2024-25 Season Preview: Class 1A, Sectionals 57 & 58

<!-- 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 29th of 32, previewing each Sectional in the state. In this specific article, I will take a look at Class 1A, Sectional #57 and Sectional #58. 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 #57 at Anderson Prep</font></strong><br>Anderson Prep (12-13), SAG 316, SOS 375<br>Indiana School for the Deaf (14-8), SAG 338, SOS 370<br>Tindley Accelerated (10-14), SAG 364, SOS 381<br>Purdue Polytechnic Broad Ripple (North) (0-2), SAG 383, SOS 392<br>MTI School of Knowledge (0-5), SAG 390, SOS 393<br>Liberty Christian (<em>no team in 2023-2024</em>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Teams:</strong> Sectional #57 is really tough to dissect, as three teams either didn't play or barely played a season ago. In turn, I will focus on the knowns of Anderson Prep, Indiana Deaf, and Tindley. The Anderson Prep Jets return a strong pair of interior players in 5-11 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570379' first='Alivia' last='Peoples']</strong> (<em>12.1p, 9.5r, 2.9s</em>) and Senior post <strong>Kaylynn Orr</strong> (<em>9.3p, 6.3r</em>). They bring a physical presence tough for most opponents to match in Class 1A. 5-11 Junior forward <strong>Arianna Flowers</strong> (<em>8.0p, 5.2r, 2.4s in 14 games</em>) adds more height and length, plus she has a versatile inside-out game. Returning to the backcourt are Junior guard <strong>Clara Fulton</strong> (<em>5.7p, 2.1r</em>), Junior point guard <strong>Tameah Eldridge</strong> (<em>2.6p, 2.1s</em>), and 5-6 Junior guard <strong>Jalah Watson</strong> (<em>2.6p, 2.3r in 7 games</em>). If the Jets can remain healthy, that group can apply a lot of defensive pressure and utilize their size to wear down most opponents. The Orioles of the Indiana School for the Deaf graduated a talented set of twins, but one thing is typically applicable for the Orioles...they always compete. 5-3 Senior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218688' first='Tiana' last='Starayev']</strong> (<em>9.1p, 4.6r, 4.3a, 3.5s</em>) is an absolute playmaker at both ends of the floor, and this season she will likely be leaned on to score it a little more than usual. 5-5 Senior wing <strong>Leokadia Saunders</strong> (<em>1.7p, 2.3r</em>) and 5-7 Junior forward <strong>Jaiden Moses</strong> (<em>1.6p, 3.5r</em>) are the next most experienced Orioles and can provide rebounding and defense, but both will need to also increase their offensive productivity. The remainder of the roster will be new this year, and look for as many as five Freshmen to potentially impact the Varsity, including younger sister <strong>Ariana Starayev</strong>, a 5-8 Freshman wing. If anyone overlooks the Indiana School for the Deaf, they could pay the price, because as I mentioned before, they tend to always compete. The Tindley Tigers didn't graduate much, but they did lose their best player to transfer, unfortunately. Still, there is plenty of firepower to go around, and they very well could be the favorite in Sectional #57 by season's end. 5-7 Junior guard <strong>Ariaunna Hall</strong> (<em>11.7p, 4.8r, 2.2a, 2.5s</em>) was strong last season as a Sophomore, and she will look to lead the Tigers this season. She can create offense for herself and teammates, plus she's an active defender. 5-4 Senior guard <strong>Rachel Day</strong> (<em>5.1p, 5.1r, 2.0a, 3.9s</em>) brings experience and toughness to the lineup, while 5-8 Sophomore forward <strong>Heaven Dickerson</strong> (<em>3.5p, 5.3r</em>) and 6-1 Sophomore post <strong>Zakkiya Northern</strong> (<em>1.2p, 2.6r</em>) add an interior presence. Those two improving could be key to Tindley's success this year. Varsity newcomers <strong>Alonah Savage</strong>, a 5-10 Junior post, and <strong>Jaranye Smith</strong>, a 5-5 Senior forward, should be able to provide more stability inside, while 5-3 Freshman guard <strong>Rihanna Peay</strong> brings ball handling and creativity to the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Keep an Eye On:</strong> Liberty Christian: Freshman point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='990165' first='Serenity' last='Conyers']</strong>; Purdue Poly Broad Ripple: Freshman wing <strong>Nadia Harris</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #58 at Eminence</font></strong><br>Eminence (19-8), SAG 251, SOS 378<br>Indianapolis Lutheran (12-10), SAG 283, SOS 366<br>Greenwood Christian (6-18), SAG 352, SOS 349<br>Providence Cristo Rey (0-12), SAG 394, SOS 386<br>Central Christian (2-2), SAG N/A, SOS N/A<br>Metropolitan (<em>no team in 2023-2024</em>)<br>Victory College Prep (<em>no team in 2023-2024</em>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Teams:</strong> Similar to Sectional #57 (<em>above</em>), Sectional #58 really doesn't have a lot of knowns, so I will focus primarily on Eminence, Lutheran, and Greenwood Christian. Eminence graduated six of their top seven players, but they return one of the more talented front-liners in Class 1A in 6-1 Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570384' first='Sophia' last='Saucerman']</strong> (<em>14.3p, 6.0r</em>). She is extremely long and wiry, fluidly athletic, and skilled facing the basket in the mid-post. I would expect her to average a double-double this year. 5-4 Junior guard <strong>Abby Dittemore</strong> (<em>1.5p</em>) is the only other player returning with any Varsity experience, so there will definitely need to be some roster building done by the Eels this season. 5-3 Sophomore guard <strong>Khloee Kirk</strong> looks for an opportunity, and she is a nice all-around athlete who could be a top scorer this year for the Eels. Eminence will also likely look to five Freshmen to fill voids, led by 5-2 point guard <strong>Emma Webb</strong>, 5-3 wing <strong>Emmalin Dittemore</strong>, and 5-4 forward <strong>Trinity Parsley</strong>. Without question, Saucerman will be a focal point, but if the newcomers can add enough offense and limit opponents on defense, they should remain competitive in this wide-open Sectional field. The Saints of Indianapolis Lutheran graduated their top two players, plus two Sophomores who played a lot as rookies do not return. They will now turn to a young, inexperienced lineup to step up, but there is talent available. 6-1 Senior post <strong>Caitlyn Rose</strong> (<em>8.2p, 5.5r</em>) does return to the starting lineup, and she provides a presence in the paint. 5-7 Sophomore guard <strong>Madison Rogers</strong> (<em>1.2p</em>) is the only other returnee who has played in more than a handful of contests. Look for a trio of Freshmen to step up and potentially start for the Saints. Those three rookies are 5-3 guard <strong>Shae Olson</strong>, plus forwards <strong>Amelia Hughes</strong> and <strong>Tori Smith-Brooks</strong>. Lutheran could struggle for offense early, so limiting turnovers and defending with effort will be key if they want to have a shot at the Sectional #58 title. Greenwood Christian tends to play a much tougher schedule than the others in this field, so their end-of-season record may not indicate what they are capable of come February. The Cougars graduated their top player from last season; however, they return everyone else. They should get a balanced effort from Sophomore wing <strong>Annaleece Jackson</strong> (<em>6.7p, 4.7r</em>), 5-8 Senior forward <strong>Faith Kresge</strong> (<em>5.7p, 6.3r</em>), 5-9 Sophomore wing <strong>Norah Herndon</strong> (<em>4.3p, 4.7r</em>), Sophomore forward <strong>Reagan Willis</strong> (<em>3.8p, 3.9r</em>), 5-2 Sophomore guard <strong>Kate Reed</strong> (<em>3.8p, 4.7r</em>), and Sophomore wing <strong>Isabelle Howell</strong> (<em>3.3p, 3.0r</em>). If that group can mature together on the court, they could have a couple of nice years together and win multiple Sectional titles moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Keep an Eye On:</strong> Central Christian: 5-7 Freshman guard <strong>Olivia Mattingly</strong>, Senior guard <strong>Nevaeh Rodriguez</strong>; Providence Cristo Rey: 5-8 Junior wing <strong>BeNea Daniels</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->