2025-26 Season Preview: Class 4A, Sectional 14

<!-- 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 #14. 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 #14 at Columbus East</font></strong><br>Columbus North (17-8), SAG 77, SOS 70<br>East Central (12-12), SAG 82, SOS 69<br>Franklin Community (8-16), SAG 127, SOS 40<br>Whiteland Community (6-17), SAG 232, SOS 98<br>Columbus East (2-21), SAG 242, SOS 64</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sectional #14 should be fairly competitive this year, especially at the top, with no fewer than three teams legitimately vying for the crown. Columbus North appears to be strong once again, with a nice combination of experience, depth, skill, and talent. The biggest news is the return of 6-1 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='567136' first='Miley' last='McClellan']</strong> (<em>10.3p, 5.1r, 1.1a, 2.2s in 2023-2024</em>) who missed all of last season following a significant knee injury. She returned last Spring and was solid, but by June &amp; July she was starting to look like herself once again. She could be a game changer as a Senior, because she is an athlete, she has great length, and she can play at 15-feet or around the arc. Fellow Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='761160' first='Kenna' last='Conrad']</strong> (<em>6.5p, 6.0r, 1.9a, 1.6s</em>), a 5-9 wing, is really the only other member of the 2026 class expected to make a major impact this time around. However, those two combine for a great deal of Varsity experience. Conrad has a nice motor and is willing to do a lot of the "little things". The Junior class is loaded with backcourt talent, and they look to be a major source of offense moving forward. 5-7 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751086' first='Kaylie' last='Harmon']</strong> (<em>14.0p, 2.9r, 3.2a, 1.4s</em>) is strong, physical, but also highly skilled. She handles it like a point guard, she shoots it with range like a '2', but she can also defend forwards. 5-8 wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756241' first='Avery' last='Johnson']</strong> (<em>9.4p, 4.3r, 1.0a, 1.7s</em>) is a really nice athlete who plays with great versatility and can do a little of everything. 5-7 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='750681' first='Ava' last='Wilson']</strong> (<em>7.9p, 1.8r, 1.3a, 1.4s</em>) was really good when I saw her during July. She has length, quickness, she can create, plus she's an accurate shooter. 5-7 wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751116' first='Riley' last='Sims']</strong> (<em>1.7p, 1.0r</em>) is yet another member of that 2027 class who should see a minutes increase. She is strong, physical, and she likes to attack the basket with aggression. She can shoot it a little, but she's much better when she gets North/South off the dribble. Also keep an eye on 5-10 Sophomore forward <strong>Sydni Schiefer</strong> (<em>1.1p, 2.0r in 11 games</em>). She could provide depth up front, and she likes to play with some physicality. If the Bull Dogs shoot the ball well, they will win a lot of games. They have the capable perimeter players, so they should also be able to control tempo most nights. They will be a tough 'out" in February.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East Central went through an unusual rough patch the last couple of years, but they've come out of it with several upperclassmen gaining valuable experience, while adding talented youngsters to the mix. 5-8 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999426' first='Natalie' last='Stenger']</strong> (<em>12.3p, 5.3r, 2.1a, 3.2s</em>) is a great example of that young talent, as she led the team in scoring, assists, and steals, plus she was second in rebounding during her rookie season. She has really nice upside, she can play on or off the ball, and she could approach 20 points per game in the next couple of years. 5-9 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1508546' first='Audrina' last='Dugan']</strong> (<em>8.8p, 2.6r, 1.0s</em>) also has a great deal of Varsity experience, and she is Stenger's running 'mate. She is a good perimeter shooter and will find open space quickly. 5-9 wing <strong>Kaleigh Meadows</strong> (<em>5.3p, 3.0r, 1.2a</em>), 5-10 post <strong>Teagan Leihgeber</strong> (<em>2.8p, 7.0r, 1.3s</em>), and 5-3 guard <strong>Avery Cable</strong> (<em>1.9p, 1.0s in 15 games</em>) are three more members of the 2027 class who bring experience and look to contribute more this season. Also in that 2027 class is 5-11 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751122' first='Sydney' last='Campbell']</strong> (<em>6.7p, 5.8r, 2.2a, 1.6s at Batesville</em>) who transferred in this year from nearby Batesville. She will add some physicality to the Trojan frontcourt. The same could be said for 6-0 Freshman forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263951' first='Lilly' last='Maple']</strong>. She has a little strength for her age, she plays hard, and she has a well-balanced skillset. She's another who could be a nightmare for opponents, moving forward. 5-5 Senior guard <strong>Tatum Johnson</strong> (<em>2.6p, 1.1r</em>) is one more veteran who will add energy and depth to the backcourt. The Lady Trojans will still have a growing pain or two this year, but Stenger and Maple offer a great deal of hope, and I'd expect East Central to be quite the problem when Sectional play rolls around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Franklin Grizzly Cubs are typically a strong program, and last year was a situation where they were transitioning from a big 2024 graduating class to another nice group of younger players. This season, with that experience they accumulated, they should be much more competitive and get back to the "old ways" of winning. They also look to be one of the deeper teams in the South in Class 4A. 5-6 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751071' first='Izzy' last='Stillabower']</strong> (<em>10.0p, 2.3r, 1.3a, 1.5s</em>) has taken over the leadership role for the Grizzly Cubs. She is quick, fast, and feisty. She can fill it up outside or create offense for others. 6-0 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1315715' first='Aleah' last='Singleton']</strong> (<em>5.6p, 3.9r</em>) joins her in the 2027 class, as does 6-0 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='890881' first='Addisyn' last='King']</strong> (<em>2.0p, 1.2r in 11 games in 2023-2024</em>), who returns following a hiatus last season. King has really nice upside and could be a top scorer and rebounder for Franklin Community. The Senior class has its share of experienced veterans, led by 5-5 guard <strong>Addi Bright</strong> (<em>6.7p, 2.1r</em>), 5-6 wing <strong>Aubrey Leugers</strong> (<em>6.6p, 3.3r, 1.2a, 1.3s</em>), and 5-6 point guard <strong>Hanna Stewart</strong> (<em>3.2p, 4.7r, 3.0a, 1.3s</em>). 5-9 wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1327397' first='Amelia' last='Richter']</strong> (<em>4.8p, 2.6r, 1.0a, 1.0s</em>) and 5-6 guard <strong>Ella McCrary</strong> (<em>4.3p, 1.4r, 1.1s</em>) lead a solid Sophomore group into Varsity action, while 5-5 Freshman guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1305023' first='Journey' last='Frederick']</strong> should see immediate action in the lineup. Look for them to spend a lot of time developing her for the future of the program. With at minimum those nine ladies being able to contribute consistently on a given night, they could be a real problem all season, and especially into the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Additional Players to Keep an Eye on:</strong> Columbus East: 5-8 Junior guard <strong>Lola Watkins</strong>, 5-8 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='884378' first='Brelyn' last='Pool']</strong>, 5-7 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1215706' first='Makenzie' last='Cheek']</strong>, and 5-6 Freshman guard <strong>Allison Halstead</strong>; Whiteland Community: 6-0 Senior post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1357828' first='Sophia' last='Dyer']</strong> (<em>13.2p, 7.9r, 1.3a</em>), 6-2 Junior post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751045' first='Bryanna' last='Gillock']</strong> (<em>8.7p, 6.8r</em>), 5-5 Senior point guard <strong>Ella Davis</strong> (<em>3.4p, 3.7r, 2.1a, 1.3s</em>), and 5-4 Freshman guard <strong>Adriane Gieseking</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->