2025-26 Season Preview: Class 3A, Sectional 19

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='1005168' first='Lucy' last='Hayden'] (2026) from South Bend's St. Joseph High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that the previews for Classes 1A and 2A are complete, it's time to turn to Class 3A. These should come almost two to a day over the next week, because the season is a week underway, and I wanted to continue offering you a glimpse at what the 2025-26 season could hold with a preview of each of the state's 64 Sectionals once again. During the Spring of 2024, the IHSAA moved to a traditional enrollment-based format, realigning all classes with hard enrollment cutoff lines per class instead of taking nearly 400 schools and simply dividing them into four equal classes. With that said, each class has been more competitive, but the bigger classes have fewer teams than the smaller classes. This article serves as one of 64 previewing each Sectional in the state. In this specific article, I will take a look at Class 3A, Sectional #19. Below is a look at the teams in that Sectional, along with some general comments and analysis.<br><small>(<em>SAG = Final 2024-2025 Multiclass Sagarin Rating (398 teams); SOS = Final 2024-2025 Strength of Schedule</em>)</small></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #19 at Mishawaka Marian</font></strong><br>Culver Academy (20-6), SAG 93, SOS 200<br>Plymouth (13-9), SAG 151, SOS 191<br>John Glenn (17-9), SAG 163, SOS 198<br>South Bend St. Joseph (12-9), SAG 217, SOS 175<br>Mishawaka Marian (5-17), SAG 285, SOS 183<br>New Prairie (3-20), SAG 309, SOS 189</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sectional #19 is another one that could see teams flip-flop positioning from a year ago based on significant roster changes due to (a) graduation, (b) transfers, and (c) some talented Freshmen in this group. Through it all, Culver Academy could still very well be the team to beat. The bad news for the Eagles is that their first and third leading scorers from a year ago both transferred out of state, while their fourth leading scorer graduated. The good news for the Eagles is that they had nine ladies play in 22 or more games, and the other six do return to the roster. The great news is they have a Freshman from Tennessee who could eventually battle for the top spot in Indiana's 2029 class. Said Freshman is 5-9 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1050683' first='Laine' last='Lyles']</strong>. She is a tremendous athlete with strength for her age, speed &amp; quickness, and she can score, rebound, and defend. She is a real talent and will make an immediate impact for the Eagles. Of the returnees, 5-8 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492316' first='Piper' last='Brumm']</strong> (<em>10.0p, 4.7r, 1.0s</em>) is entering her fourth year as a starter. She brings nice physicality and toughness to the wing, plus she is a solid athlete with multilevel skill. 5-10 Senior forward <strong>Amelia Binkley</strong> (<em>3.7p, 2.7r</em>) is a talented multisport athlete who could see a bit of an increased role this season. She could be huge for them at the defensive end of the floor. 5-7 Junior guard <strong>Hannah Kresser</strong> (<em>3.6p, 1.5r</em>), 5-10 Senior forward <strong>Kate Clemons</strong> (<em>3.3p, 4.1r, 1.0a</em>), 5-8 Junior guard <strong>Mimi Smith</strong> (<em>2.8p, 2.4r, 2.2a, 1.8s</em>), and 5-8 Junior forward <strong>Lilah Treber</strong> (<em>0.7p</em>) will be the top options to fill the remaining roles of those who left the program. Smith could take on a primary ball-handling role as well. With six returnees and one of the best newcomers in the entire state, regardless of class, look for the Eagles to be a top team in Class 3A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite graduating their point guard and leading scorer, the South Bend St. Joseph Lady Indians return the other six ladies from their primary rotation, and they were rather young a year ago. Additionally, like Culver Academy, the Indians inherit an extremely talented Freshman who is already drawing her share of Division I interest. Their rookie newcomer is 5-7 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263959' first='Arianna' last='Rowell']</strong>, and she is a dynamic, athletic, and creative combo guard who can run offense or absolutely fill it up from all levels. She will be a game-changer for them and likely their leading scorer from the jump. South Bend St. Joe also received a transfer in 6-0 Senior front-liner <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1005168' first='Lucy' last='Hayden']</strong>. Hayden played the last two seasons at Tippecanoe Valley and possesses great strength but also good hands and touch facing the basket. Of the Lady Indians returning, 5-5 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1256528' first='Kayla' last='Woods']</strong> (<em>9.1p, 5.7r, 2.6a, 2.0s</em>) stands out. She is a talented athlete, a hard worker, and a really nice defender. The Sophomore duo of guard <strong>Lauren Hickey</strong> (<em>5.8p, 1.7r, 1.4a, 1.1s</em>) and post <strong>Pollie Walters</strong> (<em>4.7p, 3.7r</em>) saw a great deal of action as rookies, and both appear to be ready to contribute even more moving forward. 5-5 Junior guard <strong>Trinity Parker</strong> (<em>4.1p, 2.5r, 1.3a, 1.8s</em>) and Junior wing <strong>Karli Brooke</strong> (<em>3.6p, 1.5r</em>) should help with perimeter depth, while 6-0 Senior post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486481' first='Nicki' last='Byrne']</strong> (<em>1.1p, 1.1r</em>) offers height and tremendous length around the paint. Once St. Joe is able to get some court time together and fall into their roles, they could be a tough "out" because Rowell is a tremendous scorer/playmaker and any of Hayden, Woods, Hickey, and Walters could develop into double-digit scorers this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mishawaka Marian is in the unique position in Sectional #19 of having their top three players actually returning. They did graduate some of their depth, but to have those three back could give them an advantage, especially early this season. Additionally, two of the three were just rookies a year ago, and they have a bright future plus three more years in uniform for the Lady Knights. Sophomore wing <strong>Kariya Byer</strong> (<em>12.1p, 10.8r, 1.0a, 1.1s, 1.1b</em>) is a nice, versatile athlete who can play all over the floor. She was a double-double machine a year ago, and she only looks to improve this season. 6-2 Sophomore post <strong>Elle Boser</strong> (<em>7.0p, 9.5r, 1.5b</em>) bolsters their frontline with her height, length, and ability to protect the paint. She could be a second double-double performer this season. 5-7 Senior forward <strong>Fane Sete</strong> (<em>6.0p, 4.1r, 1.4a, 1.5s</em>) is yet another solid defender and rebounder for the Knights, and she'll help lockdown on defense. Backcourt play will be key to Marian's success, especially with how solid their frontcourt is already, but the Knights have a pair of Freshmen themselves who could be immediately involved. Guard <strong>Addison O'Hara</strong> has the ability to play either backcourt spot, she can handle and run offense, but she's also a very good shooter/scorer. Look for her to step in and potentially start right away. Freshman guard <strong>Milena Wilson</strong> is another who could see early minutes. She can make shots outside as well. Don't be surprised if the Lady Knights steal some games this season and approach the 15-win mark.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Additional Players to Keep an Eye On:</strong> John Glenn: Senior forward <strong>Mia Hurford</strong> (<em>8.6p, 4.8r, 2.0a, 1.3s</em>) and Senior guard <strong>Dre Weddington</strong> (<em>5.5p, 3.2r, 1.5a</em>); New Prairie: Senior forward <strong>Hannah Hawkins-Wiesner</strong> and 6-2 Freshman post <strong>Makenzie Griffiths</strong>; Plymouth: 5-9 Sophomore wing <strong>Chloe Horton</strong> (<em>7.7p, 3.9r</em>) and 5-4 Senior point guard <strong>Alana Allen</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->