2025-26 Season Preview: Class 4A, Sectional 12

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='567130' first='Gracyn' last='Gilliard'] (2026) from Center Grove High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the season nearing the halfway point, it's time to complete the state tournament previews for Class 4A. 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 4A, Sectional #12. 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 #12 at Center Grove</font></strong><br>Center Grove (18-4), SAG 13, SOS 18<br>Franklin Central (18-10), SAG 18, SOS 19<br>Mooresville (18-8), SAG 89, SOS 92<br>Southport (12-10), SAG 132, SOS 126<br>Decatur Central (7-15), SAG 172, SOS 45<br>Perry Meridian (1-21), SAG 255, SOS 93</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Center Grove has made Semi-State appearances two of the last three years, however, Franklin Central knocked off the Trojans in overtime in the Sectional last season. Center Grove also graduated three of their top four scorers, but they also have a nice influx of young talent, so they shouldn't miss a beat moving forward. Additionally, leading scorer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='567130' first='Gracyn' last='Gilliard']</strong> (<em>18.3p, 4.1r, 1.9a, 3.2s</em>), a 5-11 Senior wing, does return and gives them an Indiana All-Star candidate who very easily could score in the 25 point per game range this year. She is strong, athletic, but also highly skilled with the ball, and she can score it at all three levels equally well. 5-8 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834961' first='MacKenzie' last='Pierce']</strong> (<em>2.2p, 2.2r, 1.0s</em>), 5-9 Senior guard <strong>Ella Sprong</strong> (<em>1.5p</em>), 5-6 Senior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486507' first='Hannah' last='Gin']</strong> (<em>0.6p, 3.0r, 1.8a, 2.0s</em>), 5-5 Senior guard <strong>Mia Mann</strong> (<em>0.1p in 14 games</em>), and 5-10 Senior forward <strong>Anna Karr</strong> (<em>1.4r in 9 games</em>) make up a veteran nucleus that understands their system, expectations, and collectively play great team defense. Pierce has shown the potential to step up as a capable shooter/scorer. From there, the Sophomore class saw a trio of ladies step into the rotation at times as rookies last season. The best of the bunch is 5-11 wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999436' first='Haley' last='Wagoner']</strong> (<em>2.6p, 2.3r</em>). She is a solid all-around athlete, she has good size &amp; strength for her age, plus she is skilled in the mid-post and around the perimeter. 5-8 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992338' first='Aubree' last='Waltz']</strong> (<em>2.4p in 5 games</em>) and 5-8 wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='990224' first='Kennedy' last='Kemper']</strong> (<em>0.8p in 6 games</em>) are waiting in the wings for their turns to affect the Varsity roster. Both play hard and show the versatility to play a couple of positions each, so when they get called on, they should fit in nicely. 5-9 Freshman point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263967' first='Lillia' last='Tapak']</strong> should have an immediate impact as well. She is long, smooth, and skilled with the ball. She's also a capable perimeter shooter. I was impressed with her play throughout the Summer, and she should consistently be a top prospect in Indiana's 2029 class. The Lady Trojans have proven over the last few years that their system and approach at the defensive end of the floor helps them overcome any personnel losses. If they can mix this talented younger group with Gilliard and these additional steady upperclassmen, they could be a real competitor come February.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Franklin Central is highly dependent on a strong 2027 class that has continued to improve each season. Unfortunately, however, they lost 5-6 Junior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756239' first='Riley' last='Huotari']</strong> (<em>5.6p, 3.1r, 6.0a, 1.8s</em>) to a season-ending injury during the first week of November. Still, they are talented, deep, and well-balanced. 6-2 Junior post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751115' first='Payton' last='DuVall']</strong> (<em>12.3p, 10.0r, 1.4a, 1.8s, 2.3b</em>) is a regular double-double performer, but she has flashed even more potential than that. If she can consistently be about a 17-point, 12-rebound player, it could take the Flashes to that next level. 5-9 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='692561' first='Ashlee' last='Baker']</strong> (<em>9.3p, 2.0r, 2.8a, 1.3s</em>) is a strong guard, she's skilled with the ball and can find open teammates, but most importantly, she is a dangerous perimeter shooter who must be chased. 5-9 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137311' first='Aniya' last='Doughty']</strong> (<em>6.4p, 2.4r, 2.6a, 1.4s</em>) stepped up last year and showed nice athleticism and great versatility. She can play any of three positions, but she could be key in helping Baker to handle the ball with Huotari out. 5-8 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751048' first='Carly' last='Holmes']</strong> (<em>4.1p, 1.6r</em>) also brings significant experience to the rotation. She is another effective perimeter shooter with the ability to defend inside some as well. From there, look for 5-8 Freshman wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263969' first='Journey' last='Washington']</strong> to contend for a starting spot. She is very athletic, hard-working, and versatile. She can fill a point forward role, and she is a talented slashing scorer. 5-9 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751043' first='Briley' last='Layton']</strong> (<em>1.9p, 1.1r in 18 games</em>) and 6-3 Senior post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1256480' first='Aubrey' last='Irwin']</strong> (<em>1.4p, 1.6r in 20 games</em>) have played sparingly in the past, but either could contribute depending on situational needs. If the Flashes can overcome the loss of Huotari, they have plenty of skill, talent, and experienced depth to compete for the Sectional #12 crown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Additional Players to Keep an Eye on:</strong> Decatur Central: 5-6 Senior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832664' first='Aleeyah' last='McElrath']</strong> (<em>15.1p, 4.7r, 1.5a, 2.3s</em>), 5-10 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751066' first='Havana' last='Thompson']</strong> (<em>9.2p, 5.1r, 3.0a, 1.9s</em>), 5-8 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='624874' first='Mia' last='Barnes']</strong> (<em>8.9p, 3.1r, 1.1a, 1.4s</em>), and 5-7 Freshman guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263948' first='C.J.' last='Johnson']</strong>; Mooresville: 5-5 Sophomore guard <strong>Makenzie Holtzclaw</strong> (<em>7.6p, 2.9r, 1.7a, 1.2s</em>), 5-7 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751087' first='Kendal' last='Price']</strong> (<em>6.2p, 2.5r, 1.4a, 1.7s</em>), 6-0 Sophomore forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1309986' first='Halle' last='Moore']</strong> (<em>2.0p, 1.3r</em>), and 5-7 Freshman guard <strong>Millie Allison</strong>; Perry Meridian: 5-3 Senior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='885310' first='Aubrey' last='Hall']</strong> (<em>6.8p, 2.1r, 1.0a in 9 games</em>), Junior guard <strong>Jessie Stiles</strong> (<em>4.5p, 2.5r, 1.2a</em>), Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1215693' first='Hailey' last='Mullins']</strong> (<em>4.1p, 3.5r, 1.0a, 1.5s</em>), and 5-11 Freshman wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='892871' first='Riley' last='Hall']</strong>; Southport: 5-5 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='952587' first='Lorelei' last='Bennett']</strong> (<em>6.2p, 3.0r, 1.7a</em>), 5-5 Junior guard <strong>Graycee Eacret</strong> (<em>0.9p, 1.1r in 15 games</em>), Junior guard <strong>Macy Cloe</strong>, and Freshman guard <strong>Angie Martinez</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->