Midseason Review: Class 1A

As we approach the new calendar year, I wanted to take the time to highlight a few storylines that have begun to develop throughout the first half of the 2018-2019 high school season.  Below are a handful of items in Class 1A that I thought stood out to me so far this season.  Classes 2A, 3A, and 4A will follow over the weekend. &nbsp; <strong>COLLISION COURSE</strong> Last season Marquette Catholic and Vincennes Rivet matched up in the State Finals, and so far this season it looks like those two teams are on a potential collision course to meet a second time in as many years.  Marquette is again getting stellar play from twin sisters <strong>Emma &amp; Sophia Nolan</strong>.  The 6-1 Seniors are both scoring and rebounding the ball at a high level, and Marquette has posted an impressive 10-1 record with their only loss coming in their opening game to Class 4A #1 North Central, 65-63.  Nine of their ten wins have come by 29 or more points, with Elkhart Central (62-51) being the anomaly there.  Rivet has done similar damage to opponents, starting the season with a 14-0 record.  They’ve had a few closer contests than Marquette, but they have an extremely impressive win to their credit against 11-3 Class 4A Castle, 66-57.  Senior forward <strong>Grace Waggoner</strong> has had an outstanding season for Rivet. &nbsp; <strong>VETERAN LEADERSHIP</strong> [caption id="attachment_22173" align="alignright" width="172"] <em>Ariel Dale of Northfield</em>[/caption] Northfield has as many experienced Seniors as anyone in the state in Class 1A.  Point Guard <strong>Kelcie Thomson </strong>and Shooting Guard <strong>Ariel Dale</strong> have been Varsity starters since their Freshman year, and their combination of skill and leadership have helped Northfield to a 10-2 start to the season.  Wing <strong>Ally Keaffaber</strong> and Forward <strong>Melanie Beery</strong> have started off and on throughout the 4-year Varsity careers, while Senior <strong>Abbey Ross</strong> has three years of Varsity experience under her belt.  Add to that a talented Sophomore class which dominated area competition throughout middle school, and the Norse have a chance to make some real noise throughout February.  Their 2021 class provides four key contributors to the lineup this season. &nbsp; <strong>THE “U” (<em>not the one in Miami</em>)</strong> University High School is a private school located in Carmel, Indiana, and the program has been getting better and better each season.  This year could be their time to shine, as they have an impressive group of Juniors and Seniors leading the way, and they’ve started the year 13-1, with their only loss coming at the hands of Class 3A New Castle.  6-2 Junior Forward <strong>Lindsey Syrek</strong> is the best of the bunch, providing scoring, rebounding, and a shot-blocking presence at the defensive end of the floor.  Seniors <strong>Jenna Blakley</strong>, <strong>Jhordan McGuire</strong>, <strong>Brooke Andrus</strong>, and <strong>Lily Snyder</strong> all play key roles in the lineup for the Trailblazers.  The wildcard for them could be Junior Wing <strong>Maddi Sears</strong>, who began playing after Thanksgiving this season.  As she gets acclimated to the rotation, look for her output to step up quite a bit. &nbsp; <strong>TECUMSEH TURNING HEADS</strong> In recent memory, when you talk about girls’ basketball in Warrick County, the attention usually turns to Class 4A Castle High School.  But this season, there is another team making some noise in the area.  The Lady Braves have gotten outstanding play from Freshman Forward <strong>Kaybree Oxley</strong> during the first half of the season, as she’s averaging nearly a double-double.  Junior <strong>Chloe Holder</strong>, Seniors <strong>Dalina Meyer</strong> &amp; <strong>Kaitlyn Helfert</strong>, and Sophomore <strong>Gracee Sullivan</strong> have helped lead Tecumseh to a 12-1 start…their best start in the 2000s.  They’ll have to deal with Springs Valley in the Sectional and potentially Vincennes Rivet in the Regional, but the Lady Braves could be a Southern Indiana “sleeper” this postseason. &nbsp; <strong>WHO IS THIS TEAM?!?</strong> [caption id="attachment_22174" align="alignright" width="178"] <em>Rylee Dowers of North Vermillion</em>[/caption] After posting just a 12-13 record last season, the North Vermillion Falcons (12-0) have had their share of success in the past, especially in the early 2000s.  But they haven’t won 12 games in a row to start the year since the 2002-2003 season when they rattled off 26 straight wins before falling narrowly (57-55) in the State Finals that year.  Junior Guard <strong>Rylee Dowers</strong> and Sophomore Wing <strong>McKenzie Crowder</strong> are both averaging more than 13 points per game on the season, to lead the Falcons at the midpoint.  Seniors <strong>Kahrie Balding</strong> and <strong>Cierra Chevrount</strong> provide balance and Varsity experience to the team.  North Vermillion does have a handful of tough opponents the rest of the way, so an undefeated regular season will be tough, but it is definitely achievable. &nbsp; <em>Header photo of the 2018 State Finals between Marquette and Rivet; photo courtesy of www.courierpress.com.  Photo of Ariel Dale courtesy of wabashcountysports.com.  Photo of Rylee Dowers courtesy of her own Twitter account.</em>