The Thanksgiving Third: Class 2A

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id="128209" first="Abigail" last="Tomblin"] (2022) of South Central High School (Union Mills, Indiana). There are 13 weeks of regular season games scheduled during the IHSAA girls’ basketball season each year, and Thanksgiving weekend represents roughly the first third of the season by weeks. Most teams have played four, six, even eight or more games at this point, so it’s time to look back at the first third of the 2021-2022 season and look at which teams are hot, who’s trending up, and who’s playing unexpectedly, along with some additional notes from Class 2A.   The Usual Suspects Over the last few seasons, the names Tipton, Winchester, and Triton Central have been uttered on many occasions in mid-February, as they have established strong reputations for being top Class 2A teams in Indiana. The Tipton Blue Devils were in the 2020-2021 Class 2A State Finals, falling to an outstanding Linton-Stockton program. But with no Seniors on their roster, the Blue Devils are a comfortable bet to make it back to downtown Indianapolis in a couple of months. They are a solid 4-1 to begin the season, with their only loss (by two points) coming at the hands of an always game Northwestern Tigers squad. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="61070" first="Ella" last="Wolfe"] (13.5p, 2.3r, 2.0a, 3.3s) again leads Tipton in scoring, plus she’s one of the better defensive players in Class 2A. 6-3 Junior post [player_tooltip player_id="127234" first="Ashlee" last="Schram"] (13.3p, 11.0r, 1.5a, 2.8s, 1.5b) is again averaging a double-double, and she is a highly skilled, intelligent, physical post who can score it from a number of locations on the floor. Senior wings Olivia Spidel (7.3p, 3.3r, 1.0a) and [player_tooltip player_id="61076" first="Abigail" last="Parker"] (7.0p, 2.5r, 2.0s) give the lineup a pair of seasoned veterans who can both shoot the ball from all levels, plus both play with nice motors and are willing defenders/rebounders. Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id="264121" first="Hallie" last="Wolfe"] (4.0p, 2.3a, 1.7s) and Sophomore forward Kaiya Money (3.8p, 1.0a, 1.5s) also gained some experience a year ago, plus both give them nice steppingstones into the future. This isn’t an "invincible" group, as is evidenced by their loss already, but they are a team who has all the pieces to control their own destiny this season. Winchester actually falls back down to Class 2A, after a two-year stint in Class 3A due to the IHSAA’s success factor, following their appearances in the 2018 and 2019 Class 2A State Finals. Ironically enough, they also landed in the same Sectional as Tipton (above), and they should definitely give the Blue Devils all they can handle. To this point, Winchester is a strong 6-0, with nice victories over the likes of Lawrence Central and Jay County. 5-11 Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="127219" first="Caitlyn" last="Campbell"] leads the Golden Falcons into battle, and she is one of the more under-the-radar prospects in Indiana’s 2023 class. She has nice length, fluid and smooth athleticism, plus she plays sort of a point forward role for Winchester. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="300078" first="Morgan" last="Lawrence"] is the younger sister of all-everything 2019 graduate Madeline Lawrence, who is now at Indiana Wesleyan University. The Golden Falcons have a number of other experienced players on their roster, but most importantly, they have great depth, balance, and versatility throughout their lineup. Then there is Triton Central, and the Tigers never seem to go away, no matter what they suffer in terms of graduation losses. They are 7-0 right now, with nice wins over strong groups from Cascade and Eastern Hancock, plus they have a nice win over a young but talented Greensburg team. Triton Central is led by a trio of double-figure scorers. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="128141" first="Olivia" last="Faust"] (13.4p, 6.0r, 4.9a, 3.4s) transferred in from Franklin Central and has given them a huge boost offensively. She’s a big-time perimeter shooter with deep range. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="96081" first="Lizzie" last="Graham"] (12.7p, 3.1r, 1.6a, 1.0s) seems to improve each time I see her. She is strong, tough-nosed, and physical, but she has also worked on her skillset a great deal, plus she’s a nice perimeter shooter. Junior wing Maddy Brown (10.1p, 4.4r, 2.7a, 2.0s) gives them versatility, as she can handle it or shoot/score in whatever capacity they need. 6-0 Sophomore post Brooklyn Bailey (8.4p, 5.6r, 1.0s) has also improved a great deal and gives them a much-needed interior presence.   Keep An Eye On... You definitely want to pay attention to what South Central (Union Mills), Fairfield, and Eastern Hancock are putting together this early in the season. All three teams expected to be good this year, but they have each gotten off to tremendous starts. The Satellites of South Central are a robust 8-0 to begin the year, and they have won each game by 21 or more points, including wins against solid programs like Triton, New Prairie, John Glenn, and Kouts. They have a nice mixture of experienced upperclassmen, blended with a good group of younger talent. Senior [player_tooltip player_id="128209" first="Abigail" last="Tomblin"] (18.7p, 2.0r, 3.8a, 3.7s) is off to a strong start after a nice grassroots season. She is a strong, tough-nosed combo guard who can do a little of everything effectively. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="203664" first="Olivia" last="Marks"] (12.3p, 6.5r, 1.3a, 2.5s, 1.2b) is a nice athlete with wiry strength, plus she’s skilled at all three levels. Senior wing Delanie Gale (12.2p, 2.8r, 2.3a) is a unique kid who is very strong and physical, but she has solid ball skill and can knock down open shots. Junior [player_tooltip player_id="59782" first="Lillian" last="Tolmen"] (5.8p, 3.5r, 1.7a, 2.2s) and Senior Lauren Bowmar (5.3p, 5.7r, 1.7a) add more experience to the lineup, while Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id="201877" first="Sadie" last="Marks"] (2.5p, 4.5r) is as talented as anyone on the roster and could post a double-double on any given night. The Fairfield Falcons are also an undefeated 8-0 to start the season, and they have some nice performances against Northfield, Goshen, and Angola. Six of their eight wins have been by 24 points or more. They have leaned heavily on 6-0 Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="59749" first="Brea" last="Garber"] in the past, and this year is no different. Her ability to play inside-out, post smaller defenders on the block, play effectively in the mid-post, plus handle the ball a little outside and knock down 3-pointers consistently, make her a tremendously difficult matchup for most opponents. The Falcons have gotten more help for her this season, and with that new balance, they look to approach 20 wins by season’s end...something they haven’t done in four seasons. The Royals of Eastern Hancock, however, have played as many as 13 girls at the Varsity level already this season, and the 8-1 Royals have gone toe to toe with some quality opponents. They defeated a tough Rushville program, nearly upset Triton Central (EHHS’s lone loss), they’ve beaten rival Shenandoah, and they have a 4OT win against a nice Wapahani squad. There is quite a "sister act" going on in Charlottesville, as Sophomore Sammie Bolding (11.5p, 1.9r, 1.6a, 3.9s) and Junior Emma Bolding (10.1p, 5.1r, 1.8s) lead the way for Eastern Hancock. Add to that Junior [player_tooltip player_id="241193" first="Grace" last="Stapleton"] (8.8p, 4.9r, 5.0a, 3.0s) and Senior Caroline Stapleton (7.0p, 1.9r, 2.0a, 2.7s), and it’s easy to see the familial ties for the Royals. Sophomores Makenzie O’Neal (8.4p, 5.3r, 1.6a, 2.3s), Ruby White (6.9p, 6.0r, 1.8a, 2.3s, 1.7b), and Sydney Springman (4.4p, 2.3r, 1.6s) round out the core of their rotation.   Don’t Be Surprised... It wouldn’t at all shock me to see the collection of Rensselaer Central, Eastbrook, and/or Andrean giving people problems in the Regional rounds (or later). Rensselaer Central is off to their best start since the 2005-2006 season, and the Lady Bombers look to be a strong, balanced group with a nice mixture of experience and youthful energy. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="61079" first="Jessie" last="Ringen"] is an athletic and strong prospect who can run, jump, and compete with the best of them in Class 2A. Over the years, she has greatly improved her all-around skillset, so she can act as a point forward, a shooting guard, or battle in the mid-post or around the block. Senior front-liner Abby Ahler gives them a strong rebounding presence and interior scorer, while Senior forward Morgan Van Meter brings more versatility and experience to the lineup. Freshmen Taylor Van Meter and Jesi Fleming will also have an impact on this program before it’s all said and done. The Lady Bombers are 8-2 at this point, with nice wins over North Judson-San Pierre, Knox, and North White, but they do find themselves in the same Sectional as South Central (above), so that should be a key matchup in February. The Eastbrook Panthers don’t get a lot of attention, and now that they are in the same Sectional as both Tipton (above) and Winchester (above), it’s going to be that much more difficult. However, two seasons ago Eastbrook upset Tipton in the Sectional and advanced to the Regional, so don’t put it past the Panthers this year either. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="239351" first="Sophia" last="Morrison"] (15.0p, 3.0a, 3.0s) is a strong, athletic, skillful guard who can really shoot the basketball, with range well-beyond the 3-point line. She is their biggest threat offensively, and she can change games quickly. Sophomore Olivia Howell (10.7p, 7.7r, 2.0a, 2.7s) has really stepped up this season to give them another threat in all areas of the floor. Senior Lily McLaughlin (10.7p, 4.0r, 1.7s) has also gotten off to a quick start, given them a third double-digit scoring threat. Senior [player_tooltip player_id="243590" first="Johwen" last="McKim"] (6.7p, 3.0r, 4.7a, 5.0s) is a dynamic playmaker with elite speed and quickness. She can create and find teammates or break down defenses and score it herself. Watch for her scoring numbers to rise as the season continues. The Panthers are 5-1 right now, with their lone loss to a quality Norwell team. They have some tougher matchups coming up in Frankton, Alexandria-Monroe, and Taylor before Christmas Break. Andrean suffered some big-time graduation losses, plus they lost an experienced Junior forward who transferred out over the Summer, so the fact they are 5-2 right now with their losses being to Class 4A State Champ Crown Point and Class 4A Merrillville is a testament to how much depth they truly had a season ago. A pair of Junior guards lead the way for the 59ers this season. [player_tooltip player_id="127214" first="Tori" last="Allen"] (13.6p, 3.0r, 2.4a, 1.6s) was one of their leaders last year, and her skill, talent, and experience are welcomed this time around. She is a highly accurate shooter, a nice all-around athlete, and a capable ball-handler who can run offense for them. The other returning guard is [player_tooltip player_id="300077" first="Lauren" last="Colon"] (10.6p, 2.8r, 2.2a, 1.4s). She played a nice role for Andrean last year, and she is another capable perimeter shooter who can also handle the ball and initiate the offense for the 59ers. Freshman wing [player_tooltip player_id="295810" first="Lindsay" last="Arcella"] (5.4p, 5.0r, 2.8a, 1.8s) and 6-0 Freshman front-liner Maddie Walton (2.4p, 7.2r) have made their presence felt as well, and both should only get better as the season wears on. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="128200" first="Lauryn" last="Swain"] (5.4p, 2.2r) and Senior guard Sarah Morley (3.6p, 2.6r) have seen their roles expand a bit, but they have both stepped up nicely thus far.