Class 1A South Regional Preview Part 2

Lastly, we take a look at the final Class 1A Regional, also in the South. This Regional is comprised of teams from Sectionals #61 through #64. Below is a look at the teams in each of those Sectionals, along with some general comments and analysis. We will continue previewing the upcoming season over the course of the next month, with our final preview articles posting on Halloween. Look for the Class 2A Regional Previews next Monday and Tuesday, September 24th and 25th.   (SAG = Final 2017-2018 Sagarin Rating in Class 1A/Multiclass; SOS = Final 2017-2018 Strength of Schedule)   Sectional #61 South Central-Elizabeth (19-6) SAG 7/138; SOS 206 New Washington (11-12) SAG 26/228; SOS 208 Lanesville (9-16) SAG 52/290; SOS 301 Christian Academy (6-14) SAG 54/294; SOS 248 Rock Creek Academy (7-16) SAG 61/310; SOS 308 Borden (3-18) SAG 80/368; SOS 315 South Central is typically a solid program, year-in and year-out. They have now won ten Sectional titles in the last 16 years, but this season will be sort of a makeover as they graduated their top three scorers in Ally Davis (15.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 3.4 apg), Jordan Renn (13.4 ppg), and Lexie Knear (12.7 ppg, 4.4 apg). That load will now fall on the shoulders of 2019 forward Jenna Baelz (5.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg), 2021 guard Brooklyn Lewis (4.8 ppg), and 2020 forward Marie Goodwin (3.6 ppg). While those three have significant experience, they’ll need a couple of other players to step up quickly to repeat as Sectional Champs. [caption id="attachment_12339" align="alignright" width="222"] Gracie Adams of Lanesville[/caption] New Washington would be more than happy to move to the front of the class in Sectional #61. They return virtually everyone, therefore they have as much depth and experience as anyone in the Sectional. They’ll likely be led by 2019 guard Hope Griffith, 2020 wing Makynsie Barger, and 2019 forward Madison Fields. Lanesville could be the surprise of this Sectional, though. They only played one senior a year ago, but they started five 2021s on most nights. They are set up to make a nice run the next three seasons. The best of the bunch is wing Gracie Adams (16.1 ppg, 9.6 rpg). She is joined in the lineup by guards Elizabeth Turner (8.5 ppg, 3.5 apg) and Georgia Brumley (6.7 ppg, 2.8 apg), plus forwards Danielle Haire (8.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and Mackenzie Pavey (3.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg). Christian Academy graduated three seniors, and unfortunately one of them was Alli Stumler, arguably one of their best players in school history. They’ll now look to 2019 guard McKenna Cavanaugh. Rock Creek is somewhat in transition as well, graduating four of their top six players, including Katie Thompson (11.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg) and Renayah Bailey (8.4 ppg, 9.7 rpg). They do return leading scorer Abbey Guidry (15.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.2 apg), a 2019 guard. Also, 2021 guard Layla Middleton (2.7) got some experience as a Freshman. Borden graduated a pair of guards, but look for 2020 forward Dayton Nale to shine for them this season.   Sectional #62 Trinity Lutheran (22-6) SAG 8/141; SOS 254 West Washington (16-9) SAG 11/170; SOS 282 Crothersville (13-10) SAG 33/245; SOS 319 Edinburgh (10-14) SAG 50/285; SOS 306 Shawe Memorial (7-18) SAG 64/321; SOS 291 Medora (3-17) SAG 89/394; SOS 384 [caption id="attachment_12340" align="alignleft" width="222"] Sydney Jaynes of Trinity Lutheran[/caption] Trinity Lutheran won Sectional #62 a year ago, and a big reason for that was their biggest players. Post Abby Hackman (13.4 ppg, 9.4) graduated, as did wings Piper Acton (8.4 ppg, 3.5 apg) and Jodi Goecker (3.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.8 spg), but 2021 post Sydney Jaynes (11.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.4 bpg) returns for three more seasons and possesses a lot of upside. Also back are 2019 forward Savannah Harweger (10.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and 2019 point guard Maddie Bell. West Washington will be a definite contender as well this season. They did graduate leading scorer Chelsea Carter (12.1 ppg), plus Cora Miller (7.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg), but they return a lot. Back for the Senators are 2019 forward Maddie Bowsman (10.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg), 2020 guard Rian Russell (10.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.8 spg), 2019 guard Hattie Griffitts (9.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.5 apg), 2020 forward Kassidy Keltner (9.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg), and 2020 guard Taylor Foutch (5.1 ppg). Crothersville could be the party crasher, as they graduated no real production and return three double-digit scorers. 2019 post Tayler Brewer (19.2 ppg, 10.6 rpg) transferred in a year ago and made an immediate impact. She’s joined in the lineup by 2019 guard Piper Hensley (13.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and versatile 2019 wing Maddie Riley (10.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, 2.9 spg). Depth comes from 2020s Makayla Helt (4.4 ppg, 2.7 apg), Isabell Lewis (4.1 ppg), and Rebekah Cook (2.7 ppg), plus 2021 guard Grace Wilson (3.7 ppg). Edinburgh is also a wildcard, as they return nearly everybody. 2020 guard Destiney Ramey (12.3 ppg, 3.4 apg), 2019 guard Sidney Beier (8.6 ppg), 2020 guard Haven Link (8.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg), 2019 forward Taylor Tatlock (7.6 ppg, 9.2 rpg), 2021 guard Trinity Tatlock (7.6 ppg), and 2021 guard Annelise Lollar (5.1 ppg) all return. Shawe Memorial graduated Megan Hesse, Katelyn May, Charity Lowe, and Erin Cooper. They now look to 2019 point guard Kate Grote to be their leader, as she has significant Varsity experience already. With an enrollment of just 70 students, Medora doesn’t exactly have a ton of students to choose from. Additionally, they graduated leading scorer Lillian Hatfield (12.6 ppg). 2019 guard Kailen Flynn (9.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.9 apg) looks to take charge now, plus 2021 forward Kenley King (3.1) played a lot one year ago.   Sectional #63 Vincennes Rivet (26-3) SAG 3/39; SOS 123 Loogootee (19-3) SAG 6/130; SOS 252 Orleans (7-16) SAG 45/272; SOS 249 Barr-Reeve (7-17) SAG 49/284; SOS 202 Shoals (4-17) SAG 82/371; SOS 257 Washington Catholic (2-16) SAG 83/379; SOS 323 [caption id="attachment_12341" align="alignright" width="226"] Tyanna Graber of Loogootee[/caption] Vincennes Rivet is obviously the dominant force in Sectional #63, and they’ve won nine of the last 11 Sectionals they’ve played in. This year they look tough once again, especially with 2019 do-everything forward Grace Waggoner (20.2 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.8 spg) back for her Senior year. Rivet is a part of our preseason Top-50 teams, so we’ll detail them a lot more in a couple of weeks. If anyone can challenge Rivet, though, it’s likely going to be Loogootee. The Lions graduated a nice piece in forward Julianne Bell, but they return a lot. 2019 guard Tyanna Graber is a big-time scorer for them. 2019 guard Sydney Davis and 2020 post Chelsie Sutton bring back a lot of experience. If they can find a scoring partner to go with Graber, they could be really good. Orleans didn’t have a great win total a year ago, but they’re a program who should have a nice stretch coming the next couple of years. They had several 2021s earn experience last year, most notably their top two scorers. 2021 wing Sheridan Robbins (11.7 ppg) and 2021 post Hailee Powell (7.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg) look to lead the Bulldogs into the future. 2019 forward Audrey Elrod (6.0 ppg) was their third leading scorer. They graduated just one senior, plus 2020 forward Jacqulin Gerkin (3.5 ppg) and 2021 guard Payton Blanton (3.5 ppg) picked up valuable experience last season. Barr-Reeve is also trending up, as they played no seniors a year ago. 2020 forward Kara Hughes and 2019 post Rachael Watson lead the way for them. They also had a number of 2021s play Varsity at times last season, so they should be primed for a double-digit win season. Shoals graduated a pair of key seniors, three in total, but they do return 2020 forward Maggie Shaw, 2020 guard Abby Haviland, plus several 2021s who earned playing time last season. Washington Catholic played just one senior a season ago, but unfortunately for this year’s team, that was leading scorer Hannah Ashby (11.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg). Look for 2021 post Lindsey Jerger (4.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg), 2021 guard Ally Cline (4.7 ppg), plus 2020 forward Adeline O’Brian (3.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg) to be the focal points this year.   Sectional #64 Northeast Dubois (17-8) SAG 13/178; SOS 220 Wood Memorial (11-12) SAG 17/198; SOS 197 Springs Valley (13-10) SAG 21/216; SOS 264 Tecumseh (11-12) SAG 28/233; SOS 209 Cannelton (5-17) SAG 81/369; SOS 370 Sectional #64 is always one of the most competitive Sectionals in the state, and this year it looks like it is wide open for anyone to have a legitimate shot at the title. Northeast Dubois was the Champion a year ago, and if they want to repeat, they must do so minus five of their top six scorers, which includes Tyla Rasche (11.6 ppg) and Adison Denu (9.3 ppg). 2020 guard Madison Cave (3.6 ppg) is their leading returning scorer. Of the remaining roster, 2019 Camryn Stemle, 2020 Amberly Jacob, and 2020 Chloe Terwiske bring back the most experience. They averaged a collective 4.2 points per game between them. [caption id="attachment_12342" align="alignleft" width="220"] Stevie McNew (#10) of Springs Valley[/caption] Wood Memorial won the 2017 Class 1A State Title, and while last year was a “rebuilding” year, they still won 11 games with a mostly inexperienced cast. 6-foot post Lexi Lashbrook, the most experienced returnee a year ago, did graduate. Look for the Trojans to again be competitive though, and 2020 forward Sydney Lamar, 2021 guard Madison Frederick, and 2019 guard Chloe Mowery should lead the way. Springs Valley also typically has a nice team, and while they did graduate four rotation players, none of them averaged more than six points per game, with Alanna Nelson (5.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.4 spg) being the most significant loss. Back are their top two scorers though, 6-foot 2020 post Jewel McCormick (14.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 3.2 bpg) and 2019 forward Stevie McNew (10.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg), plus 2019 point guard Leah Punturi (5.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg). They’ll need a couple of the several 2021s on the roster to step up into key roles this season, but they should be a Sectional contender this year. Tecumseh could be that team in Sectional #64 lurking, causing an upset when least expected, and this season they have enough talent to win the Sectional. They did graduate a couple of seniors, but 2019 guard Dalina Meyer is back and can score the ball. She’ll get help from 2020 forward Chloe Holder, 2019 forward Kaitlyn Helfert, and 2021 guard Grace Sullivan. The bad news for Cannelton is that at a school with just over 80 students, they only had six girls play Varsity last season. The good news is they all return. 2019 front-liner Caressa Sloss (17.1 ppg, 14.6 rpg, 4.0 spg, 2.2 bpg) is the standout and their best chance at victory, but 2020 Madeline Lindauer (8.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg) and 2019 Chloe Davis (7.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.8 apg, 2.8 spg) are also solid performers for them.   Header photo of Grace Waggoner of Vincennes Rivet; photo courtesy of courierpress.com. Photo of Gracie Adams courtesy of the Indiana Flight Twitter account. Photo of Sydney Jaynes courtesy of tribtown.com. Photo of Tyanna Graber courtesy of washtimesherald.com. Photo of Stevie McNew courtesy of gcdailyworld.com.