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Indianapolis Star
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
IHSAA football isn't that far away. A look ahead to top Week 1 matchups of 2025 season
Check your calendar. It is almost July. We are just eight weeks from the first Friday night of the high school football season. Crazy, right? If you have football on the brain — or will get there soon — you might want to check this out. A little dip of the toe into the water as we count down the top 10 Central Indiana games for Week 1 of the 2025 high school football season: This is a new series on the schedule. Lafayette Jeff, a Class 5A program, was 11-0 last year going into the regional against Warsaw. The Bronchos lost that game, 44-27. But coach Pat Shanley has built a strong program that should continue to thrive. Jeff's top rushers last year were juniors Marquis Adkins (809 yards, 13 TDs) and Antwoine Richmond (699 yards, six TDs) and senior OJ Williams (64 catches, 931 yards, 16 TDs) who recently committed to Northern Illinois. Chatard is coming off a 9-3 season with an overtime loss to New Palestine in the Class 4A regional. The Dragons went on to win state and are now in 5A. Can Chatard make a run this year in 4A? The Trojans bring back Ball State commit Zion Haney on the offensive line. He will be blocking for returning starter Jack Harrington at quarterback. A new era begins for Noblesville as former Carmel coach John Hebert makes his debut. The Millers were 2-8 last year but six of those losses came by a touchdown or less against the difficult Hoosier Crossroads Conference slate. Noblesville lost to Mt. Vernon in the 2020 season opener but have won each of the past four meetings against the Marauders, including a 43-24 victory last season. Noblesville lost a lot of contributors in the senior class but brings back one of the top players in the junior class in linebacker Praise Oladipupo (107 tackles, three caused fumbles). Mt. Vernon slipped to 4-6 last season, including a pair of one-point losses. The Marauders have junior quarterback Mason Meyer (1,150 passing yards, nine TDs; 423 rushing yards, nine TDs) coming back and a lot of inexperienced elsewhere. Meyer is also a standout baseball player. This is a new game on the schedule. Whiteland slipped a bit last year, finishing 4-5 with a first-round sectional loss to eventual state champion Decatur Central. The Warriors, a Class 5A program, will bring back senior Jordan Palmer (92 tackles; 359 rushing yards, two TDs) and senior Clayton Ratliff (98 tackles) on defense. Whiteland has another new game on the schedule in Week 2 with Floyd Central visiting before getting into Mid-State Conference play in Week 3 against defending 5A state champion Decatur Central. Columbus North, which opened last season with a 26-point win over Decatur Central and finished 8-2, will have one of the best quarterbacks in the state returning in senior Asher Ratliff (1,942 passing yards, 22 TDs; 425 rushing yards, five TDs) and Indiana commit Parker Elmore at tight end. The Bull Dogs lost to Franklin Central 21-17 in the first round of the sectional last season. It felt like Pike took a big step forward last year, starting with a 31-20 win over Zionsville in Week 1. The Red Devils finished 5-5 with a competitive 34-24 loss to Ben Davis in the first round of the sectional. Coach Mike Brevard goes into his fourth season with seniors Dammy Adeoba (102 tackles, 11 tackles for loss) and Manu Newman-Nwodika (Western Michigan commit) and junior Willie Chapman returning on defense, among others. Quarterback Mychael Lewis gained some experience as a freshman last season. There is some talent around him at the skill positions. Zionsville, a 4-7 team last year, brings back top tackler Hank Phenicie (106 tackles) on defense. Senior Sam Manna rushed for 764 yards and nine TDs last season. The offense has some good pieces, including sophomore tight end Theo Schott, who just received an offer from Purdue last month. These programs have met every year in the season opener since 2016. Zionsville is 6-3 in those nine meetings. This game is not staying on the schedule as the season opener. This is the second year of a two-year blip due to some scheduling quirks. It will go back to a Week 3 game next year. Lawrence North's dream season last year ended with a gut punch of a 22-21 loss at Brownsburg in the Class 6A regional. But it was still something of a miracle to see how far the Wildcats had come to be ranked No. 1 in the state and carrying an 11-0 record into that game considering where the program was a few years ago. Coach Pat Mallory's team loses a lot of speed and talent from that group, but sophomore quarterback Darian Prather is a talented player who will have one of the best receiving targets in the Midwest in 6-5 junior Monshun Sales (34 catches, 568 yards, seven TDs) and a great junior running back in Izayveon Moore (1,369 yards, 22 TDs). Western Michigan commit Breck Mallory (128 tackles, 25 tackles for loss) leads a defense that graduated a lot. Lawrence Central lost quarterback Terry Walker III, who transferred to Hamilton Southeastern. But the Bears bring back Purdue commit James 'Bam' Williams on the offensive line, along with running backs Caron Parks (710 rushing yards) and Albert Gooden III (445 yards, two TDs) and linebacker Sean Fox (80 tackles) and defensive back R.J. Eldridge (43 tackles) are among the returners on defense. The Bears, coming off a 4-6 season, have been between four and five wins the past four seasons. Lawrence North has won four in a row in this series. Class 6A defending champion Brownsburg opens its refurbished football stadium against one of the top teams in the country. Spalding was 12-0 last season and ranked No. 18 in the country by High School Football America. Defensive back Sean Johnson is committed to Florida State and lineman Kyle Lucas is committed to Navy. Junior receiver Myles McAfee (54 catches, 651 yards, 10 TDs) is a four-star prospect with offers from Ohio State, Penn State, Auburn, Indiana and many others. Sophomore receiver Keith Miller has offers from Florida State, Penn State, Pitt, Maryland, Syracuse and others. Brownsburg will miss its senior class, especially on the defensive side, but there is a lot of talent returning, including junior quarterback Oscar Frye (2,445 passing yards, 23 TDs) and receivers Branden Sharpe (66 catches, 1,165 yards, seven TDs) and Avin Robinson (41 catches, 933 yards, 12 TDs). Top rushers Shakovon Sumpterbey (801 yards, seven TDs) and Brady Lewis (714 yards, six TDs) also return. Brownsburg will host Cathedral in Week 2. Decatur Central, coming off a Class 5A state championship, makes the jump to 6A this season and into a sectional with Lawrence Central, Lawrence North and North Central. This will be a good first test for the Hawks, who bring back a lot of talent, including Toledo commit Bo Polston at quarterback (2,069 passing yards, 21 TDs), Indiana commit Kasmir Hicks at receiver (54 catches, 877 yards, 13 TDs; 479 rushing yards, five TDs) and Eastern Michigan commit Fa'rel Carter (750 rushing yards, nine TDs; 36 catches, 465 yards). Five of the top six tacklers return on defense, including Mykul Campbell (27 tackles for loss, 14 sacks). Decatur Central hosts defending Class 4A state champion New Palestine in Week 2. Avon was 3-7 last season but were a better team than that record shows. Senior quarterback Jace Cameron (584 passing yards, three TDs) was limited to four games due to an injury. Cameron returns with leading rusher Ashton Carter (769 rushing yards, four TDs) and leading receiver Shawn Curry (25 catches, 371 yards, three TDs). The defense also has plenty returning, including leading tackler Makyi Hines (94 tackles, 12 tackles for loss). The Orioles could post their first winning season since 2019 if it all comes together. The second Kevin Wright era officially begins at Carmel as these programs meet in the regular season for the first time and first time overall since Carmel's win in the 2016 sectional championship. Hard to believe the Greyhounds have not won a sectional title in five seasons. Carmel was a better team that last year's 3-7 record shows with five losses coming by a combined 11 points. Senior quarterback Anthony Coellner (1,896 passing yards, 17 TDs) returns with top receiver Jake Bellin (47 catches, 596 yards, five TDs) and several key players return on defense, including Charlotte commit Kaiden Bower and Isaac Nelson (53 tackles). Carmel hosts Westfield in Week 2. Fishers, a 7-5 team last year with a sectional title, has two new nonconference games on the schedule with this one and then at Lawrence North in Week 2. The Tigers have a standout at quarterback in senior Gage Sturgill (1,156 passing yards, 13 TDs in five games before knee injury). Senior running back Ryan Thembulembu (727 rushing yards, nine TDs; 21 catches, 223 yards, six TDs) also returns. The defense brings back senior Carsen Eloms, a Wisconsin commit, in the secondary, along with seniors Emmanuel Cowherd (86 tackles) and Tyler Maynard (69 tackles, seven tackles for loss). The Tigers won a sectional title last year for the first time since 2017. I had this game in the No. 1 spot last year, but the game did not live up to the billing. Cathedral rolled to a 24-6 win at Ben Davis, creating some immediate question marks about the Class 6A defending champions. Ben Davis rebounded at the end of the season and led Brownsburg by four touchdowns in the sectional championship before letting it get away in the section half of a 38-35 loss to the 6A state champs. The Giants finished 5-6. Last year's starting quarterback, Joe Goss, has transferred to Warren Central. Sophomore Kenneth Doss and freshman Gabe Kennett are the possibilities there. Running back Jazz Coleman transferred over from Speedway. The defense lost a lot, but senior linebacker Caleb Scott (Army) and senior defensive back Robert Reddick (Kansas) are talented players. Cathedral went 6-4 last season with a 24-7 loss to Lawrence North in the sectional championship. The Irish moved back down to 5A this year and into a sectional with New Palestine and Plainfield. Cathedral brings back senior quarterback Cameron Koers (1,528 passing yards, 11 TDs) and junior running back Xavier Dangerfield (1,087 yards, 16 TDs) with senior Kyle Harden (65 tackles) and Ball State commit Gannon Knowles (57 tackles, 14 ½ tackles for loss) leaders on defense. I love that this game is back on the schedule in the season opening spot like it was from 2013 to 2022 (it is the start of a four-year deal through 2028). I see these helmets on the field together, it feels like a huge game. Though Center Grove and Warren Central did not meet in the regular season in 2023 and '24, the programs still met in the Class 6A south regional both years — the Trojans winning both times. Center Grove is coming off an 8-5 season but was right there in the final minute of a 31-27 home loss to Brownsburg in the semistate, throwing the ball into the end zone with a chance to win. Heralded sophomore Oscar Sloan is poised to make his starting debut at quarterback in this one. The 6-4, 190-pound Sloan already has several offers, including from Cincinnati, Maryland and Purdue. He has a talented group around him that includes Wake Forest commit Dominick Barry at tight end (31 catches, 237 yards, five TDs), Indiana commit C.J. Scifres on the offensive line and junior Drake McClurg, an Indiana baseball commit, at receiver (67 catches, 1,004 yards, six TDs). Five of the team's top 10 tacklers are back on defense, in addition to the return of senior defensive end Kobe Cherry, a Purdue recruit who missed last year with a knee injury. Warren Central blanked its first four opponents last year — and six overall — on the way to a 10-2 season that ended with a 23-15 home loss to Center Grove in the regional. Quite a bit has changed from that season, including the coach. Mike Kirschner stepped down from his roles as coach and athletic director and J.T. Whitaker stepped in after coordinating the Brownsburg offense. There is talent here, starting with senior Alabama recruit Jerimy Finch Jr. at defensive end and junior Kaleb Elkins in the secondary. There is inexperience in several areas, including receiver. Junior Anthony Dennison and sophomore Jack Quillen will battle it out at quarterback. Junior running back Keyon Thomas has a slew of offers already, including Arizona State, Indiana, Kentucky, Purdue and Vanderbilt. These teams will probably meet again in the regional. Center Grove has won eight in a row in this series. ∎ Fort Wayne Carroll at Hamilton Southeastern: After Carroll beat HSE in the 2022 semistate, the Royals have rebounded to beat the Chargers in each of the past two season openers. Last year, HSE rolled to a 45-21 victory. The Royals will be interesting with Duke commit Terry Walker III coming over from Lawrence Central to lead an offense that includes junior running back Carter Reed (724 yards, 12 TDs) and receiver Kendrick Pennybaker (19 catches, 381 yards, six TDs). HSE was 7-4 last year with a 44-41 loss to Fishers in the sectional championship. Carroll was 9-3 with a 38-21 loss to Crown Point in the regional. ∎ Monrovia at Cascade: Cascade is coming off a 10-1 season with a heartbreaking 37-35 loss to Tri-West in a Class 3A sectional semifinal game. Monrovia was 9-3 last season with a loss to Lutheran in the sectional title game. Cascade brings back a lot of talent at the skill positions. This game might be over in an hour considering how much both teams like to run the ball. ∎ Danville at Gibson Southern: This was a good game last year as Gibson Southern walked away with a 21-14 comeback win. Danville junior Carter Ward passed for 1,063 yards and 16 TDs last year, though the Warriors' top two receiving targets graduated. Danville was an 8-2 team last year with that crazy 50-49 overtime loss to Brebeuf Jesuit ending the season. Gibson Southern went 7-3 with a loss to 3A champion Heritage Hills in the sectional. ∎ Tri-West at Western Boone: This game moves to Week 1 as these teams are no longer in the same conference. Western Boone is playing its first season in the Monon Conference and Tri-West is now part of the Hoosier Legends. Still, this should be a good one. The Stars won last year's game 21-17. It will be interesting to see what Tri-West quarterback Jackson Sorgi (1,729 passing yards, 19 TDs) does as a junior. ∎ Homestead at Westfield: Westfield has this home opener followed by a visit to Carmel in Week 2. Can the Shamrocks keep it going after last year's 12-2 season and Class 6A runner-up finish? Deacon King (1,440 rushing yards, 18 TDs) is one of the top players in the area. Homestead was 5-5 last year and played HSE to a 20-14 loss in the sectional.
Indianapolis Star
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Kayla Pickering, 'gritty' Avon stun Brownsburg in sectional final. 'We never gave up.'
BROWNSBURG — Kayla Pickering stepped into the batter's box knowing she was going to win it. Avon had fought like crazy to get within reach of rival Brownsburg, scoring four runs in the sixth to pull within two, then escaping a bases-loaded jam in the seventh unscathed to reclaim momentum entering the final stanza. Olivia Yeary ripped a one-out single to score Reagan Cooper and advanced on the throw to set up Pickering, the team's No. 8 hitter, with runners on second and third. When she peered in from the third-base box, Kiah Ferrell could see in the junior's eyes that she was ready. She felt good, the Orioles coach said. "And when your kids are confident in themselves, that's a great feeling to have as a coach. All that preparation has paid off." Pickering fouled off the first pitch, then with the second, she rifled a sharply hit grounder through the left side of the infield. Ferrell initially motioned to hold Yeary at third, but when the ball was misplayed in the outfield, she frantically waved her home. Players began pouring from the Avon dugout as Yeary crossed home plate, mobbing her before enshrouding Pickering halfway down the third-base line. "My heart was beating on second, but I had so much faith in Kayla. Just so much," Yeary said. "I knew she was going to smack that ball into a gap." Avon wins the Class 4A Sectional 11 championship game, 10-9, its fifth consecutive sectional crown and 14th overall. The Orioles will host Center Grove in Tuesday's regional championship. "We have a lot of grit, a lot of trust in each other," Yeary said. "A lot of heart for the game, a lot of passion," added pitcher Addie Forst. "Grit" was the word of the night on the Avon side, an apt descriptor of a team that's gone 8-4 following a 3-13 start to the year. They were an inexperienced outfit staring down the barrel of a grueling Hoosier Crossroads Conference schedule entering the season, Ferrell said, and knew they were going to take their lumps. But in her heart of hearts, she knew this was going to be a second-half team. And that's when "things finally started to click," Ferrell continued. They started to hit. They played better defense behind their pitcher. And they had harder practices. "We were intentional and we focused more on the mental game," she said. "And I think it finally paid off, which is really nice." Avon's latest victory was keyed by its ability to minimize damage. Forst surrendered five runs through the first four innings, but allowed only one run and stranded the bases loaded in the top of the fourth. Her efforts were rewarded in the bottom half, with Yeary launching a three-run home run to make it 5-3. When the Bulldogs answered with four runs over the next two innings, the Orioles answered with a four-run sixth, tallying runs on a wild pitch, a two-RBI double by Lilly Heath and a Zoey Chavez base hit. "We never gave up," Pickering said. "The game doesn't know," Yeary interjected. "They threw punches," Pickering continued. "We threw them back." Amidst the rally, Ferrell looked to the dugout and asked Forst if she was ready to pitch the seventh. I'm ready for the opportunity, she replied. The first two runners reached, then Brownsburg loaded the bases with a two-out walk, but Forst buckled down and got a pop out to end the inning and hold the margin at two. "That girl likes to do that to herself," Ferrell laughed. "We've tried and tried and tried to talk about being more efficient and not getting into sticky situations, but she finds a way to get out of it. Grit is a good word to describe her." Avon advances to face Center Grove in Tuesday's regional. The Trojans won the regular-season meeting, 10-9, on May 12. "We're not done yet," Ferrell said. "And I think it's really cool that, whatever the expectation is, we like to be the underdog and we like to have our backs against the wall. We're gritty."
Indianapolis Star
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
IHSAA boys track and field sectionals preview: What, who to know as postseason starts
The road to the high school boys track and field meet begins Thursday. There are 32 sectional meets around the state. The first-, second- and third-place sectional finishers in all individual events and relays will advance to the regional, plus any individual or relay team meeting the participant standard in the sectional finals of their event. Here are six storylines to watch in Thursday's boys' sectional meets: IHSAA girls track sectionals: School record falls at HSE, plus highlights from Indy-area Avon, which won its only boys state title in 2018 (after finishing as runner-up in 2017 to Carmel), is the No. 1-ranked team in the state. The Orioles have one of the top sprinters in the state in senior Marcus Townsend (currently ranks second in the 200 meters and seventh in the 100) and should rank high in the high jump with senior Adetayo Adewunmi (went 6-7 ¾ last week) and long jump with senior Te'vares Frierson (has third-best jump this spring at 23-0 ¾). Kaleb Rasheed has the third-best discus throw (186-2) this spring and fifth in the shot put (58-9 ¼). The Orioles are also contenders in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. Avon is in the sectional at Plainfield, where No. 8 Brownsburg is also in the mix. Avon won the Hoosier Crossroads Conference meet and Brownsburg took second. The Bulldogs have one of the top 4x100 relay teams in the state and a top distance runner in senior Ian Baker. Shot putter Tobi Soneye has the third-best performance this spring (59-9 ¾). Second-ranked Lawrence North is in the sectional at Mt. Vernon, where the host Marauders are ranked No. 6 and also a contender. The Wildcats are strong in the sprints with seniors Jerome Smith (second in 100, sixth in 200) and Damario Moore (fourth in 100, first in 300 hurdles), sophomore Monshun Sales (fourth in 200) and senior Davion Chandler (fourth in 110 hurdles). Those four make up the 4x100 relay team that has a chance to win state. Sales also has the state's sixth-best long jump this spring. Mt. Vernon has the state's second-best time in the 4x800 relay (7:51.31). Two of the top runners for the Marauders are junior Sebastian Sprague (sixth in 200) and Ahmed Saleh (ninth in 1,600). No. 3 North Central and No. 5 Bishop Chatard are competing in the sectional at Lawrence Central (more on these teams below). No. 4 Bloomington North is hosting its sectional. The Cougars are led by juniors Caleb Winders (top time in state in 800 meters) and Caelan D'Onofrio (fifth in 1,600 meters and eighth in 3,200) and should have contenders in the hurdles with senior Ben Boland and junior Alan Hays. Another local team to watch is Franklin Central, which was just two points behind Lawrence North for the Marion County championship. The ninth-ranked Flashes, who are at the Greenfield-Central sectional, could pile up some points with junior Rylan Hainje (first in 110 hurdles and second in 300 hurdles). The Flashes are also strong in the 4x100 relay and 4x400 relay. North Central and Bishop Chatard, after going first and second at last year's state meet, could both break the state record in the 4x400 relay. And guess what? Both teams will be competing in the sectional at Lawrence Central. North Central's team of Dexter Parker, Antonio Smith, Evan Huet and Dehnm Holt ran a 3:14.66 last week at the Marion County meet, a mark that ranks fifth in state history. All four of the top marks are from the state meet, led by Gary West Side's 3:13.66 at the state meet in 1980. But those historic numbers do not necessarily make North Central a big favorite. Bishop Chatard's mark of 3:15.38 at the Dennis McNulty Invitational in April is the second-best time in the state this spring and No. 8 on the all-time list. Phoenix Boyer, Kalen Sargent, Keaton Kuehr and Quinn O'Neil form the Chatard relay team. North Central and Chatard could also contend for a team state title. Holt (46.76) owns the second-best 400 time in state history. Holt also is currently third in the 200 and Smith is fifth both the 200 and 400 and fourth in the 300 hurdles. The Panthers could also get points in the 4x100 relay (currently fourth) and high jump with Darion Highbaugh. Chatard's Boyer is second behind Holt in the 400 (47.88 seconds) and Sargent seventh. Boyer is also third in the 300 hurdles. Bloomington North's Caleb Winders has the top time in the 800 meters this spring (1:50.88) after finishing second at state as a freshman and sophomore. Can he break through and win a state title? Last year at the New Balance Nationals, Winders ran the third-best 800 in state history (1:49.74). It will be interesting to see what the other top 800 times are coming out of the sectional meets. Waldron's Will Larrison was eighth at last year's state meet. He will be running at the Shelbyville sectional. Northridge junior Baylor Miller was second behind Winders at the Northeast Indiana Middle Distance Showcase in Fort Wayne with the second-best time this spring (1:51.94). While Winders is certainly the favorite in the 800, the 1,600-meter race looks wide open. Brownsburg's Ian Baker (fourth), Jasper's Calvin Seitz (eighth) and Ahmed Saleh (ninth) were top-10 finishers last year at state. Baker and Saleh have posted top-10 times this season, but it looks like anyone's race. Jennings County's Kraedyn Young, Columbus North's Jace Works, Warsaw's Jackson Gackenheimer, Mishawaka's Liam Bauschke and Bloomington North's Caelan D'Onofrio have the top five times this spring. Westview junior Noah Bontrager looks like the clear favorite in the 3,200 after putting up a 8:55.79 at the Carmel Distance Showcase. That time is 10 seconds better than the rest of the field this spring. Bontrager took fifth at state last year. Westview is running at Angola for the sectional. Last year's state winners — Nylan Brown of Ben Davis in the shot put and Josiah Bird of Hamilton Southeastern in the discus — are both gone to graduation. Churubusco junior Weston Ott, who placed third last year in the shot put, has emerged as the frontrunner in that event with a mark of 64-11 ¾ two weeks ago. Southport senior Benjamin Brown is second with a shot put of 61-11 ¾ earlier this spring. Southport is in the sectional at Ben Davis. Kankakee Valley senior Zack Frieden is the top returner in the discus, placing fourth last year, and has the top mark in the state this spring at 194-9. Ott and Brown are also in the top five in the discus. Avon's Rasheed (mentioned above) is also in contention. Other than those not mentioned above … ∎ Jay Hmurovich, Brebeuf Jesuit: The senior took fourth last year at the state meet in the high jump and has the second-best jump so far this season at 6-9 ¾. Hmurovich will compete in the Lawrence Central sectional. Warsaw's Jordan Randall is the favorite to win state after finishing third last year and the best jump of the spring. ∎ Christian Ortiz, Hamilton Southeastern: Ortiz, a senior, took fifth in last year's state meet in the 400. This spring, Ortiz has the top mark in the state in the 200 (21.18 seconds) and is fourth in the 400 (47.93). HSE is at Fishers for the sectional. ∎ Evan Williams, Lawrence Central: The junior was just a whisker behind Hainje of Franklin Central at the Marion County meet in the 110 hurdles (13.72 seconds) to rank second in the state this spring. He also put up one of the state's best marks in the 100 meters this spring (10.48 seconds). Williams will be running at home in the sectional. ∎ Jack Hearld, Danville: Hearld took seventh in the 3,200 at last year's state meet. He ran a 9:05.66 at the Carmel Distance Showcase, which is fourth in the state this spring. Hearld took third at the cross country meet in the fall. Danville is in the sectional at Plainfield. ∎ Antonio Smith, North Central: I did mention Smith above but worth pointing out the senior ranks fifth in the 200 (21.42 seconds) and 400 (47.96), fourth in the 300 hurdles (38.37) and is also part of the record-setting 4x100 relay team. North Central is at the Lawrence Central sectional. Stanford football recruit JonAnthony Hall helped Fishers to a team state title last year, placing second in the long jump (23-1), behind Elijah Coker of Penn. Hall's best jump of the spring is 22-7, which ranks ninth in the state. Jaylen Ramsey of Merrillville has the longest long jump of the spring at 23-10. Hall will be at his home track for the sectional.
Indianapolis Star
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
IHSAA baseball Fab 15 rankings: A change at the top, plus sectional predictions
We've made it to the final week of the IHSAA baseball regular season. Temperatures have consistently reached perfect baseball weather without getting too hot (in my opinion). Top teams continue to jostle for the top spot. The middle tier has started to stabilize as well with Zionsville making a leap back up the rankings. Here's this week's Central Indiana Fab 15: Last ranking: No. 2 The Tigers clinched at least a share of the Hoosier Crossroads Conference title with their 4-2 win over Franklin Central. The Tigers can clinch an outright title with a win over Brownsburg on Wednesday, or with a Zionsville loss to Noblesville. The Tigers have won four games in a row and are 11-1 in the toughest conference in the state. That's a résumé worthy of the No. 1 spot. ∎ Sectional prediction: Fishers opens sectional play against Hamilton Southeastern. Fishers is 2-0 against HSE this season. Playing a rival in an elimination game adds intrigue to the matchup, but I think Fishers advances to face the winner of Zionsville vs. Noblesville. It's unfortunate one of Fishers, Zionsville or Noblesville won't advance past the sectional semifinals, but need for a seeded tournament aside, in this exercise, I have Fishers advancing to face Westfield in the sectional championship. Fishers is 2-0 against Westfield with a combined margin of victory of just three runs. Expect a close game, but I think Fishers wins the sectional championship. Last ranking: No. 1 Center Grove has stumbled a bit, dropping two of its past four games. The Trojans will be tested down the stretch with games against Hamilton Southeastern, University and Brebeuf Jesuit looming. ∎ Sectional prediction: In another unfortunate sectional draw, reigning Class 4A runner-up Mooresville opens the postseason against Center Grove. One state title contender will be eliminated in the first round. Seems like an issue seeding could fix. With that being said, I expect Hudson DeVaughan to give the Pioneers a good chance to win, but Center Grove's depth will be too much for Mooresville. I think Center Grove advances past the winner of Southport vs. Perry Meridian to face Decatur Central. Decatur Central is a program on the rise with multiple talented underclassmen, but knocking off Center Grove is too much to ask. I have Center Grove winning the sectional title. Last Ranking: No. 4 Roncalli may be one of the hottest teams in Central Indiana. The Royals have won 11 games in a row and claimed two title last week, winning the Marion County tournament with a win over Brebeuf Jesuit on Tuesday and claiming the Circle City Conference title with a win over Guerin Catholic on Thursday. ∎ Sectional prediction: Roncalli gets one of the tougher first-round matchups opening against Shelbyville. Shelbyville has an ace in Kentucky commit Aiden Smith. Smith is 4-1 with a 2.21 ERA and 43 strikeouts over 31⅔ innings. If Smith is on, the Golden Bears have a good chance to knock off the Royals. I think Smith gives his team a great start, but Roncalli pulls out the win in the end. The Royals avoid a semifinal matchup against New Palestine, and I think both teams advance to the sectional final, setting up a great game between New Pal and Roncalli. Heading into the final week of the regular season, Roncalli has a team ERA of 2.05. New Pal has a team ERA of 1.52. Roncalli has four players with more than 27 innings pitched. New Pal has just two, Rigg Mahurin and Holden Hughes. I think Roncalli's depth allows it to knock off New Pal in a close game. Last ranking: No. 5 New Pal's offense has caught fire over its current three-game winning streak, scoring a total of 28 runs. ∎ Sectional prediction: I broke down the New Pal sectional in the Roncalli capsule above. I think New Pal advances past Rushville and Indian Creek, setting up a sectional championship game against Roncalli. The title game is a true toss-up, but I think Roncalli's depth will help the Royals defeat the Dragons in a close game. Last ranking: No. 6 Noblesville continues to rise back up the rankings. The Millers have won 10 games in a row, but they face a tough final week with a game against Brownsburg and two games against Zionsville looming. Adding to the difficulty of their final week, Noblesville ends the regular season against Zionsville, only to open sectional play against the Eagles, too. ∎ Sectional prediction: The outcome of this week would've certainly impacted how I predicted the outcome of Noblesville's first-round matchup against Zionsville. But I'm working on this before the teams play twice, so I'm going to give it my best guess. Both teams can put two aces on the mound. Junior Beckett Doane and senior Joe Glander have electric stuff for Noblesville. Zionsville can counter with sophomore Davis Moore and senior Brady Shaw. Noblesville has an experience advantage, and the offense has more slugging with senior Trevor Corbett and junior Aiden Reynolds combining for six home runs. I think Noblesville advances past Zionsville, before losing in a close game to Fishers. Last ranking: No. 14 Zionsville is the big riser with its two victories over Avon. Brady Shaw and Nick Wahl combined for a one-hit win over Avon in the first game. Camden Moore, Jackson Tielker and Matt Pederson had two RBIs each. Davis Moore threw a one-hit shutout in Zionsville's second win over Avon. ∎ Sectional predictions: I broke down the Zionsville vs. Noblesville sectional matchup in the Noblesville capsule above. Both teams are well-balanced, but I think the Millers' offense helps Noblesville pull out a close first-round win. Last ranking: No. 7 Westfield holds steady, winning four in a row by a combined 34-10 margin. Jordan Beck drove in six runs in a win over Hamilton Southeastern. Matthew Spencer, Jackson Blevins and J.P. Sears combined to shutout Greenwood Christian. Sam Flickinger threw 4⅔ no-hit innings against Columbus North, striking out six. Owen Swinford closed out the no-hitter with a strikeout. ∎ Sectional prediction: Westfield won its lone matchup against Carmel back in late April. Both teams have improved since then, but I think Westfield has the experience to defeat Carmel, advancing to the sectional championship against Fishers. I broke down the Westfield vs. Fishers matchup in the Fishers capsule. Fishers is 2-0 against Westfield, and I think the Tigers improve to 3-0, beating Westfield and clinching a sectional title. Last ranking: No. 8 The Greyhounds have hit their stride after an up-and-down April. Carmel has allowed just two runs over its past three games. Gabe Mathison and Anthony Back drove in two runs each against Mt. Vernon. Cole Caldwell threw a shutout against Batesville, scattering three hits, walking none and striking out eight. ∎ Sectional prediction: Carmel is playing some of its best baseball down the stretch, but postseason baseball is a different story. Mathison and J.D. Stein are talented and experienced players. Can they do enough to lift Carmel past Westfield? I don't think so. I think Westfield wins a close game against Carmel in the semifinal. Last ranking: No. 3 The Orioles have dropped seven of their past 11 games. They have wins over Fishers and Brownsburg over that stretch, showing how high their ceiling is, but also highlighting the inconsistency plaguing the team at times. Avon has a chance to vault back up the rankings with a game against Columbus North and two games against Westfield this week. ∎ Sectional prediction: Avon opens with a semifinal game against Plainfield. I think the Orioles defeat Plainfield, setting up a championship game against Brownsburg. Avon and Brownsburg split in the regular season. Brownsburg won the most recent matchup and has been playing better of late. I think Brownsburg knocks off Avon, clinching the sectional title. Last ranking: No. 9 Lapel continues to win, moving its win streak to 13 games in a row. Kai Newman struck out 11 and allowed just one hit over five shutout innings against Kokomo in the first game of a doubleheader. Ray Smith added two hits and three RBIs in the second game of the doubleheader. ∎ Sectional prediction: The Bulldogs should be the heavy favorite to win the Lapel sectional. Aside from Lapel, Frankton is the only team with a winning record in the sectional, and Lapel beat Frankton 10-3 in late April. I think Lapel cruises to a sectional championship over Frankton. Last ranking: No. 12 Cathedral clinched its 30th City championship with a 2-0 win over Covenant Christian. Connor Christiansen drove in both runs with a single. Ethan Dorsey and Landon Hughes combined for the shutout. The Irish dropped a game against reigning Class 4A champion Lake Central before handily winning their next two games. ∎ Sectional prediction: Cathedral dropped down to Class 3A this season, instantly becoming a strong state title contender. The Fighting Irish seem poised to face Bishop Chatard in the sectional final. Cathedral is 2-0 against Chatard, winning by a combined 16-2 margin. I think the Fighting Irish defeat Chatard a third time, clinching a sectional title. Last ranking: No. 11 Cascade moved it win streak to nine in a row with quality wins over Lebanon and Decatur Central. The Cadets got strong pitching performances from Royce Bright, Jackson Minner and Davis Hart against Lebanon. Hart added a complete game win against Decatur Central, allowing one run and striking out four. Cascade has a measuring stick game against Mooresville on Monday, and a matchup against sectional opponent Owen Valley on Wednesday. ∎ Sectional prediction: Cascade moved to Class 3A this season, but its sectional draw is much more favorable. The Cadets should advance to the sectional final to face the winner of Speedway vs. Owen Valley. Regardless of the opponent, I think Cascade wins the sectional title. Last ranking: No. 13 Franklin's played a tough schedule, dropping just one game against a team it probably should've beaten in Plainfield, and that loss came all the way back in early April. Braedon Burton went the distance against Greenwood, scattering six hits, allowing just one earned run and striking out eight. Nash Netter drove in three RBIs in Franklin's second win over Greenwood. The Grizzly Cubs will be tested with two games against Decatur Central this week. ∎ Sectional prediction: Franklin opens the tournament with a semifinal matchup against Columbus East. I think Franklin defeats Columbus East, advancing to face Whiteland in the championship game. Whiteland has a great win against Center Grove, showing what it can do when everything is going well. I think Franklin's tough schedule will have it ready to pull out a close win over Whiteland for the sectional title. Last ranking: Tied 15th Tri-West had won nine of its past 10 games before dropping a game to Noblesville via run rule. The 10 runs allowed to the Millers ties the total the Bruins surrendered over their past four games combined. Noblesville is a state title contender and should serve as a measuring stick for Tri-West. ∎ Sectional prediction: Tri-West opens a talent-heavy sectional against Frankfort. I predict the Bruins will beat Frankfort and advance to face a Crawfordsville team they've beat twice already. I think Tri-West makes it three wins over Crawfordsville, setting up a sectional championship against Brebeuf. Brebeuf is scuffling down the stretch, losing three in a row heading into the final week of the regular season. I think Tri-West plays sound baseball and beats Brebeuf to win the sectional title. Last ranking: Tied 15th Triton Central's six-game winning streak came to an end with a loss to Heritage Christian. Games against Lutheran and Park Tudor will be great tests before the postseason begins. ∎ Sectional prediction: Triton Central opens the tournament against Irvington Prep. The Ravens average 11.5 runs per game. Offense isn't a problem, but IPA has to pitch well to win. I think Triton Central beats IPA, advancing to face Scecina. The Tigers beat Scecina by a combined 24-2 margin in their first two games. I think Triton Central beats Scecina again, setting up a championship game against Heritage Christian. In a close game, Heritage Christian knocks off Triton Central to win the sectional title.
Indianapolis Star
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Big jumps and state's fastest times: Vote for IHSAA track and field athlete of week
IndyStar track and field athlete of the week, presented by YMCA of Greater Indianapolis, returns after another week of season-best performances. Congrats to last week's winner, the Sheridan girls 4x400 relay team with 19,166 votes. This poll will celebrate the best of Central Indiana track and field throughout the 2025 season. The poll will be open until noon Friday. Cast your vote at the bottom of the article: Kya Crooke, Heritage Christian: The senior Arizona commit went 6-2 in the high jump in a home meet on Friday for the No. 1 jump in the USA this year. Crooke was ¼ inch off the state record set by Norwell's Angie Bradburn 40 years ago. Addison Martin, Franklin: Martin won the Mid-State Conference championship in the pole vault (11-9), then set the best mark in the state this spring in a meet at Greenfield-Central three days later (12-3). The junior also won the high jump at both meets (going 5-6 at Greenfield-Central) and ran on winning 4x100 relay team. Kira Smith, Warren Central: The sophomore had the best high jump mark in the state (5-9) until Crooke's jump with a victory at the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference meet. Smith ran a 47.08 in the 400 last week to finish second at a meet with Ben Davis and Pike. She has also been splitting her time this spring by playing shortstop and centerfield for the Warren Central softball team, leading the Warriors with a .432 batting average. Elnora Stevenson, Whiteland: Stevenson, a junior, led Whiteland to the girls Mid-State Conference championship by finishing first in the 100 (12.44 seconds), 200 (25.42) and long jump (17-7 ¼). She also ran on the Warriors' 4x100 relay team that finished second. Whiteland put up 165.5 points to easily outdistance second-place Greenwood (103.5). Mallory Weller, Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran: The state's cross-country champion, a junior, won the 1,600 meters at the Summit Athletic Conference race with a 4:46.55 to post the best mark in the state this season. Weller also won the 3,200 (10:39.12) and anchored the winning 4x800 relay team (9:45.66). Rylan Hainje, Franklin Central: Hainje won the 110-meter high hurdles in 13.61 seconds at the Hoosier Crossroads Conference meet at Avon. That is the No. 5 mark on the state's all-time list. Mt. Vernon 4x800 relay team: The Mt. Vernon 4x800 relay team of Caden Cassada, Xaiden Jenson, Cooper Hunziker and Ahmed Saleh set the best mark in the state this spring by winning the Cougar Chase at Greenfield-Central with a time of 7:51.31. Kendell Ohaya, Plainfield: The senior won the 200 (22.68) and helped the 4x100 relay team (42.60) and 4x400 relay team (3:26.36) to victories at the Mid-State Conference meet. The Quakers won the meet with 138 points. Christian Ortiz, Hamilton Southeastern: The senior won the 200 meters at the Hoosier Crossroads Conference meet with a time of 21.18 seconds for the best mark in the state this spring. Colten Smith, Monrovia: The junior helped Monrovia win the Indiana Crossroads Conference with a victory in the 800 meters (2:04.35) and pole vault (12-0), along with a 4x100 relay victory (43.16). IF POLL DOES NOT APPEAR, click here to vote.
