Season Preview: Class 4A, Sectional #7

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='486526' first='Marley' last='Dale'] (2026) of McCutcheon High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we wind down our Sectional preview articles, we will individualize the final few as one Sectional per article. This article focuses on Sectional #7 in Class 4A, which feeds into one of the Northern Regionals. Below is a look at the teams in Sectional #7, along with some general comments and analysis.<br><small>(<em>SAG = Final 2022-2023 Multiclass Sagarin Rating (395 teams); SOS = Final 2022-2023 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 #7</font></strong><br>West Lafayette Harrison (16-10), SAG 54, SOS 50<br>Kokomo (12-13), SAG 136, SOS 113<br>McCutcheon (11-12), SAG 149, SOS 60<br>Logansport (14-10), SAG 152, SOS 206<br>Lafayette Jefferson (2-22), SAG 294, SOS 86<br>Marion (1-22), SAG 346, SOS 244</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Harrison Lady Raiders have posted winning records in seven consecutive seasons, plus they are the defending Sectional #7 Champion. In order to accomplish both of those things in 2023-2024, they must overcome the loss of graduates <strong>Riley Flinn</strong> (<em>14.4p, 8.2r, 6.9a, 5.0s</em>), a 5-11 wing, and <strong>Campbell Moore</strong> (<em>8.1p, 7.8r, 2.0s, 4.2b</em>), a 6-1 post. They both brought size and experience to the court a year ago. Now, the Raiders turn to 6-0 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='369827' first='Riley' last='Whitlock']</strong> (<em>12.2p, 4.9r, 2.2s</em>) to step into more of a leadership role. She is a nice athlete with inside-out versatility. Junior twins <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828096' first='Elsie' last='Ahnert']</strong> (<em>5.6p, 5.3r, 2.3s</em>), a 5-9 forward, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='692230' first='Ava' last='Ahnert']</strong> (<em>4.7p, 3.0r, 2.8a, 2.0s</em>), a 5-8 wing, offer additional support and experience. 5-10 Senior post <strong>Kiersten Guyer</strong> (<em>2.1p, 2.2r</em>), 5-8 Senior forward <strong>Chelsea Parker</strong> (<em>1.7p, 2.4r</em>), and 5-6 Junior wing <strong>Ashley Dunk</strong> (<em>1.5p</em>) bring three more players who have seen crucial minutes in big games. The key for Harrison will be guard play, as Flinn handled it quite a bit last season. 5-6 Senior guard <strong>Alia Mengler</strong> (<em>2.0p</em>), plus 5-6 Junior guards <strong>Kaylie Conklin</strong> and <strong>Hannah Voll</strong> will be asked to help fill those shoes. Kokomo looks to get back above .500 after a 12-13 finish a year ago. The Wildkats just might, too, as they return nearly all of their production. Only <strong>Nande Geyton</strong> (<em>4.1p, 4.5r</em>) graduated, though Seniors <strong>Lilly Hicks</strong> (<em>4.7p, 2.7r, 2.0s in 3 games</em>) and <strong>Delaney Truax</strong> (<em>2.2p, 2.0r</em>) did not return either. It all starts inside for the Wildkats, as 6-0 Senior post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='369835' first='Aijia' last='Elliott']</strong> (<em>14.2p, 8.8r</em>) is a handful. She is a powerful people-mover with some touch as well. 5-5 Junior <strong>Ma'Kaela Drake</strong> (<em>10.4p, 2.4r</em>) and 5-2 Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='572818' first='Kamaria' last='White']</strong> (<em>6.0p, 4.2r, 3.6a, 2.4s</em>) are the main catalysts outside. Drake is a strong athlete who can score it, while White is a water-bug point guard who can create and defend. Juniors <strong>Regan McClain</strong> (<em>4.2p, 6.4r, 2.1a</em>), a 5-7 wing, and <strong>Aviannah Pollard</strong> (<em>3.1p</em>), a 5-7 guard, plus 5-5 Senior forward <strong>Mia Castillo</strong> (<em>2.2p, 2.3r</em>) also return with some experience. Look for talented 5-2 Freshman guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751119' first='Satyra' last='Scott']</strong> to also carve out a major role for Kokomo. The McCutcheon Mavericks also look to post a winning record in 2023-2024, but they said "goodbye" to <strong>Caitlyn Miller</strong> (<em>8.4p, 5.5r, 3.7a, 2.1s</em>), <strong>Daija Shepherd</strong> (<em>4.0p, 3.1r</em>), <strong>Sammy Wood</strong> (<em>2.9p, 4.6r</em>), and <strong>Haylee Smith</strong> (<em>1.1p</em>) due to graduation. What they got in return, however, could help them to 20 wins sooner rather than later. 6-0 Freshman wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751095' first='Lillie' last='Graves']</strong> has finally donned a Mavericks uniform, and arguably the state's top Freshman is an immediate difference-maker at both ends of the floor for McCutcheon. Playing around her will be a mixture of kids, but expect a strong Sophomore group to pair with her the next three seasons. That 2026 group includes 5-9 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='553262' first='Chloe' last='Finney']</strong> (<em>7.7p, 3.1r</em>), 5-7 guard <strong>Aubrey Miller</strong> (<em>4.8p, 3.4r, 2.1s</em>), 5-10 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486526' first='Marley' last='Dale']</strong> (<em>3.5p, 3.3r</em>), and 5-8 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='626869' first='Braelyn' last='Williams']</strong> (<em>3.3p, 3.0r</em>). 5-4 Senior guard <strong>Aubri Mullendore</strong> (<em>5.6p</em>), plus Juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218710' first='Kalea' last='Washington']</strong> (<em>2.7p, 5.5r</em>), a 6-0 post, and <strong>Mallorie Beutel</strong> (<em>1.4p</em>), a 5-6 guard, offer the Mavericks at least some upperclassman guidance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Logansport Berries posted a 14-win season in 2022-2023 for their first winning season since 2013-2014 when Indiana Miss Basketball <strong>Whitney Jennings</strong> was still in uniform. The Berries will likely once again be in rebuild mode, as <strong>Gabby Richie</strong> (<em>17.4p, 5.0r, 3.0a, 2.6s</em>), <strong>Kendra Sutton</strong> (<em>8.0p, 6.9r</em>), <strong>Ryann Wylie</strong> (<em>5.8p, 5.5r</em>), and <strong>Chloe Crook</strong> (<em>3.6p, 2.7r</em>) all graduated. They were four of the top five scorers from a season ago. The only starter returning is 5-3 Senior guard <strong>Lydia Goad</strong> (<em>10.8p, 3.0r, 2.4s, 37% 3-point shooting</em>), who can at least fill it up from outside at times. 5-4 Junior guard <strong>Kellyn Cripe</strong> (<em>1.8p in 24 games</em>), 5-11 Sophomore post <strong>Golda Kitchell</strong> (<em>0.5p in 13 games</em>), 5-5 Sophomore guard <strong>Aracyn Good</strong> (<em>1.6p in 12 games</em>), and 5-7 Junior forward <strong>Rylinn Spradling</strong> (<em>0.3p in 8 games</em>) have the next most experience, so finding offense could be a real struggle for Logansport this season. Lafayette Jefferson was 14-10 during the 2018-2019 season. They haven't won more than five games in any given season since, so they are simply seeking improvement of any kind this time around. Additionally, they must do so without graduates <strong>Trinity Fields</strong> (<em>6.5p, 6.5r</em>) and <strong>Jenny Ortiz</strong> (<em>2.8p, 3.4r</em>). At the same time, they don't have to replace a ton of production, and they return standout Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='886667' first='Shaylee' last='Barrett']</strong> (<em>8.9p, 4.6r</em>), a 5-6 do-everything guard. 5-5 forward <strong>Da'Niyah Johnson</strong> (<em>1.9p, 5.7r</em>) also saw time last year as a Freshman, while 5-4 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122682' first='Amani' last='Byrd']</strong> (<em>5.9p, 2.5r</em>) and 5-7 Senior guard <strong>Ava Adriano</strong> (<em>2.6p, 2.9r</em>) return to the backcourt. If the Bronchos can boost their offense a little and cut down on turnovers, they could at least improve upon last season's record, without a doubt. After a combined six wins over the past three seasons, the Marion Giants are another team hoping for better days ahead. Unfortunately, they lost four graduates, including dynamic guard <strong>Culeeya Jones</strong> (<em>15.1p</em>). 5-10 Senior forward <strong>Jackie Williams</strong> (<em>7.4p, 6.1r, 2.6b</em>) does return for the Giants, as does fellow Senior, 5-6 guard <strong>Kemani Thomas</strong> (<em>1.0p in 10 games</em>). 5-8 Sophomore forward <strong>Aubry Roedl</strong> (<em>1.5p in 14 games</em>) saw some action as a Freshman, but after those three it gets really thin. Look for any number of Freshmen and newcomers to play major roles for Marion this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->