IHSAA girls basketball Fab 15 rankings: Who got best, worst sectional draws?

brian haenchen, indianapolis star

Tue, Jan 23, 2024, 4:31 AM·9 min read

Welcome to the final week of the girls high school basketball regular season. We're using this week's Central Indiana rankings to analyze each team's sectional draw and rating it on a scale of 1-5.

Insider: 10 takeaways from sectional draw

Here we go…

1. Center Grove (21-1)

Previous ranking: 1

Five starters scoring in double figures will almost always be a recipe for success, especially when you can defend like the Trojans do. My goodness. They were surgical against Hamilton Southeastern on Saturday. Lilly Bischoff and Rachel Wirts led the way with 18 points apiece, Aubrie Booker and Audrey Annee both had 13 and Ava Grant added 12.

Center Grove hosts Greenwood on Tuesday.

Draw rating: 4.5 — The Trojans avoided Mooresville's side of the bracket, which is good, but they got a really tough regional draw with Floyd Central (Jennings County, Bedford North Lawrence or Silver Creek).

2. Lawrence Central (22-1)

Lawrence Central High School junior Jaylah Lampley (10) works the ball toward the basket during the first half of an IHSAA basketball game against Pike High School, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, at Pike High School.

PR: 2

The Bears had to battle back against North Central. They trailed by three after a quarter and were tied at halftime before finally managing to gain some separation en route to a 45-38 win. Of note: Jaylah Lampley broke the school's all-time scoring record, clearing 1,147 career points in the win.

LC captured the MIC championship Friday with a 56-42 win over Warren Central. It hosts Avon on Thursday.

Draw rating: 2.5 — The Bears should win their first sectional game since 2001 (vs. Attucks), but reaching the championship game will require beating rival Lawrence North.

3. Hamilton Southeastern (18-3)

Hamilton Southeastern Royals Maya Makalusky (3) rushes up the court Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, during the game at Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers. The Hamilton Southeastern Royals defeated the Noblesville Millers, 71-69.

PR: 3

The Royals hold steady after finishing 1-2 across a super difficult week against three very different styles of play in a sectional-type format (Tuesday/Friday/Saturday). HSE fell behind early against Lawrence North, Zionsville and Center Grove. It took a serious run at LN down the stretch (lost, 69-65), overcame a 10-point deficit to beat Zionsville (76-72) and never quite got back into it against Center Grove (74-58). Lessons learned, opportunity for growth, etc.

The Royals, who went 5-0 against sectional competition, conclude the regular season against Pike.

Draw rating: 1 — A feisty Westfield team in round one with Zionsville waiting in the semifinals. At least they're at home?

4. Fishers (15-5)

Fishers Tigers Allison Scheu (33) yells in excitement Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, during the game at Fishers High School in Fishers. The Fishers Tigers defeated the Zionsville Eagles, 46-38.

PR: 4

The Tigers grinded out a seven-point win over Carmel (last year's meeting was similarly … grindy) before racing past Avon, 66-50. They have the toughest game(s) remaining with trips to Lawrence North (Tuesday) and Franklin Central (Friday) on the docket. Taila Harris, Nevaeh Dickman and Allison Scheu remain a steady source of offense for the Tigers, who have been without senior guard Joirdyn Smith since mid-December.

Keep an eye out later this week for a feature on Talia Harris and her older sister, Ty Harris.

Draw rating: 2 — The defending sectional champs road to a repeat takes them through Carmel and Noblesville. Could be worse, I suppose. Westfield and HSE both beat Fishers during the regular season.

5. Franklin (19-2)

Franklin Community Grizzley Cubs Emma Sappenfield (20) attempts to guard Whiteland's guard Addison Emberton (15) on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, during the semifinals of the Johnson County Tournament at Franklin Community High School in Franklin. The Franklin Community Grizzley Cubs defeated the Whiteland, 68-30.

PR: 5

The Grizzly Cubs still haven't lost since the Johnson County championship game on Nov. 18 after picking up wins over Seymour and Whiteland last week. They're at Martinsville on Tuesday, then welcome Jennings County in a potential state tournament preview Thursday. That one should be really fun with Franklin's veteran lineup (seniors Erica Buening, Brooklyn York, Scarlett Kimbrell, Lauren Klem and Emma Sappenfield) matching wits against the Panthers' big three (Juliann Woodard, Alivia Elmore and Mollie Ernstes).

Draw rating: 5 — Franklin is a heavy favorite in its sectional and though it didn't get the bye, it drew the winner of the Evansville Harrison sectional for regional (aka not Center Grove, Jennings County, etc.).

6. Lawrence North (16-4)

Lawrence North Wildcats forward Ashiyah Teague (0), Lawrence North Wildcats Ka'Nyriah Ridley (2) and Lawrence North Wildcats guard Ke'Andriah Butler (25) yell in excitement Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, during the game at Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis. The Lawrence Central Bears defeated the Lawrence North Wildcats, 57-55.

PR: 6

The Wildcats fended off a furious rally by HSE to add another signature win to their resume with juniors Jamaya Thomas (11 points) and Kya Hurt (7 assists) teaming up with sophomores Kedriah Butler (14 points) and Ka'nyriah Ridley (11 points) to lead the way. They had their hands full Saturday at Ben Davis (LN trailed at halftime), but used a big third quarter sparked by senior Kamara Mills to pull away for a 63-53 win.

LN finishes out the regular season at home against Fishers and Pike.

Draw rating: 2 — Cathedral in the first round, then the township rival in the semifinals. Brutal.

7. Noblesville (13-8)

Noblesville Millers forward Ava Shoemaker (13) attempts to recover the ball against Hamilton Southeastern Royals forward Kayla Stidham (20) on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, during the game at Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers. The Hamilton Southeastern Royals defeated the Noblesville Millers, 71-69.

PR: 7

The Millers bounced back from that overtime heartbreaker in Zionsville with decisive wins over Harrison (West Lafayette) and Franklin Central. Some combined totals from those two games: Meredith Tippner had 38 points, 31 rebounds, eight assists and six steals, Ava Shoemaker logged 28 points, 13 steals and eight assists, and Reagan Wilson accumulated 30 points and nine steals.

Noblesville has a Thursday trip to Pendleton Heights then it's onto sectionals.

Draw rating: 1 — Noblesville beat Westfield, took HSE to the wire and went to overtime against Zionsville. So naturally, it draws either Carmel (L, 54-50) or Fishers (L, 79-65). Point for getting the bye, but even that's kind of "eh" in this sectional.

8. Zionsville (16-5)

Zionsville Eagles forward Brooke Karesh (55) reaches for the ball Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, during the game at Fishers High School in Fishers. The Fishers Tigers defeated the Zionsville Eagles, 46-38.

PR: 8

The Eagles led HSE by 10 with about five minutes left Friday night, then surrendered a 13-3 run over about a three-minute stretch. Tough way to go down, though 19 turnovers and ongoing foul trouble didn't help their cause. Allie Caldwell (27 points), Faith Leedy and Caroline Sampson all fouled out having played 20-23 minutes or less.

Zionsville plays the cardiac Bulldogs of Brownsburg on Friday.

Draw rating: 2.5 — It's been a few years since Zionsville beat Hamilton Southeastern, but the Eagles controlled most of Friday's game before foul trouble (and HSE's press) resulted in the Eagles' demise. They went to OT vs. Westfield.

9. Hamilton Heights (19-2)

Lapel Bulldogs Taylor Mroz (25) searches to pass the ball against Hamilton Heights Huskies Katie Brown (3) on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, during the game at Lapel High School in Lapel. The Hamilton Heights Huskies defeated the Lapel Bulldogs, 53-41.

PR: 10

The Huskies move up a spot following an impressive win over Class 3A No. 1 Rensselaer Central in the Hoosier Conference championship game Saturday night. Camryn Runner went for 24 points, Katie Brown added 13 and Ella Hickok notched 10, including a buzzer-beating bucket that secured HH a three-point lead at halftime. The Huskies, who limited the Bombers to one point in the third quarter, host Heritage Christian on Thursday.

Draw rating: 5 — The Huskies avoid Jay County's side of the bracket.

10. Indian Creek (16-4)

Indian Creek's Faith Wiseman (21) reaches for the ball Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, during the Hall of Fame Classic girls basketball tournament at New Castle Fieldhouse in New Castle. Lake Central defeated Indian Creek, 51-45.

PR: 9

The Braves' game vs. Northview was postponed to Monday, but they cruised to a 52-point win over West Vigo on Saturday. That makeup game will be followed by South Putnam, another conference foe, on Wednesday. Indian Creek has not lost a Western Indiana Conference game since Jan. 2021.

Draw rating: 3 — Northview is the second-best team in the sectional and looms as a potential semifinal opponent. Regional draw is tough (winner of Bishop Chatard sectional).

11. Danville (18-3)

Danville's Maddy Wethington (5) rushes up the court against Plainfield Quakers guard Morgan Barnes (5) on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, during the game at Danville Community High School in Danville.

PR: 12

The Warriors picked up a 4A win Tuesday, rallying for a 52-45 win over freshman phenom Lillie Graves and McCutcheon. Addison Davis (six rebounds) and Maddy Wethington both scored 13 points, while Emma Ancelet tallied 12 points, six rebounds and five assists. Lucy Riggs recorded five assists and four steals. Danville plays back-to-back games this week with Triton Central on Tuesday followed by a rescheduled match vs. Western Boone.

Draw rating: 5 — Danville received the bye and though it may have to face Cascade (No. 3 in sectional RPI) in the semifinals, it won't have to worry about rival Tri-West until Saturday night.

12. Plainfield (14-7)

Danville's forward Gabi Pigecella (20) attempts to score against Plainfield Quakers forward Kara Olejnik (23) on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, during the game at Danville Community High School in Danville.

PR: 11

Rough week for the Quakers, who never quite found their rhythm in a loss to Franklin Central, then gave up a last-second game-tying field goal to Mooresville's Rachel Harshman en route to an overtime loss Friday night. Plainfield has lost three straight since capturing the Hendricks County title and will try to right the ship Friday vs. Decatur Central.

Draw rating: 4.5 — The Quakers drew the bye and avoided the Avon-Brownsburg inevitability I referenced last week.

13. Bishop Chatard (14-7)

Bishop Chatard Trojans center Anna Caskey (44) blocks Heritage Christian forward Trinity Taylor (11) on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, during the City Tournament semifinals at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis. The Bishop Chatard Trojans defeated Heritage Christian, 56-45.

PR: 13

Olivia Berzai, Betsy Tragesser, Anna Caskey and Mary Mason all scored in double figures against Roncalli, but it wasn't enough to overcome a 15-point effort by Elliot Leffler and a combined 11 3-pointers (four from Taylor Turk) in a 69-65 loss. That was the most points Roncalli has scored this season and tied for the most Chatard has allowed in a regulation game.

The Trojans host Tri-West on Tuesday and travel to Brebeuf on Friday.

Draw rating: 2 — The good: The Trojans don't have to worry about Heritage Christian until the championship game. The less good: They'll play Brebeuf Jesuit for a second time in four days in the opening round.

14. Franklin Central (11-8)

PR: 14

The Plainfield game felt especially important for Franklin Central, which successfully ran its win streak to eight games before falling to Noblesville on Saturday. The Flashes travel to Southport on Tuesday, then wrap up conference play against Fishers on Friday.

Draw rating: 3 — Get past Southport and it's either Ben Davis or Decatur Central in the semifinal. Could be worse.

t-15. Eastern Hancock (19-1)

Eastern Hancock forward Ruby White (30) reaches for the ball against Lapel Bulldogs Laniah Wills (11) on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, during the game at Lapel High School in Lapel. Eastern Hancock defeated the Lapel Bulldogs, 62-55.

PR: 15

The Royals made quick work of 5-13 Daleville (Class A) with Sammie Bolding, Kenzie Koch, Brooklyn Willis and Ruby White accounting for 52 of their 62 points. They've beaten Triton Central, North Decatur, Cathedral Lapel and Elkhart, and have two Class A games remaining: Randolph Southern (13-6) and Tri (20-2).

Draw rating: 0 — Triton Central in the semifinals. Again. That's annoying.

t-15. Lapel (18-4)

Hamilton Heights Huskies Ella Hickok (2) rushes up the court against Lapel Bulldogs Annalee Stow (33) on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, during the game at Lapel High School in Lapel. The Hamilton Heights Huskies defeated the Lapel Bulldogs, 53-41.