2024-25 Season Preview: Class 4A, Sectionals 1 & 2

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='295773' first='Isabella' last='Soria'] (2025) of Lake Central High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we enter the second week of official IHSAA practices, I wanted to take the time to preview the season Sectional by Sectional. In the past, I have typically started in Class 1A and moved up, but this season I am starting with Class 4A instead. Additionally, during the Spring, the IHSAA moved to a traditional enrollment-based format, realigning all classes with hard enrollment cutoff lines per class instead of taking nearly 400 schools and simply dividing them into four equal classes. With that said, each class should be more competitive, but the bigger classes will have fewer teams than the smaller classes. This article serves as the 1st of many, previewing each Sectional in the state. In this specific article, I will take a look at Sectional #1 and Sectional #2. Below is a look at the teams in each of those Sectionals, along with some general comments and analysis.<br><small>(<em>SAG = Final 2023-2024 Multiclass Sagarin Rating (394 teams); SOS = Final 2023-2024 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 #1 at Crown Point</font></strong><br>Lake Central (26-5), SAG 15, SOS 37<br>Munster (18-5), SAG 84, SOS 162<br>Crown Point (15-11), SAG 89, SOS 92<br>Hammond Central (19-6), SAG 118, SOS 307<br>Hammond Morton (11-11), SAG 172, SOS 223</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two years ago, the Lake Central Indians were one win away from the State Finals. Last February, they were State Runners-Up. Now, they must find a different approach, as four of their top six players left via graduation. Gone to the diploma are <strong>Aniyah Bishop</strong> (<em>9.3p, 5.2r</em>), <strong>Riley Milausnic</strong> (<em>8.5p, 2.4r</em>), <strong>Nadia Clayton</strong> (<em>7.1p, 2.7r, 2.0a, 2.1s</em>), and <strong>Kennedie Burks</strong> (<em>5.1p, 2.0r</em>). Junior forward <strong>Alexa Iwema</strong> (<em>3.0p, 2.2r</em>) also played more than 10 minutes per game and is not returning. But all is not lost in St. John, as 5-5 Senior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295781' first='Vanessa' last='Wimberly']</strong> (<em>9.5p, 2.8r, 3.6a, 2.5s</em>) and 6-0 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295811' first='Ayla' last='Krygier']</strong> (<em>8.5p, 4.2r</em>) return to the starting lineup. Wimberly is a quick little water-bug who makes plays at both ends of the floor. She was a 2024 Indiana Junior All-Star and is committed to Division-I Alabama A&amp;M. Krygier is a versatile inside-out forward who can battle in the paint or bury 3-pointers from the wing. She has already chosen NAIA power Indiana Wesleyan as her destination. 5-7 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324076' first='Bryn' last='Leonard']</strong> (<em>3.2p</em>), a Purdue Northwest commit, also returns to the rotation and can play on or off the ball effectively. The Indians do welcome back 5-11 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295773' first='Isabella' last='Soria']</strong> (<em>3.9p, 3.5r in 2022-23</em>), who played in 8 games two years ago before suffering a serious injury, then opted not to play a season ago. She can provide perimeter shooting and additional experience. From there, several youngsters look for an opportunity. Junior guard <strong>Allison Huppenthal</strong> also returns after a year away, while 6-1 Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992139' first='Jillian' last='Beaderstadt']</strong> and 5-11 Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834968' first='Kailey' last='Skurka']</strong> look to solidify the frontline. Lake Central should still be the favorite in Sectional #1, but their margin for error has narrowed significantly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Munster is another school in transition, but I'm not sure when they finished the 2023-24 season, they expected it., considering they didn't have a Senior in the lineup. However, 5-10 Junior guard/wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='567130' first='Gracyn' last='Gilliard']</strong> (<em>25.9p, 8.0r, 2.7a, 5.9s</em>) has transferred to Center Grove following two outstanding seasons for the Mustangs. Munster does return four Seniors and two Juniors who each played more than 10 minutes per game last year, including four starters. 6-0 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='553157' first='Nina' last='Garner']</strong> (<em>11.2p, 7.1r, 3.0s</em>) and 5-7 senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828060' first='Cecilia' last='Mason']</strong> (<em>8.1p, 4.0r, 4.1a, 3.1s</em>) lead the way. Garner is an extremely long, wiry athlete who can play a little at all levels offensively, and she can sit down and defend point guards if necessary. Mason is a versatile guard who can bury shots or get the ball to open teammates. From there, 5-7 Senior wing <strong>Helena Spencer</strong> (<em>5.7p, 3.8r, 2.3a, 2.3s</em>), 5-5 Senior wing <strong>Lia Sotiropoulos</strong> (<em>5.3p, 2.1r</em>), 5-10 Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486556' first='Igboamaka' last='Odeluga']</strong> (<em>3.6p, 7.5r</em>), and 5-8 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='532741' first='Arroya' last='Mongerie']</strong> (<em>1.7p in 7 games</em>) should round out the core of the rotation moving forward. Look for Odeluga to potentially be a double-double kid with her athleticism inside. Crown Point will also see a passing of the torch, though more expected on their end, as <strong>Ava Ziolkowski</strong> (<em>27.3p, 10.2r, 3.2s</em>) is now at Indiana Tech playing. She was one of the state's leading scorers and rebounders a year ago. Additional graduates <strong>Rae Holok</strong> (<em>4.6p</em>), <strong>Madison Dubiel</strong> (<em>3.3p, 3.3a</em>), <strong>Emma Charles</strong> (<em>2.8p</em>), and <strong>Alivia Otten</strong> (<em>2.4p, 2.8r</em>) were all in the Bulldogs' top seven scorers last season. 5-7 Senior wing <strong>Gia Gagianas</strong> (<em>4.8p</em>), 6-0 Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='761164' first='Sophie' last='Hart']</strong> (<em>2.7p, 2.3r</em>), and 5-4 Senior guard <strong>Jillian Brown</strong> (<em>1.7p, 2.4r</em>) bring back the most experience. Hart has the talent to step up the most this time around. But also look for 5-5 Freshman point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999415' first='Ava' last='Richie']</strong> and 6-4 Sophomore post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756234' first='Ivy' last='Henderson']</strong> to make an immediate impact for Crown Point. Richie is among the top Freshmen playmakers in the state, while Henderson is a sizeable mismatch who could border on double-double averages with a little work.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hammond Central Wolves nearly got to 20 wins a season ago behind the 3-headed monster of <strong>Aniyah Henry</strong> (<em>18.4p, 4.8r, 2.3s</em>), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='567131' first='Indiah' last='Hutchinson']</strong> (<em>17.3p, 5.7r, 2.1a, 3.3s</em>), and <strong>Kennedy Blakely</strong> (<em>13.4p, 6.2r, 4.0a, 4.0s</em>). While Henry and Blakely graduated, along with five others, Hutchinson, a 5-11 Junior wing/forward is a real problem. She is strong, athletic, and versatile, plus she is a Division-I talent who can take over games inside or out. I expect another big season from her in 2024-25. The Wolves have also reportedly added a pair of transfers to the fold, and each should be the next two most impactful players. 5-10 Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486551' first='Valencia' last='Miller']</strong> (<em>8.5p, 5.7r</em>) is a long, athletic player who has come in from Culver Academy, while 5-8 Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751033' first='Adrian' last='McGee']</strong> (<em>11.3p, 5.2r, 2.3s</em>) is a strong, athletic, versatile guard/wing who slid over from nearby Bishop Noll. 5-9 Junior <strong>Layla Hart</strong> (<em>2.7p, 4.2r</em>) and 5-9 Sophomore <strong>Kenisha Grant</strong> (<em>2.6p, 5.1r</em>) saw significant minutes a year ago and look to provide some stability inside for Hammond Central. If some things click for the Wolves, I wouldn't be at all surprised if they won Sectional #1, because Hutchinson can be the best player in the Sectional on any given night. Across town at Hammond Morton, they reached the .500 mark in 2023-24 after five consecutive losing seasons. A lot of that credit goes to budding star <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834925' first='Kylah' last='Patterson']</strong> (<em>26.6p, 12.0r, 2.9a, 4.5s</em>), a 5-11 do-everything Sophomore forward. She is one of the state's best talents "no one knows about", and she can hurt you inside with her toughness and nonstop motor, or outside with her athleticism. 5-5 Senior guard <strong>Chanteze Holland</strong> (<em>13.0p, 3.3s</em>) also returns, and she is an extremely quick, fast, and feisty guard who can get hot outside plus defend at a high level. 5-9 Junior forward <strong>Amalia Orellana</strong> (<em>3.2p, 2.8r</em>) looks for an expanded role this time around, but experience is thin beyond those three. Guard <strong>India DeLoach</strong> (<em>11.5p</em>) and post <strong>Layla Macon</strong> (<em>6.8p, 8.1r, 4.0b</em>) both graduated and were key in several games a season ago. The Governors will undoubtedly be looking at Patterson to lead them once again, and she can carry them to another .500 season, but it will take others if they want to contend for the Sectional.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #2 at Chesterton</font></strong><br>Valparaiso (19-8), SAG 35, SOS 55<br>Merrillville (17-9), SAG 62, SOS 81<br>Chesterton (16-8), SAG 87, SOS 125<br>Portage (12-12), SAG 222, SOS 214<br>Hobart (6-18), SAG 285, SOS 227</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Merrillville's coach went to Valparaiso, Valparaiso's coach went to Chesterton, and Chesterton's coach retired. Then, Merrillville added Highland's coach, while Hobart added River Forest's coach. When all the dust settled, of the five Sectional #2 teams, only Portage's coach remained at the same school. Valparaiso remains one of the top teams in Sectional #2 but look for Merrillville and Chesterton to also challenge for the crown. As for the Vikings, they have 5-11 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='419439' first='Lillian' last='Barnes']</strong> (<em>17.0p, 6.6r, 5.4a, 4.4s</em>), so they always have a chance. Barnes is one of the best pure basketball players in the state and has incredible instincts and an understanding of how to play. She is joined in the lineup by 5-8 classmate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486512' first='Cadynce' last='Clark']</strong> (<em>8.7p, 2.3r</em>), who also has experience and some touch from outside. She can slide over and play the point when necessary, too. From there, Valparaiso will certainly miss the services, and size, of 6-0 forward <strong>Becca Gerdt</strong> (<em>14.8p, 6.3r, 2.5a, 2.0s</em>), 6-2 post <strong>Raegan O'Halak</strong> (<em>5.6p, 3.4r</em>), and 6-1 forward/post <strong>Kate Weber</strong> (<em>2.5p</em>), all graduates. Other than the return of Senior wings <strong>Kenzie Wassermann</strong> (<em>2.8p, 2.5r</em>) and <strong>Cady Ofman</strong> (<em>1.7p</em>), the Vikings must now look at younger options to fill out the rotation. 5-9 Sophomore wing <strong>Delilah Kincaid</strong> (<em>2.7p</em>) saw action in 21 games last season, while Sophomore forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='875129' first='Chyanne' last='Brown']</strong> and Sophomore post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='912544' first='Olliana' last='Hardin']</strong> try to find minutes in the frontcourt. While the Vikings will need some new contributors to emerge, they can count on Barnes and Clark to help them through the early stages of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Merrillville Pirates have the talent and balance to be a top team in "The Region" this season, as they have several talented players, any of whom can take over on a given night. They also didn't have a Senior last year, so there is nothing but experience throughout the roster. 5-10 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='366805' first='Kylie' last='Wells']</strong> (<em>14.2p, 4.0r</em>) returned from injury last season and immediately helped them look like a different team than in 2022-23. She is strong, physical, skilled, and plays hard. 5-8 Freshman guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756240' first='Malika' last='Jenkins']</strong> (<em>12.6p, 3.1r, 4.0a, 2.9s</em>) is another one of those "lesser known" prospects in Northwest Indiana. She is athletic, skilled, and versatile, and she should have an outstanding second year, now that she has her rookie year under her belt. 5-8 wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='880535' first='Vivian' last='McSpadden']</strong> (<em>9.6p, 3.9r, 2.0a</em>), 5-9 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='883169' first='Nyesha' last='Davis']</strong> (<em>7.1p, 6.4r</em>), and 5-7 wing <strong>Alani Roche</strong> (<em>2.3p</em>), all Seniors, bring more veteran presence to the rotation. 5-11 Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486503' first='Melaney' last='Williams']</strong> (<em>6.6p, 4.3r</em>) has breakout potential and is an active athlete, while 5-7 Junior forward <strong>Erin Mukes</strong> (<em>5.9p, 5.9r</em>) and 5-8 Junior wing <strong>Makayla Edwards</strong> (<em>1.7p, 2.6r</em>) also boast good experience. As you can see, Merrillville should be ready to take the floor week-1 and really only need to adjust to their new coach/new system. The Chesterton Trojans also return several key players, plus they welcome some talented youngsters. 6-1 Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='624858' first='Tenley' last='Davis']</strong> (<em>15.7p, 9.0r, 2.0s</em>) and 5-8 Junior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486535' first='Kenedi' last='Bradley']</strong> (<em>14.8p, 3.6r, 3.9a, 3.9s</em>) return following stellar Sophomore years. They each also played significant minutes as Freshmen two years ago. Davis has already committed to play volleyball at Loyola-Chicago, and she is a long athlete with interior skill, while Bradley is a speedster with the ability to shoot/score or facilitate. The Trojans did graduate guards <strong>Ciara Bonner</strong> (<em>8.7p, 4.6r, 2.4a, 2.0s</em>) and <strong>Delaney King</strong> (<em>4.2p</em>), but everyone else returns. Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218580' first='Isabelle' last='Connors']</strong> (<em>7.6p, 5.7r</em>) and 5-9 Junior wing <strong>Liv Roach</strong> (<em>5.0p, 2.8r</em>) bring back the most experience and add rebounding. Also look for 5-8 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='989342' first='Novea' last='Brandon']</strong> and 5-6 Freshman guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='911979' first='Lindsi' last='McGuffey']</strong> to each get long looks at some point in the backcourt. Look for Chesterton to play fast, trap, and force opponents into tough situations this year, especially with an experienced guard like Bradley leading the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Portage Indians will be taking on a very new look in 2024-25, as their top three scorers all graduated. Gone are <strong>Ava Kingery</strong> (<em>13.9p, 4.0r, 3.9a</em>), <strong>Alante Wright</strong> (<em>10.8p, 2.9r</em>), and <strong>Evelyn Garza</strong> (<em>7.8p, 4.8r</em>), however, everyone else is eligible to return. 5-11 Senior post <strong>Presley Wellestat</strong> (<em>4.9p, 4.1r</em>) and 5-6 Junior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='693376' first='Peyton' last='Wilson']</strong> (<em>4.5p, 2.6r, 2.4a</em>) flash the most potential of the remaining group. Wilson could be a standout now that she'll have a lot more ball-handling responsibilities with Kingery having graduated. Junior front-liner <strong>China Whitehead</strong> (<em>2.2p, 2.4r</em>), Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='944065' first='Sarie' last='Bond']</strong> (<em>1.9p</em>), and Senior forward <strong>Kylie Byrd</strong> (<em>1.9p, 4.8r</em>) each played more than 20 games a season ago and should help to round out the lineup, if some younger players don't step into those key spots. One thing is for sure...Portage always plays hard and physical, so they will make each game a tough one to take from them. There is no sugar-coating it, Hobart is young and inexperienced this time around. In 2023 they graduated one of their best players ever, and now they lose their top two scorers in <strong>Emma Ortiz</strong> (<em>8.3p, 3.2r, 2.7s</em>) and <strong>Cailey Weber</strong> (<em>8.2p, 4.7r</em>) to graduation, plus point guard <strong>Jesse Neace</strong>, who missed the 2023-24 season with an injury. 5-11 Junior center <strong>Riley Weber</strong> (<em>8.1p, 6.7r</em>) and 5-7 Sophomore guard <strong>Kurah Krucina</strong> (<em>3.3p, 2.9r</em>) got quite a bit of experience a season ago and should help to lead the Brickies this year. Seniors <strong>Hallie Pendleton</strong> (<em>4.8p, 2.8r</em>), a 5-6 guard, <strong>Taylor Pope</strong> (<em>2.5p, 2.8r</em>), a 5-7 post, <strong>Ladan Weinman</strong> (<em>2.2p</em>), a 5-6 guard, and <strong>Kyla Butler</strong> (<em>2.1p</em>), a 5-5 guard, look to add some sort of a veteran presence to the rotation. Approaching 10 wins this season would be a great start for Hobart.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->