Class 4A North Regional Preview Part 1
And here we are…just ONE week away from the first official practices and three weeks away from games, so it’s time to delve into the Class 4A Sectional previews for the 2018-2019 season. With regards to Class 4A, there are…
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Continue ReadingAnd here we are…just ONE week away from the first official practices and three weeks away from games, so it’s time to delve into the Class 4A Sectional previews for the 2018-2019 season. With regards to Class 4A, there are around 40 schools in our Top-50 statewide countdown, regardless of class, so please keep that in mind if a couple of these Sectional previews might look a little thin. I will begin by taking a look at the first Class 4A North Regional, which incorporates the winners of Sectionals #1 through #4. 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 throughout the rest of October, 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 #1
Lake Central (22-7) SAG 22/24; SOS 40
East Chicago Central (14-13) SAG 45/64; SOS 102
Crown Point (13-11) SAG 52/82; SOS 72
Munster (17-7) SAG 71/133; SOS 187
Highland (13-10) SAG 79/171; SOS 194
Hammond Morton (12-11) SAG 90/239; SOS 305
Lowell (9-15) SAG 96/302; SOS 272
Sectional #1 is maybe as even and balanced as it has been in a while. Lake Central was one of the teams who made it into our Top-50, regardless of class, so we’ll take a more detailed look at them on Wednesday. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t other contenders they need to be aware of. East Chicago Central returns the twin tower duo of 6-5 Tai-Yanna (12.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 3.6 apg, 3.8 spg, 3.3 bpg) and 6-2 Tiara Jackson (9.3 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 2.2 bpg). Both are long, athletic, 2019 front-liners who can play forward or post. Tai-Yanna recently committed to the University of Mississippi. East Chicago also returns 2019 guard Jasmin Bonilla, who started some. This year they’ll need the combination of 2019 forward Amari Jefferson, 2021 forward Jerree Evans, and 2021 guard Katiyanna Lopez to step up in a big way. The Cardinals graduated Indiana All-Star point guard Jenasae Bishop, plus defensive-minded guards Nia Hurt and Zariah Frierson…all three started. Ashyia Cooper, Ta’Kara Jackson, and Kalani Couisnard all graduated as well.
Crown Point is a team that is trending up. Some of that has to do with the development of their returning roster, but some of that has to do with a youth movement and several really talented newcomers joining the squad. Gone this time around are Mya Scheidt (13.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.0 spg, 46 made 3s) and Taylor Tyndall (4.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg). Of the returnees, 2019 wing Ellie VanDeel (10.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 2019 guard Caitlyn Phillips (5.5 ppg, 3.0 apg, 32 made 3s), and 6-0 2020 up-and-coming wing Abby Stoddard (4.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg) have the most experience. Stoddard has developed her game so much, that she could be their leading scorer this time around. She was also 5-9 a year ago. 2021 guard Alyna Santiago (3.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.3 spg) got a lot of playing time as a Freshmen, plus 6-0 2019 post Paige Sanborn (3.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg) and 6-3 2020 post Gabbie Vania (3.1 rpg) create a presence in the paint. 6-3 2022 forward Lilly Stoddard and 2022 point guard Jessica Carrothers should get their chances to play early this season, and 2022s Alyvia Santiago and Nikki Geriodemos might also get a look. Munster must play without their second and third leading scorers and top two rebounders, Taneigh Boyd (7.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg) and Jaycee Helmer (6.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.8 apg, 2.6 spg). Both graduated. Back, however, is 2019 guard Isabelle Bednarowski (14.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.5 spg). 2021 forward Holly Kaim (6.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg) and 2021 guard Aleena Mongerie (6.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg) both played a lot as Freshmen, but now they look to step into expanded roles as Sophomores. 2020 wing Emily Zabrecky (4.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg), 2020 forward Grace Helmer (2.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg), and 2019 guard Maddy Lakomek round out the core returnees.
Highland could again be a double-digit win team behind the 2019 duo of front-liner Michaela Schmidt (19.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.4 spg) and wing Morgan Rinkema (10.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 36 made 3s). They have multiple years of Varsity experience, and already one year of leadership under their belts. 2020 wing Olivia Gibson (4.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg), 2020 forward Amanda Cruse (3.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg), and 2019 guard Mackenzie Pickens (2.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg) all played major roles a season ago. They did graduate five Seniors, most notably point guard Jen Sheehan (5.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.4 spg) and wing Meaghan Hillier (2.1 rpg). Hammond Morton looks to put together its fifth consecutive winning season, but the Governors must address significant graduation losses. Guard ShanEttine Butler (18.0 ppg), post Dariel Woods (13.6 ppg), and wing Hannah Hammar (12.1 ppg) are all gone, as are Khadijah Harper (5.1 ppg) and Timisha Ray (2.5 ppg). The only two girls returning with significant experience are 2019 forward Keaira Miller (5.3 ppg) and 2020 forward Briana Jackson. Lowell is a team looking to get to ten wins for the first time since 2013-2014. Graduating three of the six girls who played in their core rotation will make that terribly difficult. The Red Devils graduated Katie Mathas (8.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg), Alivia Barta (7.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg), and Alana Bennett (4.9 ppg, 7.3 rpg). They will now turn to 2019 guards Catlyn Mulligan (7.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2.7 spg) and Sarah Richardson (6.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg), and 2020 guard Dani Collins (6.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg), to take on the bulk of the production.
Sectional #2
Chesterton (20-3) SAG 33/38; SOS 83
Kankakee Valley (21-4) SAG 38/55; SOS 146
Valparaiso (15-11) SAG 48/71; SOS 59
Portage (15-11) SAG 54/93; SOS 90
Michigan City (12-11) SAG 67/123; SOS 117
Merrillville (5-18) SAG 86/221; SOS 53
Hobart (5-19) SAG 98/320; SOS 156
Chesterton had an outstanding season a year ago, but they did so behind a 2018 class that included leading scorer Courtney Krol (18.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 3.2 spg), 6-2 leading rebounder Hailey Vale (10.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.1 bpg), plus Sarah Dzierba (8.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg), Maddie Scott (4.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.8 spg), and Kelly Carr. The Lady Trojans still return some talent, but experience is thin right now. Look for 2020 guard Ashley Craycraft (5.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and 2019 post Marney Sisson (3.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg) to have nice seasons, plus 2021 guard Nalani Malackowski should see more opportunity this time around. Kankakee Valley is always a really nice program, and this year should be no different. They nearly got into our Top-50 teams, regardless of class, but they will definitely miss graduated guard Lindsey Stokes (16.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.8 apg, 4.4 spg, 56 made 3s). The good news is, they return everyone else. 2019 wing Sarah Martin (14.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.3 spg) should now be the primary offensive weapon. 2019 guard Catherine Cavinder (8.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.6 apg, 3.1 spg) will also likely see her production go up. 2019 guards Maddie Swart (6.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.5 spg) and Aubrey Toppen (2.3 ppg), 2019 forward Kaylee Barrett (5.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg), 2020 wing Karmen Nowak (3.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg), 2020 forward Kailee Webster (2.4 ppg), and 6-1 2019 post Carley DeKock (2.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg) were all regulars last season.
Valparaiso is another program that will be fighting through the loss of some graduates, but they have a nice young core returning as well. Gone are wing Ari Gerdt (14.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.3 apg, 3.4 spg), front-liner Taelynn Oelling (9.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.9 bpg), and post Avery Hicks. 2020 guards Aleah Ferngren (7.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.1 spg) and Shea Pendleton (5.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg), and 2019 forward Jessica Gast (6.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg) return to the lineup, while 2019 wing Taylor Zimmerman (4.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg), 2020 guards Sarah Douglas (3.3 ppg) and Maddie Molnar (2.9 ppg), 2019 forward Destiny Elder (2.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg), and 2021 wing Kiana Oelling (2.5 ppg) work for expanded roles this time around. Portage is another nice program in Sectional #2. They always have some nice basketball players and make it terribly difficult on opponents to play against them. This season they will try to manage without six graduates, three of which were their top scorers. Gone from the Indians are Alexis Switzer (12.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.7 spg), Kaitlynn Clasen (6.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg), Layla Melendez (6.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.0 spg), Serena Flanagan (4.5 ppg), Hanna Piro (4.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.8 apg, 3.0 spg), and Asia Chessor (2.2 ppg). This season they’ll look to build around 2020 forward Kristen Cravens (5.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.0 spg), 2019 guard Bonnie Clancy (4.5 ppg), and 2020 guards Skylar Flanagan (3.6 ppg) and Troilisia Lacey. The younger Flanagan had a really nice grassroots season.
Michigan City welcomes back a nice pair of 2019 “bigs” in 6-4 post Hannah Noveroske (20.6 ppg, 16.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2.5 spg, 7.1 bpg) and 6-1 front-liner Janicia Anderson (8.9 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.4 spg, 4.6 bpg). Noveroske was selected for the Indiana Junior All-Star core team, but she suffered a severe knee injury shortly after the high school season. She should be back this Winter. 2020 guard DeNaya Hall, 2021 guard Katelyn Halfacre, plus 2019 forward Lavonya Pointer, and 2019 guards Raion Coleman and Joani Ashley all return as well. They will miss graduated forward Molly Heath, Shellaya Miller, and wing Marissa Workman. Merrillville uncharacteristically struggled at times a year ago, but it was probably the most inexperienced team they’ve had in a while. They are still working through some inexperience, but 2021 point guard Torri Miller (5.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.0 apg, 3.5 spg), 2020 guard Amani Alvarez (4.0 ppg), 2021 forward Shekinah Thomas (2.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg), and 2020 wing Armani Cole (3.1 rpg) have all gotten on-the-job training, so to speak. Look for 2022 wing Davina Smith to possibly make an impact this season as well. Of the Pirate graduates, forward Brittney Williams (9.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and post Shelby Harmon (5.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg) will be missed most. Hobart also had a tough time a season ago, and improvement is absolutely possible, but they will miss point guard Paige Nestich, who graduated. At the same time, her younger sister Grace, a Junior this season, is back and should lead the team this year.
Sectional #3
Penn (26-2) SAG 18/19; SOS 65
South Bend St. Joseph (18-6) SAG 31/36; SOS 91
LaPorte (17-6) SAG 42/61; SOS 74
Mishawaka (8-15) SAG 72/134; SOS 76
South Bend Riley (6-18) SAG 89/235; SOS 126
South Bend Adams (2-21) SAG 95/298; SOS 56
South Bend Clay (1-21) SAG 101/377; SOS 176
Sectional #3 has three really nice teams (Penn, South Bend St. Joseph, LaPorte), all featured in our Top-50, regardless of class. In fact, we already previewed the LaPorte Slicers last week. As for the remaining teams in Sectional #3, Mishawaka will try to improve with a new coach, and minus leading scorer Alivia Jachimiak (13.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg), Delaney Basker (9.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg), Gretta Meixel (6.8 ppg, 3.3 apg, 2.6 spg), and Kara Knip (2.7 ppg), who all graduated. They do return energetic 2019 guard Aryana Shelton (10.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg), 2019 guard Nikki Mitchell (3.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg), and 2019 forward Devyn Miller (2.6 rpg), so they do have somewhere to start. South Bend Riley had a rough go of it, and that was with a Division-I recruit in post Asia Strong (18.7 ppg, 12.2 rpg, 2.8 bpg), but she has graduated. Their hopes this season ride on two nice athletes. 5-8 2020 wing Jazmen Watts (10.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.4 apg, 2.2 spg) is all motor and energy, while 5-3 2019 guard Shania Byrd (4.7 ppg) is all about speed and quickness. She can also be a pest defensively.
South Bend Adams graduated several girls in 2016 and 2017, so they’re trying to find their way back to success. They’ll miss two more graduates in Camisa Vines (6.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.4 spg) and Diamond Butler (5.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg). The Eagles now turn to a youthful core of 2021 forward Laila Williams (5.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg), 2020 forward Loryn Higginbotham (4.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg), and 2021 guard Whitney Marshall (3.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.2 spg). South Bend Clay also had a tough year, but the good news is that they return everyone. A nice Junior class, headed up by wing Alayja Dillard, as well as 2019 wing Morgan Frasier, should give the Colonials cause for a little excitement.
Sectional #4
Northridge (21-4) SAG 25/27; SOS 61
Elkhart Central (17-9) SAG 35/44; SOS 57
Warsaw Community (15-9) SAG 47/69; SOS 60
Elkhart Memorial (14-10) SAG 62/110; SOS 73
Plymouth (11-12) SAG 64/112; SOS 78
Goshen (12-11) SAG 73/135; SOS 125
Concord (10-13) SAG 74/142; SOS 109
Sectional #4 is always very competitive from top to bottom, and this year should prove to be much of the same. Northridge and Elkhart Central should be the toughest two teams in Sectional #4, and they both will be previewed soon in our Top-50 teams, regardless of class. Warsaw played several younger players last season, and that should benefit them this time around. Forwards Emma Bohnenkamper and Kennedy Patton were the only graduates for the Tigers. 2019 forward Kacy Bragg and 2020 wing Kaylee Patton top the returnees. Bragg is a rebounding machine, while Patton can handle and run offense some. 2019 guards Maddie Ryman and Halle Shipp, and 2021 guard Kensie Ryman should lock down the backcourt, while 2020 forward Brielle Harrison adds depth up front. 2022 guards Bailie Stephens and Mackenzie Sokol, plus 2022 wing Kacilyn Krebs, look to make an impression as Freshmen.
The Chargers of Elkhart Memorial graduated seven Seniors, including their top three scorers, so 14 wins again might be tough. Graduates of note include point guard Sierra Peete (12.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.0 spg), wing Kambria Dale (7.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg), guards Cydney Lapczynski (6.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg) and McKenna Curry (4.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg), and post Bri Gonzalez (3.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg). The combination of 2020 guard Libby Lapczynski (6.0 ppg) and 2020 forward Mya Reeves (4.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg) is now counted on much more heavily. Plymouth is a scrappy team who just might return enough of the right pieces to take home a Sectional title. They did graduate five Seniors, but Alli Andrews (10.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.5 apg) was the only one in their top six scoring leaders. 2019 shooter Halle Reichard (10.7 ppg, 51 made 3s) now looks to be more of a go-to scorer this year. 2020 guard Claire Tanner (7.4 ppg) is tough and feisty, while 2019 wing CeCe Robinson (6.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg) has had her moments as well. 2019 forward Cassidy Holliday (4.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg) and 2019 wing Kacee Peters (3.6 ppg) are the other returnees with good experience. 6-0 2020 post Alaina Clady has always possessed good size and strength, and they could definitely use a consistent year from her.
While the Goshen Redhawks must deal with the graduation of second leading scorer Jill Kissinger (5.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.7 spg), they return the rest of their core. The biggest reason for excitement is their biggest player, 6-2 2021 post Brynn Shoup-Hill (9.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 3.1 bpg). She is strong and physical inside, but she can also play facing the basket some. If she can get some help this year, they could be really good. Topping the list of returnees are 2019 wing Josie Walters (5.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg), 2019 forward Elizabeth Kirkton (4.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg), 2019 guard Maggie Gallagher (3.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg), 2020 guard Regan Mast (3.0 ppg), and 2021 wing Kathryn Detweiler (2.7 rpg). Concord has shown significant improvement over the last couple of seasons, and this is the year they could be on the winning side of .500 for the first time since the 1900s. They did graduate three Seniors, but the only one who was in their primary rotation was Jenica Albert (3.2 ppg). 2019 guard Chandyn Redmond (11.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.2 apg) and 2019 forward Alexa Porter (10.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg) lead all returnees. But there are some other nice pieces, like 2020 guard Sydney Simon (8.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.0 apg), 2021 forward Kendal Swartout (7.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg), 2020 point guard Jadelyn Williams (5.0 ppg, 2.4 apg, 2.0 spg), and 2019 post Riley Mathewson (3.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg).
Header photo of the 2017-2018 Penn Varsity team; photo courtesy of the Penn High School athletics page. Photo of Tiara & Tai-Yanna Jackson courtesy of nwitimes.com. Photo of Sarah Martin courtesy of nwitimes.com. Photo of Aryana Shelton courtesy of southbendtribune.com. Photo of Kacy Bragg courtesy of tigersportsnation.com.