2025-26 Season Preview: Class 4A, Sectional 8

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='905531' first='Piper' last='Brinley'] (2028) from Hamilton Southeastern High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that the previews for Classes 1A, 2A, and 3A are complete, it's time to continue the previews in Class 4A. We are now more than a quarter of the way through the Class 4A Sectionals, and since the season is into December, I wanted to finish offering you a glimpse at what the 2025-26 season could hold with a preview of each of the state's remaining Class 4A Sectionals. 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 #8. 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 #8 at Carmel</font></strong><br>Hamilton Southeastern (27-1), SAG 2, SOS 3<br>Westfield (13-10), SAG 14, SOS 12<br>Noblesville (19-5), SAG 15, SOS 11<br>Fishers (14-9), SAG 19, SOS 5<br>Carmel (10-13), SAG 37, SOS 7<br>Zionsville (10-13), SAG 40, SOS 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From the outside looking in, many onlookers might think Sectional #8 is a little "down" this year, but it is still one of the best sectionals in the state, if not THE best. While there were several key graduates and transfers, there is still a great deal of talent to observe this season, and it should be as competitive as it has ever been. For consistency's sake, while every school in Sectional #8 could make a run, I will focus on the three schools who I think have the best shot at this year's title. Hamilton Southeastern will remain at or near the top because of the Senior duo of 5-8 point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486487' first='Kennedy' last='Holman']</strong> (<em>12.2p, 5.3r, 5.8a, 2.0s</em>) and 6-0 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486486' first='Kayla' last='Stidham']</strong> (<em>10.5p, 4.5r, 2.3a</em>). The pair have been Varsity regulars since their Freshman year, and they have helped amass 69 wins and a Final Four appearance in their first three seasons. Holman is a traditional point guard, always willing to distribute, plus she's an elite defender. At the same time, her shot-making has improved each year, and she is primed to step into a bigger role scoring the ball. Stidham has an accurate stroke from 3-point range, and she is a real threat on the wings and in the deep corners. She's also strong enough at her height to defend inside and rebound consistently. 5-5 Senior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486488' first='Antonette' last='Green']</strong> (<em>1.5p, 1.3r, 1.6a</em>), 5-7 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613303' first='Ava' last='Kashani']</strong> (<em>0.9p in 15 games</em>), and 5-4 Junior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751032' first='Abigail' last='Orme']</strong> (<em>0.5p in 17 games</em>) are the only three other returnees with any significant Varsity experience returning. In most situations that would be scary, but for the Royals, they just have talent waiting on other talent to graduate. Green and Orme could both compete for a starting spot, as both can create offense, plus both defend with effort. A talented Sophomore class could provide more depth, starting with 5-8 wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='905531' first='Piper' last='Brinley']</strong>, 5-8 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992352' first='Haylee' last='Mezera']</strong>, and 5-7 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1225065' first='Eevey' last='Tolliver']</strong>. Holman and Stidham are more than talented enough to carry this squad through many outings, but they'll need some of the younger, less-experienced players to step up and make open shots. All in all, the Royals will be a tough "out" come February for sure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westfield has shown consistent improvement over the past three seasons, and while they graduated six Seniors in total last Spring, including four of their top five scorers, no one averaged more than 8.9 points per game, plus they have a solid 2026 group returning, and they welcome a strong Freshman class. Of the returnees, 5-8 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486531' first='MaKayla' last='Hatcher']</strong> (<em>7.6p, 4.0r, 1.4a, 1.5s</em>) has by far the most experience. She is a strong, hard-working, tough-nosed kid who can do a little of everything, including initiate the offense, make open shots, and rebound/defend inside when necessary. 6-1 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486493' first='Audra' last='Parker']</strong> (<em>3.7p, 1.0r</em>) and 5-5 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751053' first='Ellie' last='Wheeler']</strong> (<em>2.2p, 1.7r</em>) are the next most experienced, but like with Hamilton Southeastern, they have just been awaiting their turn to step up. Parker had an outstanding Spring &amp; Summer grassroots season. She is a strong, skillful, face-up '4' who can really shoot it from the perimeter. I'd look for her to have some big games for the Shamrocks. 5-8 wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486502' first='Olivia' last='Murray']</strong> (<em>0.8p in 18 games</em>), 6-1 forward <strong>Grace Czubik</strong> (<em>0.6p in 10 games</em>), and 5-7 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='928923' first='Lauren' last='Linville']</strong> (<em>4 games</em>) are three additional Seniors who should provide leadership and some support off the bench. As for that talented 2029 group, 5-7 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267070' first='Lillian' last='Clark']</strong> got better and better each time I saw her throughout July, so I would look for her to make an immediate impact. She is a nice athlete and a talented shooter. 5-8 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263930' first='Gabby' last='Bassett']</strong> gives Westfield a steady ball-handler who can find open teammates and make shots when left alone. Either Clark or Bassett (or both) could be 4-year starters by the time their careers are over. Also keep an eye out for Freshman guard <strong>Avery Taylor</strong> to carve out a role as well. If this interesting mix of prospects can manage to take care of the ball and get each other open, they have a balance of shot-makers and could really sneak up on teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024-2025 Carmel Greyhounds entered last season with a lot of hope, but injuries caused a great deal of problems for them, as their top two scorers only managed 21 games played combined. This year, the Greyhounds return three backcourt members from a strong 2028 class, giving them a lot of hope moving forward. 5-6 point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='990047' first='Maddy' last='Wallace']</strong> (<em>4.6p, 3.3r, 2.0a, 1.0s</em>) and 5-8 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999412' first='Bella' last='Ramsey']</strong> (<em>4.9p, 1.3r, 1.0s</em>) used last season to gain a great deal of experience, and each Sophomore brings different skillsets to the lineup. Wallace is a good ball-handler, a capable shooter, and she does a really nice job handling pressure for a younger guard. Ramsey is a fast athlete, she can shoot it, and she can handle &amp; create offense for herself or others. From there add in 5-8 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='917867' first='Catherine' last='Bassi']</strong> (<em>10.4p, 3.8r, 1.2a, 3.0s in 5 games</em>), and the young Greyhounds are settled around the perimeter. Bassi started the 2024-2025 extremely strong, but she suffered a season-ending injury and was lost almost immediately. Her ability to make shots, defend, and play with versatility really stood out in what time she was able to see the floor. 5-10 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='761159' first='Sydney' last='Bonds']</strong> (<em>4.3p, 5.2r</em>) and 5-9 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='896317' first='Taylee' last='Fisher']</strong> (<em>3.0p, 2.9r</em>) offer Carmel a pair of nice frontline athletes who can score it from all three levels, rebound, and defend multiple positions. 5-9 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486554' first='Jacobi' last='Warren']</strong> and 5-9 Junior wing <strong>Layla Abdo</strong> look to earn their first shot at Varsity action. Warren plays hard and brings physicality, while Abdo has perimeter skill and is a fluid athlete with some length. Another intriguing prospect looking to play a big role as a rookie is 6-2 Freshman front-liner <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263970' first='Natalie' last='Whelan-Edwards']</strong>. The combination of her size, mobility, and skill at each level suggest a bright future for the youngster. With a new coach, a renewed energy, and a nice group of talented younger prospects, look for the Greyhounds to have their occasional speedbump but also surprise with some big wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Additional Players to Keep an Eye on:</strong> Fishers: 6-2 Senior post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486553' first='Natalie' last='Thomas']</strong> (<em>4.1p, 2.6r, 1.0a</em>), 5-11 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='761189' first='Makayla' last='Triplett']</strong> (<em>2.1p, 2.4r</em>), 5-8 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992346' first='Ella' last='Burleson']</strong> (<em>1.1p, 1.1r in 16 games</em>), and 5-11 Sophomore forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992140' first='Reagan' last='Reiff']</strong> (<em>1.0p, in 2 games</em>); Noblesville: 6-3 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486478' first='C.C.' last='Quigley']</strong> (<em>11.0p, 5.6r, 1.1a, 1.1s, 1.1b</em>), 5-10 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='979592' first='Alyssa' last='Hutchinson']</strong> (<em>5.3p, 2.9r, 1.3a, 2.2s</em>), 5-4 Sophomore point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999395' first='Maia' last='Blower']</strong> (<em>4.2p, 2.2r, 1.7a, 1.8s</em>), and 5-5 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816212' first='Norah' last='Vetor']</strong> (<em>1.1p</em>); Zionsville: 5-8 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='579969' first='McKenzie' last='Chapman']</strong> (<em>12.5p, 4.7r, 4.7a, 2.2s</em>), 5-11 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='932696' first='Emma' last='Tinder']</strong> (<em>12.5p, 3.6r, 1.5s</em>), 6-0 Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='890889' first='Emily' last='Zack']</strong> (<em>8.0p, 5.6r, 1.2a</em>), and 5-7 Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486501' first='Ellie' last='Frobig']</strong> (<em>6.1p, 1.1r</em>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->