THE TEAM TO BEAT
HAMILTON HEIGHTS (15-1)
The Huskies have earned the honor of being listed here, even if there is a tough challenger to the top spot. Hamilton Heights has lost just once this season and their biggest and almost only gapping question is how they respond to that loss since it was their last game before Sectional play begins. You never know until you have to bounce back from the loss, but this is a team that is beating opponents by almost 20 points per game and has no problem filling a stat sheet at 52.3 points per game.
The Huskies are balanced at the top with players from each class and that kind of hierarchy has really worked for them. Senior Jillian Osswald (14.9 points per game) has gotten hers and had no issue deferring to freshman Camryn Runner (16.6 ppg). The duo both shoots over 40 percent from the field and just at 39 percent from three point range. They can fill it up and not may teams in this Sectional have a duo anywhere near these two. Don’t count out 6-foot-3 MyKayla Moran from making a difference as she is very tough at the rim.
THE CONTENDER
JAY COUNTY (17-3)
This all starts with Renna Schwieterman and we all know that. She is sitting at 19 points per game on the season, but in her last four, her worst scoring effort is 23 and that is the only game lower than 30 in that stretch of games. Not only is she a big time scorer who is picking up Division I offers at a high rate lately, she is playing her best basketball of the season. In her last four games, her worst shooting effort was 41 percent in that 23 point game against South Adams. When she set the school record recently with 43 points, she did so on her third best shooting day of the season at 61 percent from the field.
As much as the Schwieterman gets so much, rightful, attention, this is a deep squad. Madison Dirksen is an intimidating presence who is a solid rim protector. Jay County does not keep block stats but Dirksen has hit or neared double digits every game. She clogs up the middle in any Patriot defense and teams want to do everything they can to avoid her. Izzy Rodgers adds to the depth by being able to pick up in almost any area they need her to.
THE OTHERS
YORKTOWN (15-5)
The third of the 15+ win teams in this field, Yorktown may be a little forgotten behind the top two teams but they head up the list of “others” by being pretty close to a contender themselves. Carly Culberson leads this group and a talented senior class. Elizabeth Reece is a danger for opposing teams behind the arc where she has hit a team high 68 three pointers at a 44 percent success rate. If Yorktown has a weakness, it is lacking a controlling rebounder with nobody averaging more than 4.7 per contest, but they’ve also found success doing it by committee.
WINCHESTER (9-2)
You almost want to call it a down year, but really its just been a tough one. Winchester has gotten in just 11 games with nearly that many that have faded into cancellation. Still Winchester is 9-2 so they haven’t exactly struggled. There are just big gaps in their schedule, including not having played since January 12 going into this Sectional. Their two losses are to the top two teams in this bracket as well.
DELTA (5-15)
Delta has just one win since December 8 but have been in a lot of games over the time period. They don’t have the best luck in their draw. Delta is going to have to play the best defense of their season to slow down Schwieterman and Jay County. This team is giving up 49.1 points per game.
NEW CASTLE (1-16)
There has been a lot of trouble in putting up big points for New Castle, averaging just 32.4 per contest while shooting 30 percent from the field. Senior Macayla McGowan leads the way for the host team and is a strong presence around the rim, averaging team highs with 12.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.
MUNCIE BURRIS (5-9)
This hasn’t been the kindest of years for Burris, but they have some things to be excited about for the future. Emily Adamowicz has had a bit of a breakout year and has been able to score at a pretty high level. This is still a young group but Adamowicz’s production gives them something to rally behind.
BREAKOUT PLAYER ALERT
RENNA SCHWIETERMAN, JAY COUNTY
Ok, so hear us out. Schwieterman has already proven that she is a breakout player in the area. She was arguably the top newcomer in the area last season and her sophomore campaign has been magic. But to do it on a postseason level awakens more of the state. If Schwieterman can play in this Sectional as she has all year, it could garner her wider attention. It should anyway.
ELIZABETH REECE, YORKTOWN
She is already a really good player for Yorktown as their second leading scorer and the leader in minutes per game. But Reece’s consistent shooting is something that could push her and maybe even Yorktown over the top in this Sectional. She is hitting 44 perfect of her shots, including 44 percent from long range.
SCHEDULE
For a complete schedule of all area Sectionals, click here.
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