Season Update: Conference Indiana

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id="99422" first="Anya" last="Friend"] of Bloomington High School South. Periodically throughout the season, I want to take the time to look in on several of the state’s conferences. I’ll take a peek at what teams are performing well, who the top prospects are, upcoming games, etc. Conference Indiana began in 1997 with 10 original schools, but it has seen quite a bit of change over the years, and now sits at just six remaining members. The original 10 included Bloomington North, Bloomington South, Columbus North, Decatur Central, Franklin Central, Lawrence Central, Martinsville, Perry Meridian, Pike, and Southport. Decatur Central and Martinsville exited in 2006. Lawrence Central and Pike did the same in 2013, but those two were replaced the same year with Terre Haute North Vigo and Terre Haute South Vigo. Then in 2018, both Franklin Central and Perry Meridian moved along to other conferences, leaving Conference Indiana with the six-school roster it has today. I had a hard time tracking down girls’ basketball conference championships before 2001, but over the last 20 years, Columbus North with eight titles (two shared), and Bloomington South with seven titles (one shared), stand out from the pack. Bloomington North (4), Perry Meridian (3), Martinsville (1), Pike (1), and Southport (1) have all claimed Conference Indiana girls’ basketball championships as well. Three of the six schools sit above .500, while three are under .500 in terms of overall winning percentage. Bloomington South and Columbus North have been their usual selves to begin the season, but Terre Haute North Vigo has also gotten off to a nice start. As for scheduling, a couple of them put together rather aggressive schedules each year, preparing themselves for what’s to come in the state tournament, while a couple of schools are also typically outside of the Top-100. Additionally, each of these schools has produced small college talent pretty regularly, while a couple of them roster a Division-I prospect or two in most seasons.   <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 25%;">School</td> <td style="width: 25%;">Record</td> <td style="width: 25%;">Conference</td> <td style="width: 25%;">Schedule Strength</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 25%;">Bloomington South</td> <td style="width: 25%;">7-4</td> <td style="width: 25%;">3-0</td> <td style="width: 25%;">30</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 25%;">Columbus North</td> <td style="width: 25%;">5-2</td> <td style="width: 25%;">2-0</td> <td style="width: 25%;">11</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 25%;">Bloomington North</td> <td style="width: 25%;">4-8</td> <td style="width: 25%;">1-1</td> <td style="width: 25%;">100</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 25%;">Southport</td> <td style="width: 25%;">2-11</td> <td style="width: 25%;">1-3</td> <td style="width: 25%;">74</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 25%;">Terre Haute North Vigo</td> <td style="width: 25%;">7-3</td> <td style="width: 25%;">0-1</td> <td style="width: 25%;">140</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 25%;">Terre Haute South Vigo</td> <td style="width: 25%;">4-6</td> <td style="width: 25%;">0-2</td> <td style="width: 25%;">262</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Schedule strength is figured out of 400 qualifying schools in the state, regardless of classification.   Bloomington South Despite the 7-4 start, I’m sure the Panthers have a couple of games they’d like to get back already. They do have a trio of Conference Indiana wins over Southport, Terre Haute North Vigo, and Bloomington North to start the conference season 3-0. They’ve also recently knocked off a very nice Center Grove squad. South takes the floor again next week in the Scottsburg Tournament, but they have quite the schedule in January, with matchups against Brown County, Columbus North, Mooresville, and Martinsville still looming. The Columbus North game could decide the Conference Indiana champion this season. The Panthers bring a nice mixture of veteran experience and youthful athleticism to the table this year. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="99410" first="Brooke" last="Grinstead"] has really improved her all-around game over the last calendar year. She has always been a nice perimeter shooter, but now her versatility allows her to contribute in a variety of ways each time out. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="99422" first="Anya" last="Friend"] is a strong and physical front-liner at the defensive end, plus she plays with outstanding energy, but she is another very good perimeter shooter who can cause matchup problems. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="61038" first="Kendall" last="Harmon"] has solid ball skill and the ability to run offense, but she too can bury shots from deep. Freshman forward [player_tooltip player_id="201876" first="Abbie" last="Lucas"] and Sophomore forward Raine Rolen bring height, length, and a lot of athleticism to the lineup as well. They are aggressive rebounders, solid defenders, and they can play inside-out offensively. Columbus North The Bulldogs have been the class of this conference for the last decade or so, and they’ve begun this season 5-2, with their losses being to #11 Franklin Community and #14 Lawrence North. Columbus North also has a couple of impressive wins over very good Martinsville and Castle programs, but they find themselves in a holding pattern right now due to COVID related issues. The Bulldogs haven’t played a game since December 5, and their next scheduled outing is next Tuesday (12/29) when they host their own tournament that includes Castle, Cathedral, Eastern (Pekin), Jeffersonville, Mooresville, and Zionsville Community. Additionally, they have January non-conference games against Ben Davis, East Central, Silver Creek, and Roncalli that should definitely provide quite the challenge. When you talk about Columbus North’s personnel this year, you first have to look at Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="99361" first="Alexa" last="McKinley"] (11.0p, 5.0r, 4.3a). She has been a steady element in their lineup since her rookie year, but they are also getting great balance from the rest of the lineup. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="127215" first="Lauren" last="Barker"] (11.9p, 2.0r) actually leads the Bulldogs in scoring, Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="128155" first="Kylah" last="Lawson"] (10.9p, 9.3r, 3.0s) has continued her confident, assertive play from the Summer/Fall, while Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="130356" first="Madison" last="White"] (10.1p, 4.0r) is a dangerous perimeter shooter with height and length. Sophomore guard Emma Long (5.1p, 2.7r) provides another skillful backcourt option, while Senior post Emily Herndon (3.3p, 3.7r) and Junior post [player_tooltip player_id="243566" first="Andrea" last="Justis"] (3.7r) offer size and strength upfront. Bloomington North The Cougars are taking the "trial by fire" approach this season, as they are leaning heavily on three youngsters to lead them each night. They have still managed to win four early season games, and they’ve picked up a big Conference Indiana win already. Looking down the road, they have opportunities in January to match last season’s eight-win total, which would be huge considering their inexperience, and the fact Bloomington North hasn’t won double-digit games since they won 15 during the 2010-2011 season. Freshmen [player_tooltip player_id="239355" first="Ava" last="Reitmeyer"] (11.8p, 2.0r) and [player_tooltip player_id="239356" first="Mia" last="Robbennolt"] (11.6p, 4.8r, 2.0a, 2.9s) are the Cougars double-figure scorers midway through the season. Reitmeyer, a guard, and Robbennolt, a forward, are both still-growing, skillful, and versatile in their style of play. The third leading scorer is just a Sophomore, and that’s wing Mallory Barrow (8.8p, 4.5r). She has nice touch around the perimeter. A trio of Seniors round out the core rotation North uses each game. Elyse Goad (5.1p, 5.5r) and [player_tooltip player_id="99366" first="Casey" last="Thomas"] (4.8p, 4.2r, 2.4a) provide rebounding and defense along the frontline, while Stephanie Nicola (3.3r) is a forward who helps inside and out. Southport Southport is down it’s top three scorers from last year’s 12-win team due to graduation taking its toll. But the Cardinals aren’t making excuses, and after losing nine in a row to begin the year, they have now won two of their last four, including a Conference Indiana matchup against Terre Haute South Vigo. The Greensburg Tournament next Wednesday looks to be daunting for Southport, but there are a few more winnable contests in January that should help them approach a half dozen wins or so, if they continue this sudden surge. Junior guard Miranda Deane (10.0p, 5.8r, 2.5a, 2.6s) and Senior post Maddy Newhouse (8.7p, 6.8r) return the most experience for the Cardinals. Sophomore wing CeCe Mitchell (5.9p, 5.0r), Senior forward Gracie Cherry (5.7p, 4.0r), and Sophomore forward Lela Scott (5.0p, 3.6r, 2.3a) all saw a little floor time a year ago, but each has stepped into much more prominent roles this season and produced in their own way. Junior wing Taleah Nool (2.1p, 2.2r) provides some depth for Southport. Terre Haute North Vigo While the Patriots did fall to Bloomington South and began the Conference Indiana season 0-1, they are off to a 7-3 start overall, and their backcourt is something to be reckoned with. They have a seven-point loss to a solid Avon squad and a one-point loss against a good Mooresville team as well, but they have bounced back to win five in a row, including a really nice 60-51 victory over Plainfield just yesterday. They head to Batesville next Wednesday for a tournament that includes #11 Franklin Community, the remainder of their conference season is in January, plus they have non-conference matchups against Linton-Stockton and Brownsburg in their future. Leading the charge for North Vigo is Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="128154" first="Zoe" last="Stewart"] (21.8p, 5.8r, 3.3a, 2.0s). The dynamic playmaker can score the ball at all three levels, plus she’s great at separating from the defender and creating her own shot. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="59763" first="Preslee" last="Michael"] (10.0p, 3.0r) is a strong-for-her-size, gritty, tough-nosed combo guard who can knock down shots outside or attack the basket. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="184238" first="Anslee" last="Michael"] (5.3p) is also feisty, she’s quick/fast, and she can get into gaps and cause problems. Junior post Halie Gilbert (6.3p, 7.5r) has really stepped up this year to provide a presence in the paint for the Patriots. Freshman forward Mallory Millington (4.0p, 4.3r) and Junior forward I’Jaynae Campbell (4.0p, 5.0r) add to the frontcourt depth for North Vigo. Terre Haute South Vigo The Lady Braves’ schedule reads like a softball schedule during the rainy season. With so many postponements and makeup games, it’s hard to keep track. As we all try to find some continuity in the 2020-2021 season, it has been as tough on South Vigo as anyone. Somewhere throughout all of that rescheduling, they have managed to play ten games and pick up four wins along the way, including a nice 43-39 outcome against county rival West Vigo this Monday. The Braves welcomed back Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="22702" first="Zayda" last="Hatfield"] (19.5p, 7.7r, 4.0a, 2.2s, 2.8b) this year, after she injured her knee during the last game of the 2019-2020 regular season. She is an athletic and skillful combo guard who sees the floor well but can also create offense out of virtually nothing. Senior classmates Paityn Shipley (7.1p, 4.4r, 3.5a), a guard, and Kiersten Padgett (7.1p, 6.6r, 2.4s), a wing, plus Junior forward Paige Baldwin (6.9p, 6.4r), provide offensive support and bring experience to the South Vigo lineup. Junior wing Carmen Ellis (3.4p, 4.3r), Freshman guard Presley White (2.0p), and Senior wing Niree Evans (2.0p) round out the core rotation for the Braves.