State Tourney Preview – Sectionals 9-12

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='295793' first='Jamaya' last='Thomas'] (2025) of Lawrence North 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 a lot of familiar matchups in Class 4A. Below is a quick look at what to expect out of Sectionals #9 through #12 next 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 #9 - Mt. Vernon (Fortville)</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Pendleton Heights<br><strong>Top Challengers:</strong> Greenfield-Central, Mt. Vernon (Fortville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> This is kind of an odd group, but the three teams above are all in the mix for sure to win Sectional #9. Greenfield-Central beat Pendleton Heights, Pendleton Heights beat Mt. Vernon (Fortville), and Mt. Vernon (Fortville) beat Greenfield-Central. I think Pendleton Heights' combination of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295797' first='Kaycie' last='Warfel']</strong> <em>(23.5p, 5.8r, 2.7a, 5.2s)</em> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486495' first='Olivia' last='Jones']</strong> <em>(7.3p, 6.4r, 3.5a, 2.0s)</em> around the perimeter, plus the 6-3 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='750718' first='Adah' last='Hupfer']</strong> <em>(13.5p, 13.3r)</em> providing a matchup problem with her size and skill stand out most. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570373' first='Madison' last='Sonsini']</strong> <em>(16.0p, 8.3r)</em> has had a strong year for Greenfield-Central, though, and it will be interesting to see if standout Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='840811' first='Zoey' last='Wood']</strong> <em>(16.3p, 5.4r, 3.6a, 2.8s)</em> has her team ready for postseason play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295797' first='Kaycie' last='Warfel']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='750718' first='Adah' last='Hupfer']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486495' first='Olivia' last='Jones']</strong>, Pendleton Heights; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570373' first='Madison' last='Sonsini']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324066' first='Chaney' last='Brown']</strong>, Greenfield-Central; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='840811' first='Zoey' last='Wood']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1223008' first='Gabby' last='Thomas']</strong>, Mt. Vernon (Fortville); <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='368870' first='Amyannah' last='Tucker']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='689532' first='Maren' last='Bolser']</strong>, Richmond; <strong>Kayla Roberson</strong> and <strong>Amaya Zolman</strong>, Muncie Central; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1005020' first='Kennedy' last='Brown']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751300' first='Ariah' last='Scott']</strong>, Anderson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #10 - Lawrence North</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Lawrence Central<br><strong>Top Challenger:</strong> Lawrence North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Lawrence Central had a hard-fought, 1-point win against Lawrence North on December 12th, but they played again January 16th and won again by a 68-44 margin. The Bears also have a 3-0 record against Warren Central and North Central (Indianapolis) combined, with no outcome closer than 24 points. The firepower four Division-I recruits like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295763' first='Jaylah' last='Lampley']</strong> <em>(21.3p, 5.6r, 2.5s)</em>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492321' first='Lola' last='Lampley']</strong> <em>(12.0p, 6.6r, 3.7a)</em>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295753' first='Laila' last='Abdurraqib']</strong> <em>(14.5p, 5.5r, 5.7a, 2.3s)</em>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492322' first='Aniyah' last='McKenzie']</strong> <em>(9.1p, 6.3r, 2.5s)</em> bring to the floor is difficult to match by most teams, and I would consider them to be a favorite to win the Class 4A state title once again. The two things about Lawrence North, should they face the Bears again, are that (a) they won't be fearful to go head-to-head with Lawrence Central, and (b) they have their own talented roster that includes <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295799' first='Kya' last='Hurt']</strong> <em>(13.3p, 3.9r, 3.7a, 3.9s)</em>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295793' first='Jamaya' last='Thomas']</strong> <em>(13.3p, 5.3r)</em>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492317' first='Keadriah' last='Butler']</strong> <em>(12.8p, 4.4r)</em>. That matchup should prove to be a battle once again, for sure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295763' first='Jaylah' last='Lampley']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492321' first='Lola' last='Lampley']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295753' first='Laila' last='Abdurraqib']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492322' first='Aniyah' last='McKenzie']</strong>, Lawrence Central; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295799' first='Kya' last='Hurt']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295793' first='Jamaya' last='Thomas']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492317' first='Keadriah' last='Butler']</strong>, Lawrence North; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='567132' first='Denell' last='Jacobs']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='990952' first='Denaijah' last='Jacobs']</strong>, Warren Central; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295787' first='Gabrielle' last='Burrus']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756243' first='Macy' last='Loy']</strong>, North Central (Indianapolis); <strong>Natanya Edwards</strong>, Arsenal Technical</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #11 - Ben Davis</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Plainfield<br><strong>Top Challengers:</strong> Brownsburg, Pike</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Sectional #11 could prove to be a real "sleeper" this year in terms of quality teams and great games. Plainfield has Brownsburg's number for whatever reason, posting a 5-0 record against the Bulldogs over this season and last. They do a nice job of controlling tempo, making shots, and playing great team defense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751064' first='Hannah' last='Menser']</strong> <em>(17.1p, 3.9r, 3.5a, 2.9s)</em> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486496' first='Berkeley' last='Williams']</strong> <em>(14.4p, 3.2r, 2.7a, 2.0s)</em> are the two main catalysts for the Quakers, as both are highly skilled and intelligent at two of their backcourt spots. Just like Plainfield is a thorn in Brownsburg's side, Avon is the team who matches up best with Plainfield and has given them problems. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='366801' first='Aniah' last='Smith']</strong> <em>(22.4p, 5.1r, 4.4a, 4.0s)</em> and their other smaller, quicker guards can disrupt Plainfield's perimeter play. Brownsburg has gotten strong play out of 6-6 post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295789' first='Avery' last='Gordon']</strong> <em>(20.7p, 10.4r, 3.2b)</em> and wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486533' first='Elle' last='McCulloch']</strong> <em>(12.7p, 2.8r, 2.3a, 2.0s)</em> this season, while Pike has deep 2026 and 2027 classes that have created a talented resurgence for the Red Devils in 2024-2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751064' first='Hannah' last='Menser']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486496' first='Berkeley' last='Williams']</strong>, Plainfield; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295789' first='Avery' last='Gordon']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486533' first='Elle' last='McCulloch']</strong>, Brownsburg; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486542' first='Alonna' last='Divine']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751118' first='Saniya' last='Smith']</strong>, Pike; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751120' first='Shania' last='Curry']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='772792' first='Aubri' last='Ingram']</strong>, Ben Davis; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='366801' first='Aniah' last='Smith']</strong>, Avon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #12 - Franklin Central</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Center Grove<br><strong>Top Challenger:</strong> Franklin Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Center Grove is once again a strong team, as they welcomed in the transfer of talented wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='567130' first='Gracyn' last='Gilliard']</strong> <em>(18.2p, 4.3r, 3.1s)</em> from Munster over the Summer. Add to that sharpshooter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='506025' first='Ava' last='Grant']</strong> <em>(13.6p, 65 made 3s at 45%)</em> and heady point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295755' first='Lilly' last='Bischoff']</strong> <em>(10.6p, 3.0r, 3.9a)</em>, plus stifling team defense, and the Trojans will be ready to take on all comers. Franklin Central fell to Center Grove by just 5 points at the beginning of the season, and the Flashes likely have the best chance at an upset of the Trojans behind a couple of nice Seniors and a talented 2027 class. Wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295800' first='Lily' last='Graves']</strong> <em>(14.2p, 2.9r, 2.0a)</em> and 6-2 post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751115' first='Payton' last='DuVall']</strong> <em>(11.8p, 10.0r, 2.7b)</em> stand out most for Franklin Central.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='567130' first='Gracyn' last='Gilliard']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='506025' first='Ava' last='Grant']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295755' first='Lilly' last='Bischoff']</strong>, Center Grove; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295800' first='Lily' last='Graves']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751115' first='Payton' last='DuVall']</strong>, Franklin Central; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='453219' first='Randee' last='Garringer']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295772' first='Ava' last='Shafer']</strong>, Mooresville; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570372' first='Kassie' last='McMasters']</strong> and <strong>Nola Linson</strong>, Southport; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832664' first='Aleeyah' last='McElrath']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751066' first='Havana' last='Thompson']</strong>, Decatur Central; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122885' first='Mariah' last='Thomas']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='885310' first='Aubrey' last='Hall']</strong>, Perry Meridian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->