Season Preview: Class 4A, Sectional #9

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='368870' first='Amyannah' last='Tucker'] (2025) of Richmond 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 #9 in Class 4A, which feeds into one of the Southern Regionals. Below is a look at the teams in Sectional #9, 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 #9</font></strong><br>Pendleton Heights (15-10), SAG 42, SOS 31<br>Mt. Vernon (Fortville) (19-7), SAG 58, SOS 53<br>New Palestine (13-12), SAG 126, SOS 77<br>Greenfield-Central (14-10), SAG 171, SOS 101<br>Anderson (8-15), SAG 219, SOS 122<br>Richmond (6-16), SAG 263, SOS 193<br>Muncie Central (5-17), SAG 302, SOS 141</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mount Vernon won yet another Sectional title, and they will look to do it again in 2023-2024. While they did graduate a couple of players, most missed will be the always energetic <strong>Khloe Patterson</strong> (<em>7.5p, 7.3r, 3.8a, 2.5s</em>). The Marauders do return a nice piece in 6-3 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='177344' first='Ellery' last='Minch']</strong> (<em>16.4p, 5.3r</em>). The Indiana Junior All-Star has good height and length, touch outside with range, plus some ball-handling ability. 5-9 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='425632' first='Kanyonrae' last='Kenny']</strong> (<em>8.1p, 3.9r, 2.0a, 2.4s</em>) grew as a player throughout her Junior year and could be a problem moving forward. 5-10 forward <strong>Easton Wampler</strong> (<em>6.8p, 2.6r, 2.2s</em>) and 5-5 wing <strong>Kaitlyn Laffey</strong> (<em>5.3p, 2.0r</em>) add Senior experience to the lineup, while 5-6 Junior guard <strong>Reagan Britt</strong> (<em>1.1p</em>) also saw quality minutes last season. Mount Vernon won't play much deeper than their starting rotation, but look for 5-4 Freshman point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1223008' first='Gabby' last='Thomas']</strong> to potentially get an early look this season. The Arabians of Pendleton Heights should be a team to watch in 2023-2024. They do say "goodbye" to graduates <strong>Whitney Warfel</strong> (<em>14.8p, 6.4r</em>), <strong>Berkley Shelton</strong> (<em>7.0p, 7.8r</em>), <strong>Ava Phillips</strong> (<em>2.0p, 2.0r</em>), and <strong>Tra'Mya Herndon</strong> (<em>1.1p</em>), so they will need to figure out production responsibilities along the frontline. However, the Arabians welcome back a real talent in 5-9 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295797' first='Kaycie' last='Warfel']</strong> (<em>20.2p, 4.5r, 2.4a, 4.0s</em>), who is extremely fast, bouncy, and effortful. Additionally, 5-8 Sophomore wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486495' first='Olivia' last='Jones']</strong> (<em>4.5p, 3.0r, 2.3a</em>) returns after a solid rookie campaign, and she should be even more impactful this time around. As for the interior, look for 6-2 Freshman post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='750718' first='Adah' last='Hupfer']</strong> to play a major role upfront. She has good size and strength for her age, great hands, solid footwork, and the ability to knock down a jump-shot. 5-3 Senior guard <strong>Skylar Baldwin</strong> (<em>2.3p, 2.9r, 2.8s</em>), 5-8 Junior wing <strong>Makayla Morrison</strong> (<em>1.1p</em>), 5-7 Junior guard <strong>Emma Roberts</strong>, 5-6 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486475' first='Mamie' last='Trout']</strong> (<em>1.0p</em>), and 5-7 Freshman guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1006203' first='Aubree' last='Warfel']</strong> look to fill in the remaining roles and add depth to a team that should contend for the Sectional #9 crown. New Palestine only lost one player to graduation, but unfortunately that was one of their best players in program history in point guard <strong>Isabella Gizzi</strong> (<em>23.7p, 5.8r, 2.0a, 2.6s</em>). She will definitely be missed on the ball, but the fact that the next four scorers all return is a sign for optimism. Unfortunately, Junior <strong>Tylar Whitaker</strong> (<em>2.3p, 2.3r</em>) did not return. Back to lead the Lady Dragons this time are 5-5 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='825990' first='Vivian' last='Miller']</strong> (<em>9.5p, 2.3r, 2.6a</em>) and 5-6 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='825997' first='Allie' last='Blum']</strong> (<em>8.3p, 6.2r, 2.6s</em>). 5-9 Sophomore post <strong>Sadey Hughbanks</strong> (<em>4.1p, 4.1r</em>) saw plenty of action as a Freshman, while 5-6 Junior guard <strong>Kylee Beranek</strong> (<em>2.6p, 2.1r</em>) and 5-6 Senior guard <strong>Ella Holman</strong> each made their way into 20 or more games a season ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greenfield-Central is a fourth team in Sectional #9 who posted a winning record in 2022-2023. While <strong>Aryana Hibbard</strong> (<em>9.8p, 3.3r, 2.0s</em>), <strong>Kammi Anderson</strong> (<em>3.3p, 2.6r</em>), and <strong>Taylor Smith</strong> (<em>1.5p</em>) are all gone due to graduation, they welcome back a great deal of experience and welcome in a significant transfer. 5-9 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324066' first='Chaney' last='Brown']</strong> (<em>14.3p, 6.0r, 2.3s</em>) returns to the lineup as the top Cougar once again, and her versatility really helps the rest of her teammates. 5-4 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='511387' first='Brooklyn' last='McConnell']</strong> (<em>7.9p, 2.2r</em>) is also back, and she provides a nice perimeter scoring threat. Juniors <strong>Jalyn Smith</strong> (<em>2.3p, 2.5r</em>), <strong>Addi Herrin</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='496015' first='Emma' last='Nelson']</strong> could also all find roles this time around. 5-6 Freshman guard <strong>Izzy Silcox</strong> has some ability and should see immediate playing time, but the biggest addition is 6-0 Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570373' first='Madison' last='Sonsini']</strong> (<em>14.4p, 4.8r, 2.0a</em>), a versatile inside-out player who transferred in from Sectional rival Richmond. Anderson tends to be a second half team, and they will look to post 10 wins this season and possibly a winning record. They did lose some nice role players in <strong>Makhile McWilliams</strong> (<em>7.7p, 5.1r</em>), <strong>Zoe Allen</strong> (<em>7.0p, 2.4r, 3.2s</em>), and <strong>Payton Sargent</strong> (<em>4.0p, 2.7r</em>) to graduation. Returning, however, is 5-7 Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331796' first='Jacelyn' last='Starks']</strong> (<em>14.4p, 2.9r, 2.0s</em>), a very good perimeter shooter and versatile guard. 5-5 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1005020' first='Kennedy' last='Brown']</strong> (<em>7.7p</em>) is a really nice athlete who also returns to the backcourt. 5-8 Sophomore forward <strong>Jamyia Foster</strong> (<em>2.5p, 2.0r</em>) saw a little action as a Freshman, and 5-2 Senior guard <strong>Talaysha Simonds</strong> (<em>1.4p</em>) also competed in 17 games a year ago. Look for a solid 2027 class led by forwards <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751300' first='Ariah' last='Scott']</strong> and <strong>Cambre'anna Austin</strong> to help contribute to the frontcourt. But the biggest addition should be the transfer of 5-6 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='572807' first='Gabby' last='Douglass']</strong> (<em>13.5p, 5.0r, 2.3a, 3.5s</em>), who enters from Muncie Central and adds a great deal of athletic talent. Richmond is another team who will look to win double figure games in 2023-2024. As mentioned above, they will have to do so without Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570373' first='Madison' last='Sonsini']</strong>, who is now at Greenfield-Central. Still, though, there are several nice pieces to consider. A strong 2025 class should lead the way once again for the Red Devils. 6-1 Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='689532' first='Maren' last='Bolser']</strong> (<em>7.3p, 3.7r</em>) showed flashes last season and has the height to play inside and touch to shoot it outside. 5-6 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331786' first='Kiarra' last='Handley']</strong> (<em>3.5p</em>) is a playmaker who can score it, while 5-8 Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='430240' first='Amari' last='Jackson']</strong> (<em>3.1p, 2.9r</em>) is an athletic rebounder and defender. Wing <strong>Cami Turpin</strong> (<em>2.0p, 4.8r, 2.1s</em>) is another Junior who saw action. Also keep an eye on 5-9 Sophomore wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800607' first='Jade' last='Marie Diamond']</strong>. Her action was limited a year ago, but she flashed nice potential throughout the Summer. The Red Devils should also be helped by a nice transfer addition, as 5-6 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='368870' first='Amyannah' last='Tucker']</strong> comes to them from Ohio and could lead them in scoring this year. Also, 5-11 Freshman forward <strong>Sophie Reising</strong> could play sooner rather than later. As mentioned above, Muncie Central must deal with the loss of last year's top playmaker in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='572807' first='Gabby' last='Douglass']</strong>, now suiting up for Anderson. That will make it much more difficult to score this time around. Senior wing <strong>Katie White</strong> (<em>5.2p, 3.3r</em>) and Senior guard <strong>Taj Isom</strong> (<em>4.8p, 4.2r</em>) bring back the most experience, so they will absolutely need to step into more significant roles. Senior guard <strong>Alaija Douglass</strong> (<em>1.9p</em>) adds additional Senior depth. Sophomore guard <strong>Kadence Smith</strong> (<em>4.4p in 11 games</em>) saw a little time a year ago and can help, and of the Freshmen, wing <strong>Kayla Roberson</strong> looks like she could help the most early on this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->