Sectional Preview: Class 1A South
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The featured image is of Kiley Best Kiley Best 5'7" | SG South Decatur | 2025 IN (2025) of South Decatur High School. The regular season has concluded, and the state tournament begins soon. While brief, below is a look…
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Continue ReadingThe featured image is of Kiley Best Kiley Best 5'7" | SG South Decatur | 2025 IN (2025) of South Decatur High School.
The regular season has concluded, and the state tournament begins soon. While brief, below is a look at the eight Sectionals in Class 1A in the Southern half of the state. All statistics provided here have been pulled from each school’s MaxPreps page, so if your stats are not represented here, your team’s MaxPreps page has not been updated by your coach/school.
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Sectional #57 – Bloomfield
Favorites: Shakamak, North Central (Farmersburg)
Sleeper: White River Valley
Longshots: Bloomfield, Clay City, Bloomington Lighthouse, Dugger Union
Preview: Sectional #57 will likely come down to Shakamak (16-6) and North Central (14-10). The Lakers of Shakamak don’t have a Senior as part of their rotation, so they have a couple of years of runs in them. They play with great balance and use defense to help them win games. Juniors Ema Janouskova (9.1p) and Elayni Stone (9.0p, 3.7r, 3.4a, 3.4s) lead the Lakers into action. As for North Central, they aren’t shy about trying to outscore opponents. Juniors Jalyn Davidson Jalyn Davidson 5'10" | SG North Central | 2025 State IN (18.1p, 3.4r, 5.9a, 3.5s) and Shelby Seay (12.2p, 4.3r, 4.5a, 4.0s) team up with Senior Kimber Ladson (8.0p, 2.1r) in the Thunderbird backcourt. They put up points in a hurry and take a lot of 3-point shots as well. White River Valley is a darkhorse candidate, but it will take a lot for the Wolverines to overcome either of the aforementioned teams.
Our Pick: North Central (Farmersburg)
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Sectional #58 – Metropolitan
Heavy Favorite: Bethesda Christian
Sleeper: Deaf School of Indiana
Longshots: Indiana Math & Science, MTI School of Knowledge
Preview: Sectional #58 is all Bethesda’s to win or lose…it’s that simple. They have great Senior experience, the best player in the group, and they have postseason experience. Senior Kenzie Fulks Kenzie Fulks 5'7" | PG Bethesda Christian | 2024 State IN (19.0p, 3.7r, 5.2a, 3.8s) leads the Patriots into action for a final run and looks to complete a strong career with some titles. Fellow Seniors Sydney Goodin (12.3p, 6.0r, 2.3a) and Jayla Ferguson (8.8p, 7.4r) offer support to Fulks and seek a good end to their careers as well. If anyone has a slight chance to challenge Bethesda it’s likely the Indiana Deaf. Senior Sophia Wascher (19.7p, 9.9r, 3.7s) is an absolute weapon for the Orioles.
Our Pick: Bethesda Christian
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Sectional #59 – Eminence
Favorite: Eminence
Contender: Indianapolis Lutheran
Longshots: Greenwood Christian, Tindley Accelerated, Providence Cristo Rey
Preview: Eminence (16-7) fell to Indianapolis Lutheran (12-9) during the regular season; however, I feel like the Eels have more talent and the potential to make a longer run this postseason. Junior Sophia Saucerman Sophia Saucerman 6'1" | C Eminence | 2025 IN (14.5p, 5.9r) is a matchup problem and leads the Eels into action. From there, it’s a large Senior class. Natalie Hubbard Natalie Hubbard 5'9" | SF Eminence | 2024 IN (11.2p, 6.9r, 2.6a, 2.8s), Bella Dittemore (8.9p, 2.3r, 2.4s), and Danica Myers (8.3p, 5.6r, 4.9a, 2.8s) are all multiyear regulars for Eminence and each stand out in their own way. The Lutheran Saints have a couple of nice Seniors of their own in Grace King (17.0p, 10.4r, 2.6a, 3.7s) and Caitlyn Brooks (12.3p, 2.9r, 2.2a, 3.1s). Freshman Maddux Tindall (6.4p, 3.2r, 2.8s) made some noise this year for the Saints as well.
Our Pick: Eminence
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Sectional #60 – Southwestern (Shelbyville)
Favorite: Jac-Cen-Del
Contender: Oldenburg Academy
Sleeper: South Decatur
Longshots: Waldron, Morristown, Southwestern (Shelbyville), Edinburgh
Preview: JCD (18-5) lost a close one to South Decatur back around Thanksgiving, but they have greatly improved since then. The three-headed monster of Seniors Julia Meyer Julia Meyer 5'10" | SF Jac-Cen-Del | 2024 State IN (14.4p, 8.4r, 2.1a) and Reagan Hughes Reagan Hughes 5'8" | SG Jac-Cen-Del | 2024 IN (12.7p, 2.9r, 2.1s), plus Junior Kelsey Borgman (9.8p, 3.6r, 2.3a) give the Eagles the hope they can make another deep playoff run in 2024. Oldenburg (17-4) has had a nice season as well, and they are riding a 7-game winning streak into the state tournament. Seniors Kate Weber and Ellie Ryan are joined by productive Sophomore Rachel Suttmann Rachel Suttmann 6'0" | PF Oldenburg Academy | 2026 IN and talented Freshman Ali Nobbe. As for South Decatur (13-10), the Cougars lean on a pair of nice Juniors in Makayla Somers (11.8p, 9.0r) and Kiley Best Kiley Best 5'7" | SG South Decatur | 2025 IN (10.8p, 2.7r). If they can get hot, they can sneak out of Sectional #60 with a title.
Our Pick: Jac-Cen-Del
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Sectional #61 – West Washington
Favorite: Lanesville
Contender: Borden
Longshots: West Washington, Rock Creek, South Central (Elizabeth), Christian Academy of Indiana
Preview: Lanesville (22-1) was the 2023 Class 1A State Champion, and though they graduated some key pieces, they were incredibly deep with younger talent as well. Junior Hadley Crosier Hadley Crosier 5'9" | CG Lanesville | 2025 State IN (15.2p, 5.0r, 4.1a, 4.2s), Senior Ava Kerr (10.6p, 5.1r, 2.7a, 2.7s), Junior Shelby Allen Shelby Allen 6'3" | C Lanesville | 2025 IN (10.4p, 5.9r), and Junior Hylton Brumley Hylton Brumley 5'8" | SF Lanesville | 2025 IN (9.1p, 3.0r, 2.1a) have been Varsity regulars for the last couple of seasons, so there likely isn’t going to be much that will rattle them. With a tremendous 2026 class, Borden is built for the future, but they are good right now, too. They lost to Lanesville by a bucket earlier this year, and they’ll look to use their youthful talent to win the Sectional #61 title this year. Sophomores Ava Wheeler Ava Wheeler 6'0" | PF Borden | 2026 State IN , Riley Rarick Riley Rarick 6'0" | CG Borden | 2026 State IN , A.J. Mallad A.J. Mallad 5'6" | CG Borden | 2026 IN , and Emma Hart Emma Hart 5'10" | PF Borden | 2026 IN can all have big games at any time. Wheeler and Rarick are drawing Division-I interest.
Our Pick: Lanesville
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Sectional #62 – New Washington
Favorite: Trinity Lutheran
Contenders: New Washington, Rising Sun
Sleeper: Shawe Memorial
Longshots: Crothersville, Medora
Preview: Trinity Lutheran (11-11) graduated maybe the best player in program history, yet they come back as the favorite once again with a 4-0 record against the field. Now, attention turns to Junior Madison Keith (15.3p, 12.0r, 2.8s), Freshman Marley Warren Marley Warren 5'5" | PG Trinity Lutheran | 2027 IN (14.1p, 4.3r, 2.0a), Senior Liza Froedge Liza Froedge 5'10" | SF Trinity Lutheran | 2024 IN (11.7p, 4.0r), and Junior Jordan Brewer (8.6p, 2.3r). Despite their overall record, that group is capable of advancing well-beyond the Sectional. There are some contenders, however. New Washington has a pair of capable Seniors in Kaidin James Kaidin James 5'8" | SF New Washington | 2024 IN and Sami Mattingly. Rising Sun turns to two Seniors as well in Alyssa Simpson (16.9p, 12.1r) and Jenna Peelman (9.4p, 5.6r, 2.0a, 3.0s) for their success. Shawe Memorial could be a nice darkhorse themselves, as they boast versatile and skilled Junior Ava Turner Ava Turner 6'0" | SF Shawe Memorial | 2025 State IN . Sophomore guards Hunter Mote Hunter Mote 5'6" | PG Shawe Memorial | 2026 State IN and Audrey Barron Audrey Barron 5'7" | SG Shawe Memorial | 2026 IN have talent but have struggled off and on with injuries.
Our Pick: Trinity Lutheran
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Sectional #63 – Barr-Reeve
Favorites: Springs Valley, Orleans
Contender: Vincennes Rivet
Sleeper: Barr-Reeve
Longshots: Loogootee, Shoals, Washington Catholic
Preview: Springs Valley (20-4) put together an outstanding record, but they did have close games against Orleans and Rivet. Still, though, they are a favorite here in Sectional #63. Sophomores Maddie Carnes Maddie Carnes 5'10" | SF Springs Valley | 2026 State IN and Maci Eckerty Maci Eckerty 5'4" | PG Springs Valley | 2026 IN are a big part of the Blackhawks’ success, and they still have two seasons left after this. Senior Bella Nottger contributes quite a bit as well for Springs Valley. Orleans (19-3) is also talented and somewhat young, as Sophomore Callie Alston Callie Alston 5'10" | PF Orleans | 2026 IN (13.3p, 5.0r, 2.0a, 2.8s) paces the Bulldogs. Freshman Chelsea Ralph (10.0p, 5.0r) had a promising first season for Orleans. Rivet (12-11) has a history of success in their program, and they typically play a bit stronger schedule than most of the Sectional #63 field. 6-3 Junior post Mary Herman Mary Herman 6'3" | C Vincennes Rivet | 2025 State IN and 6-0 Sophomore sister Claudia Herman cause size and skill issues for opponents. Junior Elexus Frey Elexus Frey 5'7" | SG Vincennes Rivet | 2025 IN is a talented guard, and Freshman Alli Stearns flashes a lot of promise. Barr-Reeve (10-12) is under .500 this season, but they have the potential to beat anyone in Sectional #63. Junior front-liner Hannah Bledsoe Hannah Bledsoe 6'0" | PF Barr-Reeve | 2025 State IN (10.3p, 8.5r, 2.5b) is a presence in the paint, while Senior Willow Thompson (6.2p, 3.1r, 2.4a) provides experience around the perimeter.
Our Pick: Springs Valley
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Sectional #64 – Wood Memorial
Favorite: Wood Memorial
Contenders: Tecumseh, Northeast Dubois
Sleeper: Evansville Christian
Longshot: Cannelton
Preview: Wood Memorial (12-10) surprised some people and won the Sectional a season ago. I like them again this year. Senior Josie Page is joined in the lineup by several talented Sophomores and Freshmen. Junior Katie Sevier adds at least one more upperclassman presence to the squad. Tecumseh (14-10) beat Wood Memorial in the regular season by a mere 3 points. They turn to Senior Jenna Donohoo Jenna Donohoo 5'10" | PF Tecumseh | 2024 IN (14.1p) for leadership, while Juniors Alena Holder (11.0p) and Katelyn Marx (10.2p) are also capable scorers for the Braves. Northeast Dubois could surprise some people, and they’ll likely do it with strong defensive performances. Juniors Emmersen Kalb (9.8p, 3.3r) and Lyllee Schnell (9.0p, 9.9r, 2.1b) have significant postseason experience from the past. Senior Macey Harrison (8.5p, 3.0r) has had a nice year as well. Evansville Christian is still a young IHSAA program, but they’ve become competitive the last couple of seasons. A strong Sophomore trio of Peyton Geer (8.2p, 3.0a, 3.2s), Bella Hall (8.2p, 7.1r, 2.3s), and Hannah Higgs (8.1p, 2.7r, 2.4a, 2.6s) give the Eagles a lot of hope for the future.
Our Pick: Wood Memorial