State Tourney Preview: Sectionals #9-#12
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The featured image is of Jacelyn Starks Jacelyn Starks 5'7" | SG Anderson | 2024 State IN (2024) of Anderson High School. The IHSAA Sectional draw took place Sunday evening, so all of the 390+ schools participating in this year’s…
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Continue ReadingThe featured image is of Jacelyn Starks Jacelyn Starks 5'7" | SG Anderson | 2024 State IN (2024) of Anderson High School.
The IHSAA Sectional draw took place Sunday evening, so all of the 390+ schools participating in this year’s state tournament found out when they would be playing their first game, which will take place next week. Below is a look at each of the Sectionals that will feed into the Decatur Central Regional the following weekend. This includes the Class 4A teams from Sectionals #9-#12. Please stay tuned, as this week we will have a quick synopsis of each of the 64 Sectionals across all four classifications.
.
Sectional #9 at Pendleton Heights:
Game-1: Greenfield-Central (12-9) vs. Pendleton Heights (13-8)
Game-2: New Palestine (10-10) vs. Richmond (6-14)
Game-3: Muncie Central (5-15) vs. Anderson (6-13)
Game-4: Mt. Vernon (Fortville) (15-6) vs. Winner Game-1
Game-5: Winner Game-2 vs. Winner Game-3
Game-6: Winner Game-4 vs. Winner Game-5
Overview: Sectional #9 is filled with members of the Hoosier Heritage Conference and the North Central Conference. There are four teams with 10 or more wins, and I tend to lean towards those teams as favorites here. Pendleton Heights and Mt. Vernon have been the most consistent in the group against the toughest schedules. Pendleton leans on the sister duo of Senior Whitney Warfel Whitney Warfel 5'10" | PF Pendleton Heights | 2023 State IN (15.4p, 5.5r) and Sophomore Kaycie Warfel Kaycie Warfel 5'9" | SG Pendleton Heights | 2025 State IN (21.0p, 4.1r, 3.4s). They provide a nice inside-out punch for the Arabians. Mt. Vernon is led by one of the better 2024 prospects in Ellery Minch Ellery Minch 6'3" | PF Mt. Vernon (Fortville) | 2024 State IN . She can play inside or out all by herself, plus she has good size and skill. Sophomore Kanyonrae Kenny Kanyonrae Kenny 5'9" | SG Mt. Vernon (Fortville) | 2025 State IN has shown flashes of great play throughout the year, while Senior Khloe Patterson Khloe Patterson 5'9" | PF Mt. Vernon (Fortville) | 2023 IN is a big-time energy kid who teammates feed off of. New Palestine boasts a big-time scorer in Senior Isabella Gizzi Isabella Gizzi 5'7" | PG New Palestine | 2023 State IN (23.6p, 5.4r, 2.0a, 2.8s). If she can get consistent help offensively, they are capable of knocking off anyone in this field. Greenfield-Central is still somewhat young, but experienced. Sophomore Chaney Brown Chaney Brown 5'9" | SF Greenfield-Central | 2025 State IN (13.8p, 6.0r, 2.3s) is in her second year leading her squad.
Sectional #9 Players to Watch:
Anderson –
Jacelyn Starks
Jacelyn
Starks
5'7" | SG
Anderson | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 13.6p, 2.7r, 2.2s
Anderson – Zoe Allen, 2023 – 7.4p, 2.4r, 3.3s
Greenfield-Central –
Chaney Brown
Chaney
Brown
5'9" | SF
Greenfield-Central | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 13.8p, 6.0r, 2.3s
Greenfield-Central – Aryana Hibbard, 2023 – 10.5p, 3.4r, 2.0a, 2.0s
Greenfield-Central –
Brooklyn McConnell
Brooklyn
McConnell
5'4" | CG
Greenfield-Central | 2025
IN
, 2025 – 7.8p, 2.1r
Mt. Vernon (Fortville) –
Ellery Minch
Ellery
Minch
6'3" | PF
Mt. Vernon (Fortville) | 2024
State
IN
, 2024
Mt. Vernon (Fortville) –
Kanyonrae Kenny
Kanyonrae
Kenny
5'9" | SG
Mt. Vernon (Fortville) | 2025
State
IN
, 2025
Mt. Vernon (Fortville) –
Khloe Patterson
Khloe
Patterson
5'9" | PF
Mt. Vernon (Fortville) | 2023
IN
, 2023
Muncie Central –
Gabby Douglass
Gabby
Douglass
5'6" | CG
Anderson | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 13.2p, 5.3r, 2.4a, 4.1s
Muncie Central – Taj Isom, 2024 – 4.9p, 4.2r
New Palestine –
Isabella Gizzi
Isabella
Gizzi
5'7" | PG
New Palestine | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 23.6p, 5.4r, 2.0a, 2.8s
New Palestine –
Vivian Miller
Vivian
Miller
5'5" | CG
New Palestine | 2024
IN
, 2024 – 9.5p, 2.3r, 2.7a
New Palestine –
Allie Blum
Allie
Blum
5'6" | SG
New Palestine | 2024
IN
, 2024 – 9.0p, 5.9r, 2.3s
Pendleton Heights –
Kaycie Warfel
Kaycie
Warfel
5'9" | SG
Pendleton Heights | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 21.0p, 4.1r, 3.4s
Pendleton Heights –
Whitney Warfel
Whitney
Warfel
5'10" | PF
Pendleton Heights | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 15.4p, 5.5r
Pendleton Heights – Berkley Shelton, 2023 – 7.3p, 6.4r
Richmond –
Madison Sonsini
Madison
Sonsini
6'0" | SF
Greenfield-Central | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 14.7p, 4.8r
Richmond – Maren Bolser, 2025 – 7.8p, 3.8r
.
Sectional #10 at Lawrence Central:
Game-1: North Central (Indianapolis) (7-13) vs. Lawrence North (13-8)
Game-2: Arsenal Technical (8-14) vs. Crispus Attucks (12-9)
Game-3: Warren Central (14-5) vs. Lawrence Central (16-6)
Game-4: Cathedral (9-12) vs. Winner Game-1
Game-5: Winner Game-2 vs. Winner Game-3
Game-6: Winner Game-4 vs. Winner Game-5
Overview: Sectional #10 is loaded with talented individuals and talented teams. Any of about five teams can take this Sectional, but the two I would pick as favorites, Warren Central and Lawrence Central, meet immediately. Warren has played with a great deal of depth, and they roster a lot of Senior and Junior talent. Seniors Asiah Baxter Asiah Baxter 5'10" | SF Warren Central | 2023 State IN (15.8p, 11.2r) and Sanaa Thomas Sanaa Thomas 5'5" | PG Warren Central | 2023 State IN (7.0p, 3.8r, 6.3a) have been staples in the Lady Warrior lineup for four years now, so they should be dialed in. Junior transfer Denyha Jacobs Denyha Jacobs 5'7" | SF Warren Central | 2024 State IN (16.2p, 6.9r, 2.7a, 4.2s) has been a huge compliment to the Seniors. Lawrence Central, on the other hand, is playing an extremely group of youngsters. Sophomores Jaylah Lampley Jaylah Lampley 6'2" | SF Lawrence Central | 2025 State IN (16.2p, 5.8r, 2.2a) and Laila Abdurraqib Laila Abdurraqib 5'7" | PG Lawrence Central | 2025 State IN (13.9p, 6.0r, 3.6a, 3.3s), plus Freshman Lola Lampley Lola Lampley 6'3" | PF Lawrence Central | 2026 State IN (11.6p, 4.8r, 3.4a, 2.9s) form a trio of double-figure scorers who possess elite talent and skill. They will be a handful for Warren Central right out of the gate but should also be considered a top team in this field. Lawrence North also has enough talent and experience to cause problems for people. Senior wings Monica Williams Monica Williams 5'10" | SF Lawrence North | 2023 State IN (14.8p, 3.6r, 2.3a, 3.1s) and Laniya Early Laniya Early 5'10" | SF Lawrence North | 2023 State IN (9.0p, 4.3r) can run and jump, and both make plays offensively and defensively. North Central has played the 6th toughest schedule in the state and has competed down to the wire most nights. If they can figure out a way to win four or five more possessions each game, they could be 14-7 instead of 7-14. They are led by Seniors Ava Couch Ava Couch 5'10" | SF Indy North Central | 2023 State IN and Trinity Archey Trinity Archey 5'6" | CG North Central (Indianapolis) | 2023 State IN . Then there’s Cathedral, and Senior Layla Gold Layla Gold 6'0" | SF Cathedral | 2023 State IN (22.8p, 9.4r, 2.5a) has been outstanding all year. As a group, the Irish have good height, length, and athleticism, plus they beat Warren Central back in November.
Sectional #10 Players to Watch:
Arsenal Technical –
Kayla Lacombe
Kayla
Lacombe
5'8" | SF
Arsenal Technical | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 21.4p, 9.2r, 2.7a, 2.3s
Arsenal Technical – Jasmine Chambers, 2024 – 12.2p, 7.5r, 2.7a, 3.2s
Cathedral –
Layla Gold
Layla
Gold
6'0" | SF
Cathedral | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 22.8p, 9.4r, 2.5a
Cathedral –
Taylor Lewis
Taylor
Lewis
6'2" | C
Cathedral | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 9.9p, 7.5r
Cathedral –
Jaeda Wilson
Jaeda
Wilson
5'7" | CG
Cathedral | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 7.5p, 3.0r
Crispus Attucks – Daisha Bullock, 2023 – 13.1p, 2.9r, 2.4s
Crispus Attucks – Mariah Kenter-Garrett, 2025 – 9.7p, 3.7r, 2.7a, 4.0s
Lawrence Central –
Jaylah Lampley
Jaylah
Lampley
6'2" | SF
Lawrence Central | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 16.2p, 5.8r, 2.2a
Lawrence Central –
Laila Abdurraqib
Laila
Abdurraqib
5'7" | PG
Lawrence Central | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 13.9p, 6.0r, 3.6a, 3.3s
Lawrence Central –
Lola Lampley
Lola
Lampley
6'3" | PF
Lawrence Central | 2026
State
IN
, 2026 – 11.6p, 4.8r, 3.4a, 2.9s
Lawrence Central –
Aniyah McKenzie
Aniyah
McKenzie
6'0" | PF
Lawrence Central | 2026
State
IN
, 2026 – 8.3p, 3.6r
Lawrence North –
Monica Williams
Monica
Williams
5'10" | SF
Lawrence North | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 14.8p, 3.6r, 2.3a, 3.1s
Lawrence North –
Laniya Early
Laniya
Early
5'10" | SF
Lawrence North | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 9.0p, 4.3r
Lawrence North –
Jamaya Thomas
Jamaya
Thomas
6'1" | C
Lawrence North | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 8.0p, 4.5r
Lawrence North –
Kya Hurt
Kya
Hurt
5'7" | PG
Lawrence North | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 6.6p, 4.3r, 2.2a, 2.2s
North Central (Indy) –
Ava Couch
Ava
Couch
5'10" | SF
Indy North Central | 2023
State
IN
, 2023
North Central (Indy) –
Trinity Archey
Trinity
Archey
5'6" | CG
North Central (Indianapolis) | 2023
State
IN
, 2023
North Central (Indy) –
Nakiya Harris
Nakiya
Harris
5'11" | PF
Indy North Central | 2023
State
IN
, 2023
North Central (Indy) –
Kaitlyn Hoff
Kaitlyn
Hoff
5'11" | PF
North Central (Indianapolis) | 2024
State
IN
, 2024
Warren Central –
Denyha Jacobs
Denyha
Jacobs
5'7" | SF
Warren Central | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 16.2p, 6.9r, 2.7a, 4.2s
Warren Central –
Asiah Baxter
Asiah
Baxter
5'10" | SF
Warren Central | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 15.8p, 11.2r
Warren Central –
Denell Jacobs
Denell
Jacobs
5'6" | CG
Warren Central | 2026
State
IN
, 2026 – 9.5p, 2.9r, 2.3s
Warren Central –
Sanaa Thomas
Sanaa
Thomas
5'5" | PG
Warren Central | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 7.0p, 3.8r, 6.3a
.
Sectional #11 at Southport:
Game-1: Southport (10-10) vs. Ben Davis (12-9)
Game-2: Perry Meridian (3-15) vs. Franklin Central (5-15)
Game-3: Decatur Central (12-7) vs. Roncalli (16-4)
Game-4: Pike (5-15) vs. Winner Game-1
Game-5: Winner Game-2 vs. Winner Game-3
Game-6: Winner Game-4 vs. Winner Game-5
Overview: The Lady Giants of Ben Davis have won three of the last four Sectional titles here, and they are strong once again in 2022-2023. Senior Cristen Carter Cristen Carter 6'3" | C Ben Davis | 2023 State IN (19.1p, 12.5r, 2.0s) has been dominant this season, as she has gone from being a defensive presence to a total ballplayer. Senior Taylor Guess Taylor Guess 6'1" | PF Ben Davis | 2023 State IN (11.9p, 6.4r) brings additional size and great athleticism to the floor. Beyond that, the Giants have a number of skilled and talented wings and guards. Roncalli will likely bring as much of a challenge as anyone. The backcourt of Senior Sydney Horton Sydney Horton 5'7" | CG Roncalli | 2023 State IN (12.8p, 3.7r, 2.9a) and Junior Claire Lindsey Claire Lindsey 5'7" | CG Roncalli | 2024 State IN (12.0p, 4.3r, 3.4a) has a lot of experience, good skill, and they work well together. They also managed to beat Ben Davis 59-58 just before Christmas. From there, it’s kind of wide open. Decatur Central has talented Freshman Kamrah Banks Kamrah Banks 5'9" | PG Crispus Attucks | 2026 State IN (17.5p, 2.9r, 2.1s), and Southport has a balanced group of upperclassmen, plus Sophomore Kassie McMasters Kassie McMasters 5'8" | SG Decatur Central | 2025 State IN (14.3p, 5.6r, 2.9a, 2.7s) has stepped up this year. While Pike, Franklin Central, and Perry Meridian don’t have the most impressive of records, they have played tough schedules and can potentially give the upper-tier teams fits.
Sectional #11 Players to Watch:
Ben Davis –
Cristen Carter
Cristen
Carter
6'3" | C
Ben Davis | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 19.1p, 12.5r, 2.0s
Ben Davis –
Taylor Guess
Taylor
Guess
6'1" | PF
Ben Davis | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 11.9p, 6.4r
Ben Davis –
Zoe Wheeler
Zoe
Wheeler
5'9" | SF
Ben Davis | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 9.6p, 4.1r, 2.3a
Ben Davis –
Kaleah Toomer
Kaleah
Toomer
5'10" | SF
Ben Davis | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 8.6p, 3.0r, 3.5a
Decatur Central –
Kamrah Banks
Kamrah
Banks
5'9" | PG
Crispus Attucks | 2026
State
IN
, 2026 – 17.5p, 2.9r, 2.1s
Decatur Central –
Soriah Gouard
Soriah
Gouard
5'9" | SG
Decatur Central | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 12.2p, 7.8r
Decatur Central –
Naja Winston
Naja
Winston
5'11" | PF
Lawrence North | 2026
State
IN
, 2026 – 9.8p, 8.4r, 4.2a, 4.3s
Franklin Central –
Lily Graves
Lily
Graves
5'11" | SG
Franklin Central | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 15.1p, 5.6r
Franklin Central –
Carys Wilson
Carys
Wilson
5'10" | SF
Franklin Central | 2024
IN
, 2024 – 9.1p, 5.2r
Perry Meridian –
Maya Mundy
Maya
Mundy
5'8" | SG
Perry Meridian | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 13.5p, 5.5r, 2.5s
Perry Meridian – Izzy Egan, 2024 – 7.4p, 5.4r
Pike –
Giavonnie Belton
Giavonnie
Belton
5'7" | SG
Pike | 2023
State
IN
, 2023
Pike –
Alexia Cole
Alexia
Cole
5'9" | SF
Pike | 2023
State
IN
, 2023
Pike –
Ashiyah Teague
Ashiyah
Teague
6'0" | PF
Lawrence North | 2025
State
IN
, 2025
Roncalli –
Sydney Horton
Sydney
Horton
5'7" | CG
Roncalli | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 12.8p, 3.7r, 2.9a
Roncalli –
Claire Lindsey
Claire
Lindsey
5'7" | CG
Roncalli | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 12.0p, 4.3r, 3.4a
Roncalli –
Taylor Turk
Taylor
Turk
5'8" | SF
Roncalli | 2024
IN
, 2024 – 8.2p, 3.7r
Southport –
Kassie McMasters
Kassie
McMasters
5'8" | SG
Decatur Central | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 14.3p, 5.6r, 2.9a, 2.7s
Southport –
CeCe Mitchell
CeCe
Mitchell
5'8" | SG
Southport | 2023
IN
, 2023 – 12.6p, 5.9r, 2.5s
Southport –
Lela Scott
Lela
Scott
5'10" | SF
Southport | 2023
IN
, 2023 – 9.3p, 7.3r, 3.1a, 2.6s
.
Sectional #12 at Terre Haute South Vigo:
Game-1: Plainfield (6-15) vs. Terre Haute North Vigo (10-13)
Game-2: Terre Haute South Vigo (7-14) vs. Avon (9-11)
Game-3: Brownsburg (14-8) vs. Winner Game-1
Game-4: Winner Game-2 vs. Winner Game-3
Overview: Sectional #12 is just a 5-team field, but four of the five teams are under .500 record-wise. Brownsburg stands out here, they’ve played a tough schedule, and they are 4-0 against Sectional competition, with the closest game being 11 points. 6-6 Sophomore post Avery Gordon Avery Gordon 6'6" | C Brownsburg | 2025 State IN (18.5p, 8.9r, 2.9b) is a matchup problem for just about anyone, and she should have her way with most of these opponents. Senior Kailyn Terrell Kailyn Terrell 5'7" | PG Brownsburg | 2023 State IN (9.7p, 3.3r, 3.5a, 2.0s) is the Lady Bulldogs’ emotional leader, plus she plays with an outstanding motor and toughness. Avon is a tough matchup for some teams, because they play several smaller, quick/fast, and explosive guards who can really cause havoc defensively and push the ball in transition. Sophomore Aniah Smith Aniah Smith 5'3" | PG Avon | 2025 State IN (16.4p, 3.2r, 3.8a, 4.2s) is the best of the bunch. If anyone can get Gordon in foul trouble, it might be Plainfield. Junior Payton Benge Payton Benge 6'1" | PF Plainfield | 2024 State IN (15.2p, 8.2r, 2.3s) has some size and strength, plus her ability to stretch the defense could take Gordon away from the basket. The Terre Haute schools are somewhat in transition right now, but if anyone can win a game or two it’s like North, as Senior guard Preslee Michael Preslee Michael 5'7" | CG Terre Haute North Vigo | 2023 State IN (16.8p, 6.9r, 2.8a) can take over games at times.
Sectional #12 Players to Watch:
Avon –
Aniah Smith
Aniah
Smith
5'3" | PG
Avon | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 16.4p, 3.2r, 3.8a, 4.2s
Avon –
Nyla Lewis
Nyla
Lewis
5'4" | PG
Avon | 2023
IN
, 2023 – 11.9p, 2.7r, 2.6a
Avon –
Amya Bass
Amya
Bass
5'4" | PG
Avon | 2024
IN
, 2024 – 8.3p, 2.1r, 2.0a, 3.8s
Brownsburg –
Avery Gordon
Avery
Gordon
6'6" | C
Brownsburg | 2025
State
IN
, 2025 – 18.5p, 8.9r, 2.9b
Brownsburg –
Kailyn Terrell
Kailyn
Terrell
5'7" | PG
Brownsburg | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 9.7p, 3.3r, 3.5a, 2.0s
Brownsburg –
Emma Hendricks
Emma
Hendricks
5'8" | SF
Brownsburg | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 9.7p, 5.8r, 3.1a
Plainfield –
Payton Benge
Payton
Benge
6'1" | PF
Plainfield | 2024
State
IN
, 2024 – 15.2p, 8.2r, 2.3a
Plainfield –
Berkeley Williams
Berkeley
Williams
5'6" | PG
Plainfield | 2026
State
IN
, 2026 – 13.4p, 4.0r
TH North Vigo –
Preslee Michael
Preslee
Michael
5'7" | CG
Terre Haute North Vigo | 2023
State
IN
, 2023 – 16.8p, 6.9r, 2.8a
TH North Vigo – Jetta Harmon, 2023 – 6.5p, 5.1r, 2.9a
TH South Vigo –
Katherine Sarver
Katherine
Sarver
5'5" | CG
Sullivan | 2026
IN
, 2026 – 6.2p, 2.8r