Class 2A South Regional Preview Part 2

Lastly, we take a look at the final Class 2A Regional, also in the South. This Regional is comprised of teams from Sectionals #45 through #48. 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 3A Regional Previews next Monday and Tuesday, October 1st and 2nd.   (SAG = Final 2017-2018 Sagarin Rating in Class 1A/Multiclass; SOS = Final 2017-2018 Strength of Schedule)   Sectional #45 South Ripley (22-4) SAG 3/53; SOS 160 North Decatur (12-12) SAG 53/232; SOS 260 Southwestern-Hanover (10-16) SAG 58/257; SOS 241 Milan (8-14) SAG 59/260; SOS 263 Switzerland County (5-18) SAG 69/292; SOS 255 South Decatur (3-20) SAG 87/338; SOS 277 [caption id="attachment_12845" align="alignright" width="225"] Elexah Roepke of South Ripley[/caption] South Ripley has quietly been one of the top Class 2A programs in Southern Indiana over the last decade, winning 15 or more games eight times, 20 or more games 3 times, and collecting five Sectional titles. They should again be the favorite in Sectional #45, and if they repeat, a lot of it will likely be due to the superb player of 6-0 2019 post Elexah Roepke. 2020 point guard Morgan Peetz and 2020 forward Cierra Copeland also return to aid Roepke, but this season could prove much tougher, as the Cougars graduated several key Seniors, including forwards Riley Sparks and Tonia Tucker, and guards Julia Rea and Mariah Gentile. The rest of the field eyes the potential to compete this season, but they’ve all suffered significant graduation losses as well. North Decatur was right at the .500 mark a year ago, but this season they’ll have to survive without graduated post Sarah Bohman (15.8 ppg, 11.5 rpg) or guard Jesse Closser (7.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg). The Chargers do have some solid returnees, though, beginning with 2019 guard Maddy Day (6.5 ppg), 2020 post Olivia Bohman (4.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.7 apg), 2019 forward Kierstyn House (4.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg), and 2021 wing Morgan Stanley (3.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg). Southwestern returns Senior guard Abby Ralston, a double-figure scorer, as well as 2020 forwards Paige Brown and Karli Young. But they must play without graduated point guard K.K. West and forward Kate Sampson. Mighty Milan returns its top two scorers in 2020 front-liner Cionna Bailey (8.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg) and 2019 guard Courtney Bruns (6.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 3.5 spg). 2019 forward Dakota Wolfe (5.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg) should be available to chip in as well, but the Indians will have to overcome the loss of six graduates, including Alexa Burton (5.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.6 apg, 4.2 spg), Lexi Wert (5.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2.1 spg), Maddy Roell (5.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg), and Taylor Amberger (4.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg). Switzerland County is looking to improve upon last season, and with nearly everyone returning, a 10-win season could be within reach. Post Jody Breeck is the only graduate, but 2019 post Rylee Hankins and 2020 guard McKenli Scudder return as the leaders of the team. South Decatur struggled through a tough season, and unfortunately their leading scorer, guard Taylor Best (11.3 ppg), graduated. But she is the only one who leaves, and they return a nice nucleus of 2019 post Madison Owens (7.7 ppg, 10.8 rpg), 2020 forward Sierra Lang (5.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg), and 2019 guard Annie Gant (4.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg). Look for them to have a more successful season in 2018-2019.   Sectional #46 Eastern-Pekin (20-4) SAG 4/56; SOS 114 Paoli (24-6) SAG 7/87; SOS 167 Crawford County (15-8) SAG 16/129; SOS 193 Our Lady of Providence (13-12) SAG 17/132; SOS 137 Austin (8-17) SAG 40/194; SOS 127 Henryville (12-13) SAG 50/223; SOS 216 Clarksville (4-21) SAG 80/323; SOS 185 [caption id="attachment_12850" align="alignleft" width="247"] Isabell Claywell of Eastern (Pekin)[/caption] This is one of the toughest Class 2A Sectionals to escape, with four of the top 20 teams in the Sagarin ratings located here. Eastern (Pekin) was the 2017 Class 2A State Champion, while Paoli made it to the Semi-State round this past year, before bowing out to State Finalist Winchester. Eastern graduated their unquestioned leader, high-scoring guard Rachel Stewart, plus forward Savannah Emmert and guard Veronica Judson have also played their final game. This season the Musketeers will lean heavily on talented 2020 point guard Isabell Claywell. But they also have high hopes for a talented and deep 2021 class that includes guards Shelby Casey, Libby Heavner, and Kendra Sill, plus forward Lily Crumpton. Paoli, on the other hand, returns nearly everyone. The Rams are led by 2019 forwards Jacqlyn Rice and Keaton Chastain, both double-digit scorers and tough rebounders. 2019 forward Isabella Brewster also returns up front. 2019 speedy point guard Madison Street also returns to the lineup. Crawford County returns one of the state’s better 2019 guards no one talks about, and that’s Adalina Simpson (16.8 ppg, 7.8 ppg, 3.0 apg, 2.7 spg). 2021 forward Treasure Nickelson (8.7 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 2.3 spg) is back after a very nice Freshman season, plus 2019 wing Cally Jo Sturgeon (3.5 ppg) returns as well. They will be without the services of sniper Kendra Covele (8.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 42 made 3s) and Brenna Hammond (4.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg), who have both graduated. Providence is another squad who continues to pump out wins and college prospects. This year, however, they’ll be without star wing Hannah Wolford (19.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.5 spg, 36 made 3s), Sierra Brooks (7.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.0 apg, 2.6 spg), and Brinley Prather (5.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg), who are all gone via the diploma. Now they turn to 2020 wing Natalie Boesing (9.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.1 spg), 2020 post Brigid Welch (4.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg), and 2020 guard Kaylee Kaiser (2.9 ppg) for production. Austin looks to get to double-figure wins this season, but guard Addison Bratcher, wing Lacey Hall, post Katelyn McIntosh, and forward Abi Phillips all graduated. The Eagles will likely look to 2019 forward Addy Law and 2020 guard Jalen Cooper to lead, as both have multiple years of Varsity experience. Henryville put together a solid 2017-2018 campaign, but they graduated four of their top six scorers, as Kennedy Easton (10.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg), Darian Nipper (9.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.0 apg), Cameron Kearney (6.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg), and Lexie McAfee (3.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg) all moved on. Luckily 2020 guard Allison Horn (6.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.0 apg), 2021 guard Riley Nunn (5.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg), and 2019 forward Jalyn Michael (3.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg) have all logged significant Varsity time. Clarksville has a talented 2021 forward in Jasmine Walker (13.1 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 2.8 bpg), but Aly Weber (13.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg) has graduated. They will likely lean on Walker heavily if they want to increase their win total this season, as no other returnee averaged more than three points per game.   Sectional #47 North Knox (21-6) SAG 11/102; SOS 211 Linton-Stockton (20-4) SAG 12/116; SOS 259 South Knox (12-13) SAG 28/165; SOS 180 Mitchell (12-11) SAG 41/195; SOS 181 North Daviess (6-19) SAG 82/328; SOS 258 Eastern Greene (2-22) SAG 94/375; SOS 204 [caption id="attachment_11225" align="alignright" width="210"] Vanessa Shafford of Linton-Stockton[/caption] Sectional #47 is another Sectional that is rather tough at the top. North Knox eyes another successful season, as 2018 Junior All-Star guard Makinzi Meurer (17.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.8 apg, 5.5 spg) returns to the fold. However, Reeva Hammelman (14.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.9 spg), Rylee Hammelman (4.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg), Addison McKinley (4.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg), and Sarobbie Hagen (2.6 ppg) all graduated…that’s four of their top six scorers. Meurer will need help from 6-0 2020 post Gracie Yochum (5.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and 2019 forward Ruthanne Nuckles (1.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg), if they’re going to approach last season’s win total. Linton-Stockton is trending up, and in a big way, as they’re coming off of a 20-win season, and they did so with talented 2021 wing Vanessa Shafford (17.1 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.1 spg) leading the way. Classmate Aubrey Burgess, as well as 2019 guard Mallory Frye, 2019 forwards Lexi Anderson and Mattia Potter, 2020 guard Jenna Littlejohn, and 2020 forward Peyton Bland all return to form maybe the Sectional’s deepest team. South Knox looks to take the next step towards a winning record this time around, and they return a lot of production. 2019 wing Janissa Page returns, as does 2020 guard Mykayla Couchenour. Chase Keller and Kristie Williams both graduated, and that leaves some holes to fill, but 2019 guard Paige Cavins has a couple of years of Varsity experience already. Mitchell is another team searching to remain above .500, and the leading scorer, 2019 guard Macy Robbins, is back and is a good place to start. 2019 guards Jasmine Blais and Bethany Hudson are also very capable guards. That 2019 class for the Bluejackets is just so deep, as posts Ally Passmore and Emma Terrell, and guards Lisa Eager and Jayvee Workman are also back with experience. They could be the “sleeper” team in Sectional #47. North Daviess and Eastern Greene will be searching for more consistency this season. North Daviess graduated double-digit scorer Hunter Beuhler, plus Sarah Yoder and Brittany Mullis, so it could be rough sledding early on. They do return 2020 post Ashley Knepp, and she can go for a double-double on any given night. Eastern Greene graduated four players, but none averaged more than 2.4 points per game. Look for 2019 guard Michelle Hatfield (7.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 2.0 spg) to be their top returnee, however they did play a handful of Freshmen a year ago who could be better this time around.   Sectional #48 Evansville Mater Dei (11-13) SAG 13/122; SOS 87 Forest Park (15-9) SAG 18/139; SOS 165 North Posey (11-14) SAG 56/247; SOS 196 Tell City (11-13) SAG 57/250; SOS 244 Perry Central (3-19) SAG 73/304; SOS 240 South Spencer (2-21) SAG 85/334; SOS 212 [caption id="attachment_12851" align="alignleft" width="221"] Jossie Hudson of Mater Dei[/caption] Evansville Mater Dei has always been a very tough out come tournament time, and while their record may not reflect it, they do play the toughest schedule of any Class 2A team in the state each year. This season they return EVERYONE, and they should be quite scary. 6-0 2019 forward Jossie Hudson (11.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg) is a University of Evansville recruit, and their top returnee. At some point, talented 2021 post Mariah Dickerson (9.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.8 bpg) will be back in the fold and is a monster on the frontline. She suffered a knee injury over the Summer. 2019 guard Hannah Wininger (8.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg) is the top scorer in the backcourt, while 2019 point guard Alaina Spahn (3.8 ppg, 3.6 apg, 2.4 spg) initiates the offense for them. From there they just have nice balance and depth, as three more 2019s and a 2020 averaged between 2.4 and 3.3 points per game. Forest Park would typically be a top challenger to Mater Dei, but they graduated guards Lanette Blume and Samantha Jarboe, forward Taylor Bayer, and post Avie Gould…all key to their lineup last season. 2020 guard Macie Zink could be their leading scorer this coming season, plus 2020 front-liner Faith Zazzetti is a nice-looking prospect with skill and athleticism. North Posey will find it somewhat difficult to approach double-digit wins again, as they graduated six of their top seven scorers, most notably Kimberlyn Weaver, Danielle Perry, Annemarie Cardin, and Christine Scheller. The top returnee with Varsity experience is 2020 guard Haley Wilson. Tell City graduated top scorer Katie Goffinet (11.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.3 apg), as well as Hayley Fackler (5.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg), but they return several girls with experience. The biggest reason to get excited for the Marksmen is 2019 post Kammie-Jo Hayes (10.0 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 3.0 bpg). 2020 guards Ava Hilgenhold (3.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg) and Elizabeth Kehl (2.4 ppg), and 2019 forward Grace Kreilein (2.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg), bring back the most production. Perry Central should have some excitement headed into the season, as they were led by 2021 forward Bree Noland (9.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg) in 2017-2018. Also back are 2019 post Claire Davis (6.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg) and 2019 wing Caylyn Peter (5.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg). That’s their top three scorers from a year ago back in the lineup. South Spencer graduated forward Emily Kaufman, but they return 6-0 2019 post Averi Myers, who can go for a double-double most nights.   Header photo of Paoli celebrating their 2018 Regional Championship; photo courtesy of tmnews.com. Photo of Elexah Roepke courtesy of ripleynews.com. Photo of Isabell Claywell courtesy of usatodayhss.com. Photo of Vanessa Shafford courtesy of gcdailyworld.com. Photo of Jossie Hudson courtesy of courierpress.com.