THE TEAM TO BEAT
Homestead (16-5)
Anytime Homestead doesn’t just roll through its area schedule it is a story. Yes, while the Spartans did not win the SAC for the first time since it joined the league, it is still the clear favorite in this sectional and a threat to make a deep 4A run.
Coach Rod Parker’s team ended the regular season with five straight wins, the last of which got the team to 16 victories for the 12th consecutive season.
Ayanna Patterson is the star, having dropped a program-record 43 points in last week’s rout of South Side. However, the Spartans have been able to cultivate some solid secondary scoring over the course of the season. Ali Stephens and Molly Stock each have had their moments, giving the team offensive balance that it struggled to find earlier in the campaign.
THE CONTENDER
South Side (11-5)
Yes, despite the Archers losing by 45(!) points to Homestead last week, it is Coach Juanita Goodwell’s team that still has the best shot of beating the Spartans in this field.
Consider that when South Side is at full strength and on its game, it has a post in Lamyia Woodson who can at least body up on Patterson and the best guard on the floor in Olivia Smith.
South will be eyeing another shot at the Spartans after the blowout not that long ago. If it gets it, can it avoid another big letdown?
THE OTHERS
Columbia City (13-7)
While the Eagles are a perfect 3-0 against sectional teams in the regular season, neither of them were Homestead or South Side.
It has been a fine season for Coach Amy Shearer’s team, with a second-place finish in the NE8 and winners of seven of their last eight games. However, the firepower just isn’t there to handle Homestead in the semis.
Huntington North (14-7)
The Vikings were held to just 26 points in a regular-season game against Homestead and just 38 points in an overtime loss to Columbia City.
Coach Matt Hinds’ team is at its best when it keeps teams under 40 points, dictating the pace and picking apart defenses in the half court. An overtime win over Concordia Lutheran a few weeks ago showed just how good this team can be.
However, the top two teams in this sectional can score points in bunches, something that doesn’t bode well for HN’s chances.
New Haven (8-10)
Senior Kayla Williams is averaging close to a double-double on the season at 16.2 pointa and 9.8 rebounds per contest. Her and fellow senior Avarcia Nard are as good of a one-two punch in the area that no one has really heard of.
The Bulldogs get a second shot at a Huntington North team that beat them by 10 earlier in the season to kick off the sectional. Don’t be surprised to see this one be one of the top games of the early part of the week.
Wayne (7-13)
The Generals’ brightest days are ahead of them with such a young roster under third-year coach Lacia Gorman. This team can contend against almost anyone in this sectional, including a South Side team that it put a scare into just a few weeks ago.
Unfortunately, the draw pits Wayne against Homestead to start, with the Spartans holding the Generals to 16 points in the teams’ first meeting of the year.
BREAKOUT PLAYER ALERT
Ali Stephens, Homestead
Stephens has become more and more of a consistent offensive threat as the season has progressed. Her dedication to improving her outside shooting has been on display in the latter half of the year, something desperately needed for a team that needs to be hitting outside shots to keep defenses honest and off Ayanna Patterson in the post.
Annika Davis, South Side
With Lamyia Woodson and Olivia Woodson, two of the Archers best players, both missing time at various times this season, Davis was forced to grow up quicker than was anticipated. While sometimes reckless and reactive before thinking things through, her athleticism is able to cover up her youthful growing pains. She is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come, but she has the savvy to make some noise this week.
SCHEDULE
For a complete schedule of all area Sectionals, click here.
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