Preseason Top-50 Countdown: Teams #46-#50

Throughout the Sectional / Regional Preview articles, you’ve seen it mentioned that teams in our statewide Top-50, regardless of class, would be previewed at a later date. Well, we’re finally here! 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. This specific article addresses the teams we have placed in the #46 through the #50 spots. Look for #41-#45 this Friday, October 5th…   <ol start="46"> <li> [caption id="attachment_12687" align="alignright" width="223"] Jordyn Barga of Monroe Central[/caption] 2A Monroe Central H.S. (Parker City, IN)</li> </ol> Last year the Golden Bears put together about as impressive of a season as anyone, rattling off 25 straight wins to enter the Sectional Championship game undefeated. Unfortunately for them, they ran into a Frankton team who was incredibly hot at that point, a Frankton team who ended up making it to the Semi-State round, and Monroe Central fell 66-61. But the Golden Bears are back, and they’re on a mission. While the undefeated regular season was great, they want that hardware this time around. Gone from last season’s team are forward Abigail McGrath (11.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.5 bpg), wing Bailey Duncan (4.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg), guard Kinzie Williams (3.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.6 apg), forward Marissa Huddleston (2.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg), and forward Faith Cope. But the Golden Bears return their top two scorers in 6-0 versatile 2019 forward Jordyn Barga (16.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 4.2 apg, 2.2 spg), and 5-3 2020 guard Hannah Bolton (14.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.9 spg, 53 made 3s). Those two are enough to give many teams nightmares, and Barga was an Indiana Junior All-Star this Summer, but they have several other experienced players returning as well. All are Juniors, ironically, like 5-7 forward Katie Pike (3.9 ppg), 5-6 guard Hannah McCollum, 5-0 guard Brooke Bolton, 5-4 guard Mabrey Buis, and 5-10 forward Gabby Beckham.   <ol start="47"> <li> [caption id="attachment_13545" align="alignright" width="220"] Ryin Ott of LaPorte[/caption] 4A LaPorte H.S. (LaPorte, IN)</li> </ol> LaPorte had a really nice 17-6 season last year, they had an 8-game winning streak in the middle of it, but they had to face South Bend Saint Joseph in their first Sectional game, falling 55-40. This year, LaPorte should be a little better. They did graduate five Seniors, but they return four of their top six scorers, including their top two. Back for her fourth Varsity season is 5-6 2019 point guard Riley Ott (16.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.2 spg), an Indiana Junior All-Star back in June. Teaming up with her will be her younger sister Ryin Ott (8.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg), a 5-10 do-everything 2021 wing. Look for those two to carry a bulk of the scoring load this season. 5-4 2020 guard Kayla Jones (6.3 ppg, 2.0 spg) and 5-5 2020 guard Nyla Asad (4.0 ppg) both saw regular rotation minutes last season, while 6-1 2019 post Keatyn Boren, 5-8 2019 forward Emily Reed, 5-10 2020 forward Kira Morton, 4-11 2019 point guard Andrea Franklin-Peals, and 5-8 2019 wing Kaitlyn Kazmierzak saw the floor on occasion to gain experience. The Slicers did graduate post Janelle O’Neal (7.0 ppg, 7.8 rpg), forward Madison Pierro (4.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg), guard Jacqueline Leal (3.0 ppg), guard Nichole Flowers, and post Summer Lowe.   <ol start="48"> <li> [caption id="attachment_13546" align="alignright" width="221"] Hanna Knoll of Angola[/caption] 3A Angola H.S. (Angola, IN)</li> </ol> Last season, Angola topped 20 wins for the first time since 2011-2012, with an impressive 23-4 record, including a 12-game winning streak heading into the Sectional Championship game. But they faced a tough Fort Wayne Concordia team and lost 49-39. Their up-tempo style offensively, and their in-your-face pressure defense, causes a lot of problems for opponents, so with the return of nearly every key contributor, the Hornets could get that Sectional Championship crown they want. The backcourt is very strong, with 5-6 2021 guard Hanna Knoll (11.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.0 spg, 38 made 3s) and 5-5 2020 point guard Ally Lorntz (7.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2.7 spg, 41 made 3s) locking it down. They get help from 5-7 2019 guard Reace Peppler (4.0 ppg), and 5-7 2020 wing Kayla Fenstermaker (3.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.1 spg). 5-6 2021 guard Megan Nisun saw the floor in a couple of games, and 5-6 2020 guard Janna Fee returned at the end of the season. Up front the Hornets play a combination of long and athletic forwards. 5-11 2019 forward Gabriela McHugh (8.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.2 spg), 5-10 2019 forward Sarah Duvendack (5.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg), and 2020 forward Brea Worman (3.0 ppg) lead the returnees. Angola did graduate forwards Ali Cranston (9.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and Sarah Brandt (2.0 ppg), wing Maizey Strand (3.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.0 spg in 3 games), and guard Regan Peppler (2.0 ppg).   <ol start="49"> <li> [caption id="attachment_12891" align="alignright" width="300"] Rylie Stephens (#32) of Triton Central[/caption] 2A Triton Central H.S. (Fairland, IN)</li> </ol> Rarely do Class 2A teams put up a 21-5 record, advance to the Regional Final, and come back the next year expecting more. But that’s exactly where the Tigers of Triton Central sit, as they return a great deal of production while adding a couple of newcomers to the starting lineup. The Tigers did graduate guard Haley Schneider (7.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.2 apg), and wings Isabella Cooper (6.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg) and Rynisha Holly (2.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.0 apg, 2.5 spg). This year, Triton Central has as much talent and depth as anyone in Class 2A. Returning are leading scorers Tenleigh Phelps (15.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg), a 5-10 2021 forward, and Maya Chandler (14.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 5.2 apg, 3.4 spg), a 5-7 2020 point guard. 5-10 2020 wing Rylie Stephens (3.5 ppg in 4 games) will be able to have a major impact, now that she gets a full season after transferring in last year and having to wait until the state tournament to get on the floor. 5-2 2021 point guard Taylor Heath looks to get her first action as well, after missing the entire 2017-2018 season with an injury, and she should start immediately. 6-1 2021 post Bailey Stamper (3.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg) could draw the start in the pivot this season, but that’s not all. 5-5 2020 guard Grace Crist (4.6 ppg) is a nice perimeter shooting threat off the bench, while 5-2 2021 point guard Makenzie Ryle is a steady point guard with a great motor. 2020 forward Jaime Pyle (2.3 ppg) and 5-7 2019 forward Ryleigh McAllister are the next two most experienced players for the Tigers.   <ol start="50"> <li> [caption id="attachment_13547" align="alignright" width="230"] Logan Cox of East Central[/caption] 4A East Central H.S. (Saint Leon, IN)</li> </ol> The last team to make it into our Top-50 are the Trojans of East Central High School. Down near Cincinnati, East Central doesn’t get a lot of attention, but they put together solid teams year after year. This year they have great size up front, so it’s just a matter of their perimeter play be consistent enough for them to win ball games. Topping all returnees is 6-4 2019 post Alyssa Robben (11.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.6 bpg). She has improved each year, and she recently committed to Indiana State University. 6-2 2019 post Logan Cox (9.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.7 bpg) gives them a nice twin-tower, inside-out game, as Cox is able to play facing the basket in the high-post. 5-8 2021 forward Kyla Maxwell (5.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg) gave them great minutes a year ago as a Freshman, while 5-9 2019 forward Abby Koch (3.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg) and 5-10 2019 post Ashley McCool add to their frontcourt depth. Due to graduation losses, athletic 5-8 2020 wing Brilan McCory (9.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 3.2 apg) could very well become their primary ball-handler. 5-6 2020 guard Megan Caudy (3.0 ppg) and 5-6 2019 guard Lauren Weiler round out those returning with significant Varsity experience. The Trojans will have to adapt to the loss of Varsity mainstays Hayley Tippett (7.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.8 apg, 2.1 spg), a point guard, plus Lauryn Helton (7.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and Paige Hoog (3.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg), both forwards. All three graduated, and 2020 wing Tristyn Dennis transferred to Lawrenceburg High School.   Header photo of Riley Ott of LaPorte; photo courtesy of chicagotribune.com. Photo of Jordyn Barga courtesy of winchesternewsgazette.com. Photo of Ryin Ott courtesy of thenewsdispatch.com. Photo of Hanna Knoll courtesy of the Indiana Flight Twitter account. Photo of Rylie Stephens courtesy of shelbynews.com. Photo of Logan Cox courtesy of @davemdavemcc Twitter account.