Class 3A North Regional Preview Part 1

The beginning of the high school season is closing in on us faster and faster, as we are now just two weeks away from the first official practices and four weeks away from games. With that in mind, we wanted to continue our long and thorough preview of the 2018-2019 season. This week we turn our attention to Indiana’s second biggest class, Class 3A. This specific report will focus on the first Class 3A North Regional, which incorporates the winners of Sectionals #17 through #20. 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 couple of weeks, 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 #17 Gary Lighthouse CPA (14-11) SAG 40/136; SOS 218 Gary West Side (18-8) SAG 45/152; SOS 225 Hammond (8-14) SAG 85/340; SOS 365 Griffith (6-18) SAG 91/366; SOS 362 Hammond Gavit (3-20) SAG 99/384; SOS 377 Hammond Clark (4-19) SAG 100/386; SOS 368 [caption id="attachment_11441" align="alignright" width="207"] Dash Shaw of Gary West Side[/caption] Last season Gary West Side made the move from Class 4A to Class 3A due to a shrinking enrollment. It served them well, as they took out 3-time consecutive Sectional Champion Gary Lighthouse. I’d look for West Side to continue that trend behind maybe the state’s best player who no one talks about, in 2020 guard Dash Shaw (22.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.7 apg, 4.8 spg). She is a dynamic and athletic combo guard who can flat fill it up. But she’s not alone. Also back are 6-0 2021 forward Trinity Thompson (7.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.0 spg) and 6-0 2020 forward Tiara Payne (6.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.7 spg). Really, the only significant loss was 6-0 post Jada Dixon (9.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.7 spg). Additionally, talented Freshmen perimeter players Iatia Polston and Trinity Barnes could see a lot of playing time early, and possibly start. Lighthouse, on the other hand, will be going through a transition period. Daijah Smith (28.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.6 apg, 3.9 spg, 2.5 bpg), easily the best player in the school’s short history, as well as Lyric Ward (11.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.6 apg, 3.8 spg), Shaiana Johnson (6.4 ppg, 2.4 spg), Joylene Spence (6.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg), and Kayla Corral (5.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.1 spg) all graduated. That’s their entire starting five. However, the first player off the bench, and a nice, young, returning talent, is 2021 wing Prentciss Gates (6.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg). 2019 forward Sylvia Brown (3.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg) also returns, but they’ll need a lot of newcomers to step up in order to reach double-figure wins again. The rest of the Sectional will likely struggle to challenge West Side as well. Hammond High graduated their top two scorers in Arial Watts (16.9 ppg, 15.5 rpg) and An’Asani Collins (10.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.4 apg). The returnees will need to step up their scoring in a big way. The best candidates to do so are 2019 wing Imarea Rivera (7.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg), 2020 guard Indya Lewis (6.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg), 2019 forward Mychae Bailey (4.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg), 2021 guard Tra’Shey Adams (2.7 rpg), and 2020 forward Ja’Shawnda King (4.2 rpg). Griffith also graduated their leading scorer, Sierra Slaven (10.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.3 spg), as well as Victoria Perez (3.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg), Skylar Davenport (3.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg), and Grace Szymanski. That leaves 2021 guard Ariel Esquivel (9.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg), 2021 forward Julissa Hamm (7.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg), and 2020 forward Briah Strezo (4.4 ppg, 8.3 rpg) as the most experienced returnees. There has to be at least a little excitement surrounding the Hammond Gavit Gladiators, as they return everyone from a season ago. The top returnees include 2020 guard Dominique Johnson (15.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg), 2019 guard Ronnie Porter (7.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg), 2020 guard Maria Carter (4.6 ppg), 2020 post Zakaiyah Lockridge (3.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg), and 2019 forward Diana Carter (2.0 ppg). Hammond Clark also has reason for excitement, as they didn’t graduate anyone either, plus they welcome back 2019 forward Darlisha Reed (17.2 ppg, 12.9 rpg, 2.5 spg). She’s a strong and athletic talent who has drawn some Division-I looks in the past. Look for 2019 forward Alexcia Adams (5.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg), 2021 forward Destiny Johnson (4.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg), 2019 wing Ashlynn Delgado (3.0 ppg), and 2019 forward Andrea Rebeles (3.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg) to add support as a mostly experienced unit.   Sectional #18 Knox (21-5) SAG 37/119; SOS 229 Twin Lakes (13-11) SAG 53/179; SOS 169 Rensselaer Central (14-10) SAG 62/213; SOS 287 Hanover Central (10-15) SAG 81/326; SOS 331 Calumet New Tech (6-16) SAG 89/351; SOS 367 Wheeler (3-20) SAG 95/373; SOS 354 [caption id="attachment_13181" align="alignleft" width="197"] Lindsey Simpson of Knox[/caption] One year ago, Knox posted their first winning season since 2011-2012, and it was their first 20-win season in the 2000s. They also return all but one player, Leslie Kroft (6.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.9 spg). Knox is led by talented 2019 point forward Lindsey Simpson (16.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 4.4 apg, 5.6 spg, 1.8 bpg). 2020 wing Makayla Richie (11.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.7 spg, 51 made 3s) is a dangerous 3-point shooter, while 6-0 2021 post Remi Jordan (9.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 2.1 spg) does damage inside. 2021 wing Felicity Olejniczak (5.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 3.3 spg), 2019 post McKenzie McIntire (4.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg), and 2021 wing Preston Minix (2.0) bring back experience and add depth. Also look for 2022 forward Megan Bolen to possibly figure in somewhere. Twin Lakes was Knox’s stiffest Sectional #18 competition a year ago, but they graduated leading scorers Taylor Burns (17.5 ppg, 13.2 rpg, 2.2 apg), a 6-0 post, and guard Josie Gutwein (15.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.8 apg, 2.1 spg, 67 made 3s), plus another starter in Shyloh Flaherty (3.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg). 2019 point guard Maggie Gutwein (9.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.2 apg) does return, as do 2019 guard Kayla Bennington (4.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.6 apg), 2020 forward Lucy Mowery (2.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg), and 2019 forward Sidney Myers (3.5 rpg), but they will all need to step up to catch Knox this season. Rensselaer Central has an even mix of graduates and returnees. Gone via the diploma are guard Morgan Fleming, tough-nosed forward Brooklyn Radtke, plus Morgan Moore and Addy Cain. At the same time, they return a good shooter in 2019 guard Bianca Radtke, as well as skilled and versatile 2020 forward Sydney VanMeter. 2019 guard Haley Warne is also back. Hanover Central showed signs of improvement late last season, but now they must deal with the graduation losses of Sarah Spangler, Brianne Kickert, and Julie Bartoszek, three of their starters from a year ago. There is a ray of hope in 2020 forward Amanda Schreiber, a double-digit scorer, plus 2019 point guard Camryn Sterkowitz also returns to the lineup. Calumet returns their top two scorers, as 2020 guard Jai Reed (10.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg) and 2019 guard Kayla Champion (6.0 ppg) are back. Reed could really step up her scoring this season. They did graduate interior presence Kenmyia Clayborn (3.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.0 spg). And Wheeler looks to improve upon a tough 2017-2018 campaign, and the Bearcats could very well do so with the return of most of their production. Their top two scorers, 2020 forward Aaliyah Williams (7.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and 2020 wing Sydney Eden (6.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.2 apg), are back. But they must play without the graduated Delaney Bath (4.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.0 apg).   Sectional #19 Mishawaka Marian (21-5) SAG 10/52; SOS 140 John Glenn (20-6) SAG 22/84; SOS 170 South Bend Washington (7-16) SAG 57/189; SOS 44 New Prairie (4-18) SAG 75/280; SOS 98 Culver Academy (6-14) SAG 77/287; SOS 174 Jimtown (2-21) SAG 93/370; SOS 150 [caption id="attachment_13182" align="alignright" width="213"] Bethany Hayden of John Glenn[/caption] Sectional #19 is solid at the top, and is only going to continue getting stronger. Mishawaka Marian was a very good team a year ago, and while they did graduate their leading scorer, that was the only key contributor they lost, plus they gained a nice addition by way of a 2021 transfer. Marian appears in our Top-50 teams breakdown, regardless of class, coming up later this week, so we’ll preview them a lot more at that time. John Glenn always plays disciplined and wins games year after year. This year will be a lot tougher on them, as they’ll have to replace leading scorer Mariah Plunkett (16.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.8 spg), who is now at Taylor University. Also gone is 2021 guard McKenzie Hudgen (7.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg), who transferred to Sectional #19 rival Mishawaka Marian over the Summer. Riley Groves (5.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg) also graduated. The best of the returnees is skilled 2019 guard Bethany Hayden (10.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.1 spg). She’ll get help from 2019 wing Morgan Plunkett (5.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.5 spg), 2019 forward Dessa Lang (2.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg), and 2021 guard Seja Lang (2.1 ppg). South Bend Washington should be trending up sooner rather than later. To begin with, they return 2019 forwards Timberlynn Thomas (15.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.1 apg, 3.6 spg) and Tamara Smith (9.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.7 spg). Additionally, they add 2022 forward Mila Reynolds, a highly skilled and talented 6-1 forward who already holds Division-I offers. She might actually have to handle the ball a lot for the Panthers, as last year’s point guard, Diamond Adams (14.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.9 apg, 3.1 spg), graduated. New Prairie has to replace leading scorer Alyssa Nelson, a double-figure scorer. They’ll look to 2019 forward Max Cotter and 2020 forward Sydney Meyers to step up. Culver Academy has struggled of late, but they return nearly everyone. Leading the way are 2019 forward Rebecca Christlieb, plus 2020 guards Mary Cate Wright and Dana Rodgers. Jimtown looks to a deep 2020 class to reverse their fortunes. That class starts with forwards Jamie Lawson, Gabbie Desimone, and Abby Snider, plus guard Jenna Burkhart.   Sectional #20 Northwestern (29-1) SAG 1/2; SOS 105 West Lafayette (14-10) SAG 46/154; SOS 191 Peru (8-15) SAG 74/278; SOS 278 Western (2-21) SAG 86/344; SOS 199 Frankfort (5-19) SAG 87/345; SOS 253 Maconaquah (1-21) SAG 92/367; SOS 292 [caption id="attachment_13183" align="alignleft" width="225"] Alaina Omonode of West Lafayette[/caption] Northwestern is arguably the best team in all of Class 3A, and this season should see them dominate this Sectional once again. They will be previewed later on when we focus on the Top-50 teams in the state, regardless of class. If anyone is going to challenge them in Sectional #20, it would likely be West Lafayette. The Red Devils will have to do so without graduates Teagan Parker (12.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg) and Kylie Martin (11.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.0 spg). They’ll now turn their focus to 2020 post Alaina Omonode (11.2 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 1.6 bpg). Also returning are 2019 guard Caroline Sautter (5.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg), 2019 post Ashley Weatherly (3.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg), and 2021 forward Melissa Fernandez (2.3 ppg). Peru should get to the 10-win plateau this season, as they return nearly everyone, graduating only Angel Parks (4.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg). 2019 forward Harmoni Stone (10.8 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.4 spg), 2020 post Kelsie Kelley (8.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg), 2020 guard Courtlynn Crowe (6.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg), and 2019 guard Maegan Sinkovics (6.5 ppg) all return to starting roles. Western has won a total of 12 games since their 23-3 State Championship season of 2013-2014. They likely won’t reach that type of success, but they should be improved. Returning are 2019 wing Clara Braswell (12.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and 2020 forward Makayla Calloway (6.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg). Frankfort returns everyone, including a deep and experienced 2019 class. That 2019 group is led by forward Rylee Seibert (11.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg), forward Kimberlee Kingma (9.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg), and guard Emily Michael (8.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.3 apg). Maconaquah played 19 girls in at least four games last season, trying to find a successful mix. The positive for them, is they return leading scorer Ashley Jess (6.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg), a 2019 wing. Sophomore guards Madison (5.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg) and McKenna Wilson (3.9 ppg), also played a lot as Freshmen.   Header photo of the 2018 Class 3A State Champion Northwestern Tigers; photo courtesy of the IHSAA Twitter account. Photo of Dash Shaw courtesy of Gary West Side's Hudl account. Photo of Lindsey Simpson courtesy of chicagotribune.com. Photo of Bethany Hayden courtesy of heraldargus.com. Photo of Alaina Omonode courtesy of jconline.com.