Preseason Top-50 Countdown: Teams #16-#20
As we begin to wind down our coverage of the state’s best teams, regardless of class, we have now entered the Top-20. This article focuses on the teams we have ranked #16 through #20. With regards to our Top-50 teams,…
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Continue ReadingAs we begin to wind down our coverage of the state’s best teams, regardless of class, we have now entered the Top-20. This article focuses on the teams we have ranked #16 through #20. With regards to our Top-50 teams, we took in to account several different factors, most notably, but not limited to, last season’s record, Sagarin rating, and strength of schedule, graduation losses, newcomers, improvement of existing roster members, and coaching changes. We will continue our Top-50 countdown on Thursday, October 18th, so look for teams #11-#15 at that time.
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Emmery Joseph of Marquette
1A Marquette Catholic H.S. (Michigan City, IN)
Before this Senior class enrolled at Marquette, the first 15 seasons in the 2000s produced a total of 75 wins (and 235 losses), no titles of any sort, and there was even a four year stretch where they won a total of four games. In the three years this 2019 group has been there, they are an impressive 72-11, with three Sectional titles, two Regional titles, and the 2018 Class 1A State Championship in their pocket, plus they’re the odds-on favorite to repeat in 2018-2019. The Blazers return two of the best front-liners in the state, let alone in Class 1A, in 6-1 2019 twin forwards Emma (20.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2.0 spg, 1.7 bpg, 82% FTs) and Sophia Nolan (18.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.6 apg, 36 made 3s). They are very similar stylistically and do a nice job of working inside-out together. Both can play around the perimeter and hit shots, both are great in the mid-post, and both can take smaller defenders to the block and score with ease. 5-2 2019 point guard Emmery Joseph (2.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 5.7 apg) doesn’t put up gaudy scoring numbers, but she can control a game offensively as well as anyone without scoring the ball. Her headiness and composure are key to the Blazers’ success. 5-2 2019 guard Morgan Crook (6.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.4 apg, 35 made 3s) is as tough as they come, and she acts as a wing scorer aside Joseph, but she can play some point when Joseph is out of the game. The Blazers will need to figure out who their fifth starter is this year, as Mackenzie Marovich (3.4 ppg) graduated. Amani Corral (2.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg in 11 games) also graduated. 5-7 2020 forward Ally McConnell (3.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg), 5-6 2019 wing Claire Salyer (2.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg), 5-4 2019 guard Dia Rallings (2.8 ppg), and 5-6 2019 forward Ukari Payne have the most experience returning, and whoever doesn’t start will add quality depth.
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Jada Roberson of Pike
4A Pike H.S. (Indianapolis, IN)
With the graduation of five of their top six scorers, people are already writing off Pike. Yes, Indiana All-Stars Angel Baker (21.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 5.1 apg, 3.6 spg, 41 made 3s) and Michaela White (15.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.6 bpg) are gone. So are Mikia Keith (9.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2.3 spg), Desa Geisler (3.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg), and Mariah Brown (3.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg). But there is cause for some optimism, as they have several talented athletes and prospects returning. For starters, 5-11 2019 forward Kinnidy Garrard (11.5 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 2.1 bpg) is back. She is a very nice frontline athlete with a good motor, and she was an Indiana Junior All-Star back in June. Pair her with 5-7 2019 guard Jada Roberson (9.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.5 spg in 2016-2017), and you have a tremendous duo to start with. Roberson was injured in July of 2017 and only played limited minutes in a pair of games last season. Otherwise, she likely would have been an Indiana Junior All-Star as well. She was key to their 2017 State Finals appearance, and is a dynamic scorer at all levels. From there, new Coach Scott White can go any number of directions. 5-6 2019 guard E’Niya Madden is a long and quick / fast slashing athlete who has waited patiently for her opportunity. 5-2 2019 guard Quaniya Alexander is a tough-nosed little guard who can play either guard spot effectively. 5-6 2021 guard Joslynn Spears has flashed nice potential at times as well. She could either slide into the starting lineup, or give a nice boost off the bench. 6-0 2021 post Arial Ford hasn’t seen any Varsity action yet, but she’s a nice young big, and Freshmen wings Jaelynne Murray and Brooklyn Ward might eventually figure into the mix as well. No matter what, though, Pike has always been blessed with talented athletes, so I wouldn’t count them out just yet.
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Jaci Jones of South Side
4A South Side H.S. (Fort Wayne, IN)
Because of their up-tempo style of play, South Side has always given opponents trouble. They like to pressure the ball 84-feet, and then they aggressively attack you off the bounce offensively. They too must deal with the loss of six graduates, including their top three scorers. Post TaNiece Chapman (14.0 ppg, 8.9 rpg), guard Shamari Tyson (13.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 4.6 apg, 3.2 spg, 42 made 3s), forward Mikeba Jones (11.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.7 spg), and guard Shamari Jackson (5.5 ppg, 34 made 3s) were the most significant graduation losses. But South Side is deep with talent, and they have several girls ready to step into key roles, including a couple of newcomers. 2020 point guard Jaci Jones (10.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.5 spg, 40 made 3s) should be the leader this season, both statistically and emotionally. She’s a tough-nosed and feisty point guard who flies around the floor. Joining her in the backcourt will likely be a pair of newcomers in 5-3 2022 point guard Olivia Smith and 5-6 2021 guard Jasney Combs. Smith is a shorter but tremendously talented youngster with great ball skill, good athleticism, and just a natural feel for the game. Combs is a wiry combo guard who transferred in from Homestead, and she is a crafty and skilled kid who should prosper in the up-tempo style. 5-6 2019 guard Darriyn Hackbarth (2.0 ppg) is a solid athlete who should provide depth, and 5-6 2021 guard Cassidy Connelly played some limited minutes last season. Up front the Archers will now turn to first-time starters in 5-10 2020 forward Alaya Chapman (5.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg) and 5-11 2021 post Lamiya Woodson (4.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg). Chapman is a long, wiry strong athlete who can play inside-out, while Woodson is an athletically strong interior player. Both are more than capable and finally get their chance. 5-8 2019 forward T’Laizha Morris and 5-8 2020 forward Destiny Raines should provide some depth in the frontcourt.
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Morgan Litwiller of Northridge
4A Northridge H.S. (Middlebury, IN)
Northridge is one of those teams who just executes possession after possession. They have an established system, and they just outplay you with skill and understanding. This season they look to win 20+ games for the fourth consecutive year, but they did graduate three seniors, with wing Brooke McKinley (15.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.5 apg, 49 made 3s) being the major statistical contributor. Ayla Gray and Ria Reschly also graduated. Back to lead the Lady Raiders this season is 5-11 2019 forward Morgan Litwiller (17.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2.1 spg). She is a skillful inside-out forward who is best in the mid-post, but who can knock down perimeter jumpers. She was an Indiana Junior All-Star back in June. They return a number of additional 2019 girls this season as well, which should definitely give them an edge in experience. 5-5 guard Sierra Miller (5.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg), 5-10 post Ashley Beckler (4.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg), 5-9 forward Lauren King (3.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg), 5-6 guard Meghan Bontrager (3.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg), 5-4 guard Izzy Love (2.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg), and 5-6 guard Jenna Bradberry are all Seniors back having played quality Varsity minutes in the past. 6-1 2020 post Molly Brown could be a difference-maker in the post this year, and with added strength, she has steadily improved each season. 5-2 2021 point guard Madison Wienert also saw some minutes last season, as did 5-8 2020 wing Bessie Buzzard-Funk. Look for Northridge to be one of the better area Class 4A teams this season, along with Penn and Elkhart Central.
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Annie Anderson of Columbus North
4A Columbus North H.S. (Columbus, IN)
Last season Columbus North was a solid 17-7, and for most teams around the state, they would take it. In the case of Columbus North, after posting six consecutive 20+ win seasons, six consecutive Sectional titles, plus three State Championship game appearances and a Class 4A State Title in that span, it probably has them feeling very hungry to get back to the top. The good news is, the Bulldogs return a nice mix of Varsity experience and youthful talent. They will have to play without graduated wings Jenna Borger (11.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 39 made 3s) and Liz Tynan (5.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg), guards Kenzie (5.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.1 spg) and Kelsey Patberg (2.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg), and 6-0 front-liner Kat Norman, who unfortunately struggled with injuries at the end of her career. Back in the fold, though, are 5-7 2020 guard Annie Anderson (7.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.1 apg), 6-0 2020 post Tessa Lomax (7.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.1 bpg), and 5-10 2019 wing Nadia Lomax (6.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg). Anderson is a strong, heady guard, with a well-balanced skillset. Tessa Lomax is a strong and physical post who has good athleticism, and her sister Nadia is a really nice athlete on the wing with wiry strength. From there, I think 5-6 2021 guard Alexa McKinley (2.4 ppg) could see the biggest jump in minutes and production, considering the graduation losses at guard and the fact that she’s a year older. She had a nice Summer and is a wiry athlete with good all-around skill. 5-9 2020 forward Sierra Norman (2.0 ppg) could also see a significant boost in minutes, and she’s a wiry and fluid forward who can play in the mid-post or around the perimeter a little. 5-7 2020 wing Kaylyn Bates is probably the next most experienced kid back. Unfortunately, from recent reports, 5-7 2020 guard Chelsi Giesige (5.8 ppg, 2.0 rpg) is moving back to Ohio due to a parental job transfer. But, look for girls like 6-0 2020 front-liner Riley Elder, 5-7 2020 guard Brooke Bruin, 5-7 2021 guard Hannah Bramlett, 5-4 2021 guard Kanon Matsuno, and 5-10 2021 forward Madison White to possibly get lengthy looks early this season.
Header photo of Kinnidy Garrad (#42) and Jada Roberson (#3) of Pike High School; photo courtesy of Bob Kravitz of wthr.com. Photo of Emmery Joseph courtesy of nwitimes.com. Photo of Jada Roberson courtesy of Keith Hollins’ Twitter account. Photo of Jaci Jones courtesy of news-sentinel.com. Photo of Morgan Litwiller courtesy of southbendtribune.com. Photo of Annie Anderson courtesy of therepublic.com.