Season Preview: Class 4A, Sectional #8
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The featured image is of Kennedy Holman Kennedy Holman 5'8" | PG Hamilton Southeastern | 2026 State IN (2026) of Hamilton Southeastern 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 Kennedy Holman Kennedy Holman 5'8" | PG Hamilton Southeastern | 2026 State IN (2026) of Hamilton Southeastern 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 #8 in Class 4A, which feeds into one of the Northern Regionals. Below is a look at the teams in Sectional #8, 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 #8
Hamilton Southeastern (21-3), SAG 3, SOS 4
Fishers (26-3), SAG 4, SOS 3
Noblesville (21-4), SAG 5, SOS 1
Zionsville Community (20-3), SAG 6, SOS 5
Westfield (12-11), SAG 30, SOS 9
Carmel (4-19), SAG 61, SOS 2
Sectional #8 always seems to be loaded with talent and strong teams, and this year should be no different. Any team can beat any other team on any given night, and they foreseeably could all make tournament runs. The Fishers Tigers were the Class 4A State Runner-Up in 2023, falling to Bedford North Lawrence. While the Tigers suffered some significant graduation losses, they do still welcome back quite a bit of talent. Gone via the diploma are Hailey Smith (11.9p, 7.0r, 2.7a), Olivia Smith (10.4p, 3.7r, 2.4a), Alycia Triplett (7.1p, 5.3r), and Karina Scott (2.6p). Additionally, Junior wing Ava.Carter (2.9p) opted not to return to basketball this season. Indiana Junior All-Star Talia Harris Talia Harris 5'8" | PG Fishers | 2024 State IN (9.5p, 4.3r, 2.1a, 2.2s), a 5-8 Senior point guard, plus 5-4 Senior guard Joirdyn Smith Joirdyn Smith 5'4" | CG Fishers | 2024 State IN (7.2p), are returning starters for Fishers. 6-1 Senior forward Kate Thomas Kate Thomas 6'1" | PF Fishers | 2024 State IN (4.0p, 3.3r) and 5-10 Junior wing Allison Scheu Allison Scheu 5'10" | SG Fishers | 2025 State IN (2.8p) were key substitutes in their playoff run a season ago. 6-0 Junior forward Nevaeh Dickman Nevaeh Dickman 6'0" | PF Fishers | 2025 State IN (1.5p in 17 games) and 6-0 Senior wing Morgan Roberts Morgan Roberts 6'0" | SF Fishers | 2024 State IN (1.3p in 16 games) saw limited action but will be counted on for much greater production this year. Also look for 5-9 Freshman forward Alanna Anthony Alanna Anthony 5'10" | SF Fishers | 2027 State IN and 5-5 Junior guard Olivia Brookshire to work their way into the rotation at some point this season. The Royals of Hamilton Southeastern were about as deep with talent as any team in Sectional #8, so despite suffering some major graduation losses of their own, they just replace talent with younger talent this season. Gone from the 2022-2023 roster are Indiana All-Star Riley Makalusky (19.9p, 3.9r), Indiana All-Star Olivia Brown (6.9p, 5.0r, 7.5a, 3.7s), Teegan Acres (5.1p, 5.8r, 2.3a), Lauren Stewart (4.1p), Olivia White, and Charity Beal. Unfortunately, high-motor Junior forward Maine Hooks Maine Hooks 5'8" | SF Hamilton Southeastern | 2025 IN (0.9p) will miss the season after suffering a knee injury, and Sophomore guard Blair Satterfield Blair Satterfield 5'7" | PG Hamilton Southeastern | 2026 IN (0.7p in 9 games) is no longer playing. Still, though, there is a nice nucleus that can beat anyone in the state if shots are falling. 6-3 Junior wing Maya Makalusky Maya Makalusky 6'3" | SF Hamilton Southeastern | 2025 State IN (15.4p, 3.9r) now takes the leadership reins from her older sister. The younger Makalusky can score it from all over. 5-8 Sophomore Kennedy Holman Kennedy Holman 5'8" | PG Hamilton Southeastern | 2026 State IN (6.1p, 4.0r, 2.8a) now handles full-time point guard duties with the graduation of Brown, while 6-0 Sophomore forward Kayla Stidham Kayla Stidham 6'0" | SF Hamilton Southeastern | 2026 State IN (2.8p) should slide into the starting lineup and be a big-time scorer moving forward. 5-10 Junior forward Addison Van Hoesen Addison Van Hoesen 5'11" | PF Hamilton Southeastern | 2025 IN (0.2p in 10 games) and 5-4 Junior guard Kayla Brinley (0.8p in 10 games) could be next up for starting consideration after playing sparingly last season. 5-5 Sophomore guard Antonette Green Antonette Green 5'5" | PG Hamilton Southeastern | 2026 IN , 5-10 Junior forward Kenley Johnson, and 5-10 Senior wing Zoe Lawless Zoe Lawless 5'10" | SF Hamilton Southeastern | 2024 IN also compete to be a part of the Royal rotation in 2023-2024.
Noblesville unfortunately drew Fishers in their first Sectional game last season, providing a double overtime thriller, before losing 67-64. This year, the Millers should still be a strong opponent for most teams, but they must deal with the graduation losses of Kaitlyn Shoemaker (7.7p, 2.8r, 2.5a, 2.4s), Dani Mendez (5.8p, 4.8r), Brooklyn Ely (3.0p), Brooklyn Smitherman, and Carly Motz. Shoemaker, Mendez, and Ely were staples in the lineup over the years. The Millers do welcome back one of the state’s best backcourts in 5-7 Senior guard Reagan Wilson Reagan Wilson 5'7" | PG Noblesville | 2024 State IN (16.9p, 3.2r, 4.0a, 3.4s) and 5-10 Junior guard Meredith Tippner Meredith Tippner 5'10" | SG Noblesville | 2025 State IN (17.6p, 9.2r, 3.0a, 2.6s). Both are skillful, tough-nosed, high-motor players who can take over games. Wilson was an Indiana Junior All-Star after last season. 5-9 Senior wing Ava Shoemaker Ava Shoemaker 5'9" | SF Noblesville | 2024 State IN (8.7p, 2.9r, 2.0s) has really improved her skill and could break out this season. 6-2 Sophomore post C.C. Quigley C.C. Quigley 6'3" | C Noblesville | 2026 State IN (1.6p, 2.4r) saw more opportunity late last season, and she could start and also break out this time around. 5-7 Junior guard Kate Rollins (1.7p), 5-9 Sophomore guard Ally Hutchinson, and 5-5 Junior guard Brookelyn Grayson will likely be called upon next to fill depth roles. The Zionsville Eagles had a great season in 2022-2023, which included seeing Laila Hull (22.4p, 8.3r, 2.1a, 2.4s) earn the coveted 2023 Indiana Miss Basketball distinction. Now, they must play without the 6-1 Hull, 6-0 Jordyn Coleman (6.5p, 5.3r), and 6-0 Mallory Heerdt (4.4p, 4.0r, 2.3a)…all graduates. But the Eagles played a tight knit group of six last season, and the Senior trio of 5-8 Emma Haan Emma Haan 5'8" | SG Zionsville | 2024 State IN (10.4p, 2.8r, 2.1a), 5-11 Allison Caldwell Allison Caldwell 5'11" | SG Zionsville | 2024 State IN (9.6p, 3.0r, 3.1a), and 5-4 Faith Leedy Faith Leedy 5'4" | PG Zionsville | 2024 State IN (5.3p, 4.6r, 2.2a, 2.0s) return to the backcourt for the fourth year of Varsity action. Haan plays with as high of a motor as anyone in the state, Caldwell is a smooth and versatile wing, while Leedy brings a nice toughness to the point. Those three are more than capable of leading this team to several victories this season. 5-8 Freshman guard McKenzie Chapman McKenzie Chapman 5'8" | CG Zionsville | 2027 State IN brings that same type of motor and toughness and should be able to slide right into that group rather seamlessly. Up front is where there are questions, but there isn’t a lack of size. 6-3 Senior post Brooke Karesh Brooke Karesh 6'3" | C Zionsville | 2024 IN looks for her opportunity to step up, as does 6-1 Junior forward/post Caroline Sampson Caroline Sampson 6'1" | C Zionsville | 2025 IN . Between the two of them, they should be able to control the boards. Junior guards Macey Ring and Lydia Smith, plus 6-0 forward Emily Zack Emily Zack 6'0" | PF Zionsville Community | 2027 IN , 5-9 forward Emma Tinder, and 5-7 guard Sammie Kulwicki, all Freshmen, look to make their mark at some point.
The Westfield Shamrocks were on the “right” side of .500 once again in 2022-2023, but this time around they look to compete for a Sectional #8 title. While the Spring graduation took away three players, most notably Emmrey Collinsworth (5.7p, 2.0r), the ‘Rocks return nearly all of their production. 5-9 Senior guard Elizabeth Kelleher Elizabeth Kelleher 5'10" | PG Westfield | 2024 State IN (11.5p, 4.7r, 3.2a) is an athletic and dynamic scoring threat who can take care of the ball. 5-9 Junior wing Lindsey Van Dyke Lindsey Van Dyke 5'9" | SG Westfield | 2025 State IN (6.6p, 3.0r), 5-9 Junior guard Aubrey Crockett Aubrey Crockett 5'9" | CG Westfield | 2025 State IN (6.4p, 5.1r, 2.3a), and 5-6 Senior wing Reagan Lorenzen Reagan Lorenzen 5'6" | SF Westfield | 2024 IN (3.9p, 2.4r) also return to the backcourt. Van Dyke brings toughness and skill, Crockett is smooth and fluid, while Lorenzen is a capable perimeter shooter. 6-1 Senior forward Kiarra Loveless Kiarra Loveless 6'1" | PF Westfield | 2024 State IN (3.5p, 3.6r) also returns to the frontcourt with multiple years of Varsity experience. She brings a nice inside-out versatility. From there, look for 5-8 Sophomore guard MaKayla Hatcher MaKayla Hatcher 5'8" | SG Westfield | 2026 IN , 5-4 Junior guard Meg Hamilton, and 6-2 Junior post Sam Price Sam Price 6'2" | C Westfield | 2025 IN to find ways to contribute this season as well. Juniors Madeline Linville and Mia Crask, plus Sophomore Katherine Roh Katherine Roh 5'2" | PG Westfield | 2026 IN , all look to work their way into some minutes at some point this year. Last but not least are the Carmel Greyhounds. They have a new coach at the helm, and if they can stay reasonably healthy, they have the talent and skill to compete with anyone in this Sectional #8 field. While the Greyhounds said “goodbye” to graduated wing Hannah Lach (8.1p, 4.5r), they welcome back a great deal more. 5-5 Junior guard Isabelle Shepherd Isabelle Shepherd 5'5" | CG Carmel | 2025 State IN (11.0p, in 14 games) got off to a hot start last season before injuring her knee and missing significant time. She is back and should be close to 100% almost immediately. 5-7 Junior guard Taryn Fisher Taryn Fisher 5'7" | PG Carmel | 2025 State IN (5.1p, 3.7r in 16 games), 5-10 Senior wing Ava Carter Ava Carter 5'10" | SF Carmel | 2024 State IN (4.8p in 5 games), and 6-2 Junior wing Lauren Perry Lauren Perry 6'3" | SF Carmel | 2025 State IN (4.8p, 2.1r in 14 games) also each dealt with their own nagging injuries throughout the 2022-2023 season, and each hopes to maintain their health this year. Fisher is an athletic guard, while Carter and Perry can make shots outside. That allowed 5-9 Junior guard Mallory Bourquein Mallory Bourquein 5'9" | SG Carmel | 2025 State IN (6.9p, 2.0r) and 5-7 Junior guard Mackenzie Woods Mackenzie Woods 5'8" | PG Carmel | 2025 State IN (6.8p, 4.0r, 2.6a) to step up as Sophomores, though Bourquein is injured and will miss this season, unfortunately. 5-8 Junior wing Jamie Elliott Jamie Elliott 5'9" | SF Carmel | 2024 IN (4.5p, 2.0r), 5-10 Junior forward Rilee McBride Rilee McBride 5'10" | PF Carmel | 2025 IN (3.5p in 13 games), 5-8 Senior guard Keaton Gatlin Keaton Gatlin 5'8" | SG Carmel | 2024 IN (2.3p), and 5-10 Senior forward Brooke Thoren Brooke Thoren 5'10" | PF Carmel | 2024 IN (1.0p) also return to the roster with at least some Varsity experience. 5-10 forward Sydney Bonds Sydney Bonds 5'10" | SF Carmel | 2026 IN is a Sophomore who could see some action this year as well.