2024-25 Season Preview: Class 2A, Sectionals 47 & 48

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='486525' first='Elle' last='Jo Johnson'] (2026) of North Posey High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we wrap up 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 24th of 32, previewing each Sectional in the state. In this specific article, I will take a look at Class 2A, Sectional #47 and Sectional #48. 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 #47 at North Knox</font></strong><br>South Knox (23-2), SAG 19, SOS 96<br>North Knox (25-2), SAG 26, SOS 102<br>Linton-Stockton (20-7), SAG 70, SOS 107<br>Sullivan (18-7), SAG 150, SOS 180<br>Eastern Greene (13-11), SAG 194, SOS 172<br>West Vigo (5-19), SAG 315, SOS 321</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Teams:</strong> South Knox and North Knox spent 2023-2024 flip-flopping the #1 and #2 spots in the Class 2A poll throughout the majority of the regular season. South Knox has a tremendous Senior class, led by 5-9 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570374' first='Ella' last='Bobe']</strong> (<em>19.1p, 4.8r, 4.3a, 2.1s</em>). Bobe is a highly skilled guard who can act as a game manager at point guard, she has great vision, and she's good with the ball. She is also an excellent perimeter shooter and a strong North/South driver. 5-11 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='626932' first='Bren' last='Hill']</strong> (<em>8.2p, 7.3r</em>) is a long, wiry-strong, and somewhat bouncy prospect. She can play a '4', score it at a high level in the mid-post, plus rebound and block shots defensively. She also has the ability to step outside, defend wings like a '3', and she can knock down the occasional 3-pointer. 5-11 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218585' first='Delaynee' last='Coomes']</strong> is another long and wiry shooter who can string together 3-pointers if left alone. 5-7 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756236' first='Kendal' last='Hill']</strong> (<em>11.4p, 5.7r, 5.9a, 3.5s</em>) is a younger playmaker who had an outstanding rookie year. She can create offense for herself or teammates, and she's a capable defender. 5-4 Junior guard <strong>Sarah French</strong>, 5-7 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1275573' first='Grace' last='Detweiler']</strong>, 5-8 Sophomore wing <strong>Ellie Burke</strong>, and 5-7 Freshman guard <strong>Brynley Millspaugh</strong> look to fill in where they can and make an impact for the Spartans. Regardless of how talented or deep they are, South Knox must first prove they can defeat North Knox...something they've struggled with for the last four seasons (<em>they are 0-8 during that time</em>). Speaking of North Knox, they are equally talented and deep, with several Seniors and Juniors standing out. 5-8 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='420275' first='Lexi' last='Primus']</strong> (<em>13.0p, 3.5r, 2.4s</em>) and 5-8 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295765' first='Alex' last='McKinley']</strong> (<em>12.5p, 3.5r, 2.1s</em>) are their returning double-figure scorers. Primus is a nice athlete, a good perimeter shooter, and a solid defender as well. She has already committed to Lipscomb University. McKinley is also a talented athlete, and she is a nice slashing style of scorer who has improved her perimeter shooting over the years. 5-7 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473675' first='Brynna' last='Collins']</strong> (<em>8.5p, 3.7r, 2.5a, 2.4s</em>) plays as hard as anyone, plus she defends and will knock down open jumpers. 5-5 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='362315' first='Brooklyn' last='Sturgeon']</strong> (<em>5.7p, 2.3r, 3.1a</em>) played at less than 100% for part of last season, returning from injury, but she was really good this Spring &amp; Summer. Look for her to have a nice Winter as the lead guard. 5-8 Junior forward <strong>Jade Richter</strong> (<em>3.1p, 2.8r</em>) and 5-6 Junior guard <strong>Baylee McClure</strong> (<em>2.2p</em>) have Varsity experience and look to play much bigger roles in 2024-2025. The Warriors don't have a ton of size, but they know how to play together and outplay their height. If they stay true to themselves, they will again be a top team in Class 2A. If anyone else in the Sectional #47 field has a chance to knock off either Knox school this season, look for it to be the Golden Arrows of Sullivan High School. The Golden Arrows look first at 6-0 Senior post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='874333' first='Jacie' last='Wilson']</strong> (<em>15.6p, 9.7r</em>) inside. She is big, strong, and physical, plus she has some touch in the mid-post. She could average a double-double as a Senior. The backcourt has a pair of nice Junior guards in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='761171' first='Avari' last='Kelley']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='449149' first='Katherine' last='Sarver']</strong>. Kelley is more of a feisty little playmaker who likes to find teammates, while Sarver is a crafty scorer who can knock down shots consistently from outside. 5-7 Junior wing <strong>Allyson McKinney</strong>, 5-8 Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='874346' first='Olivia' last='Griffith']</strong>, and 5-8 Sophomore forward <strong>Kinley Mason</strong> provide additional experience and support. If Sullivan can get Wilson going in games, it will help open up Kelley, Sarver, and the rest of the Golden Arrows. The more balance they can show, the better they will be this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Keep an Eye On:</strong> Linton-Stockton: 5-6 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='495982' first='Addisyn' last='McKee']</strong>, 5-7 Freshman wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='928183' first='Jaycee' last='Archer']</strong>; West Vigo: 5-8 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='773833' first='Delaney' last='Marrs']</strong> (<em>9.5p, 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 #48 at Forest Park</font></strong><br>South Spencer (14-12), SAG 120, SOS 111<br>Evansville Mater Dei (9-14), SAG 121, SOS 74<br>North Posey (9-15), SAG 155, SOS 78<br>Tell City (11-12), SAG 178, SOS 139<br>Forest Park (7-15), SAG 199, SOS 95<br>Perry Central (5-17), SAG 210, SOS 121<br>Pike Central (2-21), SAG 274, SOS 108</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Teams:</strong> Sectional #48 has a lot of balance and parody. While there are probably six teams who can win Sectional games, South Spencer, Evansville Mater Dei, and North Posey stand out as the fiercest competitors this season. South Spencer returns a great deal of production, though they did graduate their top player from a season ago. 5-6 Sophomore guard <strong>Alexis Harris</strong> (<em>10.6p, 2.3r, 3.0a</em>) got her feet wet as a rookie and did a really nice job of adapting to the Varsity level. 5-10 Senior forward <strong>Kendalyn Shourds</strong> (<em>8.3p, 6.2r</em>) adds an interior presence and isn't afraid to mix it up. 5-6 Junior guard <strong>Caidence Crane</strong> (<em>3.7p</em>) and 5-7 Senior forward <strong>Caylen Cook</strong> (<em>2.1p</em>) are two more veterans who look to play much bigger roles this season. 5-11 Junior forward <strong>Kylea Donoho</strong> (<em>2.0p, 6.0r in 3 games</em>) and 5-4 Junior guard <strong>Kali Wink</strong> (<em>1.0p in 4 games</em>) could play a lot more this season, filling voids from 2024 graduates. One big addition for South Spencer is that of Evansville Memorial transfer <strong>Jaci Meece</strong> (<em>2.4p</em>). The 5-5 Sophomore guard could prosper with the change of venue and possibly be South Spencer's leading scorer this year. They won their first Sectional title since 2005-2006 last season, and they look to repeat this year. Evansville Mater Dei looks to get back to its winning ways. 5-10 Junior wing <strong>Addison Boots</strong>, 5-6 Junior guard <strong>Addison Collins</strong>, and 5-7 Junior forward <strong>Macy Lankford</strong> return the most experience and lead the way for the Wildcats. 5-5 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751070' first='Izzy' last='Like']</strong> was good when I was able to see her throughout the grassroots season, and I can see her stepping into a more vital role. While the Wildcats do have a great deal of inexperience heading into 2024-2025, they also have good, young talent. Whenever they adapt to each other and find their stride, they could easily compete for the Sectional title in February. North Posey is a third team I could see competing for Sectional #48. They didn't play a Senior last season, and nearly all of their production returns. Everything for the Vikings starts with 5-11 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='692238' first='Alyssa' last='Heath']</strong> (<em>10.4p, 6.5r</em>). She is an active and athletic front-liner who can play in the mid-post or even drive it from the perimeter. 5-10 Junior forward <strong>Jazalyn Ward</strong> (<em>8.1p, 5.2r</em>), 5-5 Junior guard <strong>Mallory Luigs</strong> (<em>7.8p, 3.2r, 2.8a</em>), and 5-4 point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486525' first='Elle' last='Jo Johnson']</strong> (<em>7.2p, 2.6r</em>) surround Heath and offer support in a variety of ways. I have seen Johnson a few times, and she's a nice combo guard who can make shots or create and get to the rim. 5-9 Junior forward <strong>Ella Weatherholt</strong> (<em>4.3p, 4.9r in 15 games</em>) and 5-9 Junior wing <strong>Addie Murphy</strong> (<em>0.9p</em>) could see a lot more time in their third year, following departures and strong Summers. If North Posey can make shots and get another scorer or two, they have enough balance to defeat anyone in Sectional #48.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Keep an Eye On:</strong> Forest Park: 5-7 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='874337' first='Jenna' last='Berg']</strong>; Perry Central: 5-4 Senior guard <strong>Teyah Mullis</strong>; Pike Central: 5-5 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='890882' first='Alyssa' last='McCutchan']</strong>, Sophomore guard <strong>Ava Miller</strong>; Tell City: 5-9 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828948' first='Reese' last='Ford']</strong> (<em>14.4p, 4.3r</em>), 5-7 Sophomore guard <strong>Ollie Toothman</strong> (<em>8.0p, 5.3r</em>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->