2025-26 Season Preview: Class 1A, Sectional 55

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've always enjoyed offering preseason coverage of each of the 64 Sectionals in Indiana high school basketball, and last year I felt like I got a little behind and didn't finish with the previews until after Thanksgiving. With that said, as we enter the middle of September, I wanted to get out in front of it this year and offer you a glimpse at what the 2025-26 season could hold with a preview of each of the state's 64 Sectionals once again. During the Spring of 2024, the IHSAA moved to a traditional enrollment-based format, realigning all classes with hard enrollment cutoff lines per class instead of taking nearly 400 schools and simply dividing them into four equal classes. With that said, each class has been more competitive, but the bigger classes have fewer teams than the smaller classes. This article serves as one of many previewing each Sectional in the state. In this specific article, I will take a look at Class 1A, Sectional #55. Below is a look at the teams in that Sectional, along with some general comments and analysis.<br><small>(<em>SAG = Final 2024-2025 Multiclass Sagarin Rating (398 teams); SOS = Final 2024-2025 Strength of Schedule</em>)</small></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Sectional #55 at Southern Wells</font></strong><br>North Miami (16-11), SAG 189, SOS 241<br>Northfield (14-9), SAG 199, SOS 240<br>Daleville (15-8) SAG 219, SOS 352<br>Southwood (7-17), SAG 247, SOS 214<br>Southern Wells (16-8), SAG 277, SOS 359<br>Tri-Central (7-16), SAG 314, SOS 315<br>Cowan (5-18), SAG 356, SOS 349<br>Wes-Del (0-21), SAG 395, SOS 364</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sectional #55 looks like it could come down to the same three teams at the top in 2025-26, with North Miami, Northfield, and Daleville potentially leading the way. North Miami had to overcome some significant production loss from its 2024 graduation, but stepping up were 5-10 Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1223004' first='Kayden' last='Donaldson']</strong> (<em>12.4p, 10.1r, 1.3s, 4.1b</em>) and 5-7 Senior point guard <strong>Laney Musall</strong> (<em>11.7p, 4.2r, 3.0a, 1.7s</em>). Donaldson is a really nice multisport athlete who contributes at both ends of the floor, while Musall is a hard-working, crafty, skilled guard who does a nice job of making open shots while also finding open teammates in positions to score. 5-10 Senior forward <strong>Grace Sailors</strong> (<em>7.3p, 8.7r, 1.5a, 1.7s, 1.4b</em>) provides a veteran interior presence and can help Donaldson patrol the paint. 5-9 Sophomore forward <strong>Layla Hampton</strong> (<em>4.0p, 3.5r</em>) saw a lot of action as a rookie last season, and this year, she'll likely be asked to step it up even more. If the Warriors can build solid depth out of an otherwise young roster, they have plenty of talent in those above four ladies to continue winning 15 or more games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Northfield Norse graduated two of their top three scorers from a season ago, however, they are always talented, and they got several younger players quality game reps last year. 5-10 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751091' first='Laney' last='Haupert']</strong> (<em>9.0p, 2.4r, 1.5a</em>) now steps into a leadership role, and she could very easily score in the high teens this go-round. She is extremely long, wiry, fluid, and somewhat smooth with her game. 5-8 Senior forward <strong>Callie Hoffman</strong> (<em>6.3p, 6.9r</em>) has double-double potential each time she takes the floor, and that will be needed at times this season. Sophomore point guard <strong>Teagan Baer</strong> (<em>5.6p, 4.8r, 1.8a, 1.8s</em>), Sophomore forward <strong>Emily Miller</strong> (<em>3.9p, 5.0r, 1.0s</em>), and Junior front-liner <strong>Faith Krom</strong> (<em>3.0p, 2.8r</em>) all picked up valuable experience a year ago, and each will be leaned on much more heavily as the Norse attempt to find balance in their younger lineup. Don't dismiss Northfield too quickly, as they have typically been a strong playoff team in the state tournament, regardless of who's on the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the last couple of seasons, several younger players have gained a wealth of experience, and now they look to cash in on that and pursue a 20-win season and a Sectional championship. The "big 3" now are 5-6 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1256446' first='Addisyn' last='Gothrup']</strong> (<em>14.3p, 4.2r, 1.6a, 2.2s</em>), 5-5 Junior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751114' first='Olivia' last='Pratcher']</strong> (<em>12.7p, 4.0r, 4.0a, 3.0s</em>), and 5-8 Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751106' first='Modlene' last='Campbell']</strong> (<em>7.8p, 9.4r, 1.8s</em>). Gothrup will be a 4-year starter, she has played on and off the ball in the past, and she can make things happen at both ends of the floor. Pratcher is an absolute playmaker, she's strong, tough, and she plays hard. She's very much under-the-radar in the 2027 class. Campbell is an athletic forward who outplays her size. She is a threat to post a double-double most evenings. Depth could be an issue, especially early on while newer players find their niche, but Gothrup, Pratcher, and Campbell will give opposing coaches nightmares heading into their matchup with the Broncos.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Additional Players to Keep an Eye On:</strong> Cowan: 5-9 Junior forward <strong>Savannah Hall</strong> (<em>7.7p, 10.1r, 1.5a, 2.6s, 1.8b</em>); Southern Wells: 5-5 Sophomore point guard <strong>Kaylee Davis</strong> (<em>7.6p, 3.5r, 2.4a, 3.3s</em>) and 5-2 Junior point guard <strong>Erika Beavans</strong> (<em>6.9p, 1.9r, 2.2a, 2.0s</em>); Southwood: 5-9 Junior forward <strong>Hali Pershing</strong> (<em>8.8p, 7.7r, 1.4a, 3.0s</em>) and 5-6 Senior guard <strong>Izzy Ashba</strong> (<em>6.7p, 2.9r, 1.5a, 2.0s</em>); Tri-Central: 5-9 Senior forward <strong>Logan Creason</strong> (<em>15.0p, 10.4r, 2.1s</em>) and 5-6 Senior guard <strong>Olivia Dempsey</strong> (<em>6.1p, 3.8r, 3.7a, 3.4s</em>); Wes-Del: 5-7 Junior guard <strong>Caroline Caward</strong> (<em>7.4p, 2.5r, 1.7s</em>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->