2024-25 Season Preview: Class 1A, Sectionals 49 & 50

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='324083' first='Natalie' last='Robinson'] (2025) of Marquette Catholic High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we enter December, I wanted to take the time to finish 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 25th of 32, previewing each Sectional in the state. In this specific article, I will take a look at Class 1A, Sectional #49 and Sectional #50. 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 #49 at Gary Bowman</font></strong><br>Marquette Catholic (24-5), SAG 93, SOS 277<br>Tri-Township (21-2), SAG 153, SOS 309<br>Morgan Township (17-8), SAG 180, SOS 260<br>Washington Township (11-12), SAG 213, SOS 229<br>Kouts (8-16), SAG 270, SOS 303<br>Westville (8-11), SAG 281, SOS 301<br>Gary Bowman (10-12), SAG 324, SOS 367</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Teams:</strong> Sectional #49 is basically split into three tiers this year, and I would fully expect last year's State Runner-Up Marquette Catholic, plus up-and-coming Westville, to be atop the group most of this season. Marquette not only was successful last year, they did so with primarily underclassmen in their rotation, and they added a key transfer this year. A strong Senior group that has started since they arrived includes 5-11 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324083' first='Natalie' last='Robinson']</strong> (<em>7.0p, 6.1r, 2.7s</em>), 6-0 forward <strong>Livia Balling</strong> (<em>6.6p, 6.2r</em>), and 5-6 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331799' first='Jiselle' last='Chabes']</strong> (<em>4.7p, 2.5r, 2.9a</em>). Robinson and Balling are nice frontline athletes, while Chabes is a very good shooter with some ball skill. 5-11 forward <strong>Elaina Balling</strong> (<em>DNP in 2023-2024</em>) and 5-10 forward <strong>Brielle Jones</strong> (<em>2.7p, 4.3r</em>) are also part of that 2025 group. Their top player, however, is 5-8 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486528' first='Laniah' last='Davis']</strong> (<em>19.9p, 6.3r, 2.6a, 3.2s</em>), a strong, explosive athlete who gets through traffic and finishes through contact. She is great at drawing fouls, plus she's one of the best rebounding guards in the state. 5-6 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751101' first='Marissa' last='Pleasant']</strong> (<em>10.3p, 2.7r</em>) made an immediate impact a season ago, including burying the buzzer-beating 3-pointer to help them advance to the State Finals. She is a gritty and crafty scorer. New this season is 5-5 Junior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486479' first='Addison' last='Penziol']</strong>. She comes to the Blazers after spending her first two years at nearby La Lumiere Prep. Penziol could be the piece that ties this all together, because she is content as a strong, tough-nosed facilitator, but she can also score it a little when left unattended. 5-11 Sophomore forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751113' first='Olivia' last='Hazzard']</strong> (<em>3.0p, 3.0r</em>) is another youngster who could see some quality minutes again. As long as the Blazers are able to distribute the rock and make sure everyone has a little taste, I don't see who in the North in Class 1A is going to be able to handle their depth and experience. Westville is an intriguing story this year. They don't have a very deep roster, but the players at the top are talented enough to knock off anyone in Class 1A, including Marquette, any night. The two most problematic Blackhawks for opponents are 5-11 Freshman wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999408' first='Hillary' last='Labis']</strong>, and 6-1 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570380' first='Andrea' last='Benefield']</strong>, an IU-South Bend recruit. Labis is a long, wiry, athletic point forward type who can create off the bounce for herself or others, plus she can defend multiple positions. She had a stellar middle school career in Michigan City but opted to attend Westville instead. Benefield was one of the most under-recruited face-up '4s' in the state, so IUSB got a real steal with her. She is extremely long, fluid &amp; bouncy, and she plays with a great motor. 5-6 Senior guard <strong>Miranda Sparks</strong> adds some veteran leadership to the lineup, and she can play either guard spot, while 5-7 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137316' first='Ava' last='Fenters']</strong> can act as the primary ball-handler, and she stepped in and contributed as a rookie a season ago. Look for 5-10 Junior forward <strong>Kierstin Vargas</strong> and 5-7 Junior guard <strong>Ella Fortune</strong> to be their "depth", as I'm not sure any/many others will play critical minutes this year. The Blackhawks will go as Labis and Benefield go. If they can be productive with defenses focused on them, they can win any game. If they can get support from Sparks and Fenters most of the year, then they could be an elite group, as long as they can avoid foul trouble and the injury bug.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Keep an Eye On:</strong> Gary Bowman: 5-6 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570383' first='Kahlen' last='Robinson']</strong> (<em>17.3p, 5.7r, 5.5s</em>); Kouts: 6-1 Sophomore post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137353' first='Elizabeth' last='VanKley']</strong>, 5-4 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137299' first='Bella' last='Birky']</strong>; Morgan Township: 5-7 Senior wing <strong>Madi Lemmons</strong> (<em>10.0p, 6.5r, 2.8a</em>), 5-5 Senior guard <strong>Josie Lemmons</strong> (<em>9.6p, 2.4r</em>); Tri-Township: 5-9 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923191' first='Jayde' last='Pryor']</strong> (<em>14.8p, 7.6r, 3.7s</em>), 5-9 Junior forward <strong>Addison Hendrixson</strong> (<em>7.8p, 8.8r, 2.1s</em>); Washington Township: 5-7 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324077' first='Gracie' last='Little']</strong> (<em>13.3p, 2.8r, 2.8a, 3.1s</em>), 5-5 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331817' first='Clair' last='Klinger']</strong> (<em>11.5p, 5.1r, 3.7a, 2.9s</em>), 6-0 Senior post <strong>Brooklyn Campbell</strong> (<em>7.5p, 7.5r</em>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #50 at West Central</font></strong><br>Caston (22-4), SAG 126, SOS 263<br>Tri-County (17-7), SAG 163, SOS 288<br>West Central (13-9), SAG 247, SOS 313<br>DeMotte Christian (11-12), SAG 282, SOS 338<br>Pioneer (6-16), SAG 302, SOS 289<br>North White (4-18), SAG 322, SOS 244<br>North Newton (6-18), SAG 363, SOS 362<br>South Newton (1-17), SAG 370, SOS 358</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Teams:</strong> Sectional #50 is an intriguing race this year. Tri-County and DeMotte Christian look like the most experienced groups, while Caston graduated a lot off of a very good team the last few years. Tri-County graduated a starter and a key reserve, but they return their two best talents, plus four others who have started or played key minutes in the past. Leading the way are multisport athletes <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828013' first='Sara' last='Zarse']</strong> (<em>11.0p, 7.0r, 3.3a, 3.8s</em>) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923137' first='Hannah' last='Arvin']</strong> (<em>10.0p, 7.4r, 3.1s</em>). Zarse is a 5-8 Senior guard, a really nice athlete, and she is a good shooter who can play with some versatility around the perimeter. Arvin is a 5-10 Senior forward, she can work inside and defend/rebound, but she is also a nice athlete who can step outside at both ends of the floor. 5-3 Junior guard <strong>Grace Luck</strong> (<em>6.6p, 2.3r, 2.4s</em>), 5-8 Senior wing <strong>Lyzzy Bahler</strong> (<em>4.8p, 2.3r</em>), 5-7 Senior post <strong>Ella Culp</strong> (<em>2.8p</em>), and 5-10 Junior post <strong>Madie Spencer</strong> (<em>2.3p, 2.1r</em>) help to make the Cavaliers a strong, veteran group top to bottom. Additionally, look for 5-8 Freshman wing <strong>Madalynn Iseminger</strong> to potentially play, if not start, most of the season. If Tri-County can utilize their experience and play great defense against the more talented teams in the North, they could make a nice, deep tourney run in 2024-2025. DeMotte Christian, formerly known as Covenant Christian (DeMotte), also returns nearly all of their production from last season, and it starts with twin towers. 6-0 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='366795' first='Sophie' last='Bakker']</strong> (<em>12.2p, 7.8r, 3.4a, 2.5s</em>) is a long, bouncy, slashing style of forward who likes to play on the ball and create offense. Her height and length cause problems around the perimeter as well. 6-0 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='692231' first='Claire' last='Bakker']</strong> (<em>9.5p, 10.8r</em>) is a little more comfortable in the mid-post, she is also a nice, long athlete, but she can get physical inside and will pursue rebounds. The two of them have started for four years now. There is height and length across the board for the Lady Knights as well, with no one under 5-8 playing big minutes. 5-10 Senior forward <strong>Audrey DeVries</strong> (<em>6.9p, 4.7r</em>) and 5-8 Senior guard <strong>Allie Myers</strong> (<em>1.1p, 3.2r, 2.0a</em>) each played quite a bit last year and bring Senior experience. Juniors who return and can help are 5-9 guard <strong>Cassie Nanninga</strong> (<em>5.3p, 2.8r, 2.5s</em>), 5-11 post <strong>Cora Dyke</strong> (<em>2.0p, 2.5r in 11 games</em>), 5-8 guard <strong>Emma Dyke</strong> (<em>1.1p in 11 games</em>), and 6-0 post <strong>Makenzie Bult</strong> (<em>1.0p in 9 games</em>). The Knights typically do a good job in a variety of defenses of using their height and length to get a lot of deflections/steals. If they can find scoring outside of the Bakkers, look for them to be a threat in Sectional #50.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Keep an Eye On:</strong> Caston: 5-6 Sophomore point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='890801' first='Madisyn' last='Douglass']</strong> (<em>9.5p, 2.3r, 2.6a, 3.9s</em>); North Newton: 5-4 Freshman guard <strong>Tatum Cahill</strong>; North White: 5-10 Junior forward <strong>Autumn Reif</strong> (<em>10.8p, 8.7r</em>); Pioneer: 5-7 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='831907' first='Makenna' last='Strycker']</strong> (<em>12.5p, 4.5r, 3.0a, 2.7s</em>); South Newton: 5-8 Sophomore forward <strong>Alyssa Standish</strong> (<em>2.6p, 4.1r</em>); West Central: 5-8 Senior wing <strong>Kailee Bishop</strong> (<em>8.5p, 4.9r, 2.0a, 2.5s</em>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->