2025-26 Season Preview: Class 3A, Sectional 24

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='1311790' first='Bayleigh' last='Eisele'] (2029) from Hamilton Heights 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 #24. 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 #24 at Yorktown</font></strong><br>Yorktown (17-7), SAG 85, SOS 99<br>Delta (18-8), SAG 88, SOS 163<br>Connersville (15-9), SAG 99, SOS 78<br>New Castle (6-17), SAG 185, SOS 122<br>Jay County (10-13), SAG 234, SOS 161<br>Hamilton Heights (5-17), SAG 259, SOS 132</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Most of the teams in Sectional #24 will be competitive this season, but a few are currently going through a youth movement with bright, young talent playing major minutes. The trio of Yorktown, Delta, and Connersville, however, are experienced, veteran teams who should stand out above the rest this season. Yorktown has nice balance, size &amp; strength, skill, and some athleticism. Three of the Lady Tigers averaged double figures last season, and all return. 5-10 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486126' first='Lilly' last='Sylvester']</strong> (<em>15.4p, 6.9r, 1.5a, 1.6s</em>) was more of an interior player when she was younger, but she has done a tremendous job of developing her perimeter shot and handle, so now she is more of a playmaker from 22-feet. 5-8 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='949526' first='Olivia' last='Conklin']</strong> (<em>11.3p, 2.5r, 1.7a, 2.3s</em>) is a strong, physical wing guard who has great touch outside. She can go on hot streaks from 3-point range, and she's starting to handle it more. 6-1 Junior post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834931' first='Alexis' last='Fields']</strong> (<em>10.2p, 6.7r, 1.6s</em>) is one of the most under-the-radar prospects in the 2027 class. She is a traditional post with good hands, solid footwork, and nice touch. From there, 5-10 Sophomore wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144641' first='Rylie' last='Johnson']</strong> (<em>6.7p, 3.9r, 2.6a, 2.1s</em>) could take that next step this season. She is a long, athletic point forward type who makes plays off the bounce for herself and teammates. 5-10 Junior forward <strong>Mya Hargreaves</strong> (<em>4.5p, 5.9r, 1.2a</em>) rounds out the core. She is a multisport athlete who really helps defensively and on the boards. 5-4 Junior guard <strong>Olivia Jaromin</strong> (<em>1.3p</em>) and 5-5 Senior wing <strong>Mabrey Wood</strong> (<em>0.9p</em>) each played about 10 minutes per game off the bench for the Tigers, but they look to contribute more this year. If Yorktown plays together and can utilize their versatile roster effectively, they could make a deep playoff run this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Five Seniors definitely help the Delta Eagles win the experience battle most evenings. 5-9 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832654' first='Jillian' last='Barr']</strong> (<em>16.7p, 10.2r, 1.7a, 4.0s, 2.4b</em>) is an outstanding athlete and a monster inside the arc. She typically outplays her matchup each night. 5-4 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1256487' first='Griffyn' last='Knight']</strong> (<em>15.1p, 4.7r, 2.0a, 4.0s</em>) is a little undersized, but she is a talented shooter/scorer who is very scrappy defensively as well. 5-5 Senior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1231134' first='Addison' last='Barnes']</strong> (<em>10.4p, 2.5r, 4.5a, 2.2s</em>) was a welcomed addition last season, and she does a really nice job of balancing her ability to distribute the ball with her skill to make open shots. 5-6 Senior wing <strong>Elizabeth Bamidele</strong> (<em>5.8p, 5.0r, 1.5a, 1.8s</em>) is another wing athlete who is best served as a defender/rebounder, but she can get to the rim and finish at the basket. And 5-7 wing <strong>Olivia Marshall</strong> (<em>3.4p, 2.4r, 1.1s</em>) is the fifth Senior with experience. She is a nice role player off the bench for the Eagles. 5-4 Junior guard <strong>Harper Timmerman</strong> (<em>3.7p, 3.0r, 1.5a, 1.2s</em>) bounces back &amp; forth between being a facilitator and a scorer, but she is solid in both roles. 6-0 Sophomore post <strong>Gracie Maurer</strong> (<em>3.2p, 3.0r</em>) brings good size and can help in matchup situations. She could have a breakout year if they need a traditional post presence inside. Delta has been gearing up for this season, and if anyone is going to frustrate Yorktown, it very well could be the Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Connersville Spartans lean heavily on a Senior trio at guard to lead them each evening. 5-6 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='567128' first='Ahniyah' last='Bennett']</strong> (<em>10.6p, 4.3r, 2.3a, 1.6s</em>), 5-4 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1256502' first='Serenity' last='Pennington']</strong> (<em>11.5p, 4.2r, 2.8a, 2.7s</em>), and 5-3 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1357833' first='Addison' last='Jones']</strong> (<em>8.8p, 3.1r, 2.5a, 2.3s</em>) all bring something a little different to the court, and they complement each other very well. Bennett is an elite athlete who makes explosive plays off the dribble. She can knock down an open rhythm jumper, but she's best in transition and getting to the hoop. Pennington is a wiry shooter with some range. She can also slide over and play a facilitating role, plus she's a solid defender. Jones is more of a natural point guard. She also has touch outside, but she is a willing passer and solid defender. From there, 6-1 Sophomore forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999397' first='Kendyl' last='Bottomley']</strong> (<em>8.5p, 7.5r, 2.0a, 1.8s</em>) is a really nice talent. She put together a strong rookie campaign, and she could be in for a double-double average as a Sophomore this season. She is extremely long, bouncy, and very active. 5-9 Junior front-liner <strong>Kinze Van Meter</strong> (<em>3.9p, 3.9r</em>) could be the glue who holds this group together. She played off the bench last season, but now she is counted on to come up with hustle plays, defensive stops, and opportunistic scores when others are pressured hard. She could be key to winning the bigger games. The Spartans definitely have talent in the first five, but whether they can survive foul trouble and build some depth will be crucial to their long-term success in 2025-2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Additional Players to Keep an Eye on:</strong> Hamilton Heights: 6-1 Freshman forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263963' first='Riley' last='Suarez']</strong> and 5-5 Freshman point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1311790' first='Bayleigh' last='Eisele']</strong>; Jay County: 5-9 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756250' first='Hallie' last='Schwieterman']</strong> (<em>18.9p, 5.5r, 2.4a, 3.8s</em>) and 5-8 Sophomore guard <strong>Liz Brunswick</strong> (<em>7.3p, 5.0r, 2.2a, 1.7s</em>); New Castle: 5-9 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751047' first='Carlee' last='Lanzer']</strong> (<em>12.7p, 5.3r, 2.9a, 1.5s</em>), 5-6 Senior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131968' first='Emily' last='Luce']</strong> (<em>11.0p, 3.1r, 5.8a, 3.9s</em>), and 5-7 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131972' first='Megan' last='Luce']</strong> (<em>11.9p, 4.6r, 3.6a, 2.2s</em>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->