THE TEAM TO BEAT
FAIRFIELD (12-8)
This maybe the most lopsided field in our area. Fairfield coach Brodie Garber is by the far the most winning coach in this group as Fairfield is the only team that comes in with a winning record. That isn’t good news for anyone around. Neither is the fact that the Falcons are just flat out good and were both hurt (in win/loss) and strengthened by having to play in the NECC. They have some really high quality wins against the likes of Angola, West Noble and Bishop Dwenger.
This is a very active team, they work constantly and that is something that has become a hallmark of Garber coached teams. It probably helps that Brea Garber is there to help set the pace. Still just a sophomore, Garber is among the best scorers in the NECC and is probably the best player in this Sectional. Fellow sophomore Bailey Willard is a capable shooter and Brooke Sanchez adds to Fairfield’s ability to impose their game plan on both ends of the court.
THE CONTENDER
PRAIRIE HEIGHTS (10-12)
It was almost easy to list no contender for Fairfield, especially knowing that the Falcons ran through Prairie Heights in their regular season meeting. But there is still something about the Panthers’ potential that is intriguing as they surpassed 10 wins for the first time in seven seasons. They are kind of a quiet moderate success story because of how loud the top half of the NECC is year in and year out, but things are coming around for Prairie Heights.
So what do they need to do to actually be a contender in this Sectional? They need to shoot the ball well and not just in a spotty way. Trevyn Terry and Alayna Boots are both really solid shooters that are somewhat streaky, but can both be big scorers. Kennedy Kugler has the potential to take over games inside too, but we haven’t seen that as much this year. Prairie Heights is still a young team, but they have a shot here with consistency.
THE OTHERS
BREMEN (11-9)
A group really streaky with their wins (two four game winning streaks) that probably wishes they were on the other side of the bracket that Fairfield is not on. Junior Ellia Foster is arguably the best scorer in his Sectional at 19.9 points per game while shooting 41 percent from the field.
LAVILLE (2-14)
A struggle of a year for the Lancers and their team that has just one senior rostered. Sophomore Lucy Sherk can scorer at a high rate, leading LaVille in both scoring and field goal percentage (40 percent).
WESTVIEW (3-19)
Stop me if you’ve heard this before (or will later), this is a young team looking for footing. That is why you don’t see many wins this season as the lost quite a few seasoned assets that did not return this season. Westview will rise again at some point, but this isn’t the year. This is a very balanced team and that is nice to have, but you’d like to see one player rise up more in the postseason. That could be Andrea Miller, but it could also be a host of others.
SOUTH BEND CAREER ACADEMY (2-14)
Kayla Howell leads this really young group. Don’t expect them to move the needle much in this Sectional, but it will be interesting to watch their trajectory in the next couple of seasons.
BREAKOUT PLAYER ALERT
KENNEDY KUGLER, PRAIRIE HEIGHTS
As said above, Kugler hasn’t been the physical force that some expected this season, but that could change in the Sectional. Kugler has good size and a strength to her that can make her a game changer. If she plays up to full potential, it makes Prairie Heights an interesting team this week.
SCHEDULE
For a complete schedule of all area Sectionals, click here.
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