These are the favorites to win each Evansville-area high school softball sectional

An entire season comes down to one week. Welcome to the state tournament.

The Indiana High School Athletic Association softball tournament begins this week with the sectional round. Several teams in Southwestern Indiana could find themselves at Purdue University in June for the state championship. But that's getting ahead of ourselves.

Who could be crowned sectional champions this week? Who might play spoiler? Questions I'll attempt to answer based on both the entire season and the blind draw issued by the IHSAA earlier this month.

Class 4A at North

Favorite: No. 15 Castle (19-8)

The best lineup in the sectional field that has shown to hit for average or power. The Knights also played a tougher schedule than other counterparts. How it translates to this week is critical. If the rotation can match the production from the hitters – Castle has split between three talented arms – the team is tough to beat.

Castle coach Pat Lockyear: "These last two games (Tecumseh and Gibson Southern) are important for us. It's a sectional atmosphere and makes it fun. It gets us ready. For us, it's having some rest and time to work on things. Base running and bunting. Things you have to do in games like this."

Contender: No. 14 North (22-3)

A veteran group geared towards competing for a championship this season. The Huskies have balance throughout the lineup and a strong defense. Their strength lies in the circle. Maci Warner (1.17 earned run average, 164 strikeouts) will give North a chance every game. That alone makes the sectional host difficult to beat.

North coach Justin Wilke: "We have yet to play our best ball. It's just a matter of time before we put it all together. I'll put our defense up against anybody's. When that happens, it's going to be fun."

Don't overlook: Reitz (9-14)

Castle and North are the clear-cut favorites, but this sectional is always difficult. If one from the rest of the field gives a surprise, perhaps it could be the Panthers. The offense, led by Katie Futrell and Jaydan Clayton, averages 5.4 runs. Reitz finished middle of the pack in the SIAC.

Class 3A at Jasper

Favorite: No. 7 Pike Central (21-5)

The Chargers have the pieces to play multiple weekends in the tournament. A veteran pitcher (Chloe Williams) and their top hitters compare to almost anybody in the area. Pike Central has also won back-to-back sectional titles. Four losses in a late six-game stretch late possibly raised eyebrows but each came against quality pitching. Still remains many positives.

Pike Central coach Dustin Traylor: "I feel confident where we'll be come sectional time. We have a lot of experience. Haven't hit the ball well the past couple of weeks but faced really good pitching, too. Our biggest problem right now is errors. If we get that squared away, we'll be in good shape. (The sectional) will be competitive."

Contender: No. 13 Heritage Hills (18-8)

The Patriots seem to fly under the radar. The defending sectional champs have a veteran lineup but, arguably more importantly in this sport, their choice of pitching talent. The roster is also closer to full strength with last year's top arm, junior Rylie Schipp, cleared to throw again. Could make this field even tougher to navigate.

Don't overlook: Jasper (12-11), Southridge (12-11)

The winner of this first-round matchup is likely the favorite to advance to the championship. Jasper has balance in the lineup – the sophomore class has been impressive – and a seasoned veteran in the circle with Elise Lampert. Southridge will counter with Emily Ferguson plus beat the Wildcats in a strong start to April.

Class 3A at Gibson Southern

Favorite: No. 4 Gibson Southern (24-4)

All the Titans do is reload. After graduating a talented class, Gibson Southern has another team capable of making a postseason run. Alexis Tucker (1.03 ERA, 122 strikeouts) has been on her game in recent weeks after recovering from a forearm injury in the winter. The lineup, which likes to play fast and aggressive, has multiple Division I prospects.

Gibson Southern coach Gary May: "We're playing really good. That's what I have to guard against to make sure we don't think we've arrived. One slip up and it's over. (The sectional) is not going to be easy. It's going to be one at a time."

Contender: Mount Vernon (16-9), Memorial (12-12)

It takes a combination of items to win a championship but quality pitching is a must. The Wildcats have it with senior Kaylen Salee (170 strikeouts) to pair with a veteran lineup. They'll need her best stuff with one of the tougher possible draws just to make the title game. Memorial has a younger but talented roster. It also has the advantage with the bye and opposite Gibson Southern.

Don't overlook: Boonville (11-11), Princeton (13-11)

The Pioneers are two years removed from a state championship and feature talent throughout the lineup. Chloe Apple has been especially impressive at the plate. Like Mount Vernon, the draw did Boonville little favors though. Princeton has a favorable path to the title game with junior Raegan Etolen (.419 average, 2.20 ERA) leading a young roster.

Class 2A at Linton-Stockton

Favorite: No. 4 Sullivan (26-3)

A regional power on the diamond in recent years. The Golden Arrows have another quality team to advance through the first weekend. It starts with Evansville commit Kate Ridgway (1.33 ERA, 186 strikeouts) in the circle but also a lineup averaging 9.1 runs led by Jaylynn Hobbs (.453 average, 35 RBI).

Contender: Mitchell (14-12), South Knox (14-9)

The only other teams with winning records in the sectional, although not every schedule is created equal. Mitchell has an experienced lineup led by senior Avery Southern (.395 average, eight home runs, 31 RBI). South Knox is capable of beating the field with solid hitting and a capable pitcher (Ally Sims). The hurdle is Sullivan in the first round, but the Spartans did beat the Arrows in April.

Don't overlook: Linton-Stockton (11-12)

The Miners have the benefit of playing at home but, perhaps more importantly, were only a few plays from beating the tops teams. Losses to Sullivan and Mitchell came by one and two runs, respectively. It wouldn't take much to reverse those results.

Class 2A at Forest Park

Favorite: No. 1 North Posey (23-0)

The Vikings aren't just the favorite in this field but the entire state. They returned nearly everyone from last year's runner-up team. Quality bats up and down the lineup. Zero regular season losses to in-state opponents in two years. North Posey also has Michigan recruit Erin Hoehn (0.35 ERA, 209 strikeouts, nine home runs) and the opposition doesn't.

North Posey coach Gary Gentil: "It's tremendous how they've stayed meshed these number of years together. A lot of expectations. They keep plugging away. We haven't put together the game we know we can do (offensively). Top to bottom, we're fortunate somebody is ready to pick us up."

Contender: Tell City (13-12)

The Marksmen actually put a scare into the Vikings in a 7-6 loss in April. Tell City has competed well the past month even if the record doesn't reflect it. It also gets a bye opposite North Posey. Keep an eye on Kori Embry (.400 average, 16 extra-base hits) and Emme Hoesil (.459 average, 18 RBI) if Tell City does challenge the state favorite.

Don't overlook: Mater Dei (11-16), Perry Central (12-14)

The winner of this first round matchup gets the reward of facing North Posey in the semifinal. The Wildcats in particular have played better in recent weeks with a winning mark in May. One reason to not count them out is junior infielder Katelyn Goebel (.436 average, 10 home runs, 42 RBI).

Class 1A at Loogootee

Favorite: No. 2 Barr-Reeve (22-3)

The Vikings spent two separate stints atop the polls. They're certainly the biggest threat to the other contender in the southern half of the state. Barr-Reeve can score but the reason its eyeing a deep run is Murray State commit Karlye Graber (0.20 ERA, 153 strikeouts). The junior has arguably been the top pitcher around not named Hoehn.

Contender: No. 14 North Daviess (18-11), Loogootee (13-10)

This sectional is deeper than one may realize. Both of these teams spent time in the poll this season. Both have reason to think they'll challenge Barr-Reeve for the title. One of the better first-round matchups features talented seniors in Miami (Ohio) recruit Hadley Parisien for North Daviess and Kyleigh Courter for Loogootee.

Don't overlook: Orleans (11-13)

The Bulldogs had a solid year but sit on a different tier compared to the rest of the field. They also get the pleasure of playing Barr-Reeve in round one. Several contributing freshmen and sophomores could have Orleans positioned well the next few years.

Class 1A at Wood Memorial

Favorite: No. 1 Tecumseh (19-9)

The defending state champs are interesting on the surface. The record could be stronger, but I dare you to find another 1A team playing this schedule. The lineup is what everyone thought with contact, power and speed. The pitching struggled at times but has improved the past month. If Tecumseh peaks at the right time, the rest of the state field needs to watch out.

Tecumseh coach Gordon Wood: "Our pitching has gotten better all year which is what we needed. Our defense has been solid and our hitting pretty good all year. We have hitters in the bottom of the order starting to swing the bat. They're starting to do little things that win games."

Contender: Northeast Dubois (12-7)

The Jeeps have generally been the top challenger to the Braves in this sectional. Rhylan Kalb (.431 average, 26 RBI) has notably been impressive at the plate. The question facing Northeast Dubois is will its pitching hold up against Tecumseh's powerful lineup. That matchup wouldn't happen until the championship.

Don't overlook: Springs Valley (11-9)

The Blackhawks have a couple items in their favor. One, a bye opposite Tecumseh. Two, sophomore Lily Hickman. She's been solid in the circle with a 2.79 ERA and 136 strikeouts but even better at the plate (.500 average, eight home runs, 26 RBI). A big game from Hickman and perhaps help from others could have Valley play spoiler.

Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on Twitter @kylesokeland.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA softball: Evansville-area teams to beat in sectional tournament