Class 2A North Regional Preview Part 2

Continuing our Class 2A Regional breakdowns, let’s turn our attention to the other Class 2A Regional in Northern Indiana. This one incorporates Sectionals #37 through #40. 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.   (SAG = Final 2017-2018 Sagarin Rating in Class 1A/Multiclass; SOS = Final 2017-2018 Strength of Schedule)   Sectional #37 Oak Hill (23-3) SAG 1/42; SOS 200 North Miami (15-7) SAG 29/166; SOS 281 Rochester (14-9) SAG 32/172; SOS 210 Wabash (12-11) SAG 39/193; SOS 214 Manchester (11-12) SAG 42/199; 215 Lewis Cass (3-18) SAG 86/336; 232 [caption id="attachment_12685" align="alignright" width="223"] Jenessa Hasty of Oak Hill[/caption] Oak Hill has been on a roll the last couple of years, winning two Sectional titles, a Regional title, and a Semi-State title, with only one Sectional game margin being closer than 16 points. What’s scary for opponents is they return most of their production this season. We won’t spend anymore time here on them, as they will be featured later in our statewide Top-50 teams, regardless of class. As for the rest of the teams in this group, there will be a couple of really nice squads, but it will be difficult to knock off the Golden Eagles. North Miami might have had the most talented team returning, but they lost three starters due to transfers. 6-3 2020 forward Caily Bolser ((10.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and 6-1 2019 sister Cailyn Bolser (5.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg) both transferred to Mississinewa, while 2019 athlete Adria Hartley (12.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.3 apg) transferred to Kokomo. The consolation is that they didn’t graduate anyone. 2020 point guard Bailey Keim (6.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.0 spg) will likely assume a leadership role. 2020 guard Hannah Hall (6.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.4 spg), 2020 forward Maryann Freeman (4.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg), 2019 post Kayla Kraning (2.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg), and 2021 guard Taylor Tinney (1.5 ppg) all return for the Warriors. Rochester had another winning season, but their two most productive players both graduated. Gone are 6-1 post Kennedy Musselman (13.7 ppg, 9.7 rpg) and versatile guard Morgan Ruff (11.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4.9 apg). 6-1 front-liner Emma Dahlquist (6.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg) plus Megan Nile also graduated. They’ll now turn to 2020 guard Maci Brown (6.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.1 apg) and 6-0 2020 forward Kensey McKee (3.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg). Wabash is an intriguing matchup for Oak Hill, because they play physical and have solid size to matchup. Wabash did graduate guard Bailey Yoakum (13.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.3 apg, 4.2 spg), but they return their leading scorer in 2020 forward Carmen Higdon (13.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.0 spg). 2019 wing Hope Unger (5.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg), 2021 post Alivia Short (4.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg), 6-2 2019 post Tabatha Wagner (3.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg), 2019 forward Abby Vinopal (2.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg), 2021 forward Mariah Wyatt (1.6 ppg), and 2019 forward Kiley Stone (1.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg) all return. Manchester is always a feisty, scrappy bunch, but they’ll have to play this season without graduates Sydney Day (6.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg), Erika Kendall (6.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg), and Kerigan Hatfield (4.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg). 2019 guard Kennedy Fierstos (10.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.2 spg) was their leading scorer and does return, as does 2019 point guard Emma West (4.9 ppg, 2.2 apg), 2021 guard Eva Bazzoni (4.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg), 2020 wing Kiera Hatfield (2.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg), and 2019 guard Jimi Cripe. Lewis Cass has had a tough time in this Sectional, and now they’ll have to continue rebuilding after graduating three more Seniors in 2018.   Sectional #38 Lafayette Central Catholic (15-11) SAG 14/125; SOS 130 Clinton Prairie (20-4) SAG 36/185; SOS 341 Rossville (18-4) SAG 46/210; SOS 344 Delphi (16-9) SAG 49/220; SOS 317 Seeger (10-12) SAG 68/289; SOS 356 Covington (8-15) SAG 83/329; SOS 348 Fountain Central (5-16) SAG 91/348; SOS 334 [caption id="attachment_11260" align="alignleft" width="222"] Lexi Thompson of Central Catholic[/caption] Sectional #38 is pretty balanced and competitive at the top. Don’t let Lafayette Central Catholic’s record fool you, as they play one of toughest schedules in Class 2A. This year they must attack that gauntlet minus five graduates, most notably Libby Bonner (11.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg), Sami Royer (7.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 42 made 3s), and Bay Ulery (7.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg). They do, however, return leading scorer Lexi Thompson (14.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 79 made 3s), a 2019 wing. Needing to step up this year are 2019 guard Halle Blumling (4.8 ppg), 2019 guard Kaylyn Cherry (4.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.1 apg), 2020 post Jozee Evans (2.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg), and 2020 wing Kayla Brady (1.9 ppg). Clinton Prairie is a team who could get hot and give Central Catholic problems. Leading scorer Tatum Neal (17.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.0 spg, 75 made 3s, 52% 3pt%) does return. She’s a tough-nosed 2019 combo guard. Also back are 2020 wing Katie Blacker (5.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.2 spg), 2020 guard Emma McKinney (4.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg), 2020 forward Rebekah Lloyd (2.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg), and 2021 guard Hannah Wilson (0.8 ppg). They did graduate four players, with one of them being second leading scorer Jaycie Pletch (6.4 ppg). Rossville is coming off of a really nice season but, unfortunately, they graduated five of their top seven scorers, including highly productive guard Maggie Deboy (20.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 3.4 apg, 2.3 spg). Other significant losses include Julia Malson (6.9 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 2.3 spg) and Cory Taylor (6.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg). 2019 guard Camryn Geheb (7.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg) and 2020 forward Sammie Malson (2.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg) are the only two returnees who have played quality minutes, so they’ll need a few others to step up if they’re going to be above .500 this season. Delphi is a program who seems to put together winning season after winning season, despite graduation losses. This year they’ll have to attempt to do so minus their top two scorers, Katherine Lang (15.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.7 apg, 4.2 spg) and Emily Jakes (7.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg). Everyone else returns, though. That includes 2020 guard Lillie Smith (7.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.3 spg), 2020 wing Jordan Gasser (5.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.0 spg), 2021 wing Harley Myers (4.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg), 2021 post Haley Nelson (4.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg), and 2019 forward Katey Roth (3.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg). Seeger is a team who could really turn the corner and put together a nice season in 2018-2019, as they return virtually everyone. Leading the way for the Patriots should be 2019 guards Sydney Sexton and Kira Bailiff, 2020 guard Kiley White, and 2020 forward Emily Schrader. Covington will attempt to get to ten wins this season, but they’ll have to do so minus graduates Kierstyn Hinkle, Hadley Coffing, and Brenna Dixon. They’ll look to 2019 guard McKenna Chapman to lead the way, with help from 2020 forward Chloe Morris and 2019 guard Madison Karrfalt. The good news for Fountain Central is that they return their leading scorer, 2019 forward Mackenzey Linville (9.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg). The bad news is they graduated their next three highest scorers, and five Seniors in total. Hopefully 2021 guard Dakota Borman (2.9 ppg) or 2019 forward Logan Weldon (2.5 ppg) can step up in a big way.   Sectional #39 Tipton (19-8) SAG 19/144; SOS 238 Alexandria-Monroe (14-10) SAG 38/192; SOS 271 Eastbrook (9-14) SAG 62/271; SOS 314 Eastern-Greentown (10-15) SAG 66/281; SOS 266 Carroll-Flora (10-14) SAG 67/283; SOS 300 Madison-Grant (7-16) SAG 70/296; SOS 275 Taylor (3-20) SAG 77/314; SOS 251 [caption id="attachment_12686" align="alignright" width="203"] Cassidy Crawford (#4) of Tipton[/caption] Sectional #39 could lean somewhat heavily in Tipton’s favor this season, as several of the other teams are going through roster transitions. Tipton graduated only one Senior after last season, and that was Rachel Majors (3.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg). They have great depth and plenty of options to turn to, but their unquestioned leader is 6-0 senior wing Cassidy Crawford (20.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.1 spg, 2.1 bpg). 2019 wing Rachael Ressler (9.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and 2019 guard Kelsey Mitchell (8.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.2 apg) bring back a lot of production and experience. 2020 guard Gracie Phillips (5.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg) and 2019 forward Lexi Altherr (4.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg) should round out the starting lineup. From there, the Blue Devils can turn to any of about six or seven players for quality bench minutes, including talented Freshmen Ella Wolfe and Abigail Parker. Alexandria-Monroe is one of those teams going through transition, as they graduated five Seniors, including leading scorer Blaine Kelly (15.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 7.6 apg, 2.0 spg). Other players missing due to graduation include Mackenzie McCarty (10.5 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.1 spg), Abby Burnett (3.9 ppg), Allison Aiman (3.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.2 spg), and Rowan Hannah (3.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg). One bright spot for the Tigers is 2021 guard Reece VanBlair (13.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.4 spg). 2020 guard Kirsten VanHorn (4.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg), 2021 forward Madison Schuyler (3.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg), and 2021 guard Riley Hiser (2.9 ppg) also played quality minutes last season. Eastbrook looks to flip their record and be above .500 this season, and it helps that all seven Varsity contributors return. Best of the bunch is 2021 guard Sarah Foulk (11.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.6 apg). 2019 wing Kylie Standfest (10.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg) is another double-figure scorer returning. 2020 post Baylee Ditsler (6.6 ppg, 8.2 rpg) and 2020 guard Brianna Stepp (6.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg) are two more productive returnees for the Panthers. The Comets of Eastern-Greentown graduated the Sectional’s most imposing player in 6-2 post Hailey Holliday (11.7 ppg, 9.9 rpg). Maci Weeks (3.7 ppg) and Alli Hanner (2.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg) were also lost via the diploma. Back to lead the way, though, is 2019 guard McKenzie Cooper (12.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg). Looking to be her sidekick this season is 2020 forward Jeanie Crabtree, who missed most of last season due to an injury. 2020 guard Lexi James (6.3 ppg), 2020 forward Kaylee Weeks (4.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg), 2021 forward Rylie Davison (1.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg), and 2021 wing Addison Budde got some Varsity opportunities last season. Carroll-Flora will also miss their ‘big’, as 6-1 post Megan Herr graduated, along with guard Sydney Fisher. 2019 guard Lexi Unger, 2020 guard Jade Jackson, 2020 forward Kelsey Hammond, plus some 2021s look to be the new producers for the Cougars. For Madison-Grant to replicate their win total from a year ago, they’ll have to replace strong guard play from Dani Hutson (18.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.8 spg, 37 made 3s) and Maddi Evans (10.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.6 spg, 34 made 3s), both gone via graduation. Some of that responsibility likely falls to 2020 guard Blayklee Stitt (2.4 ppg). But the Argylls have a fairly experienced frontline with 2020 forward McKenna Lugar (5.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg), 2020 post Kayla Comer (5.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg), 2021 forward Zoey Barnett (2.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg), 2019 forward Payton Freel (2.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg), and 2020 post Morgan Conliff (2.4 rpg) all back. The Taylor Titans got a Christmas present over the Summer, when 2019 wing Taylor Boruff (9.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.4 apg) transferred in from Class 3A State Champion Northwestern. Boruff was their third leading scorer, and has already committed to Division-I High Point. The next question will be what they have to compliment her, as they graduated their top two scorers from a 3-win team. The top returnees look to be 2020 guard Alison Pemberton (7.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg), 2021 post Ashlen Kropczynski (5.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg), 2020 forward Austyn Huffer (4.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.0 spg), and 2020 forward Brooke McGuire (2.1 ppg). Another option might be a pair of nice Freshmen in Emma Good and Kelsi Langley.   Sectional #40 Monroe Central (25-1) SAG 5/65; SOS 228 Frankton (23-6) SAG 10/98; SOS 171 Lapel (12-11) SAG 22/151; SOS 183 Sheridan (13-9) SAG 44/205; SOS 267 Wapahani (14-9) SAG 45/208; SOS 230 Elwood (7-17) SAG 65/279; SOS 222 [caption id="attachment_12687" align="alignleft" width="223"] Jordyn Barga of Monroe Central[/caption] Sectional #40 is ultracompetitive, with several of the top Class 2A teams over the years represented here. Last season Frankton got hot at the right time and made it all the way to the Semi-State round, upsetting a Monroe Central team who was undefeated entering Sectional play. I look for Monroe Central to once again be extremely good, and since they are featured on our preseason Top-50 list, regardless of class, we’ll hold off on previewing them here. Frankton did have the mojo working at the end of the year, but they suffered a pair of major graduation losses when guard Sydney Tucker (19.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 3.2 spg, 59 made 3s) and front-liner Destyne Knight (15.4 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.6 spg) walked across that stage. Frankton should again be a very nice team, but now the scoring will fall into the hands of 2020 wing Addie Gardner (6.8 ppg, 30 made 3s) and 2019 guard Sierra Southard (8.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.2 apg). Look for 2020 guards Aleyah Rastetter (4.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg) and Bailey Tucker (3.6 ppg), and 2021 guard Ava Gardner (2.3 ppg) to play pivotal roles as well this season. Lapel graduated maybe the most talented player in Sectional #40, when 6-3 forward Bree Boles (19.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 35 made 3s) headed to Indiana State to play. But the Bulldogs return everyone else, led by 2020 forward Makynlee Taylor (8.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg) and 2019 guard Kylie Rich (6.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.3 apg). Also returning with experience are 2020 forward Delaney Peoples (5.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.1 apg), 2020 guard Morgan Knepp (4.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.2 spg), 2021 wing Lexi Swanson (2.3 ppg), and 2020 forward Zoe Freer (2.1 ppg). That depth could make them a dark horse in this Sectional. Sheridan will have to find some offensive production in a big way, as 6-0 wing Audrey Reed (23.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.0 spg) graduated, as did Nixon Williams (4.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.1 spg). The Blackhawks will now look to 2019 forward Heather Barker (7.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.8 spg), 2019 guard Jillian O’Flaherty (5.2 ppg), and 2021 forward Allie Delph (3.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg) to step up their games this season, if they’re going to approach double-digit wins again. Wapahani is a really nice, under-the-radar team in Sectional #40. Whether they can give Monroe Central a game, is yet to be seen. They did graduate productive forward Annie Schuck (11.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg), and I’ve heard 2019 sniper Mauranda Racer (7.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 29 made 3s) might not be playing this season, but they return everyone else. 2021 point guard Madison Thompson (7.1 ppg, 2.2 apg) had some flashes of brilliance last year, but she missed half the season with an injury. She should become a double-figure scorer sooner rather than later. 2019 post Dayten Lee (8.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.2 apg), 2019 guard Carlie Boggs (5.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg), 2019 athlete Sydney Cook (5.6 ppg, 7.9 rpg), 2019 forward Taylor Johns (4.3 ppg), 2020 forward Lexi Humbert (2.0 ppg) and 2020 guard Lexi Wulff (1.6 ppg) give this team a lot of options. If Elwood wants to match their win total from a year ago, they’ll have to do so without their top two scorers. Gabby Leavell (15.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.6 spg) and Brookelyn Creamer (13.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.1 apg, 3.4 spg) both graduated. Now the Panthers will have to turn to a young and inexperienced group, led by 2020 wing Caroline Daughtry (8.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg), 2019 wing Maleah Ruder (4.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg), and 2019 guard Sherrie Taylor (2.5 ppg).   Header photo of the 2017-2018 Frankton Eagles; photo courtesy of franktonathletics.com. Photo of Jenessa Hasty courtesy of Oak Hill's Hudl.com account. Photo of Lexi Thompson courtesy of her own Twitter account. Photo of Cassidy Crawford courtesy of the Kokomo Tribune Sports Twitter account. Photo of Jordyn Barga courtesy of winchesternewsgazette.com.