2024-25 Season Preview: Class 2A, Sectionals 35 & 36

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='467897' first='Bridget' last='Timbrook'] (2025) of Churubusco High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we are in the middle of Thanksgiving week, I wanted to take the time to continue previewing the season Sectional by Sectional. In the past, I have typically started in Class 1A and moved up, but this season I started 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 18th of 32, previewing each Sectional in the state. In this specific article, I will take a look at Class 2A, Sectional #35 and Sectional #36. 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 #35 at Central Noble</font></strong><br>Eastside (21-4), SAG 97, SOS 176<br>Central Noble (14-11), SAG 143, SOS 182<br>Prairie Heights (7-16), SAG 279, SOS 195<br>Westview (5-19), SAG 291, SOS 235<br>Churubusco (5-18), SAG 293, SOS 239<br>Lakeland (4-19), SAG 318, SOS 210</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Teams:</strong> Sectional #35 is a two-horse race until someone else steps up and proves themself. The Eastside Blazers look to regain Sectional supremacy after last season. They defeated Central Noble twice during the regular season but were upset by the Cougars in their first Sectional game. This time they lean heavily on a Senior trio of 5-9 wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923186' first='Lily' last='Kreischer']</strong> (<em>11.8p, 6.9r, 3.0s</em>), 5-5 point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='773841' first='Paige' last='Traxler']</strong> (<em>11.1p, 2.8r, 3.3a, 2.4s</em>), and 5-7 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923168' first='Sydnee' last='Kessler']</strong> (<em>10.3p, 2.7r, 2.0a, 2.3s</em>). Kreischer is a long, wiry-strong athlete who can alternate between roles/positions. Traxler is a tough-nosed, feisty, true point guard who plays with a competitive fire. Kessler is a very good wing shooter with a quick release, plus she's quietly tough, works hard, and makes hustle plays. From there, the Blazers will need several others to provide depth and defense, but the above three should provide plenty of offense most games. Also keep an eye on 5-10 Sophomore forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751125' first='Taylor' last='Mack']</strong>. She showed well this Fall when I saw her, and she is an athletic forward who can rebound, defend, and score it inside of 15-feet. Central Noble is the other team in this field who can challenge Eastside for the crown. 5-7 Junior wing <strong>Abby Pliett</strong> (<em>11.3p, 4.6r</em>) can play guard or forward, but she also leads them in scoring and is a nice playmaker. 6-0 Junior post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832697' first='Grace' last='Swank']</strong> (<em>9.7p, 8.2r</em>) is a workhorse inside and keeps opponents honest when attacking the paint. 5-7 Senior guard <strong>Kierra Bolen</strong> (<em>7.8p, 2.2r</em>) and 5-5 Senior guard <strong>Taylor Custer</strong> (<em>4.6p, 2.8r</em>) bring value with their experience and ability to play either guard position effectively. 5-4 Senior wing <strong>Kennedy Vice</strong> (<em>2.4p, 2.6r</em>) and 5-10 Senior forward <strong>Megan Carnahan</strong> (<em>1.0p</em>) round out the core rotation players from a season ago. 5-8 Sophomore wing <strong>Kadintz Bales</strong> is one possibility to step into a much bigger role after playing sparingly as a rookie. The Cougars as a program have the pedigree of success, and they seem to have Eastside's number in Sectional play the last two postseasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Keep an Eye On:</strong> Churubusco: 5-6 Senior guard <strong>Brooklyn Sinclair</strong> (<em>9.9p, 2.4r</em>), 5-4 Senior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467897' first='Bridget' last='Timbrook']</strong> (<em>9.3p, 3.8r, 2.9a</em>); Lakeland: 5-4 Junior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1256438' first='Dulce' last='Canedo']</strong> (<em>8.3p, 2.8r, 2.4a</em>), 5-6 Sophomore wing <strong>Zoey Bowman</strong> (<em>4.5p, 5.3r</em>); Prairie Heights: 5-10 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218651' first='Emily' last='McCrea']</strong> (<em>9.7p, 7.0r</em>); Westview: 5-10 Junior post <strong>Bre Cory</strong> (<em>8.6p, 5.1r</em>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #36 at Bluffton</font></strong><br>Bishop Luers (20-6), SAG 43, SOS 68<br>Bluffton (17-7), SAG 95, SOS 207<br>Woodlan (18-9), SAG 129, SOS 145<br>Whitko (19-4), SAG 134, SOS 250<br>South Adams (7-16), SAG 246, SOS 192<br>Adams Central (6-17), SAG 259, SOS 154</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Teams:</strong> Sectional #36 is actually a pretty strong group, with four teams looking to make a legitimate run at the title in 2024-2025. The Bishop Luers Knights are the defending Class 2A State Champions, however, a lot has changed since last year. They have a new coach, and five of their top six players have either graduated or transferred out. Their "experience" rests on the shoulders of 5-9 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='506023' first='Reese' last='Rhodehamel']</strong> (<em>6.8p, 3.5r</em>). She is extremely hard-working, a nice athlete, and she can play in the mid-post or around the perimeter effectively. Also returning after playing in 18 or more games a year ago are 5-6 Junior guards <strong>Karianne Gilman</strong> (<em>2.6p</em>) and <strong>Brooklynn Gray</strong> (<em>1.8p</em>), plus 5-8 Junior wing <strong>Addison Warner</strong> (<em>1.8p, 2.2r</em>). All three could/should step into the starting lineup immediately. Also look for 5-10 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1044742' first='Kiora' last='Bell']</strong> to play immediately after transferring in from Canterbury. She is extremely long and wiry, but fluid and bouncy with inside-out versatility. A virtually new roster and coach means a period of adjustment, but this Luers team can still finish the year as Sectional champs once again. The Bluffton Tigers could have something to say about that, as they return all but one of their core contributors, including their top three players from a season ago. 5-7 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122868' first='Isabella' last='Stout']</strong> (<em>13.2p, 5.8r, 2.1s</em>) is their go-to when they need a basket. She is a nice multisport athlete who can score the ball from different levels. 5-7 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131919' first='Konley' last='Ault']</strong> (<em>11.8p, 4.3r, 3.2a, 3.3s</em>) is the primary ball-handler, but she can also score it, and she's an excellent defender. 5-9 Senior forward <strong>Maryn Schreiber</strong> (<em>10.6p, 8.9r</em>) nearly averaged a double-double last year. She is a long athlete who works hard inside the arc. 5-8 Senior forward <strong>Madyson Sonnigsen</strong> (<em>6.5p, 3.6r, 2.2s</em>) is another interior player who can step out to defend as well. With that kind of veteran leadership for the Tigers, they should be consistent, if not dangerous, each time they take the floor. Now, mix in 5-8 Freshman wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1225041' first='Khloe' last='Dick']</strong> and 5-7 Freshman wing <strong>Kamryn Ault</strong>, and they add talent and depth, but they also build for the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Woodlan Warriors graduated one of their most productive players from the last couple of years, but they return a great deal as well. 5-11 Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1038858' first='Alyssa' last='Anderson']</strong> (<em>11.6p, 10.4r</em>) and 5-8 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828030' first='Brooke' last='Kneubuhler']</strong> (<em>9.8p, 3.4r, 4.0a, 2.1s</em>) look to lead the Warriors to a Sectional title this time around. Anderson is an effortful, physical interior player who also has some touch in the mid-post. Kneubuhler is a wiry-strong athlete who moves well and can create offense off the bounce for herself or teammates. 5-8 Senior wing <strong>Reagan Widenhoefer</strong> (<em>5.5p, 2.0r</em>) and 5-3 Senior guard <strong>Alix Jacquay</strong> (<em>2.6p, 3.2r</em>) are a pair of veterans who could step into vital roles this year. 5-9 Junior forward <strong>Mariah Thullner</strong> (<em>2.3p, 2.0r</em>) can also battle inside, while 5-7 Senior wing <strong>Makenna Smith</strong> (<em>1.7p, 2.1r</em>) has experience in the mid-post and around the perimeter. Sophomore forward <strong>McKenna Goble</strong> (<em>0.7p in 15 gam</em>es) and Freshman guard <strong>Savannah Scheumann</strong> could play big minutes for the Warriors this season. If Woodlan can use all of its versatility, especially defensively, they can compete for a Sectional #36 title. The Whitko Wildcats were the beneficiary of the transfer of sisters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='890886' first='Jayma' last='Stonebraker']</strong> (<em>11.7p, 3.7r, 3.3a, 3.0s</em>), a 5-7 Sophomore guard, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1221113' first='Reese' last='Stonebraker']</strong> (<em>8.1p, 4.9r, 3.8a, 2.9s</em>), a 5-6 Junior guard, a season ago. They are highly productive and versatile scorers, plus they are crafty defenders. 5-8 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122773' first='Adriyanna' last='Phillips']</strong> (<em>11.0p, 3.0r</em>) is a strong, hard-working forward, but she also has a quick release and touch to well beyond the 3-point line. She can get hot quickly from outside. 5-7 Senior wing <strong>Braisha Harrison</strong> (<em>7.8p</em>) has plenty of experience as well and adds depth, athleticism, and versatility. Sophomore wing <strong>Jocelyn Luecke</strong> and Freshman guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1228338' first='Hazel' last='Leffers']</strong> are two younger players who look to make their mark immediately. The Wildcats have plenty of perimeter talent, so if they can rebound and defend bigger teams, they could contend for Sectional #36 with the above three teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Keep an Eye On:</strong> Adams Central: 5-7 Junior guard <strong>Ava Stafford</strong>; South Adams: 5-6 Junior forward <strong>Laney Trausch</strong> (<em>9.2p, 6.7r</em>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->