State Tourney Preview – Sectionals 41-44

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='881701' first='Addilee' last='Jenkins'] (2025) of Parke Heritage 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. Class 2A will see growth in the total number of teams, which means more teams in most Sectional fields and a little movement by teams already in Class 2A. Below is a quick look at what to expect out of Sectionals #41 through #44 this week, along with a key player or two for each team. <em>(Disclaimer: this article was written over the weekend and scheduled to post after Sectional games had begun. We wanted to stay true to our picks and not change a few here and there because results were already posted.)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #41 - Greencastle</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Parke Heritage<br><strong>Top Challenger:</strong> Southmont</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Parke Heritage enters the tournament 6-0 against the Sectional #41 field, and they have played everyone except Greencastle at this time. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='506018' first='Emma' last='Simpson']</strong> <em>(18.6p, 8.3r, 3.5a, 3.9s)</em> leads the Wolves from the point, and she can fill it up from all levels or create and distribute. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='881701' first='Addilee' last='Jenkins']</strong> <em>(11.8p, 5.7r, 2.0s)</em> has had a nice end to her career, as she has developed into a reliable second scoring option this season. <strong>Raegan Ramsay</strong> <em>(8.2p, 3.1r)</em> brings experience, solid athleticism, and she has become a nice mid-post scorer and defender. Southmont played the Wolves the closest <em>(11 points)</em> back in early December, and I feel like they're the second-best team here anyway. The Mounties are very young, so their future is bright, but they are hungry for success now. They are 10-11, but they are 7-2 over their last nine games, so they're figuring it out. Freshman guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144620' first='Ella' last='Barry']</strong> <em>(19.5p, 4.5r, 2.6s)</em> has flashed big-time potential, and she is a long, fluidly athletic player who seemingly glides to the basket. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137319' first='Layla' last='Gomez']</strong> <em>(11.3p, 8.3r, 2.5a, 2.5s)</em> offers support in the way of size, though she is also skilled with the ball and can handle, pass, and shoot it a little from outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='506018' first='Emma' last='Simpson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='881701' first='Addilee' last='Jenkins']</strong>, Parke Heritage; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144620' first='Ella' last='Barry']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137319' first='Layla' last='Gomez']</strong>, Southmont; <strong>Chlara Pistelli</strong> and <strong>Drew</strong><font color="FFFFFF">.</font><strong>Gardner</strong>, South Putnam; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='773837' first='Jasmine' last='Duvall']</strong> and <strong>Melanie Davies</strong>, North Putnam; <strong>Alexandra Dobbs</strong> and <strong>Bailey Brown</strong>, Greencastle; <strong>Cambree Stivers</strong>, South Vermillion</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #42 - Monrovia</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Monrovia<br><strong>Top Challenger:</strong> Covenant Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> This Sectional was tough to call, but I opted for the home team thinking the crowd/gym would be of significance. Monrovia is a mostly young team, but they are talented. With young teams often comes inconsistencies, but they are figuring it out. They enter the state tournament 16-7, and they posted a 9-1 record in January. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999443' first='Zoie' last='Walls']</strong> <em>(14.7p, 8.9r, 3.8s)</em> has had a nice rookie campaign, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='692239' first='Emery' last='Newlin']</strong> <em>(14.7p, 4.7r, 3.9a, 5.0s)</em> offers a veteran presence and has been the top player in the past. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751061' first='Grace' last='Deaton']</strong> <em>(11.3p, 2.3r)</em>, <strong>Camryn Wolfe</strong> <em>(8.8p, 3.7r)</em>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751036' first='Allie' last='Tallent']</strong> <em>(7.9p, 3.3r, 2.5a)</em> round out a strong, but youthful rotation. Covenant Christian is 15-7 and 4-1 against Sectional #42 opponents, but that lone loss was to Monrovia. They were also just 4-4 down the stretch in January. But <strong>Moriah Armstrong</strong> <em>(12.7p, 5.5r, 2.3s)</em> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='915438' first='Vivian' last='Haffner']</strong> <em>(10.4p)</em> are a nice duo to start with who can provide scoring, plus Haffner is an excellent perimeter shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999443' first='Zoie' last='Walls']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='692239' first='Emery' last='Newlin']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751061' first='Grace' last='Deaton']</strong>, Monrovia; <strong>Moriah Armstrong</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='915438' first='Vivian' last='Haffner']</strong>, Covenant Christian; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331806' first='Taylor' last='Seay']</strong>, University; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='567135' first='D'Aaliyah' last='Kemp']</strong>, Park Tudor; <strong>Lilly Butler</strong>, Cardinal Ritter; <strong>Whitney Dancler</strong>, Riverside</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #43 - Triton Central</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Eastern Hancock<br><strong>Top Challengers:</strong> Triton Central, Heritage Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Eastern Hancock and Triton Central have a rivalry that dates back several years, but now you throw Heritage Christian into the mix, and there is a trio of teams who could all legitimately win Sectional #43 and potentially make a nice run through the Class 2A state tournament bracket. Eastern Hancock is 19-3 and has been mostly dominant all year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='750766' first='McKenzie' last='Koch']</strong> <em>(28.9p, 5.8r, 3.1a, 4.5s)</em> can flat out fill it up and put the team on her back, plus classmate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137341' first='Bella' last='Sotelo']</strong> <em>(11.3p, 4.0r, 2.9a, 5.4s)</em> has been a nice complement this season, playing either guard slot with great effort. Triton Central also has a standout guard in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486559' first='Maryrose' last='Felling']</strong> <em>(22.3p, 6.4r, 2.3a, 2.6s)</em>, who can really shoot it, and with range, plus she has improved as a facilitator each year. Heritage Christian leans on the backcourt duo of Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999405' first='Riley' last='Johnson']</strong> <em>(15.5p, 3.5r)</em> and Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324078' first='Joslyn' last='Marshall']</strong> <em>(13.4p, 3.7r, 2.2a, 2.7s)</em>, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324071' first='Casey' last='Frost']</strong> <em>(9.4p, 4.7r, 3.4a, 2.1s)</em> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='773844' first='Trinity' last='Taylor']</strong> <em>(7.1p, 12.6r)</em> give them the best interior presence, rebounding, and defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='750766' first='McKenzie' last='Koch']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137341' first='Bella' last='Sotelo']</strong>, Eastern Hancock; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486559' first='Maryrose' last='Felling']</strong>, Triton Central; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999405' first='Riley' last='Johnson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324078' first='Joslyn' last='Marshall']</strong>, Heritage Christian; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='891958' first='Ainsley' last='Brown']</strong>, Scecina Memorial; <strong>Nadiya Abdullah</strong> and <strong>Alicia Crawford</strong>, KIPP Legacy; <strong>Shaleah Truitt</strong> and <strong>Reggi'nae Potts</strong>, Irvington Prep; <strong>Meleah Jackson</strong>, Christel House</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #44 - Hagerstown</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Northeastern<br><strong>Top Challengers:</strong> Union County, Shenandoah, Winchester</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> In Sectional #44, it's kind of Northeastern, then everyone else. The Lady Knights are 22-1 overall, 5-0 against Sectional #44 opponents, and they were 7-0 in January, so they are riding high right now. The backcourt duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486539' first='Adysson' last='Kircher']</strong> <em>(17.3p, 2.7r, 2.2a, 3.8s)</em> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404112' first='Ava' last='Mikesell']</strong> <em>(12.9p, 3.3r, 5.0a, 4.9s)</em> will be difficult for any Class 2A opponent to contain, but the Knights can play as deep as eight or nine girls, if necessary. Union County gave them the best run during the regular season, keeping the game low-scoring and falling just 31-19. <strong>Katie McCashland</strong> is their main catalyst from a guard position. Shenandoah can be a thorn at times, so don't count them out just yet, plus Winchester brings a lot of size to the floor for a Class 2A team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486539' first='Adysson' last='Kircher']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404112' first='Ava' last='Mikesell']</strong>, Northeastern; <strong>Katie McCashland</strong> and <strong>Peityn Gillman</strong>, Union County; <strong>Gabbi Patrick</strong>, <strong>Kim Farmer</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751297' first='Grace' last='Lee']</strong>, Shenandoah; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122768' first='Alivia' last='McCoy']</strong> and <strong>Brooklyn Friend</strong>, Winchester; <strong>Taelynn Swartz</strong>, Centerville; <strong>Mackenzee Johnson</strong>, Hagerstown</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->