Regional Preview: Class 4A South
In this article:
Everything about the Sectional round last week was eventful…the team play, the individual play, the upsets, and even the weather. 64 total teams escaped to play another day…in the Regional round tomorrow, February 9th. Below is a look at the…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingEverything about the Sectional round last week was eventful…the team play, the individual play, the upsets, and even the weather. 64 total teams escaped to play another day…in the Regional round tomorrow, February 9th. Below is a look at the eight teams who represent the eight Sectionals in Class 4A in the Southern half of the bracket, along with some general comments and analysis. By the end of the day Saturday, only two of these eight teams will remain. This is the final Regional Preview, with the other seven articles having already posted.
SAG = Current 2018-2019 Multiclass Sagarin Rating; SOS = Current 2018-2019 Strength of Schedule
*All Game Times Are Eastern Time*
DECATUR CENTRAL REGIONAL
Lawrence North (19-6) SAG 7; SOS 4
Ben Davis (16-8) SAG 12; SOS 7
Mount Vernon-Fortville (20-5) SAG 32; SOS 38
Mooresville (17-9) SAG 41; SOS 19
10:00a – Lawrence North vs. Mooresville
12:00p – Ben Davis vs. Mount Vernon
8:00p – Championship Game
With the loss of Trinity Brady (2019) shortly before the start of the season, Lawrence North was still going to be good, sure, but there were questions, and they fell from a state title contender, to maybe a Top-10 to Top-15 team. However, with everyone thinking North Central or Warren Central might win Sectional #10, it was Lawrence North who prevailed, as their fairly young cast stepped up and put together a nice season. Sophomore guard Jayla Smith (2021) has been a real treat to watch this year, and she’ll only get better. A Junior class that consists of Katie Davidson, Kristian Young, Lauren Gunn, Justis Odom, and Kalyn Ervin has been the backbone of this team. They’ve also gotten contributions from their lone Senior, Maddie Howe.
Mooresville will have to take on the Wildcats first in this Regional, but the Pioneers are no strangers to a tough schedule. They started the season 0-5, but they fell to Bedford North Lawrence, Ben Davis, North Central, Brownsburg, and Martinsville in that stretch. Since then they have really molded into the dangerous team they’ve always been…great effort and good perimeter shooting. Elise Scaggs (2019) is a really nice inside-out forward, Paige Gregory (2020) is a versatile wing, and Lauren Farb (2019) is dangerous from behind the arc. Maddie Denny (2022), Addison Shafer (2021), and Dani Karr (2019) will need to come up big for them tomorrow morning for them to knock off a good Lawrence North team.
Ben Davis is always a fun team to watch, and even more so this year, as they are very undersized for a Class 4A team, but they are fast, athletic, and energetic. Ambrea Wensey (2019), Khera Goss (2020), and Cherrelle Newsom (2020) form a trio of threats that can score in a variety of ways and really puzzle teams at the defensive end of the floor. Jada Coleman (2019), Geniya Petty (2019), and Brianna Jones (2019) are some nice athletes with length who can cause problems. Djanae Walker (2019) and Micah Jett (2021) are a pair of smaller guards who can create havoc as well.
Mount Vernon has had a strong season, but they pulled a nice upset at home by defeating New Palestine in the Sectional. Their patented 1-2-2 trapping press can confuse and frustrate opponents every possession. Lexi Shelton (2021) and Sydnee Perry (2020) are their two best players this year, Abby Worley (2021) and Tessa Freeman (2020) help Perry in the backcourt. Maddie Swingle (2022), Lyndsay Hartl (2019), and Olivia Yeley (2022) make up the frontcourt. Shay Shipley (2022) has also played quality minutes this year and should contribute.
Championship Game Prediction: Lawrence North over Ben Davis
BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE REGIONAL
Center Grove (22-3) SAG 11; SOS 10
Bedford North Lawrence (22-5) SAG 14; SOS 21
Castle (21-4) SAG 16; SOS 105
Bloomington South (21-3) SAG 18; SOS 37
10:00a – Center Grove vs. Bedford North Lawrence
12:00p – Castle vs. Bloomington South
8:00p – Championship Game
Center Grove is another team who is a little undersized for a typical Class 4A team, but they have such good guard and wing play, that they are difficult to defend because they shoot it well at just about every position. Ella Thompson (2019) and Emma Utterback (2019) have been dynamic, as expected. Mary Wilson (2021) plays with skill, toughness, and a great motor. Claire Rake, Ashley Eck, Alaina Frankel, and Emily Rake form a really solid Junior class who perform their roles well. Kylie Storm (2019) provides length and athleticism up front, and Katie Egenolf has had a solid Freshman season.
The Stars of Bedford North Lawrence are seemingly the complete opposite of Center Grove. They bring 6-0 Jorie Allen (2019) and 6-2 Madison Webb (2020) at you, not to mention strong wings like Chloe McKnight (2021) and Irye Gomez (2021). Jacy Hughes (2019) takes care of the ball for them, plus they get additional contributions from Allie Fugate (2019), Katie Fisher (2019), and Gracie Crulo-Rood (2020). I think in this matchup, I have to lean towards the best player on the floor, and that’s Jorie Allen.
Castle posted an undefeated season a year ago but lost to Center Grove in the Regional. This year, they have beaten Bedford North Lawrence, but they have also fallen to Bloomington South by 3 points. The Knights are getting good production from veterans Jessica Nunge (2019) and Hannah Hood (2019), plus occasional explosive play from talented newcomer Natalie Niehaus (2022). Josie Freeman (2020) is another player with good experience, but they’ll need McKenna Tutt (2019), Carly Harpenau (2020), Allison Willis (2019), Kial Mitchell (2019), Paige Hopkins (2019), and/or Mikele Niehaus (2019) to step up over the weekend in order to advance to the Semi-State.
Considering graduation losses and the loss of one of their better interior players to injury in the preseason, Bloomington South snuck up and surprised some people this year. A lot of that can be attributed to the play of feisty and tough-nosed point guard Addisyn Blackwell (2019). The Panthers have a solid supporting cast, and that includes Lauren Conner (2020), Kristen Ridner (2020), Anneke Furr (2020), Clara Voskuil (2020), Casey Thomas (2021), Anya Friend (2021), and Kendall Harmon (2022).
Championship Game Prediction: Bedford North Lawrence over Castle
Header photo of Jorie Allen (#33) of Bedford North Lawrence and Jessica Nunge of Castle High School; photo courtesy of Sam Owens of the Courier & Press.