Sectional Preview: Class 4A North
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The featured image is of Monique Mitchell Monique Mitchell 5'11" | SF South Bend Washington | 2025 State IN (2025) of South Bend’s Washington High School. The regular season has concluded, and the state tournament begins soon. While brief, below…
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Continue ReadingThe featured image is of Monique Mitchell Monique Mitchell 5'11" | SF South Bend Washington | 2025 State IN (2025) of South Bend’s Washington High School.
The regular season has concluded, and the state tournament begins soon. While brief, below is a look at the eight Sectionals in Class 4A in the Northern half of the state. All statistics provided here have been pulled from each school’s MaxPreps page, so if your stats are not represented here, your team’s MaxPreps page has not been updated by your coach/school.
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Sectional #1 – Lake Central
Favorite: Lake Central
Contenders: Merrillville, Munster
Sleeper: Hammond Central
Longshots: Hammond Morton, East Chicago Central, Gary West Side
Preview: Lake Central (20-4) is the “big dog” of Sectional #1, they made it to the Class 4A “Final Four” a season ago, and they were the only team to take out South Bend Washington last season. They return the same cast of characters, and with all five starters averaging between 8.1 and 9.2 points per game, they share the ball well. Seniors Aniyah Bishop Aniyah Bishop 5'10" | SF Lake Central | 2024 State IN (9.2p, 5.1r), Riley Milausnic Riley Milausnic 5'7" | CG Lake Central | 2024 State IN (8.7p, 2.0r), and Nadia Clayton Nadia Clayton 5'7" | SG Lake Central | 2024 State IN (8.1p, 2.9r, 2.0a) lead the way, with help from Junior starters Ayla Krygier Ayla Krygier 6'0" | SF Lake Central | 2025 State IN (8.6p, 4.2r) and Vanessa Wimberly Vanessa Wimberly 5'5" | PG Lake Central | 2025 State IN (8.5p, 2.5r, 3.9a, 2.7s). The duo of Junior Kylie Wells Kylie Wells 5'10" | SF Merrillville | 2025 State IN (14.7p, 3.6r, 2.0s) and Freshman Malika Jenkins Malika Jenkins 5'8" | CG Merrillville | 2027 State IN (12.4p, 3.0r, 4.2a, 2.9s) has helped Merrillville to a strong season and give the Pirates a fighting chance, while Munster has their own impressive duo to stop in Sophomore Gracyn Gilliard Gracyn Gilliard 5'10" | SG Munster | 2026 State IN (25.7p, 8.1r, 2.7a, 5.8s) and Junior Nina Garner Nina Garner 6'0" | SF Munster | 2025 State IN (11.6p, 7.3r, 3.2s). Also keep an eye on Hammond Central. They have an athletic trio of wings in Seniors Aniyah Henry Aniyah Henry 5'8" | SF Hammond Central | 2024 State IN (19.0p, 5.0r, 2.3s) and Kennedy Blakely Kennedy Blakely 5'8" | SF Hammond Central | 2024 State IN (13.4p, 6.4r, 4.1a, 3.8s), plus Sophomore Indiah Hutchinson Indiah Hutchinson 5'11" | SF Hammond Central | 2026 State IN (17.5p, 5.9r, 2.1a, 3.4s).
Our Pick: Lake Central
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Sectional #2 – Valparaiso
Favorite: Valparaiso
Contender: Crown Point
Sleepers: Chesterton, Kankakee Valley
Longshots: Portage, Lowell, Hobart
Preview: Super Soph Lillian Barnes Lillian Barnes 5'11" | SF Valparaiso | 2026 State IN (17.6p, 6.4r, 5.6a, 4.7s) has once again led Valparaiso (15-7) to a solid season, including a 4-0 record against Sectional #2 opponents. None of those games were closer than 16 points. Barnes has gotten a full season of help from a healthy Becca Gerdt Becca Gerdt 6'0" | PF Valparaiso | 2024 State IN (15.8p, 6.6r, 2.5a), a Senior forward, plus Sophomore Cadynce Clark Cadynce Clark 5'8" | CG Valparaiso | 2026 State IN (9.2p, 2.3r, 2.0s) has put in a nice second season for the Vikings. Crown Point looks to avenge a 16-point loss to Valpo back in early December, and they’ll need Senior Ava Ziolkowski Ava Ziolkowski 6'1" | PF Crown Point | 2024 State IN (28.2p, 10.3r, 3.3s) to play a big part in that. No one else averages more than 4.5 points per game, but the Bulldogs do play as deep as ten players from time to time, so they have options and plenty of ladies who’ve been a part of their recent successes. Chesterton has a strong Sophomore tandem in Kenedi Bradley Kenedi Bradley 5'8" | CG Chesterton | 2026 State IN (15.0p, 3.7r, 3.8a, 4.0s) and Tenley Davis Tenley Davis 6'1" | PF Chesterton | 2026 State IN (16.0p, 8.9r, 2.0s), plus Senior Ciara Bonner Ciara Bonner 5'7" | CG Chesterton | 2024 IN (8.2p, 4.6r, 2.4a, 2.0s) and Junior Isabelle Connors (7.9p, 5.8r) have stepped up and provided upperclassmen leadership. The Trojans could surprise. Kankakee Valley has had another solid season and is 4-2 against Sectional foes, including an early November win over Crown Point. However, Senior Lyric Carpenter (8.3p, 4.4r) moved to Texas midseason, so now it’s up to Seniors Olivia Plummer (9.2p, 6.4r) and Brooke Swart (7.6p, 2.4r) to keep them competitive.
Our Pick: Valparaiso
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Sectional #3 – South Bend Washington
Heavy Favorite: South Bend Washington
Longshots: South Bend Adams, Plymouth, Mishawaka, Michigan City, LaPorte, South Bend Riley
Preview: South Bend Washington is the runaway favorite again this year in Sectional #3. The combination of Juniors Kira Reynolds Kira Reynolds 6'4" | PF South Bend Washington | 2025 State IN (16.4p, 10.7r, 4.5a, 2.3s, 5.8b), Monique Mitchell Monique Mitchell 5'11" | SF South Bend Washington | 2025 State IN (13.8p, 4.2r), and Ryiah Wilson Ryiah Wilson 5'8" | CG South Bend Washington | 2025 State IN (15.1p, 2.4r, 4.4a, 5.0s) is enough to carry them deep into the playoffs. I’m not sure anyone will touch them in Sectional #3, but keep an eye on top performers like Junior Lena Jones Lena Jones 5'6" | PG Plymouth | 2025 IN (10.1p, 5.5r, 4.1a, 2.0s) of Plymouth, Senior Asiah Shaffer Asiah Shaffer 5'6" | SG Mishawaka | 2024 State IN of Mishawaka, and Junior Paulecia Isom Paulecia Isom 5'3" | CG Michigan City | 2025 IN of Michigan City.
Our Pick: South Bend Washington
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Sectional #4 – Northridge
Favorite: Northridge
Contenders: Warsaw, Penn
Sleeper: Elkhart
Longshots: Goshen, Concord
Preview: There are four teams who can legitimately beat up on each other in Sectional #4. In fact, Warsaw was 4-0 against Sectional competition, Northridge was 4-1, and Elkhart was 3-1. Penn was just 2-3, but you always have to factor in the Kingsmen come tournament time. I still think Northridge has too much depth and the ability to make adjustments from a recent loss to a hot-shooting Warsaw. Northridge is led by Seniors Morgan Cross Morgan Cross 5'7" | CG Northridge | 2024 State IN (10.0p, 4.8r, 2.8a, 3.0s), Sabrina Miller Sabrina Miller 5'8" | SG Northridge | 2024 State IN (7.2p, 2.1r, 2.4a), and Gaby Gates Gaby Gates 5'11" | PF Northridge | 2024 State IN (7.1p, 3.3r), along with Juniors Rielyn Goodwin Rielyn Goodwin 5'5" | PG Northridge | 2025 State IN (10.3p, 3.4r, 3.5a, 3.4s) and Ella Mohamed Ella Mohamed 5'6" | SG Northridge | 2025 IN (9.2p, 3.7r, 2.5a). Warsaw has tremendous depth as well and is led by Sophomores Brooke Zartman Brooke Zartman 5'8" | SG Warsaw | 2026 State IN (16.8p, 2.0r, 2.4s) and Joslyn Bricker Joslyn Bricker 5'8" | PG Warsaw | 2026 State IN (16.2p, 4.1r, 3.1a, 2.2s), plus Junior Brooke Winchester Brooke Winchester 6'0" | PF Warsaw Community | 2025 State IN (15.1p, 9.0r, 2.3a, 2.0s). Junior guard Jessa Troy (12.8p, 3.0r, 2.0s) and Senior guard Lauren Walsh Lauren Walsh 5'7" | PG Penn | 2024 State IN (12.8p, 4.7r, 2.2a, 3.2s) lead the aforementioned Penn Kingsmen, while Sophomore Jordynn Johnson Jordynn Johnson 5'4" | PG Elkhart | 2026 IN does damage for the Elkhart Lions.
Our Pick: Northridge
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Sectional #5 – Carroll (Fort Wayne)
Favorite: Fort Wayne Snider
Contenders: Fort Wayne Northrop, Carroll (Fort Wayne)
Sleepers: DeKalb, East Noble
Longshot: Fort Wayne North Side
Preview: On the surface, Fort Wayne Snider has a bit more talent than the other teams here, but in the end, this could be a competitive sectional just about every game. Snider has Miss Basketball candidate Jordyn Poole Jordyn Poole 5'6" | PG Fort Wayne Snider | 2024 State IN (17.2p, 2.8r, 4.6a, 2.6s) at the helm, and she is a real problem for opponents. Senior Ciara Sims Ciara Sims 5'8" | SF Fort Wayne Snider | 2024 State IN (14.2p, 5.0r) has put together an outstanding year in support. Northrop has only lost to Snider in this field, and they boast three double-digit scorers in Sophomore Khala Williams-Thomas Khala Williams-Thomas 5'10" | SF Fort Wayne Northrop | 2026 State IN (17.7p, 3.9r, 2.3a, 3.4s), Senior Alexis Castator Alexis Castator 6'1" | SG Fort Wayne Northrop | 2024 State IN (11.1p, 6.1r, 4.4a, 2.1s), and Senior Niya Bell (10.2p, 2.7r). The Carroll Chargers have their moments, and Sophomore Lillian George Lillian George 6'2" | C Carroll (Fort Wayne) | 2026 State IN (15.4p, 9.6r) is a problem inside, while Junior Jersey Paul Jersey Paul 5'6" | CG Carroll (Fort Wayne) | 2025 State IN (14.5p, 2.9r, 3.6a, 2.5s) does damage outside. DeKalb and East Noble are rather young squads, but either group can pull an upset out of its hat. I think with Snider’s strong Senior class, it’s going to be tough to put them out this early in the tournament.
Our Pick: Fort Wayne Snider
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Sectional #6 – Columbia City
Favorite: Columbia City
Contender: Homestead
Sleepers: Huntington North, Fort Wayne Wayne
Longshots: New Haven, Fort Wayne South Side
Preview: One year ago, Columbia City saw a victory over Homestead slip through its fingers, but this time around, the Eagles are stronger and much-improved, while Homestead has gone to a younger core. Junior Addison Baxter Addison Baxter 5'9" | PG Columbia City | 2025 State IN is a real talent in the backcourt for Columbia City, while Senior running ‘mate Kyndra Sheets Kyndra Sheets 5'6" | PG Columbia City | 2024 State IN can score or set up teammates as well. Add is Senior Molly Baker Molly Baker 5'10" | PF Columbia City | 2024 State IN , and that trio can compete with most around the state. Homestead still has talent, and top Sophomores Myah Epps Myah Epps 5'10" | CG Homestead | 2026 State IN , Gabby Helsom Gabby Helsom 5'11" | PF Homestead | 2026 State IN , and Whitney Ankenbruck Whitney Ankenbruck 5'9" | SF Homestead | 2026 State IN have skill and talent and only lack experience. They will challenge Columbia City for sure, and that game could be a battle. Huntington North has already knocked off some good teams this year, and as for a scary opponent, watch out for Wayne. They have talent and size, and if Senior Sydney Gorman Sydney Gorman 5'8" | SG Fort Wayne Wayne | 2024 State IN can get going, they have plenty of weapons to knock out anyone having an “off” night.
Our Pick: Columbia City
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Sectional #7 – Kokomo
Favorite: McCutcheon
Contender: West Lafayette Harrison
Sleeper: Kokomo
Longshots: Lafayette Jefferson, Logansport, Marion
Preview: McCutcheon is arguably the best team and most talented team in Sectional #7; however, they are significantly young and inexperienced in these moments. How quickly they can “grow up” in the moment will be key. Freshman Lillie Graves Lillie Graves 6'0" | SF McCutcheon | 2027 State IN (22.3p, 5.7r, 4.3a, 4.0s) doesn’t allow much to phase her, and she can easily be a standout against any of these opponents. Sophomore Chloe Finney Chloe Finney 5'9" | SF McCutcheon | 2026 IN (9.2p, 4.0r, 2.2s) leads a big Sophomore class in support of Graves and the Mavericks. West Lafayette Harrison is always strong at this time of year, and Senior Riley Whitlock Riley Whitlock 6'0" | PF West Lafayette Harrison | 2024 State IN (16.6p, 8.6r, 3.6s) is a handful to deal with. Kokomo can also shine this year, if things go the right way for them. Senior front-liner Aijia Elliott Aijia Elliott 6'0" | C Kokomo | 2024 State IN (14.9p, 7.9r, 2.8b) is the main catalyst for the Wildkats, but Junior Ma’Kaela Drake Ma’Kaela Drake 5'5" | SG Kokomo | 2025 IN (8.5p, 2.3r) is also a nice player on the perimeter for Kokomo.
Our Pick: McCutcheon
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Sectional #8 – Hamilton Southeastern
Favorites: Hamilton Southeastern, Noblesville
Contenders: Zionsville, Fishers
Sleepers: Westfield, Carmel
Preview: Last year, Sectional #8 was insanely deep, and this year they should continue to contend as the toughest sectional in the state. Honestly, anyone can win on any given night, but I’ll lean on host Hamilton Southeastern and their 19-3 record to get the job done. Junior Maya Makalusky Maya Makalusky 6'3" | SF Hamilton Southeastern | 2025 State IN (27.4p, 5.7r) has been fantastic this season, and she should continue to light it up in February. Sophomores Kayla Stidham Kayla Stidham 6'0" | SF Hamilton Southeastern | 2026 State IN (12.1p, 3.7r, 3.0a) and Kennedy Holman Kennedy Holman 5'8" | PG Hamilton Southeastern | 2026 State IN (11.6p, 5.5r, 7.4a, 2.5s) have really matured quickly “on the fly”, and they can be handfuls as well for the Royals. Noblesville doesn’t have the shiny record this season, but the backcourt combination of Seniors Reagan Wilson Reagan Wilson 5'7" | PG Noblesville | 2024 State IN (16.5p, 3.4r, 2.6a, 3.0s) and Ava Shoemaker Ava Shoemaker 5'9" | SF Noblesville | 2024 State IN (13.2p, 4.3r, 2.5a, 2.6s), plus Junior Meredith Tippner Meredith Tippner 5'10" | SG Noblesville | 2025 State IN (16.1p, 10.1r, 3.4a, 3.5s) can handle just about anyone in the state. Throw is Sophomore C.C. Quigley C.C. Quigley 6'3" | C Noblesville | 2026 State IN (10.2p, 5.3r) up front, and they are a real problem. Zionsville gets leadership from Seniors Emma Haan Emma Haan 5'8" | SG Zionsville | 2024 State IN (15.7p, 3.1r, 2.0a) and Allison Caldwell Allison Caldwell 5'11" | SG Zionsville | 2024 State IN (13.3p, 5.4r, 4.8a), while Fishers turns to Senior Talia Harris Talia Harris 5'8" | PG Fishers | 2024 State IN (14.6p, 5.6r, 4.8a), Junior Allison Scheu Allison Scheu 5'10" | SG Fishers | 2025 State IN (11.9p, 5.0r, 2.1a), and Junior Nevaeh Dickman Nevaeh Dickman 6'0" | PF Fishers | 2025 State IN (11.0p, 6.1r) to lead the Tigers into action.
Our Pick: Hamilton Southeastern