Preseason Top-50 Countdown: Teams #36-#40

Continuing our coverage of the state’s best teams, regardless of class, we now move on to the teams we have ranked #36 through #40. 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 this Wednesday, so be sure to look for teams #31-#35 tomorrow.   <ol start="36"> <li> [caption id="attachment_14962" align="alignright" width="201"] Leah Miller of Salem[/caption] 3A Salem H.S. (Salem, IN)</li> </ol> One season ago, Salem was an impressive 22-5, they had an 8-game win streak and a 10-game win streak, they advanced to the Regional round, and they graduated just one player…their fifth leading scorer, 5-10 forward Jamie Taylor (5.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg). This season I feel like the Lions should be one of the top two or three teams in Class 3A in the South, and they have a good shot at making their way to Indianapolis in late-February. It all starts with tremendous guard play, as 5-5 2020 point guard Leah Miller (18.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 3.6 apg, 3.1 spg, 33 made 3s) and 5-6 2020 2-guard Hope Tomlinson (14.7 ppg, 45 made 3s) both return. Up front, 2019 power forward Mackenzie Underwood (7.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.8 spg) and 6-1 2020 post Lettie Nice (5.1 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 3.9 bpg) were outstanding on the boards. Nice had a good Summer on the grassroots circuit, and you should see her step up more offensively this time around. 2021 wing Karly Sweeney (6.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and 2021 guard Callie Backherms (2.1 ppg) got a lot of opportunity last season as Freshmen, so they now provide experienced depth. 5-3 2019 guard Ashton Thompson, 5-5 2019 wing Lexi Garloch, 5-8 2020 forward Kylie Brown, 5-8 2021 power forward Olivia Weber, and 2021 forward Brooklyn Brown each got into more than a handful of games last year, and they provide other nice options this time around. 5-6 guard Natalie Noel, 5-7 guard Macie Tomlinson, and 5-10 forward Abigail Ratts are all 2022s who might also get a solid look early in the season.   <ol start="37"> <li> [caption id="attachment_14963" align="alignright" width="206"] Ella Collier of Danville[/caption] 3A Danville Community H.S. (Danville, IN)</li> </ol> Danville was expected to be a really nice team last year, but I think a 25-5 record and a trip to the Semi-State was even a bit of a surprise to them. They were beaten by an experienced and guard-heavy Greesnburg team 61-52, but the game was much closer than that. Fortunately, Greensburg graduated five Seniors, four of which started. Unfortunately, Danville graduated six Seniors, three of which started. But Danville had some program depth last season, and that should help them again contend for the Class 3A South crown. Leading the charge is talented 5-10 2020 wing guard Ella Collier (21.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 3.0 spg, 55 made 3s). She might be the best pure shooter in Indiana in the 2020 class. Also returning to the lineup is 5-9 2019 wing Jenna Cowart (7.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.2 spg). She will likely up her statistical output drastically this season. 5-9 2021 forward Maddie Patterson (5.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg) started some as a Freshman, and she should turn into a viable third option this time around. 5-7 2019 wing Peyton Turner (2.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg) was the only other non-Senior who saw action in nearly every Varsity contest. Because of the graduation of wings Lexi Riggles (7.8 ppg, 57 made 3s) and Baylee Muse (7.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg), posts Addie Collier (7.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and Olivia Hayse, guard Brandi Wasson, and forward Hannah Deno, several inexperienced players will need to step up in a big way. 5-6 2019 wing Malorie Kirk, 5-9 2020 wing Kyra Bridgeforth, 5-11 2020 forward Katie Davis, 5-6 2021 guard Chloe Gould, and 5-8 2021 wing Evelyn Utley all played in a few games last season, so they’ll likely get an opportunity right out of the gate.   <ol start="38"> <li> [caption id="attachment_14964" align="alignright" width="223"] Alana Vinson of Roncalli[/caption] 4A Roncalli H.S. (Indianapolis, IN)</li> </ol> After 11-consecutive winning seasons, Roncalli found themselves staring at a 12-12 record in 2017-2018. They had to manage through injuries, a couple of players playing hurt, and they return their top two scorers, which is why I think the Rebels will find themselves approaching 20 wins once again this season. Of those who graduated, wing Elle Bischoff (8.7 ppg, 40 made 3s) and guard Lauren Fey (6.3 ppg, 2.5 apg, 2.0 spg) will be missed most, although forwards Katelyn McClary (3.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg) and Sophie Daniel (4.0 rpg) were a big part of their frontcourt the last couple of seasons. But the Rebels have a lot to be excited about, and it starts with the duo of 5-10 2020 wing Alana Vinson (15.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg) and 5-8 2021 guard Madelyn Bischoff (8.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg). Vinson is a long, fluid, smooth athlete who can play a point forward role, or really any position except for maybe center. Bischoff had an outstanding Summer, she looks stronger, and she should be even more productive this time around. 5-9 2019 forward Anna Bauer (4.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.0 spg), 5-7 2019 guard Amanda Prather (3.5 ppg, 2.6 apg), twin 5-10 2021 forwards Abbie (3.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg) and Sofie Carr, and 5-9 2019 forward Maggie Schoening all saw a great deal of action a year ago and should vie for starting roles. 5-5 2019 guard Jada Moran, 5-7 2020 wing Mackenzie Ross, 5-5 2020 guard Anna Clodfelter, and 5-7 2020 guard Mary Rose Roesener are the likely options to add depth to the rotation this season.   <ol start="39"> <li> [caption id="attachment_14965" align="alignright" width="210"] Megan Harlow of Whiteland[/caption] 4A Whiteland Community H.S. (Whiteland, IN)</li> </ol> With a 19-5 record last season, Whiteland won their most games since the turn of the century, and they posted just their sixth winning record in that same time span. And a lot of people, I’m sure, are counting them out this year because of the graduation of 6-3 post Mackenzie Blazek (18.4 ppg, 14.2 rpg, 2.5 apg, 4.0 bpg), who is now playing in the Big Ten. But, Mackenzie was the only graduate from a strong, deep team, and if they’re underestimated, they will shock some people. 5-7 2019 forward Megan Harlow (11.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.5 apg) is all heart and motor, 5-8 2019 wing Natalie Stuck (8.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.5 spg) is a versatile athlete, and 5-10 power forward Toni Joyner (7.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.5 apg) does a lot of nice things on the interior. 5-8 2019 small forward Taylor Klenner (3.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg) had a great travel season, and I expect her to continue that this Winter. 5-6 2019 guard Madelyn Napier (3.7 ppg) and 5-2 2019 guard Libby Baker will add experience to the backcourt. 5-6 2021 wing Gracie McCullars played some as a Freshman, and I’d anticipate her opportunity increasing this time around. But they’ll need 5-9 2019 forward Taylor Mirowski, 5-2 2020 guard Ally Prine, or any number of Sophomores and Freshmen to step up as well and give solid minutes throughout the season.   <ol start="40"> <li> [caption id="attachment_14966" align="alignright" width="232"] Ryleigh Anslinger of Reitz Memorial[/caption] 3A Reitz Memorial H.S. (Evansville, IN)</li> </ol> Evansville Memorial is always solid, they play a tough schedule, and they always seem to hang around in the postseason. Last year they were a battle-tested 17-7, and they advanced to the Regional Final, losing a tight one 50-46 to State Finalist Greensburg. And Memorial welcomes nearly everyone back. The only two losses to graduation were power forward Grace Lensing (5.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.4 spg) and post Mallory Housman (2.2 ppg). 5-5 2019 guard Soffia Rieckers (14.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.2 spg) and 5-8 2021 guard Ryleigh Anslinger (11.4 ppg, 2.3 spg) are back after leading them in scoring a season ago. Rieckers was impressive at times this Summer, including a nice showing at the IBCA Top-100 Showcase in July. 5-7 2020 forward Mallory Russell (6.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg), 5-8 2021 wing Peyton Murphy (5.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.0 spg), 5-10 2021 post Hope Lensing (4.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg), 5-6 2020 guard Mallory Wittmer (2.1 ppg), 5-7 2020 forward Elle Unfried, and 6-0 2020 power forward Tatum Tornatta were all a part of their regular rotation last year. If they can all up their production just a little this season, I can see the Tigers contending for a Class 3A South crown while approaching 20 wins again.   Header photo of Salem's 2018 Sectional Championship; photo courtesy of salemlionsathletics.com. Photo of Leah Miller courtesy of salemleader.com. Photo of Ella Collier courtesy of flyergroup.com. Photo of Alana Vinson courtesy of her own Twitter account. Photo of Megan Harlow courtesy of therepublic.com. Photo of Ryleigh Anslinger courtesy of courierpress.com.