Conference Look-In: Northern Lakes Conference

As we enter 2023, I wanted to continue taking the time to highlight some of the better conferences in the state. I'll take a quick look at the teams at the top, statistical leaders, players on the rise, a top Freshman, plus an under-the-radar recruit. In order to select which conferences get the first glance, I've taken the Sagarin ratings (as of 12/4/22) of each team in each conference and averaged them out to give each conference a "score", if you will. As for individual statistical leaders, I am working off of whatever has currently been provided on MaxPreps. If your team's stats on MaxPreps are incomplete, I apologize, but please ask your coach to put them there if you would like to be considered for stat-based portions in the future.   NLC Team Standings: Warsaw Community (15-4 overall, 6-0 HHC) Northridge (17-4, 4-1) Wawasee (9-10, 4-3) Plymouth (7-11, 3-2) Goshen (11-8, 2-3) NorthWood (11-9, 2-4) Mishawaka (10-8, 1-4) Concord (4-15, 0-6)   The Northern Lakes Conference is highly competitive each season, and there are often multiple teams found in the Sagarin Top-40 in the state. Warsaw and Northridge are typically near the top, while many of the other programs have put together several strong seasons in the 2000s. So far this year, Warsaw has been the class of the conference, as they edged Northridge 53-52 just a week ago. The Lady Tigers have one conference game left against Concord, so anything short of a major upset by the Minutemen, and Warsaw should be NLC champions this year. They have also beaten notable statewide programs like Crown Point, Ben Davis, and Carroll (Fort Wayne) this season. Northridge has also posted an impressive resume, defeating opponents like Crown Point, Carroll (Fort Wayne), Penn, and Andrean. Wawasee has been a pleasant surprise after seeing a lot of production leave with 2022 graduates. With a number of Sophomores and Juniors stepping up, they have a couple of nice years ahead of them.   NLC Statistical Leaders:   <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-regular"><table><tbody><tr><td>Scoring Leaders:</td><td>Rebounding Leaders:</td><td>Assist Leaders:</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='177328' first='Kyra' last='Hill'], 2024, GHS: 15.9</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='570370' first='Claire' last='Payne'], 2025, NW: 12.0</td><td>Breyana Cline, 2023, GHS: 3.2</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='203654' first='Eva' last='Fisher'], 2023, NR: 15.1</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='177328' first='Kyra' last='Hill'], 2024, GHS: 10.6</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='324082' first='Abbey' last='Peterson'], 2025, WCHS: 2.8</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='372343' first='Taylor' last='Delp'], 2023, PHS: 12.8</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='241192' first='Tyra' last='Marcum'], 2023, GHS: 10.2</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='203654' first='Eva' last='Fisher'], 2023, NR: 2.6</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   .   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Steals Leaders:</td><td>3-Pointers Made:</td><td>Free Throw %:</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='923155' first='Mackenzie' last='Hackleman'], 2025, WHS: 3.3</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='403531' first='Brooke' last='Zartman'], 2026, WCHS: 45</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='177318' first='Morgan' last='Cross'], 2024, NR: 84%</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='567138' first='Aaniyah' last='Bonner'], 2026, NW: 2.9</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='203654' first='Eva' last='Fisher'], 2023, NR: 40</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='177328' first='Kyra' last='Hill'], 2024, GHS: 81%</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='177318' first='Morgan' last='Cross'], 2024, NR: 2.5</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='923155' first='Mackenzie' last='Hackleman'], 2025, WHS: 29</td><td>Haylee Heflin, 2025, NW: 79%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   .   On The Rise: [player_tooltip player_id='177328' first='Kyra' last='Hill'], 2024, 6-2 F/C, Goshen H.S. - I've talked about Kyra a few times over the last calendar year, and for good reason. Last Spring, Kyra looked so much more confident and assertive, and she just continues to improve her play because of it. She has a solid to strong frame, length, and she's a nice all-around athlete at her size. She has good hands and feet, skill around the low block, but she can also play facing the basket, handle it a little and knock down the occasional 3-pointer. On the season, she is averaging 15.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 2.7 blocked shots per game, while also shooting 34% (20-58) from 3-point range and an impressive 81% (52-64) from the free throw line.   Under-The-Radar Recruit: [player_tooltip player_id='177318' first='Morgan' last='Cross'], 2024, 5-7 G, Northridge H.S. - Morgan entered high school as more of a traditional point guard, but as she has grown and gained strength, it has really helped her versatility, and she has become a more balanced, versatile, all-around guard. Morgan has nice length at her height, she is a solid athlete, and she plays with a nice motor. She doesn't shoot it often outside, but she can shoot it, and with a little range. She can still slide over and handle the ball, initiate the offense, etc., however her ability to score the ball at all three levels, her willingness to rebound her position so well, and her versatility and strength defensively suggest she's probably a better '2' at this point.   Impressive Freshman: [player_tooltip player_id='403531' first='Brooke' last='Zartman'], 2026, 5-7 G, Warsaw Community H.S. - On a relatively young Warsaw squad, Brooke found immediate minutes in November, though she's talented and skilled enough that she likely would have anyway. She has a wiry-strong/athletic frame, she moves well in all directions, and she can play either guard spot equally well. She can handle it and run offense for the Tigers, and she's good enough on the ball she can be recruited as a point guard. However, she is such a natural, multilevel scorer and a talented shooter, so you probably want to run her off of screens and create scoring opportunities for her. She is 50-127 (39%) from 3-point range as a rookie, and she's averaging 12.8 points per game.

As we enter 2023, I wanted to continue taking the time to highlight some of the better conferences in the state. I'll take a quick look at the teams at the top, statistical leaders, players on the rise, a top Freshman, plus an under-the-radar recruit. In order to select which conferences get the first glance, I've taken the Sagarin ratings (as of 12/4/22) of each team in each conference and averaged them out to give each conference a "score", if you will. As for individual statistical leaders, I am working off of whatever has currently been provided on MaxPreps. If your team's stats on MaxPreps are incomplete, I apologize, but please ask your coach to put them there if you would like to be considered for stat-based portions in the future.