Tourney Time; Intriguing 1st Rd. Matchups - Class 3A

Believe it or not, we are just hours away from the beginning of the 51st IHSAA Girls' Basketball State Tournament. The Regular season has come to an end, conference titles have been decided, and coaches are busy game-planning and trying to figure out who can help them win a Sectional, Regional, Semi-State, and even State title. This is when it counts, so I wanted to point out a handful of intriguing opening round matchups in Class 3A these next couple of days.   .   Sectional #21 at East Noble   East Noble (17-5) vs. Angola (15-7) On "paper", this matchup seems extremely close, though the two teams played January 7th to a 72-55 outcome with East Noble in command. At the same time, Angola would probably tell you they are capable of better. This contest will be the balanced team versus the star player. East Noble has a strong 2027 class surrounded by nice supporting pieces. Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='834926' first='Averi' last='Amstutz'] (13.7p, 5.9r, 4.0a, 2.7s), Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1006197' first='Rian' last='David'] (10.7p, 3.8r, 2.2s), and Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1006206' first='Ellisyn' last='Will'] (9.7p, 5.5r) team up with Senior wing Addison Deming (9.8p, 3.1r, 2.3a, 2.4s) to give the Lady Knights four options to score the basketball, and they are each a little different. Amstutz is a tough-nosed, hard-working, skillful kid who can facilitate or go for 20 points. David is a pure shooter with nice length and fluidity. And Will is a long, bouncy, active forward who is great in the mid-post, while Deming is an athletically built, active, and versatile point forward type. Senior guard Kate David (5.1p, 2.0r, 1.8a) is a veteran ball-handler who does a really nice job of just being steady possession to possession. As for Angola, they lean heavily on newcomer [player_tooltip player_id='1194486' first='Kendall' last='VanderWal'] for scoring and playmaking. She is a talented Sophomore guard transfer from Ohio who fit in immediately and has filled it up at times throughout the year. She is athletic, shifty, and very skilled. Senior Aspen Sutton and Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1228334' first='Stella' last='Stockamp'] are a pair of 5-5 guards who can help in the backcourt, while 6-1 Senior forward Savannah Bixler and 6-1 Sophomore post [player_tooltip player_id='1231137' first='Kendall' last='Holman'] add size and athleticism up front. They also have several other Sophomores and Freshmen looking to participate who are part of a big youth movement for the Hornets. While VanderWal is quite the talent and an NCAA Division I prospect, East Noble has a couple of girls who can at least frustrate her defensively, and the Knights can limit her touches and quality shot attempts. If she's able to get loose and score in the 20s with a decent percentage, Angola could pull the upset here. Look for this matchup to be much closer than it was a few weeks ago.   .   Sectional #24 at Yorktown   Hamilton Heights (14-6) vs. Connersville (16-7) In Sectional #24, we have a matchup of youthful energy versus a Senior backcourt with tremendous experience. The Hamilton Heights Lady Huskies have had a season of solid play with a few speedbumps along the way, mostly due to playing five Freshmen in their top six much of the year. 6-1 rookie forward [player_tooltip player_id='1263963' first='Riley' last='Suarez'] (21.8p, 5.6r, 1.5s) flashed her skill and potential throughout the 2025 Spring & Summer grassroots season, and that carried over into a strong first year for the inside-out forward. She is a nice athlete, she has a steady jumper from the perimeter, and she can put it on the floor or post up smaller defenders. She is surrounded by classmates [player_tooltip player_id='1321761' first='Addison' last='Blum'] (9.6p, 3.3r, 2.1a), a 5-8 forward, [player_tooltip player_id='1263940' first='Zoey' last='Curry'] (9.5p, 4.0r, 2.0a), a 5-10 forward, and [player_tooltip player_id='1311790' first='Bayleigh' last='Eisele'] (9.1p, 3.7r, 3.9a, 2.4s), a 5-5 point guard. Blum and Curry bring toughness, athleticism, and versatility to the group, while Eisele is the crafty lead guard who can facilitate and defend. Junior wing Kamryn Rhoton (6.1p, 3.8r, 2.1a), Freshman point guard Stella Taylor (2.2p, 1.6a), and Sophomore guard Abi Hilfiker (1.7p, 1.5.r) round out a solid nucleus for the Huskies. Connersville began the season 3-4 with the last loss in that stretch being a 3-point, 50-47 decision, to Heights. Since then, they have put together a 13-3 season, topped with some big wins over quality opponents like Lapel, Borden, and South Knox. The Spartans utilize a trio of Senior guards to control tempo, knock down shots, and make plays for everyone else. 5-5 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1256502' first='Serenity' last='Pennington'] (12.8p, 3.0r, 2.5a, 3.4s) is a nice little athlete with length, she can fill it up outside or create off the dribble, and she's a feisty defender. 5-6 guard [player_tooltip player_id='567128' first='Ahniyah' last='Bennett'] (11.3p, 4.8r, 3.8a) is a potential NCAA Division I track star with elite speed, quickness, and vertical burst. She has the potential to erupt for 30 points, but she can also affect the game by creating for others and locking up the opponent's best player. 5-3 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1357833' first='Addison' last='Jones'] (10.6p, 2.5r, 2.6a, 3.0s) is a solid, steady lead guard who plays with a good IQ, she is a willing passer, plus she can knock down shots consistently from outside. Add to those three talented 6-1 Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='999397' first='Kendyl' last='Bottomley'] (11.7p, 8.3r, 2.9a, 2.7s), and they have a very strong and balanced core able to matchup with anyone. 5-9 Junior front-liner Kinze Van Meter (6.6p, 5.2r) adds toughness and physicality up front, but beyond their starting five, the Spartans just aren't very deep. If Connersville can use their experience and skill, plus stay out of foul trouble, they have the upper hand here. If Hamilton Heights is able to get out and go, use their athleticism and slight depth advantage, then they could come out on top once again. Either way, expect a tremendous one-possession game down the stretch.   .   Sectional #25 at Lebanon   Guerin Catholic (15-8) vs. Brebeuf Jesuit (11-11) In Sectional #25, we have yet another youth versus experience contest. Guerin Catholic put together their first winning season in four years behind six Freshmen in their top eight players. Rookies [player_tooltip player_id='1690489' first='Cecilia' last='Titus'] (9.4p, 3.6r, 2.5a, 3.1s), Lauren Keller (7.1p, 2.7r, 1.7s), [player_tooltip player_id='1259868' first='Lorigrace' last='Rockwood'] (7.0p, 3.2r), and [player_tooltip player_id='1263944' first='Emersyn' last='French'] (4.2p, 2.1r) are all talented and skilled guards who do a variety of things. Titus takes on the role of primary ball-handler much of the time, plus she can score it and defend. Keller is their best perimeter shooter by percentage at 35% outside. Forwards Ella Horvath (8.2p, 4.2r, 2.1s) and Delanie Cardinal (2.4p, 2.6r) bring the "size" in the Freshman class, though Cardinal is the tallest at just 5-9. Junior forward Caroline Ford (8.3p, 6.6r, 2.5a, 3.5s) and Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='773832' first='Dana' last='Dues'] (2.7p, 2.2r, 1.5a) are the experienced veterans who help tie this outfit together. Brebeuf Jesuit comes in with many more girls who have played in big games, and they have the confidence of a 37-34 overtime win against Guerin just a week and a half ago. The Lady Braves might be just 11-11 on the season, but 6 of their losses have come at the hands of Class 4A schools, including the likes of Westfield, Pike, Zionsville, and Indy North Central. The Braves aren't a high-scoring team, but Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='751073' first='Jailen' last='Bowling'] (12.3p, 6.4r, 1.5s) and Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1131983' first='Robyn' last='Pate'] (12.2p, 3.2r) are double figure scorers. Bowling is a long, fluidly athletic playmaker, while Pate brings speed & quickness to an attacking style from the off-guard spot. Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='761173' first='Audra' last='Kendall'] (4.3p, 2.8r, 2.4a) is calm, cool, and collected in most situations, and she can pick up the scoring when necessary. And Freshman guard Leah Soloria (5.4p, 2.0r) has fit in nicely as a rookie and looks to continue growing and contributing. Once again, I would expect a tight contest with some back & forth late in the game. It benefits Brebeuf to play a lower scoring style, but if Guerin can use their talented young guards to get out and run, they could simply outscore the Braves down the stretch and pull away for the win.   .   Sectional #32 at Evansville Central   Heritage Hills (15-5) vs. Evansville Central (14-11) While these two teams are Sectional rivals, they have not seen each other throughout the 2025-2026 season. Heritage Hills has performed somewhat under the radar all year, but they have a couple of talented ladies who stand out. 5-11 Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1137294' first='Mia' last='Becher'] (16.5p, 4.6r, 1.9a) is an extremely long wing, she's fluidly athletic, and she glides all over the floor somewhat effortlessly. She is one of the better mid-range shooters I have seen, but she can extend that to the 3-point line as well. 5-10 Freshman wing [player_tooltip player_id='1690468' first='Iyla' last='Kress'] (10.5p, 6.3r, 3.6a, 2.1s) is a very skillful, athletic, playmaking point forward type. She has been a welcomed addition for the Patriots considering the 2025 graduates they lost. 6-0 Sophomore forward/post Claire Sisley (7.8p, 5.4r) gives them a sizeable athletic presence in the paint. She too has nice length and is a solid rebounder/defender. From there, the Senior trio of 5-6 guard Kenley Bell (5.7p, 2.2r, 2.5a), 5-7 wing Paxton Strahle (3.6p, 1.8r), and 5-10 front-liner Haylee Coleman (2.5p, 2.9r) offer veteran leadership and support to the younger standouts. Evansville Central has had an interesting year themselves. They entered the season with high expectations, following last season's 23-5 record and Semi-State appearance. But early on, both 6-1 Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='492324' first='Madalynn' last='Shirley'] (23.4p, 12.2r, 2.5a, 2.0b) and 5-8 guard Maddie Glaser (9.0p, 4.0r, 5.0a in 6 games) were lost to injury. The Bears struggled to a 3-5 start to the season because of it. While Shirley returned after missing four games, Glaser was lost for the remainder of the year. Shirley's presence, however, can be enough on some nights. She was a 2025 Junior All-Star, she is incredibly skilled at all three levels, and she plays with an outstanding motor. She is the go-to for the Lady Bears when they need a bucket. 5-11 Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='874339' first='Olivya' last='Hile'] (11.9p, 6.5r, 3.1a) works well with Shirley, because she is a capable perimeter shooter who can use her length and athleticism to attack the basket or defend inside as well. 5-9 Senior wing Karsyn Moore (7.6p, 2.4r, 4.1a) has stepped up and handled the ball probably a bit more than expected with Glaser out, but she has done a nice job and is a solid all-around athlete, plus she has buried 47 3-pointers this season. 5-7 Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='990954' first='Madelyn' last='Bender'] (7.1p, 2.8r, 1.9a) has really stepped up this year, and she is another weapon around the perimeter, as she is shooting 39% from 3-point range. 5-4 Junior guard Kyleigh Hobbs (4.0p), 5-6 Sophomore guard Kinley Moore (1.9p), and 5-10 Freshman forward Kenzlie Russell (1.4p, 3.1r) add more support for a Bears team looking to make another postseason run. As is any game against Evansville Central, it is very simple...limit Shirley's touches and force her into tough shots. While the Bears have other capable players, the offense runs through Shirley. If Heritage Hills is able to do that, they can pull off the win here, but they'll also have to be disciplined with shot selection and not turn it over too much. Evansville Central just needs to be themselves, limit Becher and Kress from approaching high teens scoring numbers, and they should be fine. I would actually look for this game to be lower scoring, maybe in the low to mid-40s.

Believe it or not, we are just hours away from the beginning of the 51st IHSAA Girls' Basketball State Tournament. The Regular season has come to an end, conference titles have been decided, and coaches are busy game-planning and trying to figure out who can help them win a Sectional, Regional, Semi-State, and even State title. This is when it counts, so I wanted to point out a handful of intriguing opening round matchups in Class 3A these next couple of days.