State Tourney Preview – Sectionals 17-20

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='295754' first='Addison' last='Baxter'] (2025) of Columbia City 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 several familiar matchups in Class 3A. Below is a quick look at what to expect out of Sectionals #17 through #20 this coming 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 #17 - Griffith</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Bishop Noll<br><strong>Top Challengers:</strong> Highland, East Chicago Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> This one was a tough one to call, but I'm going to trust my gut here. Bishop Noll is not the obvious choice, but they have battled injuries to key players throughout the season. They have won five of their last six games, including one over East Chicago a couple of weeks ago. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131978' first='Ecrin' last='Mart']</strong> <em>(16.8p, 2.9r, 3.2a, 2.9s)</em> has been a big part of their recent success, as she has finally gotten comfortable in her new surroundings. <strong>Jaiden Hall</strong> <em>(10.1p, 7.2r)</em>, <strong>Mackenzie Hamer</strong> <em>(8.7p, 3.2r, 2.4s)</em>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122705' first='Quinn' last='Fehr']</strong> <em>(8.1p, 3.7r, 2.8a)</em> have added veteran experience, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='932698' first='Giniya' last='Williams']</strong> <em>(7.6p, 8.2r)</em> brings size and athleticism to the frontcourt. Highland might have the best player in the Sectional in Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='624883' first='Jordan' last='Steele']</strong> <em>(25.4p, 4.9r, 6.2s)</em>, so if she catches fire, the Trojans can knock off anyone here, like when they defeated Noll before Christmas. East Chicago utilizes a balanced group of athletes who work together to win games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131978' first='Ecrin' last='Mart']</strong> and <strong>Jaiden Hall</strong>, Bishop Noll; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='624883' first='Jordan' last='Steele']</strong>, Highland; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='928916' first='Lela' last='Edmonds']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='880472' first='Shanari' last='Taylor']</strong>, East Chicago Central; <strong>Morgan Von Ogden</strong> and <strong>Maddy Ladendorf</strong>, Griffith; <strong>Priscilla Burton</strong> and <strong>Kaylah Williams</strong>, Gary West Side; <strong>J'Niya Campbell</strong>, Calumet</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #18 - Lowell</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Lowell<br><strong>Top Challengers:</strong> Hanover Central, Kankakee Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Sectional #18 leans towards Lowell, as the Red Devils are 3-0 against the field, including wins over Hanover Central and Kankakee Valley. They have size in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828063' first='Elysia' last='Laub']</strong> <em>(10.0p, 8.0r)</em> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834936' first='Gatlin' last='Hanrath']</strong> <em>(6.3p, 5.3r)</em>, plus Senior guard <strong>Bre Kidd</strong> <em>(8.9p, 2.6r)</em> has been steady most of the year. Hanover Central has a nice post of their own in <strong>Sienna Stilley</strong> <em>(10.6p, 5.3r, 2.3s)</em>, plus <strong>Sienna Antkiewicz</strong> <em>(10.6p, 4.0r, 2.4a, 2.6s)</em> gives them solid play in the backcourt. The Kougars of Kankakee Valley have played nearly all Freshmen and Sophomores this season, and they've started to play better late in the year. Their future is definitely bright, but they could cause some problems for opponents this next week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828063' first='Elysia' last='Laub']</strong> and <strong>Bre Kidd</strong>, Lowell; <strong>Sienna Stilley</strong> and <strong>Sienna Antkiewicz</strong>, Hanover Central; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756245' first='Mallorie' last='Rose']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='875128' first='Olivia' last='Adams']</strong>, Kankakee Valley; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122788' first='Abbie' last='Ritzema']</strong>, Illiana Christian; <strong>D'Yanna Hurn</strong>, River Forest</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #19 - South Bend St. Joseph</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Culver Academy<br><strong>Top Challengers:</strong> Plymouth, John Glenn</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Culver Academy is talented, and they play as many as nine players in their rotation each night. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834939' first='Kayla' last='Herron']</strong> <em>(11.3p, 4.0r, 3.9a, 2.2s)</em> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834929' first='Jimara' last='Combs']</strong> <em>(8.5p, 7.2r)</em> bring some firepower to the backcourt and can make shots or attack the basket, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492316' first='Piper' last='Brumm']</strong> <em>(10.1p, 4.5r)</em> is a strong inside-out forward who can play just about anywhere for them. Plymouth and John Glenn are both solid entries this year, but I'm not sure they can match the Eagles' talent or depth for 32 minutes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834939' first='Kayla' last='Herron']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492316' first='Piper' last='Brumm']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834929' first='Jimara' last='Combs']</strong>, Culver Academy; <strong>Sophie Miller</strong> and <strong>Alana Allen</strong>, Plymouth; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122784' first='Addison' last='Reese']</strong> and <strong>Mia Hurford</strong>, John Glenn; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122812' first='Kenadie' last='Schrock']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1256528' first='Kayla' last='Woods']</strong>, South Bend St. Joseph; <strong>Kariya Byer</strong>, Mishawaka Marian; <strong>Nevaeh Trobaugh</strong>, New Prairie</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #20 - Fairfield</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Columbia City<br><strong>Top Challengers:</strong> NorthWood, Tippecanoe Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> This is actually a fairly talented and balanced Sectional, with the exception of Columbia City at the top. With Homestead as no threat to the Eagles in Class 3A, Columbia City should be a heavy favorite here behind Butler University commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295754' first='Addison' last='Baxter']</strong> and her athletic, energetic backcourt 'mate, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486514' first='Anisa' last='Tonkel']</strong>. NorthWood has a really nice post prospect in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570370' first='Claire' last='Payne']</strong> <em>(14.9p, 12.2r)</em>, an Appalachian State volleyball commit, while most of the rest of the teams will likely be battling each other for runner-up status.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295754' first='Addison' last='Baxter']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486514' first='Anisa' last='Tonkel']</strong>, Columbia City; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570370' first='Claire' last='Payne']</strong>, NorthWood; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='928922' first='Gaby' last='Gonzalez']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='881325' first='Carlee' last='Snyder']</strong>, Tippecanoe Valley; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='567137' first='Eva' last='Herbert']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='773840' first='Mykayla' last='Mast']</strong>, Fairfield; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923155' first='Mackenzie' last='Hackleman']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='525707' first='Olivia' last='Horn']</strong>, Wawasee; <strong>Marley Mast</strong>, West Noble</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->