2024-25 Season Preview: Class 1A, Sectionals 53 & 54

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='1005164' first='Cadence' last='Dunham'] (2026) of North Vermillion 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 27th of 32, previewing each Sectional in the state. In this specific article, I will take a look at Class 1A, Sectional #53 and Sectional #54. 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 #53 at Fountain Central</font></strong><br>Lafayette Central Catholic (15-12), SAG 80, SOS 67<br>Faith Christian (12-12), SAG 224, SOS 264<br>Fountain Central (19-5), SAG 242, SOS 363<br>North Vermillion (11-13), SAG 299, SOS 352<br>Attica (8-14), SAG 328, SOS 351<br>Covington (10-13), SAG 335, SOS 373<br>Riverton Parke (6-18), SAG 351, SOS 354</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Teams:</strong> Whether they are in Class 1A or Class 2A, Lafayette Central Catholic has been in a class of its own in this region of the state, winning 17 Sectional titles, 7 Regional titles, 4 Semi-State titles, and 3 State titles over the last 19 years. They play a much tougher schedule year to year than their opponents, and in 2024-2025 it feels like once again they are the front-runner with everyone else trying to catch up. The Lady Knights return all but one key core player from last season, and they add a nice Freshman group. 5-9 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295785' first='Carley' last='Barrett']</strong> (<em>15.8p, 8.1r, 2.9a, 5.1s</em>), 5-5 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='452729' first='Grace' last='Bordenet']</strong> (<em>10.8p, 4.7r, 2.2a, 2.0s</em>), and 5-7 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='692232' first='Maddy' last='Bruce']</strong> (<em>7.7p, 3.3r</em>) return an experienced, skilled, and highly successful backcourt that will be tough to touch in Class 1A. Barrett is a talented athlete who can get to the rim anytime she wants, plus she's an excellent defender. Bordenet is a scrappy driver who can create for herself or others, and Bruce is a tough-nosed, hard-working, do-whatever-is-needed-to-win type of player. They only played about six deep most nights last year, but 5-8 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='730754' first='Casey' last='Schuessler']</strong> (<em>5.3p, 3.7r</em>) is a nice up-and-coming wing prospect who can play around the perimeter or defend the mid-post a little for them. 5-5 Junior wing <strong>Lyla Gosnell</strong> (<em>1.8p</em>) served as the primary reserve a season ago but looks to contribute more this year. 5-3 Sophomore point guard <strong>Lauren Potts</strong> (<em>0.4p in 12 games</em>) is a quick, fast, and feisty little guard who could help more as well. 5-10 wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999430' first='Brooke' last='Thompson']</strong>, plus twins <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1229678' first='Kenzie' last='Schuessler']</strong>, a 5-9 wing, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1229679' first='Kylie' last='Schuessler']</strong>, a 5-11 forward, are the rookies/Freshmen looking for an opportunity. Thompson has had older sisters star for LCC, and she will look to do the same early in her career. The one thing the Lady Knights rarely have is size, but they play fast, they can cause havoc, and they should be one of the top teams in all of Class 1A. There are some other really solid teams in Sectional #53, but the one who I think has the best chance of potentially upsetting Lafayette Central Catholic is Fountain Central. The Mustangs have a fairly balanced roster, with a couple of ladies in each grade contributing, plus they possess depth, returning all but one key player from last season. Standing out for Fountain Central are 5-7 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992535' first='Henley' last='Good']</strong> (<em>10.8p, 2.7r, 2.0s</em>) and 5-6 Senior wing <strong>Hannah Prickett</strong> (<em>9.4p, 3.5r</em>). Good is a long, wiry, fluid scorer who can slice to the rim or knock down an open perimeter jumper, while Prickett is a bit stronger athlete who is a good perimeter shooter but can also get downhill to the basket. Their abilities to each score it from all three levels can put a lot of pressure on opponents. Senior guards <strong>Rylee Simko</strong> (<em>5.5p, 2.3r</em>) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218629' first='Brailey' last='Hoagland']</strong> (<em>3.9p, 4.5r, 3.9a, 3.1s</em>) add veteran backcourt experience. Hoagland takes on a lot of the ball-handling and facilitating responsibilities. 5-8 Sophomore forward <strong>Bella Bacon</strong> (<em>2.4p, 3.4r</em>) and 5-9 Senior forward <strong>Kaylee Spragg</strong> (<em>2.0p, 3.7r</em>) lend frontcourt experience and offer a little size and rebounding as well. Look for Sophomore forward <strong>Aubrey Ashwill</strong> (<em>1.7p</em>) to see a bigger opportunity this year, plus any of four Freshman could eventually get a look to add depth for the Mustangs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Keep an Eye On:</strong> Attica: Senior guard <strong>McKenna Massey</strong>; Covington: 5-6 Senior guard <strong>Alex Sutherlin</strong>; Faith Christian: 5-7 Sophomore wing <strong>Johanna Haste</strong> (<em>8.5p, 5.1r, 2.3a, 2.5s</em>), 5-5 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295798' first='Mattea' last='Maggio']</strong> (<em>7.5p, 2.7r</em>), 5-10 Sophomore forward <strong>Allison Caplinger</strong> (<em>2.2p, 2.9r</em>); North Vermillion: 5-7 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1005164' first='Cadence' last='Dunham']</strong> (<em>9.6p, 3.4r, 2.3s</em>), 5-7 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131952' first='Kera' last='Dunham']</strong> (<em>7.8p, 4.7r, 2.2s</em>), 5-8 Freshman forward <strong>Nora Thomann</strong>; Riverton Parke: 5-3 Senior guard <strong>Haylee Mathas</strong> (<em>9.0p, 3.9r</em>), 6-0 Junior post <strong>Kenzie Nowicki</strong> (<em>5.6p, 4.5r, 2.8b</em>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #54 at Clinton Prairie</font></strong><br>Carroll (Flora) (20-4), SAG 52, SOS 199<br>Clinton Central (25-2), SAG 92, SOS 306<br>Bethesda Christian (18-6), SAG 184, SOS 329<br>Rossville (14-11), SAG 257, SOS 337<br>Clinton Prairie (7-17), SAG 307, SOS 293<br>Frontier (4-18), SAG 355, SOS 326<br>Traders Point Christian (<em>did not have a team in 2023-2024</em>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Teams:</strong> Carroll (Flora) and Clinton Central put together outstanding seasons in 2023-2024, but significant graduation losses have pulled them back closer to the field in Sectional #54. Now, there are four teams I feel could legitimately take the title this year. Carroll is still a threat, and now they have several returnees chomping at the bit to be the stars moving forward, as they graduated five of their seven core players. 5-11 Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131990' first='Jillian' last='Salts']</strong> (<em>4.9p, 4.8r</em>) and 5-7 Senior forward <strong>Emily Justice</strong> (<em>3.3p, 4.0r</em>) did see valuable minutes a year ago, and they will help solidify the frontcourt, but both could also become double-digit scorers this season. 5-6 Junior point guard <strong>Olivia Schroder</strong> (<em>0.3p in 17 games</em>) played sparingly last year but could take on significant ball-handling responsibilities. From there, look for the Cougars to turn to a deep Freshman group to plug some gaping holes in the lineup. <strong>Mady Isley</strong> and <strong>Eliza Rinehart</strong> are a pair of rookie playmakers who can play multiple positions and offer the Cougars immediate offensive support, plus both can create havoc defensively. Additional Freshmen <strong>Bryleigh Springer</strong> and <strong>Tristan Harter</strong> should see their minutes grow as they get more comfortable with early season reps. Carroll won't exactly come into each game with Varsity experience, but they have some nice, young players who are talented enough to win together when mixed with the veteran frontcourt returnees. Clinton Central also maintains a high level of competitiveness, but they did lose a strong frontcourt presence. 5-5 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486527' first='Carly' last='Davison']</strong> (<em>12.3p, 4.9r, 8.1a, 2.4s</em>) will now likely need to transition from facilitator to scorer. She is tough-nosed, gritty, and experienced, plus she's skillful as a ball-handler and/or shooter. 5-6 Junior guard <strong>Emily Long</strong> (<em>5.2p, 4.0r</em>) is the only other returnee with great experience, but she's not available to begin the year. 5-7 Junior wing <strong>Abby Harris</strong> (<em>1.3p</em>), Senior forward <strong>Riley Dellinger</strong> (<em>0.4p</em>), 5-7 Senior wing <strong>AnnaMae Metzinger</strong> (<em>0.4p</em>), Junior guard <strong>Hannah Jacobs</strong> (<em>0.4p</em>), and 5-4 Senior guard <strong>Lynnsie Wallsmith</strong> (<em>0.1p</em>) have each played a little but must now step up and fill starting roles this year. While the Bulldogs will lean heavily on Davison early in the season, if the rest of them can come together quickly, they could mold into a Sectional championship team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cross County rival and Sectional #54 host Clinton Prairie does return quite a bit of production, and they look to compete from the outset of the season. 5-4 Senior guard <strong>Hyleigh Wilson</strong> (<em>7.6p, 5.5r, 2.5a, 2.9s</em>) tops the list. She can create, score, and facilitate, plus she picks up a lot of steals defensively. Sophomore guard <strong>Taylor Morgan</strong> (<em>7.1p, 2.3r</em>) made a splash as a rookie, and she could be a double-figure scorer in her encore season. 5-8 Senior wing <strong>Abby Swan</strong> (<em>7.1p, 3.9r</em>) has been a Varsity regular for some time now, and she is a nice athlete who provides positional versatility, a little scoring and rebounding, plus solid defense. From there, a pair of Freshman newcomers look to get a shot at starting for the Gophers. Rookie forwards <strong>Alexis Perez</strong> and <strong>Avery Lennon</strong> will add to the interior play and could see a lot of opportunity early in their careers. Clinton Prairie isn't deep, but they have positional balance in their lineup, and they could still be standing at the end of Sectional week. Rossville is another team who has a chance at winning this group. The Hornets played six girls in their core rotation most nights, and they return three of their top five. 5-10 Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='928900' first='Ava' last='Burkle']</strong> (<em>15.0p, 7.3r, 2.4s</em>) is a tough small school matchup because she is athletic, skilled inside and out, and she plays hard. She can hurt opponents from all spots on the floor. Sophomore forward <strong>Allie Elliott</strong> (<em>7.9p, 5.0r</em>) started her career nicely last season, and she could be a double-digit scorer this year. 5-4 Senior wing <strong>Chloe Darnell</strong> (<em>2.8p, 2.4r</em>) also saw some starts last year, and she brings veteran experience to the lineup. Sophomore guard <strong>Caydence Robey</strong> (<em>0.6p in 15 games</em>) and Junior guard <strong>Autumn Pascal</strong> (<em>0.4p in 10 games</em>) played minimally last season, while Sophomore forward <strong>Victoria Vanderwall</strong> and Senior forward <strong>Avery Layton</strong> look for their first chance at Varsity action. All four could see increased minutes as the Hornets look to compete for the Sectional #54 crown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Keep an Eye On:</strong> Bethesda Christian: 5-7 Sophomore wing <strong>Tori Hamilton</strong> (<em>3.2p, 4.0r</em>); Frontier: 5-9 Senior forward <strong>Ashlyn Minniear</strong> (<em>6.0p, 7.4r</em>); Traders Point Christian: Sophomore forward <strong>Kira Berry</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->