THE TEAM TO BEAT
GARRETT (18-2)
The thing that sticks out about Garrett is how they all move with purpose offensively. You don’t very often see the defending Sectional champions standing around or milling around without a plan. A cut here, a screen there, Garrett’s offense is constantly moving, constantly evolving and with players willing to make the extra pass. It helps when you have five willing and higher level scorers in the starting lineup. All five of Garrett’s core can make the needle move and the players that come off the bench have all fulfilled theirs roles admirably.
You almost forget that Garrett is still kind of young. That core group is without a senior and that is something too keep in mind. They won a Sectional last year a year earlier than they were expected to compete for one. But they came out like a ball of fire this season and haven’t conformed to expectations of others. Sophomore Bailey Kelham has been one of the best scorers in the area since almost the beginning of her freshman year but Garrett doesn’t lean all on her. Taylor Gerke’s addition to this team has meant a lot as she is playing the best basketball of her career. And obviously, Faith Owen, Nataley Armstrong and Morgan Ostrowski have just gotten better and better at gelling as they head into their third postseason together.
THE CONTENDER
ANGOLA (16-5)
There are few teams in our area playing better basketball in the last three weeks than Angola, although they took a tough loss to Bellmont last week. Even in that loss, Hanna Knoll was fantastic and that should come at no surprise. Is she the best player in this Sectional? I’d say yes but what isn’t a question is whether she is the best pure scorer in it. Knoll is just a competitor that can flip a switch like few others and take over games and weeks.
Lauren Leach has had a really good season too that is going too unnoticed. She has settled into her role and her length has helped make her a high level defender. She will have to play very physical against some of the posts she will need to defend, but she is capable of turning that up. Angola is very good when they opened up games with a lead and can dig a hole for their opponents. Their freshman class, including Kylie Caswell, have really made strides in their first season.
THE OTHERS
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN (15-7)
This is a team that should be of massive interest as they pulled off a big upset last year and really does have a chance to win the title this season although they won’t host, which is a change. Concordia has everything you look for in a championship team. They have tremendous on ball defenders, quality ball handlers, Grace Hedtke has proven to be a breakout lights out shooter and Chanteese Craig is one of the most dangerous post players in Class 3A. Do not, I repeat, do not be surprised to see the Cadets at the top of the heap on Saturday.
WOODLAN (8-12)
Being a relatively young team in this Sectional rarely works out and Woodlan is that place this season. Avah Smith has been a solid revelation for a program that doesn’t always have a solid post player; she leads the team at 13.7 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. She will need to play her best basketball as this Sectional boasts some of the best and longest post players in Class 3A.
BISHOP DWENGER (7-17)
Their record would lead you to believe this is a team who will struggle but keep in mind their wins because they aren’t lackluster wins. Wins over Bishop Luers, Northrop and Columbia City were nice highlights and show that this team can roll with a variety of tempos.
LEO (3-16)
The draw that Leo got is the last thing they wanted, having to face off with the best team in the Sectional on their home court. This is a sophomore and junior laden team so there are expected growing pains involved. Sophomores Leah May and Haylee Schott are important to watch as they try to improve their aggression.
BREAKOUT PLAYER ALERT
RHAYA KASCHINSKE, CONCORDIA LUTHERAN
This is certainly a fair assessment based on last February’s Sectional. The Cadets upset favorite Angola and it was Kaschinske’s defense on Hanna Knoll that was a massive reason why. Doing it more than once, well that isn’t easy but Kaschinske remains underrated and her presence is huge defensively for the Cadets.
DAKOTAH KROHN, WOODLAN
It has been a down year for Woodlan and one where Covid has rattled their overall quest for consistency. Krohn however remains one of the best two way players in this Sectional. She is very capable of making waves and there is a good chance she reminds people why she was so highly touted coming into this season.
SCHEDULE
For a complete schedule of all area Sectionals, click here.
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