State Tourney Preview – Sectionals 53-56

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='486491' first='Cadence' last='Dunham'] (2026) of North Vermillion 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 #53 through #56 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 #53 - Fountain Central</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Lafayette Central Catholic<br><strong>Top Challenger:</strong> Fountain Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Lafayette Central Catholic is not only a heavy favorite to win Sectional #53, but they are one of the top teams in all of Class 1A. As for the Sectional #53 field, they enter Sectional play with 30+ point wins over the only two opponents they've played. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295785' first='Carley' last='Barrett']</strong> leads the way for the Lady Knights, with fellow Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='452729' first='Grace' last='Bordenet']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='692232' first='Maddy' last='Bruce']</strong> providing skillful backcourt support. Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999430' first='Brooke' last='Thompson']</strong> has started her career on the right foot, while Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='730754' first='Casey' last='Schuessler']</strong> is another key contributor. The Knights can come at you from all sides, and their fast-paced pressure defense is intimidating if you don't have confident guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295785' first='Carley' last='Barrett']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='452729' first='Grace' last='Bordenet']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='692232' first='Maddy' last='Bruce']</strong>, Lafayette Central Catholic; <strong>Hannah Prickett</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992535' first='Henley' last='Good']</strong>, Fountain Central; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295798' first='Mattea' last='Maggio']</strong> and <strong>Johanna Haste</strong>, Faith Christian; <strong>Nora Thomann</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486491' first='Cadence' last='Dunham']</strong>, North Vermillion; <strong>Haylee Mathas</strong>, Riverton Parke; <strong>Ava Massey</strong>, Attica; <strong>Alex Sutherlin</strong>, Covington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #54 - Clinton Prairie</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Clinton Central<br><strong>Top Challengers:</strong> Clinton Prairie, Carroll (Flora)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Clinton Central has had a nice season at 17-5, and even though the roster looks a little different from a year ago, they were a 3-pointer away from making it to the State Finals. They should be able to draw upon that experience this year. <strong>Carly Davidson</strong> <em>(19.9p, 7.4r, 5.6a, 4.4s)</em> is vital to their success, but she is one of the better traditional point guards in her class, though she has had to score it at a higher level this year as well. <strong>Riley Dellinger</strong> <em>(7.0p, 3.0r)</em>, <strong>Abby Harris</strong> <em>(6.7p, 2.5r)</em>, and <strong>Emily Long</strong> <em>(6.6p, 4.8r, 2.3s)</em> have each stepped up at different times this year. Now, Clinton Prairie is a natural rival to Clinton Central, plus Prairie hosts, which could give them an advantage. Plus, Carroll (Flora) knocked off Clinton Central back before Thanksgiving, so don't count them out either.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>Carly Davidson</strong>, Clinton Central; <strong>Abbey Swan</strong> and <strong>Taylor Morgan</strong>, Clinton Prairie; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131990' first='Jillian' last='Salts']</strong> and <strong>Emily Justice</strong>, Carroll (Flora); <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='928900' first='Ava' last='Burkle']</strong>, Rossville; <strong>Ashlyn Minniear</strong>, Frontier</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #55 - Tri-Central</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Northfield<br><strong>Top Challengers:</strong> North Miami, Daleville, Southwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> This is a very tight field, but I had to pick someone, and Northfield stood out to me. Don't get me wrong, there are probably four teams in this field who can win the week. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122656' first='Elli' last='Baker']</strong> <em>(13.8p, 6.6r)</em> leads the Norse into action, while North Miami gets strong play from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1223004' first='Kayden' last='Donaldson']</strong> <em>(12.8p, 10.0r, 3.3b)</em> and <strong>Laney Musall</strong> <em>(12.3p, 4.2r, 3.2a, 2.0s)</em>. Daleville is as well-rounded as anyone, but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1256446' first='Addisyn' last='Gothrup']</strong> <em>(14.3p, 4.8r, 2.5s)</em> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751114' first='Olivia' last='Pratcher']</strong> <em>(12.5p, 4.1r, 4.1a, 2.8s)</em> stand out as playmakers. Southwood is another team who shares the ball well, but they rely more on solid team defense and not necessarily explosive offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122656' first='Elli' last='Baker']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751091' first='Laney' last='Haupert']</strong>, Northfield; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1223004' first='Kayden' last='Donaldson']</strong> and <strong>Laney Musall</strong>, North Miami; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1256446' first='Addisyn' last='Gothrup']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751114' first='Olivia' last='Pratcher']</strong>, Daleville; <strong>Hali Pershing</strong>, Southwood; <strong>Ashlie Needler</strong>, Southern Wells; <strong>Logan Creason</strong>, Tri-Central; <strong>Elizabeth Sizemore</strong>, Cowan; <strong>Caroline Caward</strong>, Wes-Del</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #56 - Randolph Southern</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Monroe Central<br><strong>Top Challengers:</strong> Randolph Southern, Union City</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> I think Sectional #56 will be a 2-horse race between Monroe Central and Randolph Southern, though don't be surprised if Union City trips someone up. Between <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='366800' first='Sydney' last='Patterson']</strong> <em>(12.8p, 3.3r, 3.4s)</em>, <strong>Abe Ervin</strong> <em>(10.7p, 4.9r, 2.7a, 4.0s)</em>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218670' first='Addy' last='Puckett']</strong> <em>(9.4p, 6.8r, 3.2a, 3.6s)</em>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992343' first='Brynlee' last='Patterson']</strong> <em>(7.4p, 2.8r)</em>, the Golden Bears of Monroe Central have a nice collection of guards and wings to control tempo and make shots from anywhere around the floor. Randolph Southern has a star in wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='761158' first='Haileigh' last='Allen']</strong> <em>(18.1p, 6.9r, 2.0a, 3.0s, 3.0b)</em>, as well as nice role players in <strong>Tarissa Watson</strong> <em>(7.4p, 6.1r, 2.2s)</em> and <strong>Joselyn Smith</strong> <em>(6.7p, 4.4r, 2.3a, 3.3s)</em>. Union City has postseason history on its side and is well-coached, plus Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570378' first='Oaklee' last='Reichard']</strong> <em>(14.8p, 7.5r, 2.2a, 2.7s)</em> can be a handful for opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='366800' first='Sydney' last='Patterson']</strong>, <strong>Abe Ervin</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218670' first='Addy' last='Puckett']</strong>, Monroe Central; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='761158' first='Haileigh' last='Allen']</strong> and <strong>Tarissa Watson</strong>, Randolph Southern; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570378' first='Oaklee' last='Reichard']</strong>, Union City; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218605' first='Glory' last='Ellis']</strong> and <strong>Kenzy Ogden</strong>, Union (Modoc); <strong>Addyson Pitcock</strong>, Cambridge City Lincoln; <strong>Ella Schmidt</strong>, Blue River Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->