State Tourney Preview – Sectionals 1-4

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='295780' first='Ryiah' last='Wilson'] (2025) of South Bend's Washington High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the new enrollment cutoff in regard to the IHSAA's 2024-2025 classification restructure, each of the four classes will look a bit different. Still, there should be a lot of familiar matchups in Class 4A. Below is a quick look at what to expect out of Sectionals #1 through #4 next week, along with a key player or two for each team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #1 - Crown Point</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Lake Central<br><strong>Top Challenger:</strong> Hammond Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Lake Central fell to Hammond Central by 8 points back around Thanksgiving, but I would lean heavily on Lake Central's postseason experience these last two years. They still have a skilled and Senior-laden roster, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295781' first='Vanessa' last='Wimberly']</strong> <em>(15.2p, 3.2r, 3.4a, 3.7s)</em> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295811' first='Ayla' last='Krygier']</strong> <em>(15.3p, 5.1r, 2.3a)</em>, and I think in clutch moments, they should be able to get through tough situations. Also keep an eye on Hammond Morton, as they bring an athletic, fast-paced style of play that can frustrate many opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295781' first='Vanessa' last='Wimberly']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295811' first='Ayla' last='Krygier']</strong>, Lake Central; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='567131' first='Indiah' last='Hutchinson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='624214' first='Ciyah' last='Thomas']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486551' first='Valencia' last='Miller']</strong>, Hammond Central; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834925' first='Kylah' last='Patterson']</strong> and <strong>Chanteze Holland</strong>, Hammond Morton; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999415' first='Ava' last='Richie']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756234' first='Ivy' last='Henderson']</strong>, Crown Point; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='553157' first='Nina' last='Garner']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828060' first='Cecilia' last='Mason']</strong>, Munster</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #2 - Chesterton</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Valparaiso<br><strong>Top Challengers:</strong> Merrillville, Chesterton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Valparaiso has the easiest path to the Sectional title game next Saturday evening. While they have a new coach and new system in place, so do Merrillville and Chesterton. Look for the experience and savvy of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='419439' first='Lillian' last='Barnes']</strong> <em>(23.2p, 7.4r, 5.5a, 4.6s)</em> to stand out each time she takes the floor for the Vikings, but don't be surprised if Merrillville pulls an upset here either. They have multiple girls in the lineup who can score the ball from different spots on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='419439' first='Lillian' last='Barnes']</strong>, Valparaiso; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='366805' first='Kylie' last='Wells']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756240' first='Malika' last='Jenkins']</strong>, Merrillville; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486535' first='Kenedi' last='Bradley']</strong>, Chesterton; <strong>Kylie Byrd</strong>, Portage; <strong>Riley Weber</strong>, Hobart</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #3 - LaPorte</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> South Bend Washington<br><strong>Top Challenger:</strong> Penn</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> South Bend Washington has some talented youngsters and will still be a good team in the coming years, but this Senior class ends an era of dominance for them...for now. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295770' first='Kira' last='Reynolds']</strong> <em>(15.7p, 13.5r, 6.5a, 3.9s, 6.6b)</em>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295766' first='Monique' last='Mitchell']</strong> <em>(19.3p, 5.4r, 2.9a, 3.0s)</em>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295780' first='Ryiah' last='Wilson']</strong> <em>(15.0p, 3.3r, 4.3a, 6.0s)</em> look to make one last deep tournament run with the Panthers. They are a handful for most opponents, but Penn always seems to find a way with their discipline and structure to cause problems for most teams. They are mostly young this season, but expect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295745' first='Jessa' last='Troy']</strong> <em>(13.4p, 3.7r, 3.7a, 2.5s)</em> to get them ready to go next week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295770' first='Kira' last='Reynolds']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295766' first='Monique' last='Mitchell']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295780' first='Ryiah' last='Wilson']</strong>, South Bend Washington; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295745' first='Jessa' last='Troy']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999403' first='Addison' last='Hummel']</strong>, Penn; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122699' first='Serenity' last='Farmer']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='496016' first='Emma' last='Norton']</strong>, South Bend Riley; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='366799' first='Paulecia' last='Isom']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='496008' first='Divine' last='Woods']</strong>, Michigan City; <strong>Amya Henry</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='633002' first='Maddison' last='Lawson']</strong>, South Bend Adams; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992372' first='Siona' last='Ohime']</strong> and <strong>Keilaeyah Roundtree</strong>, LaPorte; <strong>Tinayja Summers</strong> and <strong>Millie Mammolenti</strong>, Mishawaka</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #4 - Warsaw</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Warsaw<br><strong>Top Challenger:</strong> Northridge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Until a recent run-in with Homestead, the Warsaw Tigers have been mostly dominant this season. The trio of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='403531' first='Brooke' last='Zartman']</strong> <em>(19.3p, 2.1a, 3.2s)</em>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='567134' first='Joslyn' last='Bricker']</strong> <em>(18.0p, 5.0r, 3.3a, 3.0s)</em>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295782' first='Brooke' last='Winchester']</strong> <em>(12.9p, 10.3r, 2.4a)</em> have been difficult for most opponents to match up with. While Warsaw defeated Northridge by 16 three weeks ago, expect for the Lady Raiders to put up a lot of resistance if the two teams match up again. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834963' first='Lily' last='Scholl']</strong> <em>(16.1p, 6.5r, 2.3a, 3.1s)</em> has been outstanding in her second season of Varsity action. Also, don't be surprised if Elkhart lands an upset win or two. They are an extremely feisty and confident bunch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='403531' first='Brooke' last='Zartman']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='567134' first='Joslyn' last='Bricker']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295782' first='Brooke' last='Winchester']</strong>, Warsaw; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834963' first='Lily' last='Scholl']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331802' first='Rielyn' last='Goodwin']</strong>, Northridge; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='875459' first='Danica' last='Barnes']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486489' first='Jordynn' last='Johnson']</strong>, Elkhart; <strong>Shelby Emerick</strong>, Concord; <strong>Ava Yordy</strong>, Goshen</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->