Season Preview: Class 4A, Sectional #5
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The featured image is of Ashley Cox Ashley Cox 5'8" | CG DeKalb | 2025 State IN (2025) of DeKalb High School. As we wind down our Sectional preview articles, we will individualize the final few as one Sectional per…
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Continue ReadingThe featured image is of Ashley Cox Ashley Cox 5'8" | CG DeKalb | 2025 State IN (2025) of DeKalb 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 #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.
(SAG = Final 2022-2023 Multiclass Sagarin Rating (395 teams); SOS = Final 2022-2023 Strength of Schedule)
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Sectional #5
Fort Wayne Northrop (19-4), SAG 7, SOS 27
Fort Wayne Snider (21-5), SAG 9, SOS 23
Carroll (Fort Wayne) (16-8), SAG 22, SOS 19
DeKalb (12-12), SAG 117, SOS 73
East Noble (5-18), SAG 245, SOS 62
Fort Wayne North Side (7-16), SAG 289, SOS 180
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 Nevaeh Jackson (14.4p, 5.3r, 2.7a, 2.5s), Saniya Jackson (14.4p, 6.9r, 2.1a, 2.8s), and post Brooklyn McLemore (10.7p, 7.8r). At the same time, the Bruins welcome back 5-9 Senior forward Destini Craig Destini Craig 5'9" | PF Fort Wayne Northrop | 2024 State IN (10.3p, 3.3r, 2.7s in 6 games), who was injured early last season and even missed the Spring & Summer grassroots seasons. She is a strong, physical, ball of energy who can play all over the floor. 6-1 Senior wing Alexis Castator Alexis Castator 6'1" | SG Fort Wayne Northrop | 2024 State IN (5.4p, 4.3r, 3.1a) also returns with good size, skill, and versatility. 5-10 Sophomore guard Swynn Jackson Swynn Jackson 5'9" | SG Fort Wayne Northrop | 2026 State IN (6.7p, 4.5r, 3.8a, 2.9s) and 5-9 Sophomore wing Khala Williams-Thomas Khala Williams-Thomas 5'10" | SF Fort Wayne Northrop | 2026 State IN (4.3p) also look to return in greater capacities, however Jackson won’t be back until sometime in January due to foot surgery. Senior guard Riley Pepple Riley Pepple 5'6" | SG Fort Wayne Northrop | 2024 IN (5.0p) opted not to return, so look for 5-6 Senior wing Niya Bell (3.7p) to take on a much bigger role as their sharp-shooter, while 5-7 Sophomore guard Alivia Rice (2.0p, 2.2r) and 5-6 Sophomore guard Brilee Day 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 Jordyn Poole Jordyn Poole 5'6" | PG Fort Wayne Snider | 2024 State IN (16.7p, 3.6r, 4.0a, 3.5s), a 5-6 Senior point guard, along with 5-7 Senior guard Joh’nea Donahue Joh’nea Donahue 5'8" | SG Fort Wayne Snider | 2024 State IN (11.9p, 4.5r, 4.0a, 5.6s), are athletic, dynamic, and explosive scorers who can carry the team when necessary. I’m also a big fan of 5-7 Senior wing Ciara Sims Ciara Sims 5'8" | SF Fort Wayne Snider | 2024 State IN (9.5p, 4.6r). She had a great grassroots season and could really take off this Winter. 6-2 Senior volleyball commit Tia Phinezy Tia Phinezy 6'3" | C Fort Wayne Snider | 2024 State IN (8.1p, 6.9r, 3.9b) returns to the post, and she brings defense and rim protection, however, the Panthers also added 6-0 Junior post Saniah Sandlin Saniah Sandlin 6'0" | C Fort Wayne Snider | 2025 IN 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 Kyra Parker Kyra Parker 5'9" | SF Fort Wayne Snider | 2025 IN (5.2p, 2.2r), 5-8 Junior forward Zyann Phinezy Zyann Phinezy 5'8" | SF Fort Wayne Snider | 2025 IN (3.5p), and 5-9 Junior forward Gabriella Barnes (3.5p, 2.3r) 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 Taylor Fordyce (14.6p, 4.8r, 2.8a, 2.6s) and Kayla Gibbs (13.8p, 5.2r, 2.1a, 2.7s) are both gone via the diploma. The Chargers still have some experience returning in 5-6 Junior guard Jersey Paul Jersey Paul 5'6" | CG Carroll (Fort Wayne) | 2025 State IN (10.6p, 2.1r, 2.5a), 6-1 Sophomore post Lillian George Lillian George 6'2" | C Carroll (Fort Wayne) | 2026 State IN (8.5p, 5.8r), and 5-6 Senior guard Jaidyn Fuller Jaidyn Fuller 5'6" | PG Carroll (Fort Wayne) | 2024 IN (5.5p, 2.8r, 2.9a, 2.1s). Paul is a good perimeter shooter, George continues to improve monthly, and Fuller can take on ball-handling responsibilities. 5-9 Sophomore guard Ava Myers Ava Myers 5'9" | SG Carroll (Fort Wayne) | 2026 IN , along with Senior forward Maddie Gawthrop and Junior wing Callie Mitchell, all look to play key roles this season.
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 Delaney Cox, Lillie Cone, Elizabeth Martin, Amanda Day, Evie Pepple, and Lexi Long. The Baronesses do return talented 5-8 Junior guard Ashley Cox Ashley Cox 5'8" | CG DeKalb | 2025 State IN (10.9p, 4.5r, 2.3a, 2.9s), 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 Baylee Doster 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 Bree Walmsley (9.0p, 3.0r, 2.3a) and Kya Mosley (6.7p, 3.8r), but they also played a couple of Freshmen in their rotation a year ago. Two Seniors return in 5-8 forward Payton Quake (8.2p, 6.0r) and 5-0 guard Bailea Bortner (5.9p, 2.0r). They should provide good experience for the youngsters. Sophomore Kate David (3.5p, 2.3r), Sophomore Addison Deming (2.3p, 3.2r), and Junior Rae David (0.8p) were all a part of the rotation a year ago and look for bigger roles this time. A strong Freshman class that includes guard Averi Amstutz Averi Amstutz 5'6" | PG East Noble | 2027 IN , guard Rian David, and forward Ellisyn Will 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 Kaleah Williams (13.6p, 3.2r, 5.4s) took a big step last season and could be even better as a Junior. 5-10 Senior forward Jaliyah Paige (9.0p, 10.6r, 3.5s) brings scoring, rebounding, and defense, while 5-8 Senior wing Aniya Woodson Aniya Woodson 5'7" | SF Fort Wayne North Side | 2024 IN (6.3p, 4.1r, 4.0s) is a nice athlete with great defensive potential. 5-7 Sophomore guard Makaya Harmeyer (5.3p, 5.2r) and 5-7 Junior guard Aubrey Bleeke Aubrey Bleeke 5'5" | PG Fort Wayne North Side | 2025 IN (4.6p, 2.5r, 2.3s) were starters as well last year. 6-1 Sophomore post Jayonna Flotow (2.0p, 2.9r in 11 games) offers the Legends good size along the frontline. Newcomers who can help North Side include 5-8 Senior forward Ayran Russell and 5-7 Freshman guard Kamiah Morris.