With girls basketball postseason coming around quickly, Bounce is here to quickly preview and discuss the area Sectionals, continuing in Class 4A.
SECTIONAL 4 AT GOSHEN
Projected winner: Warsaw
The Tigers played three of the other teams in this field in the regular season, going 3-0 with an average win margin of 52 points. That is a bit skewed with the 108-14 drubbing of Goshen on Jan. 17, but Warsaw knocked off 17-win Northridge by 11 in mid-January.
Coach Lenny Krebs’ squad is loaded with experience and capped the regular season by going on the road to state-ranked Bellmont and knocking off the Braves by double digits. The Jan. 20 loss to Homestead feels like a distant memory, but you can bet Krebs’ team hasn’t forgotten. They want another shot at the Spartans.
Player(s) You Can’t Miss: Joslyn Bricker and Brooke Zartman, Warsaw
One of the leading scorers in the state at 24.9 points per game, Bricker, a Butler University commit enters the playoffs shooting 53 percent from three and 83 percent from the free-throw line. She is just one-half of a dynamic one-two punch for the Tigers with fellow senior Brooke Zartman, who is bound for Miami (OH) after high school. Combined, the two average close to 45 points a contest. Watch ’em feast in their final handful of games together.
Don’t be surprised if: Warsaw rolls
Yes, there are three other teams in this sectional field with double-digit victories on the season, but Warsaw is on a completely different level. Nobody in the northwest part of the state has been able to contend with the Tigers, and expectations are, from Bounce at least, that it is not going to start in the playoffs. Coach Krebs’ team is too good and too focused to trip up in the sectional. Come Saturday night, Warsaw will be celebrating its first back-to-back sectional titles since 1993-94.
SCHEDULE
Tuesday
Elkhart (15-7) vs. Goshen (0-22), 7 p.m.
Friday
Northridge (17-7) vs. Concord (11-11), 6 p.m.
Warsaw (23-2) vs. Elkhart/Concord winner, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 7:30 p.m.
SECTIONAL 5 AT CARROLL
Projected winner: Snider
The Panthers have owned this sectional in recent years, having won four-straight, one under former coach Akilah Sims and three in a row with current coach Reggie Tharp.
Coach Tharp’s squad is going for another one, and are in a good position to do so. However, with a young roster led by sophomore sensation Janaya Cooper, the urgency will not be there compared to other teams that are more senior-laden. That’s just natural.
You can bet that Northrop got Snider’s attention in the teams’ first meeting, a one-point victory by the Panthers on Jan. 9. Tharp’s job will need to make sure there isn’t a letdown in Round 2 on Friday night.
Player You Can’t Miss: Swynn Jackson, Northrop
The IU Indy commit seems to rise to the occasion in big games, and she did so in the regular season showdown between Northrop and Snider in dropping 18 points. Jackson is one of the more well-rounded players in the entire area. She can score, rebound, distribute and plays very good defense. She has been a joy to watch in her four years with the Bruins. Make sure to get out and see her before she heads to Indy.
Don’t be surprised if: Northrop finds a way
This is your traditional matchup between a veteran squad (Northrop) and one that is young but extremely talented (Snider). Fittingly, the rivals face off in the first semifinal on Friday at Carroll. The teams battled to a one-point decision just a few weeks ago, and you can bet Northrop coach Katie Jackson spun the draw as the opportunity at a second chance, particularly one in which could stop Snider’s recent sectional dominance. And don’t discount the Bruins’ confidence gained, even in a loss, in the three-OT setback against Homestead last week to wrap up the regular season.
A lot of eyes will be on Carroll on Friday night.
SCHEDULE
Friday
Snider (16-6) vs. Northrop (11-10), 6 p.m.
Carroll (11-13) vs. North Side (0-20), 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 7:30 p.m.
SECTIONAL 6 AT SOUTH SIDE
Projected winner: Homestead
Winners of 11 straight and laden with talent and experience, the Spartans look the part of a team peaking at the right time. The winning streak includes victories over the likes of Snider (by 22 points), Warsaw (by 14) and Northrop (in triple OT).
Yes, one of the losses for Coach Rod Parker’s team came to Norwell by 13 points, but that was way back in November, and Homestead has found its stride at the right time.
At the very least, we will get a proper sectional final as Norwell and Homestead are not set to match up until Saturday night.
Player You Can’t Miss: Vanessa Rosswurm, Norwell
Recently earning the title of Norwell’s all-time leading scorer, Rosswurm was the hero of last year’s state championship run and thus a big reason why the Knights are competing this postseason in Class 4A for the first time.
A dynamic scorer with an adept ability to find open areas of the court in which to get a shot off, Rosswurm is dangerous if you lose contain on her for every a second. She will want to go out with a bang in her final postseason before heading to Indiana Wesleyan.
Don’t be surprised if: Norwell and Homestead is sold out on Saturday night
Two of the better-traveling fan bases in the area when it comes to girls’ hoops, South Side’s gym will be hurting for space on Saturday night if the Knights and Spartans collide. Make no mistake, if you are hoping to get a prime seat for this matchup, it will be best to get there early, as the doors could end up closing before the set 7:30 tip-off time between two programs with a combined 10-consecutive sectional championships – seven for Homestead and three for Norwell.
SCHEDULE
Tuesday
South Side (2-21) vs. Homestead (22-2), 7 p.m.
Friday
Wayne (7-14) vs. Norwell (20-4), 6 p.m.
Huntington North (7-15) vs. South Side/Homestead winner, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 7:30 p.m.
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