Semi-State Preview: Class 3A South

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The IHSAA Indiana girls' basketball state tournament is well underway. As we enter week-3 of competition, there are only 32 of 392 teams remaining in the entire state, and by the end of tomorrow's contests, the field will be whittled down to just 8 teams, 2 in each of the four classes. Below is a look at the 4 teams remaining in the South in Class 3A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+3">at Southport</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+1">10:00a - Washington (22-4) vs. Jennings County (19-6)</font></strong><br>The Washington Hatchets have had a number of good teams over the last few years, but this group of Seniors has been a special one in the small, Southwestern Indiana town. 6-2 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486519' first='Katie' last='Reed']</strong> (<em>17.4p, 8.3r, 2.6a, 2.2b</em>) can be a real handful for opponents. She has good size, solid strength, great length, and she's athletic. Additionally, she has worked on her skill, and she can post, put it on the floor, or knock down the 3-pointer consistently. 5-7 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486476' first='Shaylyn' last='Hawk']</strong> (<em>12.2p, 4.7r, 2.5a 2.5s</em>) is one of the most undervalued prospects in the state, and she will likely surprise people at Taylor University next year. She is quietly tough-nosed, strong at her size, skilled with the ball, and she has a beautiful jump-shot. She's also a nice all-around athlete and plays with a good hoops IQ. 5-8 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999582' first='Kyra' last='Schuckman']</strong> (<em>7.4p, 3.0r, 1.8a, 1.5s</em>) was really good when I saw her in July, and she adds another tough-nosed, hard-working, but also skillful perimeter threat who can shoot, score, or handle. 5-10 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486523' first='Ella' last='Williams']</strong> (<em>3.9p, 2.8r, 3.7a, 1.8s</em>) has been one of my favorite prospects to watch over the years. She is extremely long, fluidly athletic, and she is almost too unselfish at times. She can play the role of point guard, or she can slash to the basket somewhat effortlessly, plus she's a solid all-around defender. Forward <strong>Maddy Johnson</strong> (<em>3.5p, 3.0r</em>) is a fifth Senior who adds some interior depth off the bench. As for underclassmen, 5-11 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751098' first='London' last='Gilley']</strong> (<em>11.4p, 4.8r, 2.8a, 2.0s</em>) is as versatile as they come. She can handle it a little and initiate the offense, she can play in the mid-post and defend/rebound inside, or she can attack from the perimeter. Junior guard <strong>Ella Knepp</strong> (<em>3.3p</em>) pretty much rounds out the core rotation and adds to the backcourt. The Jennings County Panthers are another strong program that has seen its share of good seasons over the last decade. This year, they have a strong group of upperclassmen, but they revolve around a star in 5-11 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486508' first='Mollie' last='Ernstes']</strong> (<em>24.2p, 6.5r, 4.3a, 1.6s, 2.0b</em>). Ernstes was a 2025 Indiana Junior All-Star, she is committed to the University of Kansas, and she can flat out put them on her back and fill it up anytime. She is long, athletic, skilled with the ball, and she is a talented shooter. The Panthers have another nice wing in 5-10 Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751058' first='Etta' last='Young']</strong> (<em>14.6p, 8.4r, 2.5a, 1.6s</em>). She is tough-nosed, hard-working, and she will battle inside, play in the mid-post, handle it outside and initiate offense, and she'll look to score when open. Senior guard <strong>Riley Byford</strong> (<em>6.9p, 3.2r</em>), Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992689' first='Aniston' last='Kent']</strong> (<em>4.2p, 1.5r</em>), and Senior wing <strong>Kaydence Lowman</strong> (<em>3.5p, 1.6r, 1.6a</em>) add depth and experience around the perimeter, while Junior forwards <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992524' first='Addison' last='Petro']</strong> (<em>3.7p, 3.3r</em>) and <strong>Hailey Dunham</strong> (<em>1.2p, 1.5r</em>) offer at least a little size inside the arc. This is a really tough matchup for me. Both teams are disciplined and well-coached. Jennings County enters the matchup knowing they probably have the best talent on the floor, but Washington has collective talent and several girls who can put the ball in the hole. If Washington can limit Ernstes' touches, it will really hinder what the Panthers want to do. But if Ernstes can get rolling, that's their best chance to knock off the Hatchets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+1">12:00p - Northview (20-6) vs. Roncalli (25-3)</font></strong><br>Northview is a team many statewide probably haven't heard of, but they have a trio of really nice guards, they play extremely hard, and they compete. 5-9 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834965' first='Carlee' last='Schrader']</strong> (<em>17.5p, 6.4r, 2.4a, 2.9s</em>) is the standout, if there is one. She is a really nice athlete, she plays with positional versatility, and she can do a little of everything well. She's probably best on the attack, creating offense for herself and teammates. 5-4 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486472' first='Reagin' last='White']</strong> (<em>12.6p, 3.2r, 3.8a, 1.8s</em>) is a feisty little water-bug who also causes problems for opponents. She is quick, fast, and creates offense one way or another. She has touch outside and some range, or she can get into the heart of the defense. 5-7 Sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992356' first='Kambry' last='Shoults']</strong> (<em>10.7p, 3.8r, 2.2a, 2.2s</em>) is yet another versatile perimeter player. She too can score it at different levels, she has the skill to create or initiate the offense, and she is an effortful defender. 5-8 Junior <strong>Tori DeHart</strong> (<em>6.4p, 2.8r</em>), 5-5 Senior <strong>Rekell Terrell</strong> (<em>3.0p, 4.7r, 3.2s</em>), and 5-8 Sophomore <strong>Mackie Pell</strong> (<em>1.6p, 3.0r</em>) pretty much round out a rather shallow rotation. But don't underestimate the Lady Knights. After beginning the year 1-3, they have posted a 19-3 record since. Roncalli is a very interesting team this year. They play a lot of girls and have depth, they possess some size inside, and they have a star player to rally around. They have the makings of a team who can continue this postseason run for another week...on paper. But that's why they play the games. 5-9 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='716615' first='Elliot' last='Leffler']</strong> (<em>18.9p, 5.1r, 1.8a, 2.0s</em>) has had an outstanding career thus far for the Royals, she is an effective deep shooter, but she is strong, she likes to attack as well, and she can find open teammates. 5-6 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486513' first='Brennah' last='Cerny']</strong> (<em>9.3p, 2.6r, 2.5a, 2.0s</em>), 5-7 Senior wing <strong>Reagan Turk</strong> (<em>6.8p, 3.7r, 1.6a, 1.8s</em>), and 5-3 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='421106' first='Catie' last='Rosko']</strong> (<em>6.6p, 3.6r, 3.0a, 2.5s</em>) do a great job of helping to lock down the backcourt. Cerny is a versatile player who can score it a little or run some point. Turk is a tough-nosed, physical athlete. Rosko is a quick/fast little water-bug who can create offense for others. Up front, the Royals have a really nice athlete with length in 6-1 Senior <strong>Lydia Stahley</strong> (<em>5.5p, 5.3r</em>), who is a Missouri volleyball commit, and a more traditional post in 6-1 Junior <strong>Caroline Schoettle</strong> (<em>4.0p, 4.6r</em>). While they are more beneficial to this group as a pair of rebounders/defenders, don't be surprised if they combine for 15-20 points. 5-5 Sophomore guard <strong>Carly Feldman</strong> (<em>3.7p, 1.8r</em>) and 5-8 Sophomore wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='984355' first='Lola' last='Morelli']</strong> (<em>3.5p, 2.3r</em>) are a couple of nice younger prospects off the bench who give them flexibility around the perimeter. For Northview to win tomorrow, Schrader, White, and Shoults will simply have to outplay Leffler, Cerny, Turk, and Rosko. That doesn't mean just score the ball, but take care of it, control tempo, and make plays that affect winning. Roncalli is deeper, plenty skilled, and they have more size. The Royals just need to continue performing at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+1">8:00p - Winner @ 10:00a vs. Winner @ 12:00p</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->