Crystal ball: 8 predictions for Evansville-area high school sports in 2024

EVANSVILLE — The 2023 calendar year was another memorable run for high school sports in Southwestern Indiana.

The area crowned multiple state champions and witnessed a vault up the career basketball scoring list. This fall saw seven team or individual state runner-ups. But this exercise isn't to look back but to gave into our crystal ball and make a few predictions for 2024.

A reminder these are educated guesses. High school sports are beautifully unpredictable at its core. Our list a year ago was almost spot on though.

IHSAA boys basketball: Courier & Press power rankings for December

There will be a state softball champion from Southwest Indiana

Winning a state championship is never a given, but this appears to be the best chance for the area.

The list of contenders begins with two-time defending champion Tecumseh. Seven starters return from its 6-0 championship victory over Caston in June. That includes a pair of Division I recruits in senior catcher Jenna Donohoo (Evansville) and junior outfielder Katelyn Marx (Southern Indiana). Best not to overlook defending 2A champion North Posey either. Don't worry opposing coaches, Erin Hoehn has indeed graduated, but the Vikings also return seven starters.

Add Gibson Southern and its talented roster. Castle could have a top-10 team in 4A. And although it must contend with Tecumseh, Barr-Reeve has a chance every night with Murray State signee Karlye Graber. The spring should be fun.

No undefeated SIAC or PAC boys basketball champion

I see parity taking shape at some point for the top teams in both conferences. That was the talking point back in November from coaches, especially from the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference. No team has looked invincible either through five weeks.

At the same time, it wouldn't surprise me if someone runs the table. Harrison and Heritage Hills appear the most capable in their respective conferences. The top of both leagues is simply good enough on a given night. See: Memorial, Reitz, North, Bosse (SIAC), Princeton, North Posey, Southridge and Forest Park (PAC).

Ashley Kirkland will finish at minimum on the podium again

I'm stopping short of outright proclaiming the Castle standout will win the girls golf individual state championship. One, it's 10 months away. Two, it takes two good or at least one great day at Prairie View. Kirkland knows this after back-to-back runner-up finishes.

More: Castle’s Ashley Kirkland earns runner-up finish at IHSAA state girls golf championship

Yet, the recent Xavier commit is one of the top players in the state. The look she had after falling short in October was enough to know she's ready for the challenge. Kirkland is more than capable of bringing home the title and watching her final attempt will be fun.

There will be co-SIAC football champions

Call this a cop out if you'd like. I just don't have a strong opinion yet who the top SIAC football team will be.

Memorial might be the early pick with a talented senior class returning after another sectional title run. But like everyone else, the Tigers have holes to fill in the lineup. That's certainly the case for two-time defending champion Reitz after back-to-back undefeated regular seasons. North, Jasper and Castle likely have solid teams but will they take a step forward? What about Vincennes following its best year in the conference?

I just don't see a prohibitive favorite at the moment. There hasn't been a tie at the top since 2019.

A basketball team will make it to Indianapolis

I made this prediction last year and Forest Park made me look smart. How about doubling down?

The likely candidates are on the girls' side. North Knox has been one of the best teams in the area. What it did in a loss at defending 4A state champion Bedford North Lawrence was enough to show me the potential for a run in February is possible in 2A. Whoever survives the Gibson Southern-Memorial-Princeton-Washington quadrant in 3A could make some noise.

If there was a contender for the boys, let's go with Evansville Christian in 1A. The Eagles have an excellent point guard – Josiah Dunham is quickly approaching 2,000 career points – plus the rest of the lineup started the season well. Getting to Bankers Life Fieldhouse isn't a cakewalk though with this corner of the state traditionally tough in 1A.

Will anyone make a postseason run to Lucas Oil Stadium?

An Evansville-area team has played on the final weekend six of the past eight years. Do we see that trend continue next Thanksgiving?

Class 3A has the most potential. Heritage Hills appears capable the next two years with its Class of 2026 headlined by Jett Goldsberry and Tyler Ruxer. What makes next season interesting is the return of Memorial after recent change to the success factor rule. Throw in Gibson Southern and Southridge. Sign me up.

I'm not saying it happens in 2024 but also keep an eye on Mater Dei. The current sophomores took their lumps this fall and could be primed for a run in 2A within the next two years.

More: Pair of state runner-up standouts lead Courier & Press All-SW Indiana football team

There will be a state champion in another sport

Yes, I know what I said earlier. Assuming anything in the postseason can be a fools errand. Good teams need talent and luck. And as we saw this fall (seven state runner-ups), winning the final game is difficult in of itself.

Southwestern Indiana has been blessed with a good run thought since I arrived in Evansville in 2016. I feel confident in the area having not just potentially worthy teams in sports already listed but others. Maybe a baseball team reaches Victory Field? Or wouldn't it be cool to see a local individual win a wrestling title at Ford Center?

Class 4A will look very different

The highest class for basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball could see seismic change around Evansville.

A reminder since the topic has been on the backburner since the summer. The Indiana High School Athletic Association approved an amendment in June adjusting how schools will be slotted in its four-class sports. The new tiers beginning in the 2024-25 school year: Class 4A (largest 20 percent of schools statewide), Class 3A (next 25 percent), Class 2A (next 25 percent), Class 1A (smallest 30 percent).

Castle, North, Reitz and Harrison would theoretically stay put based on the latest enrollment numbers. But again, those are old numbers. Central and Jasper are already likely to drop down. If another potentially joins them, think Reitz and/or Harrison, it creates a drastic sectional change.

I'm not sure how it will go without knowing the numbers. Just be prepared.

Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Evansville-area high school sports predictions 2024