State Tourney Preview – Sectionals 5-8

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='295801' first='Jersey' last='Paul'] (2025) of Fort Wayne's Carroll High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the new enrollment cutoff in regard to the IHSAA's 2024-2025 classification restructure, each of the four classes will look a bit different. Still, there should be a lot of familiar matchups in Class 4A. Below is a quick look at what to expect out of Sectionals #5 through #8 next week, along with a key player or two for each team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #5 - Fort Wayne Northrop</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Fort Wayne Northrop<br><strong>Top Challengers:</strong> Fort Wayne Snider, Carroll (Fort Wayne)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> The Northrop Bruins were likely already going to be a favorite in Sectional #5, but once <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='624885' first='Miley' last='Wareing']</strong> <em>(9.8p, 8.5r)</em> got her return to play from a knee injury in December, they added that interior presence that opens things up for players like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492326' first='Khala' last='Williams-Thomas']</strong> <em>(18.5p, 5.6r, 3.5a, 3.5s)</em> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486518' first='Swynn' last='Jackson']</strong> <em>(15.3p, 5.7r, 5.1a, 4.0s, 3.4b)</em>. Snider has enough depth and talent to take down Northrop, and Carroll has some perimeter shooting and a nice post player of their own. Still, I think the Bruins are the team to beat here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492326' first='Khala' last='Williams-Thomas']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486518' first='Swynn' last='Jackson']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='624885' first='Miley' last='Wareing']</strong>, Fort Wayne Northrop; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='879936' first='Janaya' last='Cooper']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828072' first='Kyra' last='Parker']</strong>, Fort Wayne Snider; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295801' first='Jersey' last='Paul']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144629' first='Cala' last='Haffner']</strong>, Carroll (Fort Wayne); <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='880018' first='Aubrey' last='Bleeke']</strong> and <strong>Kaleah Williams</strong>, Fort Wayne North Side</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #6 - Homestead</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Homestead<br><strong>Top Challenger:</strong> Huntington North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Let's be honest...there really aren't any challengers for Homestead in Sectional #6, but Huntington North is the next best team. Homestead just has too much firepower, from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492319' first='Myah' last='Epps']</strong> to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='414465' first='Gabby' last='Helsom']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486540' first='Whitney' last='Ankenbruck']</strong> to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='902152' first='Delaney' last='Noll']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='761179' first='Carley' last='Moellering']</strong> to whoever else...there are too many to count. Keep an eye on Wayne's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834942' first='Davianna' last='Irons']</strong> <em>(13.3p, 7.1r)</em> if you just want to see a nice under-the-radar talent, as she has had a strong Sophomore season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492319' first='Myah' last='Epps']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='414465' first='Gabby' last='Helsom']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486540' first='Whitney' last='Ankenbruck']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='902152' first='Delaney' last='Noll']</strong>, Homestead; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295794' first='Marissa' last='Trout']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='773836' first='Haiden' last='Bailey']</strong>, Huntington North; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834942' first='Davianna' last='Irons']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828087' first='Kamoni' last='Grayson']</strong>, Fort Wayne Wayne; <strong>Reneasha Autry</strong> and <strong>Maddie White</strong>, Fort Wayne South Side</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #7 - West Lafayette Harrison</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> McCutcheon<br><strong>Top Challenger:</strong> Lafayette Jefferson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> The 21-3 McCutcheon Mavericks have been strong all year, but now they'll look to get beyond the Regional with the Sophomore duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751095' first='Lillie' last='Graves']</strong> <em>(19.6p, 4.3r, 3.5a, 4.3s)</em> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='962796' first='Keara' last='Lipscomb-Allen']</strong> <em>(12.1p, 2.5r, 2.0a, 2.5s)</em>, a transfer from Benton Central. A strong 2026 class led by shooter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='553262' first='Chloe' last='Finney']</strong> <em>(7.5p, 2.9r)</em> provides a great deal of depth and experience as well. Lafayette Jefferson received quite the boost with the transfer of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486509' first='Maya' last='Layton']</strong> <em>(18.2p, 7.9r, 4.0a, 4.1s)</em> from Faith Christian. She and her 'mates are athletic and feisty, and the Bronchos could frustrate McCutcheon on a neutral floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751095' first='Lillie' last='Graves']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='962796' first='Keara' last='Lipscomb-Allen']</strong>, McCutcheon; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486509' first='Maya' last='Layton']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='886667' first='Shaylee' last='Barrett']</strong>, Lafayette Jefferson; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='496053' first='Ma'Kaela' last='Drake']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1256517' first='Eliana' last='Stewart']</strong>, Kokomo; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828096' first='Elsie' last='Ahnert']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='932694' first='Aleah' last='Szymanski']</strong>, West Lafayette Harrison</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">SECTIONAL #8 - Noblesville</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Sectional Favorite:</strong> Hamilton Southeastern<br><strong>Top Challengers:</strong> Everyone Else</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Hamilton Southeastern survived the regular season with an impressive 22-0 record, and now they must play corporation rival Fishers in the first round of Sectional #8. Indiana University commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295764' first='Maya' last='Makalusky']</strong> <em>(22.2p, 7.0r)</em> has been outstanding all year, and I'd expect her to come up big once again for the Royals. Juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486487' first='Kennedy' last='Holman']</strong> <em>(11.9p, 5.4r, 5.8a, 2.0s)</em> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486486' first='Kayla' last='Stidham']</strong> <em>(10.6p, 4.7r, 2.4a)</em> have stepped into leadership roles this season and been instrumental in their success as well. Pretty much anyone else in this Sectional can beat/upset anyone else. Keep an eye on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295776' first='Meredith' last='Tippner']</strong> <em>(25.6p, 10.4r, 4.4a, 4.0s)</em> of Noblesville, as she has been incredible for the Millers, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295761' first='Nevaeh' last='Dickman']</strong> <em>(15.7p, 6.5r)</em> has had her best season yet for the Fishers Tigers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295764' first='Maya' last='Makalusky']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486487' first='Kennedy' last='Holman']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486486' first='Kayla' last='Stidham']</strong>, Hamilton Southeastern; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295776' first='Meredith' last='Tippner']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486478' first='C.C.' last='Quigley']</strong>, Noblesville; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295761' first='Nevaeh' last='Dickman']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='990044' first='Riley' last='Schellhammer']</strong>, Fishers; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='366803' first='Lindsey' last='Van Dyke']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295759' first='Aubrey' last='Crockett']</strong>, Westfield; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324065' first='Mallory' last='Bourquein']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='506016' first='Mackenzie' last='Woods']</strong>, Carmel; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='579969' first='McKenzie' last='Chapman']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='932696' first='Emma' last='Tinder']</strong>, Zionsville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->