2024-25 Season Preview: Class 1A, Sectionals 51 & 52

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='828004' first='Ava' last='McGrade'] (2025) of Lakewood Park Christian Academy.</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 26th of 32, previewing each Sectional in the state. In this specific article, I will take a look at Class 1A, Sectional #51 and Sectional #52. 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 #51 at Oregon-Davis</font></strong><br>South Central (Union Mills) (16-7), SAG 192, SOS 269<br>Triton (11-14), SAG 231, SOS 257<br>North Judson-San Pierre (14-11), SAG 240, SOS 270<br>Argos Community (10-13), SAG 241, SOS 291<br>Elkhart Christian (11-12), SAG 301, SOS 331<br>Oregon-Davis (6-14), SAG 319, SOS 265<br>Culver Community (4-18), SAG 336, SOS 305<br>SB Trinity Greenlawn (5-16), SAG 360, SOS 350</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Teams:</strong> This season, due to graduation losses, coaching changes, etc., there are three teams who stand out as potential Sectional #51 champions. After a little hiccup in 2021-2022, North Judson-San Pierre has put together consecutive winning seasons and should do so again in 2024-2025. They return nearly everybody, plus they added a nice transfer. Leading the way in her final season will be 5-9 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='880530' first='Kyleigh' last='Lehiy']</strong> (<em>11.3p, 8.8r, 4.4s</em>). She is extremely long, fluidly athletic, plus she can score it in different ways, and she gets her hands on a lot of steals/deflections. Not to be outdone is 5-4 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='875136' first='Cailyn' last='Tunis']</strong> (<em>11.4p, 3.3r, 2.2s</em>). She came in as a rookie last year and shined. She is a very good wing scorer who adds punch at that end of the floor. 2027 classmate <strong>Averee Johnston</strong> (<em>4.4p, 3.2r, 2.5a, 2.2s</em>), a 5-7 guard, also played big minutes for the Bluejays and can act as the primary ball-handler. 5-10 Senior post <strong>Gracie Minix</strong> (<em>3.4p, 2.4r</em>) also saw starts and provides them with a physical presence in the paint. 5-7 Junior guard <strong>Kaia Burkett</strong> (<em>2.2p</em>) and 5-7 Junior forward <strong>Grace Craig</strong> (<em>1.6p, 2.0r</em>) were key reserves last year and look to make a bigger impact this season. A welcomed addition is 5-7 Junior guard <strong>Shiloh DeBoard</strong> (<em>4.0p, 2.9r, 2.6a</em>), a starter on a competitive Morgan Township team the last two years. She is a slashing style of scorer who can also create for others. If the Bluejays can work at the defensive end, they should have enough scoring at the Class 1A level to win a lot of games this season. It has been since the 2019-2020 season that the Bobcats of Oregon-Davis have posted a winning record, but they could very well get back there with this year's squad. A big reason is they have a trio of Juniors who've cut their teeth as youngsters and are now ready to lead the way these next two seasons. 5-8 Junior forward <strong>Sarah Thompson</strong> (<em>14.7p, 10.0r</em>) is a physical presence inside, she works hard, and she makes a lot of hustle plays. 5-6 Junior guard <strong>Gabriella Krause</strong> (<em>10.3p, 5.4r, 5.1a, 3.1s</em>) is their point guard, a capable scorer and creator, plus she's a scrapper at the defensive end of the floor and rebounds her position well. 5-6 Junior guard <strong>Jayla Patrick</strong> (<em>9.6p, 2.6r, 2.0a</em>) is another scoring playmaker who should complement Krause well in the backcourt. The key for the Bobcats will be getting a supporting cast to help alleviate the pressure those three will face on a given night, but they should be an aggressively potent team all year. A surprise in Sectional #50 could be Elkhart Christian Academy. They're another team who hasn't experienced a winning season since 2019-2020. But they return a trio of Juniors who have produced, plus they add a pair of talented Freshmen, so that should allow them to see more wins than losses in 2024-2025 and compete for the title. The best of the returnees is 5-6 Junior guard <strong>Ivy Clapsaddle</strong> (<em>9.2p, 3.3r, 2.1a</em>). She can shoot/score it a little, plus she can create for others. 5-5 Junior guard <strong>Justine Yordy</strong> (<em>4.4p, 2.6r</em>) is another combo guard who can score it a little, handle it a little, plus she plays with effort. 5-6 Junior forward <strong>Sydni Haviland</strong> (<em>3.5p, 5.0r</em>) is a little undersized to play inside, but she figures out ways to contribute as a rebounder and defender. New to the Eagles are Freshmen guards <strong>Lily Maxwell</strong> and <strong>Kyla Yordy</strong>. Maxwell will bring an instant scoring punch, and she can make open shots outside. The younger Yordy will likely take over full-time ball-handling duties, as she is a natural point guard, but she can also score it by getting to the rim, and she is a tough-nosed defender. If the Juniors can teach the Freshmen "the ropes" early this season, expect for the Eagles to be in contention in February.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Keep an Eye On:</strong> Argos Community: Senior guard <strong>Morgyn Barcus</strong> (<em>6.3p, 2.7r, 4.7a, 2.5s</em>); Culver Community: 6-0 Senior post <strong>Amiyah Williams</strong>; South Central: 5-8 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832674' first='Samantha' last='Marks']</strong> (<em>8.3p, 5.1r, 2.0s</em>), 5-8 Senior forward <strong>Lexi Johnson</strong> (<em>6.5p, 3.8r</em>); SB Trinity Greenlawn: 5-4 Sophomore guard <strong>Peyton Hawkins</strong>; Triton: 5-10 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1044763' first='Sydney' last='King']</strong> (<em>5.3p, 3.4r</em>), 5-2 Freshman guard <strong>Gracie Riffle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #52 at Bethany Christian</font></strong><br>Blackhawk Christian (17-8), SAG 133, SOS 197<br>Lakewood Park Christian (16-7), SAG 166, SOS 247<br>Fremont (16-9), SAG 169, SOS 234<br>Bethany Christian (18-7), SAG 218, SOS 315<br>Lakeland Christian (9-15), SAG 365, SOS 361<br>Hamilton Community (3-13), SAG 373, SOS 357<br>FW Canterbury (<em>no team in 2023-2024</em>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Teams:</strong> Sectional #52 will also likely be a three-horse race. Blackhawk Christian has posted winning records each of the last five seasons, and they've won three Sectional titles over that span as well. This year, they must adjust to some graduation losses, but they should still be a talented group, just a little less experienced. 5-11 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923197' first='Malea' last='Steele']</strong> and 5-0 Senior guard <strong>Avery Elsworth</strong> have shown the potential to lead during grassroots play, so look for them to step up this Winter. Steele is a long, wiry, fluid forward who can play in the mid-post or around the perimeter effectively. She has committed to Holy Cross College in Northern Indiana. Elsworth is a tough little guard, feisty, solid with the ball, and a good perimeter shooter. Wing <strong>Isabelle Saldivar</strong> and forward <strong>Maya Barrand</strong>, two more Seniors on hand, look to add leadership and experience to the mix. There are also a handful of Juniors and Sophomores who could step up, but also keep an eye on 4-11 Freshman point guard <strong>Hadassah Pope</strong> and 5-11 Freshman forward <strong>Jaelyn Pickett</strong> to potentially carve out immediate roles with the Lady Braves early this season. Lakewood Park Christian did graduate a couple of key players, but they return arguably the best prospect in the Sectional in 5-7 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828004' first='Ava' last='McGrade']</strong> (<em>19.8p, 3.7r, 2.7a, 2.7s</em>). She is a long, wiry, fluid shooter who can put up points in a hurry. Someone from the experienced combination of Senior wing <strong>Lilia West</strong> (<em>3.4p, 3.3r</em>), Sophomore post <strong>Gracelyn Martin</strong> (<em>2.6p, 3.2r</em>), Junior wing <strong>Riah Johnson</strong> (<em>1.7p, 3.5r</em>), and Senior wing <strong>Campbell Warner</strong> (<em>0.7p</em>) will be needed to step up and score to take a little pressure off of McGrade. Also look for 5-3 Freshman point guard <strong>Luca Bontrager</strong> to see some action and potentially start early in her career. The Panthers are capable of beating anyone in the Sectional, especially if McGrade can get going and they can find her a running 'mate this year. In 2023-2024, the Fremont Eagles put together their first winning season since 2019-2020, in part due to a couple of rookies. 5-5 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751063' first='Grace' last='Scharlach']</strong> (<em>12.5p, 3.8r, 2.8a, 2.0s</em>) and 5-7 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751110' first='Mya' last='Turner']</strong> (<em>9.6p, 5.6r</em>) were game changers for the Eagles, and I'd only expect them to be better in their second season together. Scharlach is a relentless, athletic, versatile combo guard who can fill it up or create for others. Turner is a long, fluid/smooth wing who can shoot or slice to the rim. Throw in Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218657' first='Addy' last='Parr']</strong> (<em>12.5p, 3.3r, 2.0a</em>), a capable shooter/scorer in her own right, and Fremont should have three double-digit scoring threats in 2024-2025. 5-10 Senior forward <strong>Claire Foulk</strong> (<em>5.9p, 4.9r</em>) and 5-7 Senior wing <strong>Brayleigh Moss</strong> (<em>2.8p, 2.5r</em>) are two additional veterans with starting experience. The Eagles are very tall, and they aren't very deep, but that five together can win games if they can stay healthy and avoid foul trouble each night out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Keep an Eye On:</strong> Bethany Christian: 5-9 Senior forward <strong>Karlee Crume</strong> (<em>6.1p, 3.7r</em>); Hamilton Community: 5-4 Junior guard <strong>TeigAnn Freed</strong>; Lakeland Christian: Senior guard <strong>Katie Reimink</strong> (<em>11.0p, 4.8r, 3.0a, 4.3s</em>), Freshman post <strong>Olivia Hawks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->