Preseason Top-50 Countdown: Teams #41-#45

Continuing our coverage of the state’s best teams, regardless of class, we now move on to the teams we have ranked #41 through #45. With regards to our Top-50 teams, we took in to account several different factors, most notably, but not limited to, last season’s record, Sagarin rating, and strength of schedule, graduation losses, newcomers, improvement of existing roster members, and coaching changes. We will pick this up again next week, so be sure to look for teams #36-#40 on October 8th.   <ol start="41"> <li> [caption id="attachment_14602" align="alignright" width="212"] Makayla Weaver of Marian[/caption] 3A Marian Catholic H.S. (Mishawaka, IN)</li> </ol> Commonly referred to as Mishawaka Marian, the Lady Knights often have double-digit win seasons, but last year they turned a corner (21-5) and have shaped themselves into one of the best teams in the Michiana area. Now in year #2 under Coach Scott, look for them to be even more comfortable systematically, plus they return all but two players. Unfortunately, one of their graduation losses was leading scorer Meghan Urbanski (16.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.3 spg, 55 made 3s). Alyssa Grzesiowski was the other Varsity performer who graduated. They return an experienced cast of 2019 players, a couple of promising 2020 kids, plus a nice 2021 guard transferred in. The returnees should be led by 5-6 2019 wing Makayla Weaver (9.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and athletic 5-9 2019 forward Anija Payne (9.1 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 1.7 bpg). It doesn’t necessarily show up in statistics, but Payne can defend just about any position on the floor effectively. 5-5 2019 guard Megan Christianson (7.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.3 apg, 30 made 3s), 5-3 2019 “water bug” point guard MiKiya Roby (6.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 4.5 apg, 3.6 spg), 6-0 2020 post Christina Himelick (5.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.5 bpg), and 5-4 2020 guard Jaiden Rangel were all a part of the regular rotation last season. 5-4 2020 wing Alivia Zielinski, 5-5 2020 wing Grace Stevens, and 5-6 2021 forward Maria Tomlinson each played in a handful of games a year ago and should add to their depth. The new addition is 5-7 2021 guard McKenzie Hudgen (7.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg) who transferred in from Sectional rival John Glenn H.S. She is capable of playing either guard spot, but she’ll definitely bring energy, and she should fit into Urbanski’s spot nearly flawlessly.   <ol start="42"> <li> [caption id="attachment_11546" align="alignright" width="237"] Sydney Jacobsen of Harrison[/caption] 4A William Henry Harrison H.S. (West Lafayette, IN)</li> </ol> West Lafayette Harrison hadn’t had a winning season since the 2003-2004 season, but they’ve rattled off two consecutive winning seasons in a row now, and they have enough back to aim towards 20 wins this year. The Raiders return a talented guard, size, strength, skill, and experience. They did graduate six players, but only three of them were a part of their regular rotation. Gone from this year’s team are Erika Franscoviak (7.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg), Liz York-Achor (4.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg), Logan Gary (2.7 ppg, 2.2 apg), Emma McCormick, Kamryn Robinson, and Maggie Walker. But the heart and soul of this team the last couple of seasons has been 5-8 2020 guard Sydney Jacobsen (22.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.8 apg, 3.2 spg, 82 made 3s). She is a dynamic scorer, a tremendous shooter, and she’s incredibly heady / crafty with the ball. 5-10 2020 wing Tasi Kukobat (7.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.1 spg) had a solid Sophomore season after transferring in from Crown Point, but she could have a breakout year after playing very well all Summer long. She’s a long, fluid wing who can shoot / score at all levels. Their “secret” weapon could be 6-0 2020 forward Abigail Pribble (5 points, 3 rebounds in 1 game last year). She was limited to just the one Varsity game a season ago, but she is a high-motor, long, and bouncy front-liner who can be a double-double kid every night. Also back are 5-9 2021 twins Anna (2.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.9 apg) and Emma Henderson (3.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg). They are strong, athletic, and physical wings with motors. 5-8 2019 guard Olivia Stansbury (3.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.4 apg) has experience on the ball, while 5-11 2019 post Kyndel Buchanan (2.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and 5-2 2021 guard Lexi Fraley (2.3 ppg) played in most games a year ago. 5-11 2020 forward Molly Walker, and 5-6 2021 guard Elliot Lareau are talented enough to work their way into the rotation as well, after having a solid Summer on the grassroots circuit.   <ol start="43"> <li> [caption id="attachment_10980" align="alignright" width="242"] Leah Seib of New Palestine[/caption] 4A New Palestine H.S. (New Palestine, IN)</li> </ol> New Palestine rattled off a nice 18-7, Sectional-winning season in 2017-2018, and they did so with their most talented player out all year with an injury. The Lady Dragons have a huge 2019 class of ten players, seven of which form the core of their rotation. 5-11 2019 power forward Leah Seib (13.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg) led them in scoring, and she’s a skilled kid who can score on the block, in the mid-post, or she can knock down the occasional 3-pointer as well. 5-6 2019 point guard Megan Jolly (9.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.4 spg) had a very nice season as well, and she can be very good defensively. 5-7 2019 guard Haley Harrison (7.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 41 made 3s) is sort of their designated sniper from the perimeter, but she’s a nice athlete as well. 6-0 2019 post Katie Herron (6.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg) is a strong, physical, back-to-the-basket post with good hands. From there, a combination of 5-6 2019 wing Tatum Biddle (3.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.1 apg), 5-4 2019 guard Emily Newcomb (2.9 ppg), athletic 5-8 2020 forward Michaela Jones (2.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg), and 5-9 2019 forward Eliza Adams (2.0 rpg) round out the rotation. 6-1 2019 post Claire Cherry (2.8 ppg) and 5-6 2019 guard Avery Biggs each played in a few games last year. But, look for 5-10 2020 forward Jordan Reid to have a major impact this season. She was injured in soccer last Fall and missed the entire 2017-2018 basketball season. If this Summer and Fall have been any indication, though, she is very talented, skilled, and on a mission. 5-8 2022 wing Grace Marshall might see a handful of minutes here and there, but it could be tough with such a deep Senior class. Emma Grable (4.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg) was their only graduate from last season.   <ol start="44"> <li> [caption id="attachment_14603" align="alignright" width="199"] Darrian Carmean of Lincoln[/caption] 3A Abraham Lincoln H.S. (Vincennes, IN)</li> </ol> We highlighted Vincennes Lincoln’s frontcourt yesterday, but in total they return their top three scorers. Now, they will need to find additional contributors, as they graduated a great deal of their depth, but the combination of 6-0 2019 power forward Alison Hein (13.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.9 bpg), 6-0 2021 power forward Maycee Lange (10.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg), and 5-7 2020 guard Darrian Carmean (10.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 3.5 apg) should be enough to once again be a top team in Class 3A. Hein is the skilled, heady front-liner who can score on the block or in the mid-post. Lange is the athlete up front who plays with bounce and energy. Carmean is sort of the unsung hero who can affect the game in a variety of ways from either guard spot. Athletic 5-5 2020 guard Alanna Greene (4.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg), 5-10 2019 power forward Victoria Jackson, and 5-8 2019 forward Sierra Halderman are the next in line to step into key roles for the Alices, but they will also rely some on last year’s Junior Varsity players and 8th Graders to help add depth to the lineup. Gone from the 2017-2018 team are point guard Abi Haynes (7.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 5.3 apg, 2.3 spg in 7 games), 6-3 post Lindsey Sparks (7.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg), Chasity Trueblood (7.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.6 apg), Payton Sievers (4.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg), Paige Breece (3.1 ppg), Kaylee Lange, and Katie Drake.   <ol start="45"> <li> [caption id="attachment_14604" align="alignright" width="213"] Haley Nichols of Avon[/caption] 4A Avon H.S. (Avon, IN)</li> </ol> After nine consecutive losing seasons, Avon started last year 8-2 with wins over Martinsville, Covenant Christian, Noblesville, Danville, and Mooresville. But the second half of the year saw them go just 6-9 to finish with a 14-11 record. Youth was part of the reason for that, as three Sophomores and four Freshmen were part of the rotation on most nights. But they gained experience, and a lot of production returns. Gone are Kelsi Dishman (5.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg), Angel Gino-Gino (3.9 ppg), Savannah Proffitt (2.1 ppg), Briawna Francis, and Molly Watson. The Orioles return an impressive, young frontline, headed up by 5-11 2020 power forward Haley Nichols (13.0 ppg, 8.4 rpg). She plays with a motor and is powerful, so she can play inside, but she also has a soft touch from the perimeter and can hurt you with a nice inside-out game. 6-0 2021 post Alex Richard (6.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.8 bpg) got to play immediately, and she’s a strong, long, and athletic forward who is just starting to figure it all out. I expect her to have a much more productive season this time around. 6-2 2019 post Amani Freeman got limited minutes last season. But she’s a long, athletic shot-blocker who was good-enough over the Summer that she earned an offer from, and committed to, Division-I Miami of Ohio. As for perimeter players, 5-4 2020 point guard Brooke Shelton (4.6 ppg, 2.7 apg) and 5-3 2021 point guard Genesis Castro look to be the top options at guard, as second leading scorer, Zakia Rasheed (12.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.0 spg), transferred to Bishop Chatard H.S. 5-7 2020 wing Sidney Jones (3.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg), 5-7 2019 guard Brooklyn Cardwell, and 5-5 2021 guard India Kendrick should figure somewhere in the perimeter rotation this year.   Header photo of Mishawaka Marian celebrating their 2018 Sectional title; photo courtesy of southbendtribune.com. Photo of Makayla Weaver courtesy of southbendtribune.com. Photo of Sydney Jacobsen courtesy of jconline.com. Photo of Leah Seib courtesy of greenfieldreporter.com. Photo of Darrian Carmean courtesy of the Vincennes Lincoln basketball Twitter account. Photo of Haley Nichols courtesy of her own Twitter account.