Season Preview: Class 4A, Sectional #6

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='414465' first='Gabby' last='Helsom'] (2026) of Homestead 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 #6 in Class 4A, which feeds into one of the Northern Regionals. Below is a look at the teams in Sectional #6, 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 #6</font></strong><br>Homestead (19-6), SAG 8, SOS 16<br>Columbia City (20-3), SAG 10, SOS 28<br>Huntington North (19-5), SAG 33, SOS 55<br>Fort Wayne Wayne (15-8), SAG 124, SOS 207<br>Fort Wayne South Side (2-18), SAG 301, SOS 42<br>New Haven (3-19), SAG 306, SOS 172</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Homestead has been the team to beat in Sectional #6, but the tides could be turning this season. The Spartans will still be a very competitive group, led by 5-10 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492319' first='Myah' last='Epps']</strong> (<em>12.0p, 4.6r, 3.0a</em>). Unfortunately, Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='369834' first='Emma' last='Reust']</strong> (<em>8.2p, 5.4r, 4.3a, 2.9s</em>) injured her knee during the Summer, and she will likely miss the entire season. They Spartans will also be without graduates <strong>Alison Stephens</strong> (<em>15.0p, 6.0r</em>), <strong>Molly Stock</strong> (<em>8.7p, 2.3r, 2.0a</em>), and <strong>Evie Bottoms</strong>. Additionally, 6-2 Junior post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='692249' first='Layla' last='Williams']</strong> transferred to Wayne High School, while 6-0 Junior post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='496072' first='Saniah' last='Sandlin']</strong> transferred to Snider High School. Back looking for bigger roles are 5-11 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='414465' first='Gabby' last='Helsom']</strong> (<em>5.6p, 4.6r</em>), 5-9 wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486540' first='Whitney' last='Ankenbruck']</strong> (<em>3.0p</em>), 5-7 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='761179' first='Carley' last='Moellering']</strong>, and 5-7 wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486546' first='Kendall' last='McLaughlin']</strong>, all members of the 2026 class. While Homestead flaunts a lot of youth on its roster, those prospects are talented and will be tough on any given night. Once they have more experience and gel, watch out! Columbia City nearly upset Homestead in the Sectional last year, and they could be THE team in Northeast Indiana this season, if not a top team in Class 4A. The Eagles are a guard-heavy group, but they are immensely talented. 5-9 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295754' first='Addison' last='Baxter']</strong> (<em>18.4p, 6.9r, 4.7a, 3.7s</em>) plays both the role of scorer and table-setter for this group. 5-7 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='177354' first='Kyndra' last='Sheets']</strong> (<em>14.0p, 3.1r, 3.4a, 2.3s</em>) is also a capable shooter/scorer or facilitator. 5-6 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='455935' first='Tessa' last='Tonkel']</strong> (<em>7.3p, 2.0r, 2.7a</em>) is an energy-giving combo guard who always makes plays. 5-8 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486514' first='Anisa' last='Tonkel']</strong> and 5-7 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='496018' first='Faith' last='Frey']</strong> could be double-digit scorers a lot of other places, but they just add to Columbia City's great backcourt depth. 5-10 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406435' first='Molly' last='Baker']</strong> (<em>12.4p, 5.8r</em>) is pretty much the answer for the Eagles on the interior, though Baker does have some perimeter skill mixed in as well. As long as the Eagles use ball control to their advantage and consistently knock down shots, there aren't many teams who can beat them this season. For the second consecutive year, Huntington North has lost a major piece to its puzzle. This time it is wing <strong>Taylor Double</strong> (<em>16.6p, 6.0r, 2.9a, 2.4s</em>) who leaves via graduation. While she did so much for the Vikings, there were six main girls in the rotation, and the other five look to return in 2023-2024. 5-11 Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295794' first='Marissa' last='Trout']</strong> (<em>10.6p, 4.0r, 2.4a</em>) and 5-7 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='455938' first='Gracie' last='Fields']</strong> (<em>10.2p, 4.3r, 2.1a</em>) were both double-figure scorers last season and look to improve on those numbers. 5-7 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='773836' first='Haiden' last='Bailey']</strong> (<em>6.0p, 2.3r, 2.5a</em>), 5-6 Junior guard <strong>Leah Hertel</strong> (<em>3.7p, 2.5r, 2.3a</em>), and 5-9 Senior forward <strong>Elle McDonald</strong> (<em>1.8p</em>) all saw significant minutes a year ago and look to start this season. Also keep an eye out for 5-4 Freshman guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751065' first='Harper' last='Bailey']</strong>, who could see her number called early this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wayne High School is an intriguing outfit this season, as they return quite a bit of productivity and welcome in a sizeable transfer. They will have to play without double-figure scorers <strong>Aniah Hill</strong> (<em>10.4p, 6.0r, 3.8a, 3.7s</em>) and <strong>Shabrea O'Quinn</strong> (<em>10.2p, 6.6r</em>), both graduates, plus <strong>Emilia Diaz</strong> (<em>7.0p, 2.6r, 3.2a, 2.4s</em>) also left via the diploma. The Generals do welcome back versatile 5-8 Senior combo guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='298263' first='Sydney' last='Gorman']</strong> (<em>9.8p</em>) and athletic, defensive-minded 5-8 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='825979' first='Khalise' last='Collins']</strong> (<em>8.6p, 5.0r</em>). Both look to lead Wayne statistically this season. Junior twin forwards <strong>Tanea Hairston</strong> (<em>7.5p, 4.1r</em>) and <strong>Tani Hairston</strong> (<em>4.5p, 3.5r</em>) also return, and they both bring physicality plus mid-post skill to the floor. 5-3 Senior guard <strong>Mariah Luna</strong> (<em>2.4p</em>) is a quick little water-bug who brings back additional experience. New to the roster and looking to contribute immediately are 6-2 Junior post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='692249' first='Layla' last='Williams']</strong>, 5-8 Freshman guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834942' first='Davianna' last='Irons']</strong>, and 5-3 Freshman guard <strong>Braleah King</strong>. Williams is still developing her skillset, but she offers height, length, and potential, while Irons and King could contend to start in the backcourt immediately. It might take the Generals a minute to figure it out, but by January, they could be a tough contender this season. The Archers of Fort Wayne South Side posted the fewest wins and only the sixth losing season in the 2000s last year. They look to bounce back and approach 10 wins this season, however graduated guard <strong>Justice Billingsley</strong> was a big part of what they did. 5-3 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828087' first='Kamoni' last='Grayson']</strong> has the potential to be the go-to player this season, and she possesses as much skill and talent as anyone on the roster. 5-9 Senior forward <strong>Ga'Naysia White</strong> is a nice run-and-jump athlete who can play inside the arc. 6-0 Junior post <strong>Lai'Lonie Waller-Thomas</strong> is a big, strong, powerful post presence who continues to improve week to week. Junior post <strong>JaMaya Green</strong>, along with a number of Freshmen, also look to contribute to the effort this season. New Haven is another program aiming for a lot more success this season. With all but graduate <strong>Samantha Goodrich</strong> (<em>2.3p, 3.4r</em>) eligible to return, there is the possibility of them improving over last season. 5-7 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='718312' first='Janiya' last='Johnson']</strong> (<em>13.0p, 4.7r, 2.7s</em>) is a ball of energy who possesses athletic talent and a great motor. 5-7 Sophomore guard <strong>A'lanah Webb</strong> (<em>10.0p, 4.5r</em>) stood out as a Freshman and looks to build on that in year-2. 5-6 Senior guard <strong>Sissy Davis</strong> (<em>3.6p</em>), 5-11 Sophomore post <strong>Monty Stewart-King</strong> (<em>2.1p, 3.6r</em>), 5-8 Sophomore wing <strong>Aries Odom</strong> (<em>1.7p, 3.0r in 13 games</em>), 5-8 Sophomore forward <strong>Hannah Goodrich</strong> (<em>1.1p in 15 games</em>), and 5-2 Sophomore guard <strong>Ja'anah Ware</strong> (<em>1.0p</em>) all saw action a year ago and look to have a bigger impact this time around. Also keep an eye on 5-0 Freshman point guard <strong>Mayzon Win</strong>. She is absolutely tiny, but she's a heady, crafty, and quick creator who loves to be in the gym.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->