Season Preview: Class 4A, Sectional #6
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The featured image is of Gabby Helsom Gabby Helsom 5'11" | PF Homestead | 2026 State IN (2026) of Homestead 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 Gabby Helsom Gabby Helsom 5'11" | PF Homestead | 2026 State IN (2026) of Homestead 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 #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.
(SAG = Final 2022-2023 Multiclass Sagarin Rating (395 teams); SOS = Final 2022-2023 Strength of Schedule)
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Sectional #6
Homestead (19-6), SAG 8, SOS 16
Columbia City (20-3), SAG 10, SOS 28
Huntington North (19-5), SAG 33, SOS 55
Fort Wayne Wayne (15-8), SAG 124, SOS 207
Fort Wayne South Side (2-18), SAG 301, SOS 42
New Haven (3-19), SAG 306, SOS 172
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 Myah Epps Myah Epps 5'10" | CG Homestead | 2026 State IN (12.0p, 4.6r, 3.0a). Unfortunately, Senior wing Emma Reust Emma Reust 5'9" | SG Homestead | 2024 State IN (8.2p, 5.4r, 4.3a, 2.9s) injured her knee during the Summer, and she will likely miss the entire season. They Spartans will also be without graduates Alison Stephens (15.0p, 6.0r), Molly Stock (8.7p, 2.3r, 2.0a), and Evie Bottoms. Additionally, 6-2 Junior post Layla Williams Layla Williams 6'3" | C Fort Wayne Wayne | 2025 State IN transferred to Wayne High School, while 6-0 Junior post Saniah Sandlin Saniah Sandlin 6'0" | C Fort Wayne Snider | 2025 IN transferred to Snider High School. Back looking for bigger roles are 5-11 forward Gabby Helsom Gabby Helsom 5'11" | PF Homestead | 2026 State IN (5.6p, 4.6r), 5-9 wing Whitney Ankenbruck-Shooting Guard Whitney Ankenbruck-Shooting Guard 5'9" | SF Homestead | 2026 State IN (3.0p), 5-7 guard Carley Moellering Carley Moellering 5'9" | PG Homestead | 2026 State IN , and 5-7 wing Kendall McLaughlin Kendall McLaughlin 5'7" | SG Homestead | 2026 IN , 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 Addison Baxter Addison Baxter 5'9" | PG Columbia City | 2025 State IN (18.4p, 6.9r, 4.7a, 3.7s) plays both the role of scorer and table-setter for this group. 5-7 Senior guard Kyndra Sheets Kyndra Sheets 5'6" | PG Columbia City | 2024 State IN (14.0p, 3.1r, 3.4a, 2.3s) is also a capable shooter/scorer or facilitator. 5-6 Senior guard Tessa Tonkel Tessa Tonkel 5'6" | CG Columbia City | 2024 IN (7.3p, 2.0r, 2.7a) is an energy-giving combo guard who always makes plays. 5-8 Sophomore guard Anisa Tonkel Anisa Tonkel 5'8" | SG Columbia City | 2026 IN and 5-7 Senior wing Faith Frey Faith Frey 5'6" | SG Columbia City | 2024 IN 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 Molly Baker Molly Baker 5'10" | PF Columbia City | 2024 State IN (12.4p, 5.8r) 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 Taylor Double (16.6p, 6.0r, 2.9a, 2.4s) 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 Marissa Trout Marissa Trout 5'10" | SF Huntington North | 2025 State IN (10.6p, 4.0r, 2.4a) and 5-7 Senior guard Gracie Fields Gracie Fields 5'7" | SG Huntington North | 2024 IN (10.2p, 4.3r, 2.1a) were both double-figure scorers last season and look to improve on those numbers. 5-7 Junior guard Haiden Bailey Haiden Bailey 5'7" | CG Huntington North | 2025 IN (6.0p, 2.3r, 2.5a), 5-6 Junior guard Leah Hertel (3.7p, 2.5r, 2.3a), and 5-9 Senior forward Elle McDonald (1.8p) all saw significant minutes a year ago and look to start this season. Also keep an eye out for 5-4 Freshman guard Harper Bailey Harper Bailey 5'4" | SG Huntington North | 2027 IN , who could see her number called early this season.
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 Aniah Hill (10.4p, 6.0r, 3.8a, 3.7s) and Shabrea O’Quinn (10.2p, 6.6r), both graduates, plus Emilia Diaz (7.0p, 2.6r, 3.2a, 2.4s) also left via the diploma. The Generals do welcome back versatile 5-8 Senior combo guard Sydney Gorman Sydney Gorman 5'8" | SG Fort Wayne Wayne | 2024 State IN (9.8p) and athletic, defensive-minded 5-8 Senior forward Khalise Collins Khalise Collins 5'9" | PF Fort Wayne Wayne | 2024 IN (8.6p, 5.0r). Both look to lead Wayne statistically this season. Junior twin forwards Tanea Hairston (7.5p, 4.1r) and Tani Hairston (4.5p, 3.5r) also return, and they both bring physicality plus mid-post skill to the floor. 5-3 Senior guard Mariah Luna (2.4p) 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 Layla Williams Layla Williams 6'3" | C Fort Wayne Wayne | 2025 State IN , 5-8 Freshman guard Davianna Irons Davianna Irons 5'8" | SG Fort Wayne Wayne | 2027 IN , and 5-3 Freshman guard Braleah King. 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 Justice Billingsley was a big part of what they did. 5-3 Junior guard Kamoni Grayson Kamoni Grayson 5'5" | PG Fort Wayne South Side | 2025 IN 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 Ga’Naysia White is a nice run-and-jump athlete who can play inside the arc. 6-0 Junior post Lai’Lonie Waller-Thomas is a big, strong, powerful post presence who continues to improve week to week. Junior post JaMaya Green, 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 Samantha Goodrich (2.3p, 3.4r) eligible to return, there is the possibility of them improving over last season. 5-7 Senior guard Janiya Johnson Janiya Johnson 5'7" | SG New Haven | 2024 State IN (13.0p, 4.7r, 2.7s) is a ball of energy who possesses athletic talent and a great motor. 5-7 Sophomore guard A’lanah Webb (10.0p, 4.5r) stood out as a Freshman and looks to build on that in year-2. 5-6 Senior guard Sissy Davis (3.6p), 5-11 Sophomore post Monty Stewart-King (2.1p, 3.6r), 5-8 Sophomore wing Aries Odom (1.7p, 3.0r in 13 games), 5-8 Sophomore forward Hannah Goodrich (1.1p in 15 games), and 5-2 Sophomore guard Ja’anah Ware (1.0p) 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 Mayzon Win. She is absolutely tiny, but she’s a heady, crafty, and quick creator who loves to be in the gym.