Class 2A Season Preview: Sectionals #33-#36

The beginning of the high school season is right around the corner, as we are about one week away from the first official games. With that in mind, I wanted to continue our thorough preview of the 2019-2020 season. In this article, I will take a look at the first Class 2A North Regional, which incorporates the winners of Sectionals #33 through #36. Below is a look at the teams in each of those Sectionals, along with some general comments and analysis. I will continue previewing the upcoming season over the next couple of weeks, with my final preview articles likely posting at the end of the first week of games.   (SAG = Final 2018-2019 Multiclass Sagarin Rating (403 teams); SOS = Final 2018-2019 Strength of Schedule)   Sectional #33 Marquette Catholic (27-2) SAG 14; SOS 80 Hammond Bishop Noll (21-7) SAG 100; SOS 187 Andrean (15-11) SAG 160; SOS 138 Lake Station Edison (15-7) SAG 239; SOS 364 Whiting (15-9) SAG 280; SOS 343 Gary Thea Bowman (8-15) SAG 344; SOS 361 Gary Roosevelt (1-16) SAG 388; SOS 371 Bishop Noll has been a regular participant in the Regional round, having won six consecutive Sectional titles. A strong Junior class, led by three 2-year starters, is what makes Noll a Top-10 team in Class 2A. Junior point guard Courtney Blakely (20.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.5 apg, 3.0 spg) is the most impressive of the bunch, as she can create scoring opportunities for herself or her teammates. Sharp-shooting Junior wing Rose Fuentes (12.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.4 apg, 2.0 spg) had a strong showing at July’s IBCA Top-100 Showcase. Junior forward Laila Rogers (10.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg) is an athletic workhorse in the mid-range game. Kristian Steele (8.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg) and Eris Harris (6.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg) graduated, taking solid frontcourt play with them. If Senor wing Emily Sutton (3.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg) or Junior post Isabelli Damacio (2.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg) can up their production, it will certainly help, but Freshman guard Mariah Robinson and Freshman forward Exsencia “CeCe” Cloma could be wildcards for the Warriors. Marquette Catholic moves up to Class 2A after two consecutive Class 1A State Championships, but no team in the state has as much to replace. They graduated TEN players, including their top four scorers. Most notably missing for Marquette are twins Emma (19.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.4 spg, 1.9 bpg) and Sophia Nolan (17.7 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.9 apg), guards Morgan Crook (7.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.6 apg) and Emmery Joseph (2.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 5.2 apg), and wing Claire Salyer (5.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg). The lone returning bright spot is Senior forward Ally McConnell (4.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg). Andrean, on the other hand, has had tournament success in Class 3A (Sectional titles in 2016 & 2017), they return nearly everyone, but they must replace their leading scorer, Karli Miller (13.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.4 apg, 3.6 spg), who graduated. Junior forward Julia Schutz (10.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg), Junior guard Dyamond Blair (6.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg), Senior post Natalie Figlio (5.7 ppg, 10.2 rpg), Senior wing Peyton Horn (4.7 ppg), and Junior guard Kaytlynn Hogan (2.9 ppg) all return with a good amount of Varsity experience. The 59ers can definitely play the role of spoiler. Lake Station has a player who can single-handedly take over games in Junior guard Taylor Austin (25.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.4 apg, 4.4 spg). Senior forward Bre Poats (9.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg) upped her game last season, and she could be a nice interior compliment for Austin. The Fighting Eagles did graduate Julie Castillo (7.1 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 3.1 apg, 5.0 spg) and Kaylee Himes (3.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg), taking with them a lot of rebounding. However, Lake Station does return Sophomore wing Makayla Chabes (4.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.1 spg), Senior guard Lexi Arney (3.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg), and Senior forward Kayla Smith (3.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg). They also add tough-nosed Freshman point guard Nasiya Gause, who can definitely help. Other top players in Sectional #33 include Senior forward Abby Toth (9.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and Senior guard Jenna Mercer (7.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg) of Whiting, Senior wing Christian Haggard (15.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 6.6 spg) of Gary Bowman, and Junior post Nevaeh Blake of Gary Roosevelt.   Sectional #34 North Judson-San Pierre (22-4) SAG 31; SOS 143 Winamac Community (18-7) SAG 119; SOS 266 South Central-Union Mills (19-7) SAG 133; SOS 261 Rensselaer Central (12-8) SAG 149; SOS 244 Hebron (16-8) SAG 151; SOS 256 Boone Grove (14-9) SAG 250; SOS 338 Westville (13-9) SAG 269; SOS 330 North Newton (11-10) SAG 318; SOS 363 North Judson-San Pierre is in a very unique position, as they return one of the best Class 2A players in the state, but they also graduated their other four starters. Gone via graduation are Madeline Schumacher (17.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.2 spg), Lauren Cox (7.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg), Macy Reimbold (4.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg), and Courtney Trusty (2.5 ppg). However, anytime you have a player like Junior wing Lilliann Frasure (19.6 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 5.3 apg, 4.9 spg) back, you have a chance at a good season. The Blue Jays will certainly need players like Senior Natalia Gebka and Junior Adalynn Harper to step up, but they also have a nice trio of Freshmen in wing Sophia Frasure, guard Olivia Burkett, and forward Morgan Hensley who could see important minutes early in their careers. A year ago, Winamac put together a strong season of their own, winning 18 games and opening the season 9-0, but over the Summer do-everything Junior wing Laini Joseph (14.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.0 spg) moved to Missouri. Also gone are Jillian Brumm (6.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and Ashlee Keller (3.1 ppg), both 2019 graduates. The Warriors did regularly play eight players in their rotation, and the top returnee is now Sophomore forward Kendal Johnson (6.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg). They’ll need any combination of Senior guard Hailey Sanders (6.2 ppg, 2.2 spg), Junior post Maggie Smith (5.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2.2 spg), Senior wing Blake Bailey (3.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg), and Senior forward Taylor Jennings (2.9 ppg) to step up big-time if they want to achieve similar success. Sectional #34 has gotten a great deal more competitive, as both South Central and Rensselaer Central have moved into this Sectional. South Central has been consistently competitive at the Class 1A level, and while they graduated four members of their 9-person rotation, they do return their top three scorers, including Senior forward Amber Wolf (12.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, 3.0 spg), one of the best players in this Sectional. Sophomore guard Abigail Tomblin (9.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.4 apg, 3.2 spg) put together a nice rookie season for the Satellites, and Senior wing Faith Biggs (7.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.6 spg) is a nice compliment to those two. Sophomore guard Delanie Gale (5.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg) saw quality minutes as a Freshman, and Senior forward Lexy Wade (2.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg) also saw the Varsity floor in nearly every game. South Central also has a Freshmen trio of Lillian Tolmen, Violet Noveroske, and Olivia Marks who could add depth or possibly even start to begin the season. Rensselaer Central comes from Class 3A, where they have averaged 14 wins per season the last three seasons. The Bombers will have to learn to play without graduated point guard Bianca Radtke, but they do return quite a bit and can compete for the Sectional #34 title. Senior Sydney Van Meter is a long and rangy forward who can make shots outside or play in the mid-post. Sophomore Jessie Ringen is a high-motor, athletic forward, who is very productive at all levels. Senior wing Alexis Healey and Junior guard Lauren Moore add experience to the perimeter, while Sophomore forward Morgan Van Meter looks to help up front. Hebron had a nice run with point guard Katlyn Cherry (15.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.8 apg, 3.5 spg) at the helm and Allison Hano (11.1 ppg, 14.0 rpg, 2.3 spg) battling inside, but those two have now graduated and others must step up. Senior guard Haley Rokosz (9.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg) and Senior post Kyra Stater (9.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.9 bpg) look to lead the Hawks this season, and they’ll likely get the most help from Junior guard Carsyn Ryan (6.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg) and Senior forward Tanner Roy (2.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg). Boone Grove kept their winning ways going, despite graduating a solid 2018 class, but now they’ll have to adapt minus 2019 twins Madie & Kate Pfister. A lot of the responsibility now falls on the shoulders of Senior wing Emma Hylek and Junior forward Alexus Ecklund. Westville moved up from Class 1A as well, and they return their top five scorers from last season. Senior forward Sarah Weston (12.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.8 apg) is skilled with the ball. Senior wing Peyton Rodgers (8.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg), Senior wing Nicole Albers (7.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.4 spg), Sophomore wing Grace Weston (7.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.8 apg), and Senior guard Chloe Fortune (4.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg) round out the lineup. And North Newton had a nice stretch last season where they won eight games in a row, plus they return nearly everyone. Leading the way is the trio of Senior forward Jamie Will (11.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.3 spg), Junior point guard Mackendzie Dreshbaugh (9.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.8 apg, 3.5 spg), and Junior forward Harmoney Burke (7.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg).   Sectional #35 Bremen (19-7) SAG 77; SOS 166 Westview (14-9) SAG 182; SOS 172 Fairfield (6-16) SAG 200; SOS 118 Prairie Heights (7-16) SAG 241; SOS 191 LaVille (5-18) SAG 320; SOS 190 South Bend Career Academy; new to the IHSAA Sectional #35 was home to Central Noble, but their tournament success has caused them to move to Class 3A for at least the next two seasons. That’s not the only rearranging, though, as Whitko has moved to Sectional #36, and Fairfield has fallen from Class 3A to Class 2A. This Sectional suddenly looks very intriguing, as there are now a couple of new teams who can contend. Bremen has been competitive every year in this Sectional, but it might now be their turn to sit at the top. If there are to do so, they must overcome the loss of post player Karlee Feldman (11.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.8 bpg) and wing Kaelyn Shivley (9.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg), both 2019 graduates. They do return maybe the state’s best softball player, and certainly a nice basketball player, in Senior wing Erin Coffel (14.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.8 spg). The University of Kentucky softball commit has also been a steady and highly productive performer on the hardwood these last three seasons. Sophomore guard Ellia Foster (7.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg) had a really nice Freshman season last year and could put up bigger numbers this time around. Junior guard Haylie Rodriguez (4.1 ppg, 2.0 apg), Senior post Dellenira Duran (2.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg), and Senior guard Bailey Vermillion (2.0 ppg) will be counted on a lot more as well. Before Central Noble made its runs, it was Westview who was the “big dog” in this Sectional. They certainly have the pedigree to take the crown back, but they’ll have to overcome the loss of graduates Ashya Klopfenstein (17.0 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2.0 spg, 3.9 bpg), Jensen Reynolds (4.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg), and LeAnna Miller (3.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.0 apg). Junior forward Gloria Miller (9.7 ppg, 8.8 rpg) and Senior guard Allie Hillman (3.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.1 apg) look to lead the Warriors this season. Fairfield is very intriguing to me. They fall from Class 3A to Class 2A, two seasons ago they won 24 games and made it to the Semi-State, they return nearly everyone, and they have a nice Freshmen class. Senior Chloe Dell (6.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg), Senior Kara Kitson (6.5 ppg, 2.2 apg), Sophomore Brooke Sanchez (6.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg), and Senior Riley Miller (5.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg) all return with aspirations of being impact players. However, Freshman wing Brea Garber, Freshman guard Morgan Gawthrop, and Freshman guard Bailey Willard are all chomping at the bit to play early and often. Garber could be a game-changer for them, especially once she gets stronger. Prairie Heights has slowly but steadily increased its win total over the past couple of seasons, and this year could be exciting for them, as they return a really nice backcourt pairing of Senior Alexis German (10.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.5 apg) and Sophomore Alayna Boots (7.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg). Sophomore front-liner Kennedy Kugler (9.2 ppg, 8.6 rpg) also had a very nice Freshman season last year. If they can find two more pieces to add to that trio, they could give a scare to several of their opponents this year. LaVille has now suffered through consecutive solid graduating classes, so the cupboard is filled with mostly younger and inexperienced players at this point. Senior post Trynitie Cox (7.6 ppg, 10.0 rpg) at least offers some stability on the interior. South Bend Career Academy is new to the IHSAA, though they have played several member schools the last couple of seasons.   Sectional #36 Bluffton (13-12) SAG 165; SOS 209 Adams Central (14-11) SAG 177; SOS 280 Eastside (6-16) SAG 259; SOS 193 South Adams (10-13) SAG 272; SOS 220 Churubusco (5-17) SAG 297; SOS 195 Whitko (5-18) SAG 298; SOS 179 Fort Wayne Canterbury (0-10) SAG 382; SOS 324 Sectional #36 is one where you can take metrics and throw them out the window, because whatever should make sense just doesn’t. From year to year, anyone here can be in contention to win the title, and it is always a grind. Bluffton has won the past two Sectionals, its first in the 2000s. Additionally, they return their top two scorers this year. Junior wing Emme Boots (13.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.5 spg) is a solid athlete who can score it at all levels. Senior guard Olivia King (8.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg) is a solid shooter outside. Senior wing Meryl Frank (2.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg) is another player back with Varsity experience. The Tigers did manage to lose four girls to graduation, so they’ll need others to step up this season. Those now missing include Grace Miller (8.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.9 spg), Allison Powers (6.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg), Alyssa Burchett (5.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg), and Jamie Myers (3.6 rpg). Adams Central could certainly be a challenger this year, as they return a great deal of experience from a team who improved its win total by nine games from the previous season. Back to run the show is Junior point guard McKenna Dietsch, who transferred in from Leo last year and made an immediate impact. Also back is Senior front-liner Carly Holley, a high-motor rebounder. Lexi Smith did graduate, leaving a spot open on the frontline, but Junior forward Sage Hammond should be able to slide into that role without a problem. Senior wing Madison Bebout has also seen her share of Varsity action in the past. As for Eastside, don’t let the record fool you. They have been very competitive in recent years, but last season they endured somewhat of a youth movement against a decent schedule. They return six of their top seven scorers, including their top three. Junior guard Sullivan Kessler (9.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.2 apg), Senior guard MacKensie Rieke (7.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg), and Sophomore forward Mataya Bireley (3.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg) lead the way for the Blazers. If they can manage to improve all of their shooting percentages, they can become a real problem for opponents this year. South Adams has lost a lot of production the last couple of years, but Senior wing Lydia Loshe (11.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg) is back to cap off a successful career. She plays with effort, athleticism, and versatility. Sophomore point guard Kristen Wynn (5.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.6 spg) was able to play good minutes as a Freshman last year. Another talented youngster who could put up numbers early in her career for the Starfires is Freshman guard Peyton Pries. Churubusco looks to improve behind the play of Senior post Myah Bear (7.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.3 bpg), Whitko will have to retool after the graduation of their top four scorers, and Canterbury hopes to play an entire schedule this time around.   Feature image is of Lilliann Frasure of North Judson-San Pierre High School. Image is courtesy of her own Twitter account.