State Tourney Preview – Sectionals 45-48

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='324067' first='Hylton' last='Brumley'] (2025) of Lanesville 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 #45 through #48 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 #45 - South Ripley</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Brownstown Central<br><strong>Top Challenger:</strong> Austin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> This was a tough call for me, almost a coin flip, even. On one hand, Austin won the regular season meeting at Brownstown, 50-46. However, last season Austin also won the regular season contest, but Brownstown Central put together a postseason run that saw them get to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Lady Braves have a lot of postseason experience, while Austin is looking for their first Sectional title since the 2015-2016 season. Still, though, either team could win here, so consider them 1A and 1B in Sectional #45. Brownstown leans on Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923178' first='Jenna' last='Klosterman']</strong> and <strong>Mallory Klosterman</strong>, plus Juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='928931' first='Sophie' last='Wischmeier']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486520' first='Harley' last='Toppe']</strong> for experience. The Austin Eagles lean a lot more heavily on an individual in star guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='567133' first='Brynn' last='Owens']</strong> <em>(27.1p, 6.8r, 3.6a, 3.6s)</em>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218620' first='Kelsey' last='Hawkins']</strong>, <strong>Lizzy Baker</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131950' first='Allyson' last='Davidson']</strong> are also instrumental in their success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923178' first='Jenna' last='Klosterman']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='928931' first='Sophie' last='Wischmeier']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486520' first='Harley' last='Toppe']</strong>, Brownstown Central; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='567133' first='Brynn' last='Owens']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218620' first='Kelsey' last='Hawkins']</strong>, and <strong>Lizzy Baker</strong>, Austin; <strong>Lexi Franklin</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137334' first='Claire' last='Samples']</strong>, South Ripley; <strong>Rorie Scroggins</strong>, Southwestern (Hanover); <strong>Addie Kelso</strong>, Switzerland County; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122858' first='Ava' last='Stogsdill']</strong>, Brown County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #46 - Crawford County</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Lanesville<br><strong>Top Challenger:</strong> Eastern (Pekin)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Lanesville moves up to Class 2A following consecutive Class 1A State Championships. While that is good news for 1A teams, now Class 2A teams in the South must deal with the Eagles. Guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295760' first='Hadley' last='Crosier']</strong> <em>(16.1p, 4.8r, 3.5a, 4.3s)</em>, post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='880516' first='Shelby' last='Allen']</strong> <em>(13.7p, 9.0r)</em>, and wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324067' first='Hylton' last='Brumley']</strong> <em>(12.5p, 3.4r, 2.4a, 2.6s)</em>, all Seniors, are back for one last run in an attempt to earn a third straight title. The Eagles are 17-3 and 5-0 against Sectional #46 opponents. If anyone in this field can trip up Lanesville, it might be Eastern (Pekin). The Musketeers have a trio of Juniors who could provide enough firepower to compete with the Eagles. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='624882' first='Addison' last='Smith']</strong> <em>(13.0p, 3.5r, 3.4a, 4.0s)</em>, twin sister <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='885219' first='Avery' last='Smith']</strong> <em>(7.0p, 8.6r, 2.8s)</em>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131931' first='Sidney' last='Burton']</strong> <em>(8.8p, 6.0r)</em> all transferred in this year and have been their driving force all season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295760' first='Hadley' last='Crosier']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='880516' first='Shelby' last='Allen']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324067' first='Hylton' last='Brumley']</strong>, Lanesville; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='624882' first='Addison' last='Smith']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='885219' first='Avery' last='Smith']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131931' first='Sidney' last='Burton']</strong>, Eastern (Pekin); <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999504' first='Jayda' last='Kempf']</strong> and <strong>Kamden Pierce</strong>, Our Lady of Providence; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='885178' first='Emery' last='Stroud']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218694' first='Maddyson' last='Sturgeon']</strong>, Crawford County; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='885409' first='Jericho' last='Hopper']</strong>, Paoli; <strong>Tiarra Lewis</strong>, Clarksville; <strong>Anna Sowders</strong>, Mitchell; <strong>Alexis Maudlin</strong>, Salem</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #47 - North Knox</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> South Knox<br><strong>Top Challenger:</strong> North Knox</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> South Knox has had a dream season, posting a 22-2 record and falling only to Class 4A powers Hamilton Southeastern and Homestead at the Hall of Fame Tournament. Now, they must get by North Knox, a team who has had their number the last couple of years, though South won the regular season meeting 78-49 earlier this year. Both teams are loaded with talent and whoever escapes this field could make a State Finals run. South Knox is led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570374' first='Ella' last='Bobe']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='626932' first='Bren' last='Hill']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756236' first='Kendal' last='Hill']</strong>, while North Knox gets significant contributions from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='420275' first='Lexi' last='Primus']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295765' first='Alex' last='McKinley']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473675' first='Brynna' last='Collins']</strong>. Sullivan has had a nice 14-8 regular season and could be upset-minded.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570374' first='Ella' last='Bobe']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='626932' first='Bren' last='Hill']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756236' first='Kendal' last='Hill']</strong>, South Knox; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='420275' first='Lexi' last='Primus']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295765' first='Alex' last='McKinley']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473675' first='Brynna' last='Collins']</strong>, North Knox; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='874333' first='Jacie' last='Wilson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='449149' first='Katherine' last='Sarver']</strong>, Sullivan; <strong>Alyvia McKee</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='928183' first='Jaycee' last='Archer']</strong>, Linton-Stockton; <strong>Lydia Jones</strong> West Vigo; <strong>Chyann Padgett</strong>, Eastern Greene</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #48 - Forest Park</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> North Posey<br><strong>Top Challenger:</strong> Evansville Mater Dei</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> In Sectional #48, I feel like North Posey has a bit of distance between them and #2, though Forest Park did play them to a 7-point game just last week. The Vikings are 16-6 on the season and 5-0 against Sectional #48 opponents. Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='692238' first='Alyssa' last='Heath']</strong> <em>(15.9p, 4.7r)</em> is the standout for North Posey, but she gets help from five Juniors averaging between 6.4 and 7.1 points per game, most notably <strong>Ella Weatherholt</strong> <em>(7.1p, 3.6r)</em> and <strong>Mallory Luigs</strong> <em>(6.7p, 2.5a)</em>. If anyone challenges the Vikings, I am going to lean toward Evansville Mater Dei. They fell to North Posey by 14 before Christmas, but they are seasoned and play the toughest schedule of all Sectional #48 teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='692238' first='Alyssa' last='Heath']</strong>, <strong>Ella Weatherholt</strong>, and <strong>Mallory Luigs</strong>, North Posey; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751070' first='Izzy' last='Like']</strong> and <strong>Addi Boots</strong>, Evansville Mater Dei; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='874337' first='Jenna' last='Berg']</strong>, <strong>Carly Schnell</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756235' first='Avery' last='Hill']</strong>, Forest Park; <strong>Masen Labhart</strong> and <strong>Teyah Mullis</strong>, Perry Central; <strong>Alexis Harris</strong>, <strong>Jaci Meece</strong>, <strong>Kendalyn Shourds</strong>, South Spencer; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828948' first='Reese' last='Ford']</strong> and <strong>Ollie Toothman</strong>, Tell City; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='890882' first='Alyssa' last='McCutchan']</strong>, Pike Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->