Top Backcourts In Class 4A

Indiana has always been known for its strong guard play, and this year Class 4A is home to several really nice backcourt groups. This was incredibly difficult to choose just five in Class 4A, as there are maybe 10 or 12 who could be legitimately argued in the Top-5. We initially focused our selections on a team’s three best guards / wings, then narrowed down the list based on depth. We’ve attempted to list as many of each school’s perimeter players as we are aware of. The teams who made the cut are arranged alphabetically by school name.   [caption id="attachment_11226" align="alignright" width="211"] Ally Becki (#22) of Brownsburg[/caption] Brownsburg H.S. (Brownsburg, IN) The backcourt for the Bulldogs is actually their biggest strength, and its core should be intact this season and next. Playing younger kids last year, Brownsburg won a Sectional and produced nearly 20 wins along the way, so there’s a great deal of excitement surrounding this group and the program in general. 5-7 2021 guard Ally Becki (11.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.7 apg, 3.0 spg) led the Bulldogs in scoring, rebounding, steals, FG%, 3-point FG%, and FT% as just a Freshman. Unfortunately for opponents, they must deal with her for three more seasons. She is very active, athletic, quick, and feisty. She can play either guard spot equally well, and she has Division-I offers / interest already coming in. Her primary backcourt mate is 5-6 2020 guard Allison Bosse (11.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.3 spg). Bosse was actually one of my favorite players to watch over the Summer. She is just tremendously steady and skilled. She can also play either guard spot, and she’s more naturally a point guard, but she can hit shots, get to the basket, and she defends hard. On the wing, 5-9 2020 small forward Mackenzie Stien (8.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg) plays with a tremendous motor, she has some strength and can play physically, but she has good skill and can play with finesse as well. 5-8 2019 wing Naomi Hege (3.3 ppg) gives them a nice athletic option off the bench, and she’s good attacking the basket. 5-6 2019 guard Kyleigh Leaf (2.6 ppg) and 5-5 2020 guard Mackenzie Bedrick also have quality Varsity experience. Look for 5-7 2020 guard Tori Olmstead and 5-7 2021 guard Logan Lewis to possibly be in the mix more this season as well. [caption id="attachment_10406" align="alignleft" width="275"] Emma Utterback of Center Grove[/caption] Center Grove H.S. (Greenwood, IN) It’s not often that a team loses an Indiana All-Star and Big Ten commit and might be deeper. That very well could be the case for Center Grove, though, as they had several younger players get their feet wet on Varsity last year, and they all now return with much better experience, providing the Trojans with a great deal of depth. The backcourt duo of 5-8 2019 guard Emma Utterback (8.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.1 apg) and 5-6 2019 point guard Ella Thompson (8.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.0 apg, 36 made 3s) should really see their numbers increase this season. Utterback is a long, fluid, and smooth combo guard who can distribute or score the ball in bunches. Thompson is more of a traditional point guard who is a very good perimeter shooter with deep range. 5-8 combo guard Claire Rake (3.6 ppg), 5-6 wing Ashley Eck (2.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg), and 5-9 small forward Mary Wilson (2.3 ppg) are all Juniors now. They are three of those aforementioned kids who got some opportunity a year ago, but who should see significant increases in their roles this time around. Rake and Wilson were very good throughout the Summer season. 5-7 2020 guard Alaina Frankel is a tireless worker and a versatile guard who should see her role increase as well after she too had a strong Summer. Also look for 5-7 2020 small forward Emily Rake and 5-10 2022 small forward Katie Egenolf to possibly carve out roles as well. Egenolf is already drawing some Division-I interest. [caption id="attachment_15535" align="alignright" width="180"] Ari Wiggins of Heritage Christian[/caption] Heritage Christian School (Indianapolis, IN) With the graduation of Katlyn Gilbert and Hadassah Harris, Heritage Christian might seem like they are down this season. In actuality, they have four really nice backcourt performers who are back; they’re talented and they’ve just been waiting for their opportunities to play bigger roles. 5-8 2021 point guard Ariana Wiggins is the one player back who did start last season. She is a dynamic and athletic playmaker who just plays with a steadiness to her. She doesn’t turn it over, she is a pass-first kid, but this year I’d expect her to take on more of a scoring role for this team. 5-9 2020 guard Sydney Watkins is a long and smoothly athletic wing guard. She can make plays off the dribble and find teammates, she can put up points in bunches as well, but she’s a tremendous defender. 5-5 2019 point guard Madison Ferguson is a heady, crafty, and feisty little guard. She can really handle the ball, she can hit shots with range, and she is capable of making plays at both ends of the floor. Lastly, there’s Tyranny Brown. She is a strong, athletic, 5-7 2021 wing who plays with a lot of energy and looks to attack the basket off the dribble constantly. Needless to say, I wouldn’t take this group for granted. [caption id="attachment_15536" align="alignleft" width="225"] Katie Davidson of Lawrence North[/caption] Lawrence North H.S. (Indianapolis, IN) Lawrence North was dealt a major blow when 2019 wing Trinity Brady opted for prep school this season. But never fear, as the Lady Wildcats are deep with talent at the perimeter positions. 5-11 2020 wing Katie Davidson (9.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg) is a difficult matchup for opponents, because she’s strong enough to defend the interior, but she’s a nice athlete on the perimeter, she can handle it and shoot it, and she’s so strong and aggressive attacking the basket. I anticipate her having one of the biggest jumps statistically due to the loss of Brady. 5-5 2020 point guard Kristian Young (7.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.1 spg) is an absolute jet and flies around the floor at both ends. She is long, feisty, and she is a pest defensively. The player who could surprise a lot of people this season is 5-9 2021 guard Jayla Smith. A year ago, at the beginning of the season, she was a 5-5 JV player. But as the season wore on, she kept growing and making plays, eventually becoming a steady Varsity contributor. She is a pure shooter who is still growing, and she’s catching the eye of many Division-I schools. As far as depth goes, Lawrence North can look to 5-9 2019 wing Ashley Hayes, 5-10 2019 small forward Maddie Howe, and 5-5 2020 guard Kalyn Erwin for help. Hayes is a long athlete who is best attacking the basket, Howe specializes as a perimeter shooter but has good size and length, and Erwin is a strong, quick little guard who can make plays off the bounce. I think the Wildcat backcourt will be just fine this season.   [caption id="attachment_15537" align="alignright" width="184"] Jordyn Smith of Penn[/caption] Penn H.S. (Mishawaka, IN) Penn is yet another team with great backcourt depth. They also played several younger girls a year ago, and that should greatly benefit this team from an experience standpoint this time around. 5-5 2021 point guard Jordyn Smith (9.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.5 spg) came in as a Freshman and just worked. She is a strong, physical, tough-nosed guard who is great attacking the basket. Her sister, 5-3 2019 point guard Jayda Smith (9.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.2 spg in 2016-2017 at Bishop Dwenger), makes her first appearance for the Kingsmen after transferring in from Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger and then missing last season with an ACL injury. She is a quick and crafty little guard who is great with the ball. 5-7 2021 wing Trinity Clinton (7.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.1 spg) is another strong, tough-nosed, and physical Sophomore who played a lot a season ago. 5-8 2020 guard Reganne Pate (6.3 ppg, 51 made 3s) is one of the state’s best shooters, and she had an outstanding Summer and looks stronger. 5-9 2019 wing Makenzie Kilmer is a do-everything Swiss Army Knife, who can play any perimeter position and who has multiple years of Varsity experience. 5-6 2019 guard Hannah Bobo, 5-8 2019 guard Chloe Foley, 5-4 2020 guard Delayne Sanchez, and 5-3 2021 guard Grace Schutt have all seen limited Varsity minutes and could provide depth this year. Also look for skilled 5-7 2022 point guard Gracie Bobo to eventually find her way on to the Varsity floor. Also Heavily Considered Were: Fishers Fort Wayne South Side Homestead Lafayette Jefferson North Central-Indianapolis South Bend Saint Joseph West Lafayette Harrison   Header photo of Brownsburg High School's gym; photo courtesy of meyer-najem.com. Photo of Ally Becki courtesy of flyergroup.com. Photo of Emma Utterback courtesy of Team Indiana's team page. Photo of Ariana Wiggins courtesy of indystar.com. Photo of Katie Davidson courtesy of the Lawrence North Twitter account. Photo of Jordyn Smith courtesy of pennant.phmschools.org.