Sectional Preview: Class 2A North

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='326491' first='Kayla' last='Wilkerson'] (2024) of Lake Station's Thomas A. Edison High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The regular season has concluded, and the state tournament begins soon. While brief, below is a look at the eight Sectionals in Class 2A in the Northern 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #33 - Lake Station Edison</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Favorite:</strong> Andrean<br><strong>Contender:</strong> Lake Station Edison<br><strong>Sleeper:</strong> Illiana Christian<br><strong>Longshots:</strong> Thea Bowman, Whiting, North Newton, Gary Lighthouse CPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preview:</strong> This isn't an overly strong Sectional from top to bottom, and Andrean has only played one of these teams...Lake Station...whom they beat, 48-25, about two weeks ago. The 59ers began the season 3-8 following major graduation losses, but they righted the ship and finished 7-6 the rest of the way. The Junior duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='626935' first='Maddie' last='Walton']</strong> (<em>11.6p, 6.4r</em>) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295810' first='Lindsay' last='Arcella']</strong> (<em>10.1p, 4.5r, 2.3s</em>) lead the way for Andrean, but make no mistake, this is a team who knows how to grind out defensive victories. Lake Station is the next most talented team here, and they hope to get another shot at the 59ers. The Fighting Eagles graduated their top two scorers as well, but they boast a Senior trio of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='326491' first='Kayla' last='Wilkerson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='455941' first='Aniah' last='Lewis']</strong>, and <strong>Nevaeh Mosley</strong> who can speed games up in transition. Illiana Christian is probably a longshot at this point, but Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122788' first='Abbie' last='Ritzema']</strong> (<em>14.5p, 4.6r, 3.0a, 4.0s</em>) and Senior <strong>Cheyenne DeJong</strong> (<em>9.1p, 12.4r</em>) are nice players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Our Pick:</strong> Andrean</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #34 - North Judson-San Pierre</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Favorite:</strong> South Central (Union Mills)<br><strong>Contender:</strong> North Judson-San Pierre<br><strong>Sleeper:</strong> LaVille<br><strong>Longshots:</strong> Wheeler, South Bend Career Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preview:</strong> South Central (16-6) comes in as a solid favorite following another strong season and a history of tournament success. The Satellites get a "sisterly" effort from Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='201877' first='Sadie' last='Marks']</strong> (<em>16.7p, 8.0r, 3.0a, 3.1s</em>) and <strong>Hope Welsh</strong> (<em>12.3p, 3.6r, 2.2a, 2.0s</em>), plus Sophomores <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832674' first='Samantha' last='Marks']</strong> (<em>8.3p, 5.1r, 2.0a, 2.0s</em>) and <strong>Makenna Welsh</strong> (<em>4.3p, 4.7r</em>). If anyone has a chance to knock them off, it's likely going to be North Judson or maybe LaVille. North Judson is somewhat young, but they have a promising future. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='880530' first='Kyleigh' last='Lehiy']</strong> (<em>11.9p, 9.3r, 4.6s</em>) is a nice athlete with perimeter skill, while Freshman <strong>Cailyn Tunis</strong> (<em>11.4p, 3.6r, 2.3s</em>) is just starting to scratch the surface. LaVille isn't very deep, but Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218593' first='Brooke' last='Edison']</strong> (<em>10.6p, 7.9r, 2.0a, 4.8s</em>) does stand out for the Lancers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Our Pick:</strong> South Central (Union Mills)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #35 - Eastside</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Favorite:</strong> Eastside<br><strong>Contenders:</strong> Central Noble, Fremont<br><strong>Longshots:</strong> Prairie Heights, Churubusco, Westview</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preview:</strong> Eastside (21-3) has won seven straight games entering the tournament, including the Northeast Corner Conference tournament. The Junior trio of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923168' first='Sydnee' last='Kessler']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='773841' first='Paige' last='Traxler']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923186' first='Lily' last='Kreischer']</strong> offer the Blazers balance, skill, and talent. While Eastside does have an edge entering tourney play, Central Noble and Fremont will certainly be tough "outs". The Cougars of Central Noble have a lot of recent tournament success, and revenge is on their mind as they have lost twice to Eastside in the last three weeks by a total of just 10 points. Senior <strong>Melissa McCoy</strong> (<em>10.8p, 4.1r, 2.6a</em>), plus Sophomores <strong>Abby Pliett</strong> (<em>11.7p, 4.2r</em>) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832697' first='Grace' last='Swank']</strong> (<em>10.1p, 7.9r</em>) offer firepower from a number of different directions. Fremont is a bit younger, but Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218657' first='Addy' last='Parr']</strong> can team with Freshmen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751063' first='Grace' last='Scharlach']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751110' first='Mya' last='Turner']</strong> to present explosive guard play that has shined in big moments already this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Our Pick:</strong> Eastside</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #36 - North Miami</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Favorite:</strong> Lewis Cass<br><strong>Contender:</strong> Winamac<br><strong>Sleeper:</strong> Wabash<br><strong>Longshots:</strong> North Miami, Pioneer</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preview:</strong> Cass (19-3) isn't an offensive juggernaut, but they use balance and team defense to win a lot of games. Sophomores <strong>Aftin Griffin</strong> (<em>12.3p, 3.0s</em>) and <strong>Anna Hedrick</strong> (<em>6.8p, 2.9r, 2.2a, 2.1s</em>) team with Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='874125' first='Kinsey' last='Mennen']</strong> (<em>8.7p, 7.6r, 2.4a</em>) and <strong>Heta Kosunen</strong> (<em>6.5p, 7.0r, 2.4s</em>) to form a nice core group. Winamac has a lot of youth mixed with a couple of key Seniors, and they look to play the role of spoiler. Sophomores <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486524' first='Kandace' last='Kroft']</strong> (<em>10.2p, 5.7r, 3.9a, 2.5s</em>) and <strong>Marissa Iverson</strong> (<em>9.8p, 5.8r</em>) lead the way for the Warriors. The Apaches of Wabash are typically strong each year, and this time around they get good perimeter play from Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122733' first='Kaitlynn' last='Honeycutt']</strong> (<em>13.3p, 3.7r, 3.0a, 4.0s</em>) and Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='825912' first='Kierra' last='Wilson']</strong> (<em>11.9p, 6.4r, 2.2s</em>). The Cass Kings have been the most consistent group, but even North Miami and Pioneer can sneak up on someone in Sectional #36.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Our Pick:</strong> Lewis Cass</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #37 - South Adams</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Favorite:</strong> Bishop Luers<br><strong>Contender:</strong> Whitko<br><strong>Sleeper:</strong> Bluffton<br><strong>Longshots:</strong> Manchester, South Adams, Adams Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preview:</strong> Sectional #37 is tough to predict, as there aren't a lot of head-to-head matchups during the regular season to go on. Bishop Luers (14-6) plays the toughest of schedules out of this group, and they managed to put together a nice record against that schedule this year. 6-0 Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='298259' first='Addie' last='Shank']</strong> (<em>13.6p, 7.8r</em>) and 6-1 Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='624885' first='Miley' last='Wareing']</strong> (<em>11.1p, 9.3r</em>) form an imposing frontline duo, while Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='201869' first='Annika' last='Davis']</strong> (<em>9.7p, 2.2r, 2.3a, 2.5s</em>) leads from the point. Whitko (18-3) is an intriguing entry who could surprise this week. Senior <strong>Kloe Krieg</strong> (<em>11.4p, 2.6r</em>), Juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122773' first='Adriyanna' last='Phillips']</strong> (<em>11.2p, 2.7r</em>) and <strong>Braisha Harrison</strong> (<em>8.2p</em>), as well as sisters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1221113' first='Reese' last='Stonebraker']</strong> (<em>8.2p, 4.9r, 3.6a, 3.0s</em>), a Sophomore, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='890886' first='Jayma' last='Stonebraker']</strong> (<em>11.0p, 3.5r, 3.5a, 3.1s</em>), a Freshman, give the Wildcats a lot of balance and multiple scoring threats. The Bluffton Tigers (16-6) are a scrappy group who boast four double-figure scorers of their own in Juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122868' first='Isabella' last='Stout']</strong> (<em>13.5p, 6.0r, 2.2s</em>) and <strong>Maryn Schreiber</strong> (<em>10.8p, 8.5r</em>), Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131919' first='Konley' last='Ault']</strong> (<em>10.8p, 4.2r, 3.5a, 3.3s</em>), plus Senior <strong>Haley Gibson</strong> (<em>10.2p, 2.8r, 2.3a</em>).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Our Pick:</strong> Bishop Luers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #38 - Delphi</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Favorite:</strong> Carroll (Flora)<br><strong>Contender:</strong> Lafayette Central Catholic<br><strong>Sleeper:</strong> Delphi<br><strong>Longshots:</strong> Clinton Prairie, Seeger, Covington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preview:</strong> Sectional #38 is another one where most of the teams don't play each other during the regular season. Carroll (20-3) has been outstanding this year. They dropped two games early this season, but they've won 15 of their last 16 and seem to be rolling heading into the Sectional. The Cougars are led by a strong Senior class, including Indiana All-Star candidate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='201873' first='Alli' last='Harness']</strong> (<em>21.1p, 5.3r, 5.9a, 3.7s</em>), so they are a top contender in all of Class 2A. Fellow Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239358' first='Madison' last='Wagner']</strong> (<em>13.9p, 7.5r, 3.3a, 2.1s</em>), <strong>Laney Johnson</strong> (<em>7.9p, 2.3r, 2.0s</em>), and <strong>Jamilah Tillman</strong> (<em>4.3p, 4.7r</em>) look to lead Carroll on a deep tournament run. No matter what Lafayette Central Catholic's record is (12-11), they are a contender. They play an incredibly tough schedule and have a lot of postseason experience. The trio of Juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295785' first='Carley' last='Barrett']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='692232' first='Maddy' last='Bruce']</strong>, plus Senior <strong>Caitlin Riley</strong>, is enough to beat most Class 2A teams any given night. Also keep an eye on Delphi, as they could surprise. They have won four of their last five games, with a big win mixed in there over Faith Christian, plus they have a number of solid upperclassmen. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1044766' first='Jenna' last='Roth']</strong> (<em>15.7p, 5.4r, 2.5a, 3.7s</em>) and Senior <strong>Lexi Miller</strong> (<em>8.4p, 4.9r</em>) are the top two stat producers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Our Pick:</strong> Carroll (Flora)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #39 - Elwood</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Heavy Favorite:</strong> Eastbrook<br><strong>Contender:</strong> Blackford<br><strong>Longshots:</strong> Madison-Grant, Eastern (Greentown), Elwood, Taylor, Tipton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preview:</strong> This is a 2-horse race, and while I realize Blackford recently defeated Eastbrook, I still think Eastbrook has too much firepower to not be considered the favorite. The Panthers are 20-2 on the season with just that loss and an early season loss to a strong Class 3A Norwell squad as their only blemishes. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239351' first='Sophia' last='Morrison']</strong> (<em>19.0p, 3.6a, 3.3s</em>) has long been their star, but fellow Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='718309' first='Olivia' last='Howell']</strong> (<em>13.7p, 4.9r, 2.6a, 3.6s</em>), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='825904' first='Audri' last='Prater']</strong> (<em>8.7p, 3.7r, 2.1a, 2.8s</em>), and <strong>Kortney Goff</strong> (<em>7.6p, 2.2a</em>) are eyeing a long road in February as well. As for Blackford (18-6), they are no pushover by any means, and if they are to repeat that victory over Eastbrook, it will be because of the play of their own Seniors. Twins <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='874133' first='Sydnee' last='Morris']</strong> (<em>11.1p, 7.2r, 4.9s</em>) and <strong>Savanna Morris</strong> (<em>6.3p, 7.2r</em>) protect the paint, while <strong>Chloe Wicker</strong> (<em>14.4p</em>) and <strong>Bralee VanSkyock</strong> (<em>6.4p, 2.4r</em>) patrol the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Our Pick:</strong> Eastbrook</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #40 - Lapel</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Favorite:</strong> Lapel<br><strong>Contender:</strong> Alexandria-Monroe, Wapahani<br><strong>Sleeper:</strong> Monroe Central<br><strong>Longshots:</strong> Winchester, Wes-Del, Burris Laboratory</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preview:</strong> Lapel (19-4) is the Class 2A State Runner-Up from a year ago, and they stand out among this group. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486521' first='Laniah' last='Wills']</strong> (<em>19.0p, 12.8r, 2.3s</em>) is a monster inside for the Bulldogs and could star on most Class 4A teams. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331773' first='Madelyn' last='Poynter']</strong> (<em>15.8p, 3.0r, 3.2a</em>) is another strong player for Lapel, as is fellow Senior <strong>Annalee Stow</strong> (<em>6.7p, 4.6r, 2.1a</em>). Alexandria-Monroe and Wapahani could contend if they play the perfect game against Lapel. Alex boasts Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404111' first='Jacklynn' last='Hosier']</strong> (<em>25.5p, 5.7r, 4.5a, 6.0s</em>), while Wapahani uses more of a balanced approach, led by Sophomore twins <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131972' first='Megan' last='Luce']</strong> (<em>9.8p, 3.6r, 2.2a</em>) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131968' first='Emily' last='Luce']</strong> (<em>9.1p, 3.3r, 2.8a, 2.7s</em>). Don't forget about Monroe Central either. Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='366800' first='Sydney' last='Patterson']</strong> (<em>15.8p, 3.6r, 2.5a, 2.8s</em>) has been very good all season for the Golden Bears.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Our Pick:</strong> Lapel</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->