis Carson Alexis Carson 6'0" | C Jennings County | 2024 IN (2.7p, 1.9r), 5-10 Junior forward Avynn Belding (1.5p), and Sophomore wing Riley Byford (0.6p in 11 games).
Last year I pointed out that Jeffersonville seems to have about as many kids playing grassroots basketball as any other program in the state. That’s probably a good thing, considering they graduated eight players in the Spring. Most notable of the missing from that 14-win team are Brooklyn Carter (11.3p, 3.8r, 2.1a), Sophia Reese (9.7p, 2.0r, 2.5a), Cadence Singleton (5.5p, 5.2r), Myah Johnson (5.5p, 4.6r), Maranda Mason (5.4p), and Averielle Baker (2.8p, 3.9r). That accounts for six of their top nine scorers and rebounders from a year ago. The good news is, there are still three experienced, Senior backcourt returnees. 5-7 guard La’Kyra Johnson La’Kyra Johnson 5'7" | SG Jeffersonville | 2024 IN (9.8p, 4.9r) is an explosive athlete who can get to the basket. 5-9 guard Elle Marble Elle Marble 5'9" | CG Jeffersonville | 2024 State IN (9.5p, 2.6r) is a long, smooth, and versatile player who can shoot/score. And 5-4 guard LaQaya Gold LaQaya Gold 5'4" | CG Jeffersonville | 2024 IN (3.5p) is a strong, compact point guard who can score or distribute. The Red Devils also picked up a nice transfer prospect in the way of 5-7 Sophomore guard Keziah Renee’ Keziah Renee’ 5'7" | CG Jeffersonville | 2026 State IN , who comes in from Louisville Mercy. She is a nice athletic playmaker as well. Needing to step up this year will likely be 5-6 Junior wing Makenzie Mason Makenzie Mason 5'6" | SG Jeffersonville | 2025 IN , 5-3 Junior guard Amiya Calloway, and 5-10 Sophomore forward Kiya Boatwright. The Red Devils aren’t very tall, but they will play fast and feisty. If they need to, they also have 6-1 Senior post Skylar Thompson Skylar Thompson 6'1" | C Jeffersonville | 2024 IN on hand for specific matchups. Silver Creek continues their run in Class 4A due to their past success, and last year they managed 14 wins despite playing several underclassmen in critical roles. The best of the bunch for the Dragons is 6-3 Sophomore forward Brooklynn Renn Brooklynn Renn 6'3" | PF Silver Creek | 2026 State IN (12.0p, 11.3r, 3.3b). She is a top 2026 prospect in the state and has a tremendous combination of skill and talent at her size. The guard duo of 5-7 Junior Lydia Wright Lydia Wright 5'7" | SG Silver Creek | 2025 IN (10.8p, 3.0r, 2.0s) and 5-7 Sophomore Emma Schoen Emma Schoen 5'7" | PG Silver Creek | 2026 State IN (9.2p) were highly effective around the perimeter. Both can make shots outside or facilitate. 5-3 Junior guard Katy Rooney Katy Rooney 5'3" | CG Silver Creek | 2025 IN and 5-1 Senior guard Kiera Gant Kiera Gant 5'1" | PG Silver Creek | 2024 IN add to the strong Silver Creek backcourt, as both are capable starters who can also make shots with range. 5-7 Senior guard Jazmyn Robey, 5-9 Senior wing Ellie Falkenstein Ellie Falkenstein 5'9" | SF Silver Creek | 2024 IN , 5-8 Junior wing Hannah Senn Hannah Senn 5'8" | SG Silver Creek | 2025 IN , and 5-11 Sophomore post Joslyn Chesser look to add depth and help the Dragons approach 20 wins this season.
Floyd Central seeks its first winning record since the 2016-2017 season. They have nice young talent, so the potential is certainly there. The Highlanders start with 5-7 Junior guard Samara Miller Samara Miller 5'7" | CG Floyd Central | 2025 IN (9.5p, 2.8r, 2.5a), already a 2-year Varsity performer at the point. She has touch outside as well. Floyd Central also has nice size in the way of 6-0 Sophomore forward Elise Coleman Elise Coleman 6'0" | SF Floyd Central | 2026 State IN (11.1p, 3.9r, 2.0s), 6-1 Junior forward Nora Gibson Nora Gibson 6'1" | C Floyd Central | 2025 IN , and 6-1 Senior post Megan Czarnecki Megan Czarnecki 6'1" | C Floyd Central | 2024 IN . Coleman was a great addition last year, as she has ball skill and the ability to knock down shots consistently at all levels. Gibson has inside-out versatility as well, while Czarnecki is best in the paint. If the Highlanders can get consistent play around the perimeter, they should have a nice season. The Seymour Owls are an interesting group this season, as they have a nice mixture of size, skill, experience, and youth. 5-10 Senior forward Kendall Sterling Kendall Sterling 5'10" | SF Seymour | 2024 State IN (14.3p, 4.8r, 4.6a) is the best of the bunch. She can play a point forward role or score it consistently from the mid-post to the arc. 6-1 Senior post Journee Brown Journee Brown 6'1" | C Seymour | 2024 IN offers a nice interior presence, as she has both an offensive and defensive game in her repertoire. The Owls did graduate guards Brooke Trinkle and Lainey Jackson, so they will need to find backcourt production. Luckily, 5-8 Sophomore wing Sophie Skidmore Sophie Skidmore 5'8" | SF Seymour | 2026 State IN was a welcomed addition as a rookie, and she had a great Spring & Summer grassroots season. 6-0 Senior forward Claire Marshall could round out the starting lineup. New Albany is a program who has been a bit down over the past few years, and Sectional #15 can be a monster at the top. Now, they must play without graduates Journey Howard (14.0p, 7.5r, 2.0b) and Alaina Walker (7.0p, 6.5r). One youngster who offers some promise is 5-8 Sophomore wing Maizy Smith Maizy Smith 5'8" | SG New Albany | 2026 IN (8.5p, 3.8r). She will need help, and the combination of 5-9 Junior wing Grace McBride Grace McBride 5'9" | SF New Albany | 2025 IN , plus 5-5 Freshman point guard Emily Robison Emily Robison 5'5" | PG New Albany | 2027 State IN could be just the answer. McBride is a high IQ, skilled perimeter player, while Robison is a dynamic creator who can find teammates and also make shots. It might take the Bulldogs some time to put it all together, but that trio is a nice building block to work with moving forward. 5-6 Junior guard Sophia Corley has also seen action each of the last two years.