Preseason Top-50 Countdown: Teams #21-#25

Continuing our coverage of the state’s best teams, regardless of class, we now move on to the teams we have ranked #21 through #25. 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 continue our Top-50 countdown tomorrow, October 16th, so look for teams #16-#20 then.   <ol start="21"> <li> [caption id="attachment_15350" align="alignright" width="231"] Elise Scaggs of Mooresville[/caption] 4A Mooresville H.S. (Mooresville, IN)</li> </ol> Mooresville is one of those programs that’s just a well-oiled machine. Anytime you have a system in place, with a head coach who has been there 20+ years, you’re bound to have consistency within your program. Couple that with the return of your top three scorers and five of your seven primary rotation players from a 16-9 season, and the potential is there to have a great season. Back to lead the Pioneers this year is 5-10 2019 forward Elise Scaggs (15.4 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.1 spg). She’s a versatile, strong, tough-nosed, and sweet-shooting inside-out forward who can contribute in a variety of ways. 5-5 2019 2-guard Lauren Farb (11.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 51 made 3s) is another double-figure scorer and a very good shooter, and she kind of hides around the long-corners and wings. 5-8 2020 wing Paige Gregory (9.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg) is about as versatile as they come. She’s a solid athlete who can at times run point, she can defend guards and wings, and she can even play in the mid-post a little. 5-9 2020 power forward Ava Mayer will compete for a starting spot after being an occasional starter last season, while 5-3 2019 guard Dani Karr also looks for an expanded role after serving as a primary sub a year ago. The Pioneers will need to deal with the loss of graduated guards Natalie Kassen (8.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2.2 spg) and Jordyn Dinwiddie. Both were versatile guards with good size. 5-9 2019 post Alex Sanders (13 games), 5-7 2019 forward Lauren Gott (8 games), 5-6 2020 wing Faith Scaggs (10 games), 5-7 2021 forward Kirsten Dove (8 games), and 5-9 2021 wing Addison Shafer (4 games) all saw limited Varsity action last season but now look for enhanced roles. 5-6 2022 guard Abigail Young also had a nice grassroots season and might compete for time as well.   <ol start="22"> <li> [caption id="attachment_15351" align="alignright" width="229"] Maddie Knight of Noblesville[/caption] 4A Noblesville H.S. (Noblesville, IN)</li> </ol> Right off the top, Noblesville was a solid 15-8 last season, and they graduated 6-2 power forward Emily Kiser (21.0 ppg, 13.4 rpg, 3.9 apg, 1.9 bpg), who is now playing at Michigan, plus forward Olivia Morales is gone, so why are they a Top-25 team? Sometimes when teams have such a talented “big”, they can get almost too post-centric. The pieces that return for the Millers this season aren’t necessarily Division-I talents, and certainly not Big Ten talents, but there are at least a half dozen or more really nice small college prospects, and that can often spell major success. 5-7 2019 guard Mallory Johnson (12.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 42 made 3s) and 5-6 2019 combo guard Madelyn Knight (11.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.7 apg) both return as double-figure scorers. Johnson is more of a fluid scorer hunting jump-shots, while Knight is a versatile and skilled guard who plays with a great deal of energy. 5-7 2019 wing Madison Whetro (4.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.0 apg) is another skillful, tough-nosed, high-motor kid on the perimeter. 5-4 2020 guard Abby Haley (2.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.1 apg), 5-11 2020 forward Anna Kiser, 2020 front-liner Kaylin Ely, and 5-9 2020 wing Sarah Etchison (3.8 ppg in 12 games) were a part of the rotation as well last year, and all look for bigger roles this season. 6-1 2020 post Devon Ray is a true back-to-the-basket post who could compete in the pivot this season, while 2020 Madi Randolph, 2021 Mallory Miller, and 2021 Emily Wood all saw action in a handful of games last season.   <ol start="23"> <li> [caption id="attachment_11788" align="alignright" width="203"] Lilly Hatton of North Harrison[/caption] 4A North Harrison H.S. (Ramsey, IN)</li> </ol> Considering the graduation losses of six Seniors, three of which were in their top four scorers a season ago, I’m guessing people on the outside look at North Harrison as if this will be a down year, or even a rebuilding year. But in the famous words of Lee Corso, “not so fast, my friends!!!” Yes, Cali Nolot (11.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.4 apg, 2.0 spg, 31 made 3s), Taylor Rennirt (8.7 pg, 2.5 rpg, 4.1 apg, 2.6 spg), Emma Nokes (3.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg), Jessicka Chiquito (2.0 ppg), Hallie Hinton (2.0 rpg, 2.0 apg), and Shelby Kondovski are all gone, and they will be difficult to replace. But the Lady Cougars have a couple of really nice returnees with size, plus a couple of talented newcomers to turn to. 6-1 2019 power forward Lilly Hatton (20.9 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 4.1 bpg) is back and healthy. She had an outstanding Spring and Summer, and she’s a Division-I talent who can play a little around the perimeter, she’s strong in the post, but she’s great in the mid-post. The continued growth and development of 6-3 2020 post Lucy Robertson (2.5 ppg) should now allow for Hatton to be more versatile and play away from the basket for longer stretches. Robertson is incredibly long and should be at minimum a nice defensive presence, but she is starting to score it a lot better. From there, look for 5-10 2022 forward Diana Burgher and 5-6 2022 guard Alison Saunders to make an immediate impact. Burgher is an extremely long, fluid, and smooth athlete. She is better in the mid-post right now, but she should eventually stretch her game towards the perimeter. Saunders is a dynamic little guard who is very skilled and talented. She should slide into the point guard spot for them. Both of them will need to adjust to the speed and size of the Varsity game, but both should be impact players as Freshmen. 5-10 2020 power forward Chloe Jacobi also returns with a little Varsity experience and should add depth. Then it’s up to a whole cast of Varsity newcomers to step up, but they had some other talented individuals on their JV team last year.   <ol start="24"> <li> [caption id="attachment_15352" align="alignright" width="300"] Tamia Perryman of Fishers[/caption] 4A Fishers H.S. (Fishers, IN)</li> </ol> Fishers came out on fire last season, posting a 7-2 record, with wins over Zionsville, Lake Central, and Ben Davis, but they were just 6-10 the rest of the season. They did play a brutal schedule, but they look for consistency this time around. The Tigers graduated leading scorer Toni Grace (15.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg), wing Kenedi London (7.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg), and versatile forward Ali Gerka (5.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg). Power forward Casey Walker (2.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg), wing Briana McGee (2.1 rpg), and guard Lauren Emmerson also graduated. But Fishers might have had as much youthful depth on their roster, and throughout their program. 5-9 2020 wing Tamia Perryman (7.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg) is an incredibly fast and explosive athlete. She should be a double-figure scorer this season. 5-7 2019 guard Skylar Fulton (6.9 ppg, 31 made 3s) is a nice athlete in her own right, and she’s a capable perimeter shooter. 6-1 2020 post Lydia Stullken (2.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg) looks to take the next step offensively after being a shot-blocking presence a year ago. And 6-0 2019 post Ciera Tolbert (2.4 rpg) is a strong and physical interior presence who has improved a great deal in the last six months. She is the daughter of former IU star Ray Tolbert. 5-8 2021 guard Katie Burton (2.8 ppg in 13 games) and 5-5 2021 point guard Audra Emmerson each got into a few games towards the middle-end of the year last year, but both could start this season. Burton had a tremendous Spring and Summer, and she has drawn Division-I offers already because of her ability to create scoring opportunities. Emmerson is a heady pure point guard who can also hit shots outside. From there, it’s difficult to say which way they go, as there are a number of nice guards and wings to choose from. But I’d anticipate them to play fast and aggressive and cause problems for a number of teams on their schedule.   <ol start="25"> <li> [caption id="attachment_15353" align="alignright" width="222"] Bethany Mackin of Martinsville[/caption] 4A Martinsville H.S. (Martinsville, IN)</li> </ol> Like Noblesville and North Harrison above, Martinsville must also deal with significant graduation losses, but they return a lot of unassuming players who have been waiting for their turn and could make this another really nice season. Indiana All-Star Kayana Traylor (21.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.0 apg, 38 made 3s) is now playing at Purdue, guard Merideth Deckard (10.9 ppg, 77 made 3s) is now playing at Taylor, forward Jessica Nix (4.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2.0 spg) is now playing at Franklin, and 6-1 post Christina Alexander (3.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg) is now playing at Lincoln Trail. Forward Madison Martin also graduated. 5-11 2019 power forward Paige Dorsett (6.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg) is a strong, tough, and skilled face-up forward who should see her production increase this season. 5-1 2019 point guard Gracie Johnson (4.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.1 apg) should also make a huge jump statistically as the new primary ball-handler. 5-8 2019 guard Bethany Mackin (3.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg) should stand out this season in a starting role, after having a great Spring & Summer. 5-8 2021 guard Pa’Shence Walker (3.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg) is a smooth, athletic scorer who has noticeable talent and should compete for starters minutes as well. And 6-2 2020 post Marlayna Kemp (2.3 ppg) could be the difference-maker in a full-time role in the rotation after backing up Alexander last season. Kemp has length, athleticism, and some skill facing the basket. Depth beyond them could be an issue, but that’s a potentially nice starting five who can match up with most teams in the state. 5-6 2022 wing Ashlyn Traylor and 5-7 2022 guard Kearsten Willen are a couple of youngsters who could eventually figure into the rotation sooner or later.   Header photo of the 2017-2018 Mooresville High School girls basketball team; photo courtesy of mhspioneers.com. Photo of Elise Scaggs courtesy of Mooresville's Hudl account. Photo of Maddie Knight courtesy of hcsportsdaily.com. Photo of Lilly Hatton courtesy of usatodayhss.com. Photo of Tamia Perryman courtesy of readthereporter.com. Photo of Bethany Mackin courtesy of Ben Gorman's Twitter account.