State Tourney Preview – Sectionals 49-52

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='999408' first='Hillary' last='Labis'] (2028) of Westville 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 1A 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 1A. Below is a quick look at what to expect out of Sectionals #49 through #52 this week, along with a key player or two for each team. <em>(Disclaimer: this article was written last 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 #49 - Bowman Academy</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Marquette Catholic<br><strong>Top Challenger:</strong> Westville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Marquette Catholic is one of the top teams in Class 1A, and they were the 2024 Class 1A State Runners-Up. This time, they'd like to finish the deal, and they have a talented, experienced roster with size and depth. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486528' first='Laniah' last='Davis']</strong> <em>(19.6p, 8.9r, 2.9a, 3.4s)</em> should just be called "Headache", because that's what she has been for opponents over her three seasons. She is strong, athletic, aggressive, and can fill it up. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486479' first='Addison' last='Penziol']</strong> <em>(7.3p, 2.0r)</em> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751101' first='Marissa' last='Pleasant']</strong> <em>(7.2p, 2.1r, 2.0a)</em> round out a strong starting backcourt, while <strong>Livia Balling</strong> <em>(6.0p, 3.6r)</em> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324083' first='Natalie' last='Robinson']</strong> <em>(5.8p, 5.3r, 2.8s)</em> offer athletic size along the frontline. But they shouldn't overlook Westville. The Blackhawks are 21-2, though Marquette won their matchup by 20+ the first time around. Still, 5-11 rookie wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999408' first='Hillary' last='Labis']</strong> <em>(19.7p, 8.5r, 2.5a, 2.5s)</em> and 6-1 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570380' first='Andrea' last='Benefield']</strong> <em>(14.2p, 7.3r, 2.2s)</em> present a formidable duo to contend with. <strong>Miranda Sparks</strong> <em>(8.7p, 3.8r, 2.7a, 3.4s)</em> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137316' first='Ava' last='Fenters']</strong> <em>(7.7p, 3.8r, 4.1a, 3.7s)</em> have had nice years in the backcourt as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486528' first='Laniah' last='Davis']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486479' first='Addison' last='Penziol']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751101' first='Marissa' last='Pleasant']</strong>, Marquette Catholic; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999408' first='Hillary' last='Labis']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570380' first='Andrea' last='Benefield']</strong>, Westville; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331817' first='Clair' last='Klinger']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324077' first='Gracie' last='Little']</strong>, Washington Township; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923191' first='Jayde' last='Pryor']</strong> and <strong>Addison Hendrixson</strong>, Tri-Township; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137299' first='Bella' last='Birky']</strong> and <strong>Ellie Nemeth</strong>, Kouts; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570383' first='Kahlen' last='Robinson']</strong> and <strong>Janiyah Jackson</strong>, Bowman Academy; <strong>Madi Lemmons</strong> and <strong>Josie Lemmons</strong>, Morgan Township</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #50 - West Central</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Tri-County<br><strong>Top Challenges:</strong> nearly everyone else</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Tri-County currently sits at 19-2 and 7-0 against Sectional #50 teams. In fact, their two losses are to a very good Rensselaer Central team and Class 4A Lafayette Jefferson, each by 13 points. The Cavaliers lean heavily on the play of Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828013' first='Sara' last='Zarse']</strong> <em>(14.1p, 5.6r, 3.0a, 4.2s)</em> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923137' first='Hannah' last='Arvin']</strong> <em>(10.9p, 6.8r, 3.0s)</em>. They are both talented, multisport athletes who have length to them and are difficult matchups at this level. There are several other really nice teams/players in this Sectional, so if anyone can at least contain Zarse and/or Arvin for a night, they could pull off an upset here, but it won't be easy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828013' first='Sara' last='Zarse']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923137' first='Hannah' last='Arvin']</strong>, Tri-County; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='366795' first='Sophie' last='Bakker']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='692231' first='Claire' last='Bakker']</strong>, DeMotte Christian; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259578' first='Madisyn' last='DeMoss']</strong> and <strong>Kailee Bishop</strong>, West Central; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='831907' first='Makenna' last='Strycker']</strong> and <strong>Mia McKaig</strong>, Pioneer; <strong>Autumn Reif</strong>, North White; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='890801' first='Madisyn' last='Douglass']</strong>, Caston; <strong>Tatum Cahill</strong>, North Newton; <strong>Avalin Bohlinger</strong>, South Newton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #51 - Oregon-Davis</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> North Judson-San Pierre<br><strong>Top Challengers:</strong> Elkhart Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> North Judson is 18-4 and 5-0 against Sectional #51 opponents thus far. They have gotten strong guard play out of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='875136' first='Cailyn' last='Tunis']</strong> <em>(15.3p, 3.5r)</em> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='880530' first='Kyleigh' last='Lehiy']</strong> <em>(10.8p, 9.9r, 3.4s)</em> all season, and they each bring something a little different. Tunis is a very good perimeter shooter, while Lehiy is a long, wiry athlete who glides to the basket and has a little bounce to her. <strong>Shiloh DeBoard</strong> <em>(9.0p, 5.3r, 2.9a, 2.8s)</em> has been a welcomed newcomer this year, transferring in from Morgan Township. The Bluejays also recently saw the return of 6-1 forward <strong>Molly Madsen</strong> who has been out because of injury but could help an otherwise guard-heavy lineup. Elkhart Christian is the main challenger here. They are somewhat young, but they have posted a 17-5 record and are 5-0 against the field. <strong>Ivy Clapsaddle</strong> <em>(13.4p, 4.1r, 2.6s)</em>, <strong>Lily Maxwell</strong> <em>(11.5p, 3.1r, 3.5s)</em>, and <strong>Kyla Yordy</strong> <em>(10.1p, 5.2r, 4.2a, 4.2s)</em> are key for the Eagles...the latter two are Freshmen. They could give North Judson a run for their money.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='875136' first='Cailyn' last='Tunis']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='880530' first='Kyleigh' last='Lehiy']</strong>, North Judson-San Pierre; <strong>Ivy Clapsaddle</strong>, <strong>Lily Maxwell</strong>, and <strong>Kyla Yordy</strong>, Elkhart Christian; <strong>Amiyah Williams</strong>, Culver Community; <strong>Sarah Thompson</strong> and <strong>Gabriella Krause</strong>, Oregon-Davis; <strong>Morgyn Barcus</strong> and <strong>Ellie Bollenbacher</strong>, Argos Community; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1044763' first='Sydney' last='King']</strong> and <strong>Avery Viers</strong>, Triton; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832674' first='Samantha' last='Marks']</strong>, South Central (Union Mills); <strong>Lauren Urbanski</strong>, Trinity Greenlawn</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #52 - Bethany Christian</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Fremont<br><strong>Top Challengers:</strong> Lakewood Park Christian, Blackhawk Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> I will be curious to see if anyone can keep up with Fremont in Sectional #52. They have such great guard play, they can really control tempo and cause problems defensively, especially in Class 1A. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751063' first='Grace' last='Scharlach']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751110' first='Mya' last='Turner']</strong> are the main instigators for the Eagles. Scharlach is a dynamic little combo guard who can create offense and fill it up. Turner is a long, wiry wing who has some touch but plays bigger than she is. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218657' first='Addy' last='Parr']</strong> adds an element of leadership &amp; experience to the mix, plus she can knock down open shots outside consistently. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828004' first='Ava' last='McGrade']</strong> <em>(22.4p, 5.3r, 3.1a, 4.0s)</em> from Lakewood Park Christian, or maybe a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923197' first='Malea' last='Steele']</strong> from Blackhawk Christian are capable of filling it up and taking over a game, giving their teams a chance to knock off Fremont.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751063' first='Grace' last='Scharlach']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218657' first='Addy' last='Parr']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751110' first='Mya' last='Turner']</strong>, Fremont; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828004' first='Ava' last='McGrade']</strong>, Lakewood Park Christian; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923197' first='Malea' last='Steele']</strong> and <strong>Avery Elsworth</strong>, Blackhawk Christian; <strong>Katie Reimink</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1005165' first='Dayton' last='Sibert']</strong>, Lakeland Christian; <strong>Karlee Crume</strong>, Bethany Christian; <strong>Grace Chaille</strong>, Canterbury; <strong>Teigann Freed</strong>, Hamilton Community</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->