Season Preview: Class 4A, Sectional #5

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='404107' first='Ashley' last='Cox'] (2025) of DeKalb High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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 #5 in Class 4A, which feeds into one of the Northern Regionals. Below is a look at the teams in Sectional #5, 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 #5</font></strong><br>Fort Wayne Northrop (19-4), SAG 7, SOS 27<br>Fort Wayne Snider (21-5), SAG 9, SOS 23<br>Carroll (Fort Wayne) (16-8), SAG 22, SOS 19<br>DeKalb (12-12), SAG 117, SOS 73<br>East Noble (5-18), SAG 245, SOS 62<br>Fort Wayne North Side (7-16), SAG 289, SOS 180</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Northrop Bruins put together a great 2022-2023 season, and while they should once again be strong in 2023-2024, they will have to play without graduates <strong>Nevaeh Jackson</strong> (<em>14.4p, 5.3r, 2.7a, 2.5s</em>), <strong>Saniya Jackson</strong> (<em>14.4p, 6.9r, 2.1a, 2.8s</em>), and post <strong>Brooklyn McLemore</strong> (<em>10.7p, 7.8r</em>). At the same time, the Bruins welcome back 5-9 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='177317' first='Destini' last='Craig']</strong> (<em>10.3p, 3.3r, 2.7s in 6 games</em>), who was injured early last season and even missed the Spring &amp; Summer grassroots seasons. She is a strong, physical, ball of energy who can play all over the floor. 6-1 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='177314' first='Alexis' last='Castator']</strong> (<em>5.4p, 4.3r, 3.1a</em>) also returns with good size, skill, and versatility. 5-10 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486518' first='Swynn' last='Jackson']</strong> (<em>6.7p, 4.5r, 3.8a, 2.9s</em>) and 5-9 Sophomore wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492326' first='Khala' last='Williams-Thomas']</strong> (<em>4.3p</em>) also look to return in greater capacities, however Jackson won't be back until sometime in January due to foot surgery. Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239353' first='Riley' last='Pepple']</strong> (<em>5.0p</em>) opted not to return, so look for 5-6 Senior wing <strong>Niya Bell</strong> (<em>3.7p</em>) to take on a much bigger role as their sharp-shooter, while 5-7 Sophomore guard <strong>Alivia Rice</strong> (<em>2.0p, 2.2r</em>) and 5-6 Sophomore guard <strong>Brilee Day</strong> also step into more opportunity in their second years. The Snider Panthers will try to be the top team in Sectional #5 this year, and they return nearly all of their production from a year ago. Indiana Junior All-Stars <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='177351' first='Jordyn' last='Poole']</strong> (<em>16.7p, 3.6r, 4.0a, 3.5s</em>), a 5-6 Senior point guard, along with 5-7 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='177321' first='Joh'nea' last='Donahue']</strong> (<em>11.9p, 4.5r, 4.0a, 5.6s</em>), are athletic, dynamic, and explosive scorers who can carry the team when necessary. I'm also a big fan of 5-7 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='572796' first='Ciara' last='Sims']</strong> (<em>9.5p, 4.6r</em>). She had a great grassroots season and could really take off this Winter. 6-2 Senior volleyball commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='298261' first='Tia' last='Phinezy']</strong> (<em>8.1p, 6.9r, 3.9b</em>) returns to the post, and she brings defense and rim protection, however, the Panthers also added 6-0 Junior post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='496072' first='Saniah' last='Sandlin']</strong> over the Summer via a transfer from Homestead. She brings a bit more of an offensive presence to the frontline. From there, Snider has a variety of directions they can go. 5-9 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828072' first='Kyra' last='Parker']</strong> (<em>5.2p, 2.2r</em>), 5-8 Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828076' first='Zyann' last='Phinezy']</strong> (<em>3.5p</em>), and 5-9 Junior forward <strong>Gabriella Barnes</strong> (<em>3.5p, 2.3r</em>) all vie for more playing time this time around. The Carroll Chargers are always a feisty "out" and could again cause problems for other teams in Sectional #5. They did suffer significant graduation losses, however, as guards <strong>Taylor Fordyce</strong> (<em>14.6p, 4.8r, 2.8a, 2.6s</em>) and <strong>Kayla Gibbs</strong> (<em>13.8p, 5.2r, 2.1a, 2.7s</em>) are both gone via the diploma. The Chargers still have some experience returning in 5-6 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295801' first='Jersey' last='Paul']</strong> (<em>10.6p, 2.1r, 2.5a</em>), 6-1 Sophomore post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486555' first='Lillian' last='George']</strong> (<em>8.5p, 5.8r</em>), and 5-6 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='825976' first='Jaidyn' last='Fuller']</strong> (<em>5.5p, 2.8r, 2.9a, 2.1s</em>). Paul is a good perimeter shooter, George continues to improve monthly, and Fuller can take on ball-handling responsibilities. 5-9 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486549' first='Ava' last='Myers']</strong>, along with Senior forward <strong>Maddie Gawthrop</strong> and Junior wing <strong>Callie Mitchell</strong>, all look to play key roles this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeKalb reached 12 wins for the first time since 2013-2014, and now they look for their first winning record since that same year. They did suffer a number of graduation losses in the Spring, including <strong>Delaney Cox</strong>, <strong>Lillie Cone</strong>, <strong>Elizabeth Martin</strong>, <strong>Amanda Day</strong>, <strong>Evie Pepple</strong>, and <strong>Lexi Long</strong>. The Baronesses do return talented 5-8 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404107' first='Ashley' last='Cox']</strong> (<em>10.9p, 4.5r, 2.3a, 2.9s</em>), and she has turned into a dangerous scorer from all areas of the floor. There are a number of Seniors and Juniors DeKalb can turn to, plus a strong Freshman group who could see opportunities sooner rather than later. 5-8 Senior forward <strong>Baylee Doster</strong> does bring back at least some sort of upperclassman experience. East Noble has not posted a winning record since the 2016-2017 season, but they have a nice, young nucleus that shows great potential to help them get there within a year or two, if not this season. They did graduate <strong>Bree Walmsley</strong> (<em>9.0p, 3.0r, 2.3a</em>) and <strong>Kya Mosley</strong> (<em>6.7p, 3.8r</em>), but they also played a couple of Freshmen in their rotation a year ago. Two Seniors return in 5-8 forward <strong>Payton Quake</strong> (<em>8.2p, 6.0r</em>) and 5-0 guard <strong>Bailea Bortner</strong> (<em>5.9p, 2.0r</em>). They should provide good experience for the youngsters. Sophomore <strong>Kate David</strong> (<em>3.5p, 2.3r</em>), Sophomore <strong>Addison Deming</strong> (<em>2.3p, 3.2r</em>), and Junior <strong>Rae David</strong> (<em>0.8p</em>) were all a part of the rotation a year ago and look for bigger roles this time. A strong Freshman class that includes guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834926' first='Averi' last='Amstutz']</strong>, guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1006197' first='Rian' last='David']</strong>, and forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1006206' first='Ellisyn' last='Will']</strong> looks to potentially see a couple of them start immediately. Again, there will surely be speedbumps here and there for the Lady Knights, but the strength of their Sophomore and Freshman classes should pay dividends at some point soon. The seven wins North Side posted last season were the most since the 2009-2010 season. The Legends graduated three players, but none averaged more than 1.9 points or 2.5 rebounds per game. So, there is definitely optimism for North Side. 5-8 Junior guard <strong>Kaleah Williams</strong> (<em>13.6p, 3.2r, 5.4s</em>) took a big step last season and could be even better as a Junior. 5-10 Senior forward <strong>Jaliyah Paige</strong> (<em>9.0p, 10.6r, 3.5s</em>) brings scoring, rebounding, and defense, while 5-8 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='455937' first='Aniya' last='Woodson']</strong> (<em>6.3p, 4.1r, 4.0s</em>) is a nice athlete with great defensive potential. 5-7 Sophomore guard <strong>Makaya Harmeyer</strong> (<em>5.3p, 5.2r</em>) and 5-7 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='880018' first='Aubrey' last='Bleeke']</strong> (<em>4.6p, 2.5r, 2.3s</em>) were starters as well last year. 6-1 Sophomore post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='928917' first='Jayonna' last='Flotow']</strong> (<em>2.0p, 2.9r in 11 games</em>) offers the Legends good size along the frontline. Newcomers who can help North Side include 5-8 Senior forward <strong>Ayran Russell</strong> and 5-7 Freshman guard <strong>Kamiah Morris</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->