Power Scores: The ‘POWER 5’, as of 12/21

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>DISCLAIMER: I sat down to write this article on Sunday afternoon, only to notice that several teams had ties listed on their record, or there were games that had been played that were listed as forfeits. It looks as though there are still some system bugs to work out, and I have communicated those items to those who created this algorithm/process. With that said, between Sunday and yesterday, I spent roughly eight hours going through and correcting around 300 scores that were listed as ties/forfeits, to help the algorithm's validity. I'm sure there are still a handful of games/scores missing, so please feel free to contact our general email address at the bottom of the main page if you see something still 'off'. Thank you!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a look at the Top 10 teams once the algorithm was updated, but before game results from yesterday (12/22) were added in. These are not my opinion, simply a mathematical equation provided by the Prep Network/Prep Girls Hoops to create a non-human element to looking at team rankings. It removes human bias and weighs in things like strength of schedule, margin of victory, home vs road, etc. Anyway, agree with it or not, below are the ten teams (and their records as of 12/21) who sat at the top of the state entering yesterday's action, with some brief comments on each team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">1. Warsaw (11-1, 96.14)</font></strong><br>The Warsaw Tigers were the Class 4A State Runner-Up back in March, and they look to be trending in a similar direction this season. Other than a slight hiccup against a solid Jennings County (9-2) team back before Thanksgiving, their resume is nothing short of impressive. They have taken care of Fort Wayne Snider, Norwell, Fort Wayne Northrop, Valparaiso, Penn, and Columbia City, most by double figures, if not in the 20s and 30s. The Senior guard duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='567134' first='Joslyn' last='Bricker']</strong> (<em>22.3p, 6.9, 5.0a, 3.1s, 12 gp</em>) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='403531' first='Brooke' last='Zartman']</strong> (<em>18.8p, 2.9r, 1.6a, 2.7s, 12 gp</em>) has been fantastic all year. Bricker can score it from anywhere, but she also facilitates and brings a calming presence to the rest of the lineup. Zartman is an elite shooter with range, and she has been dangerous of later from downtown. Fellow Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='686307' first='Alexis' last='Neely']</strong> (<em>9.1p, 4.6r, 3.7a, 1.3s</em>) has been her usual self, bringing a lot of energy to the group. Plus, the addition of 5-11 Junior transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='747044' first='Reagan' last='Huss']</strong> (<em>6.3p, 3.2r, 1.2a, 1.1s, 12 gp</em>) and 6-1 Junior move-up <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='908500' first='Cayleigh' last='Goheen']</strong> (<em>3.8p, 4.1r, 1.2s, 12 gp</em>), who played mostly JV last year, have provided the Tigers with a frontline presence and helped mask the loss of some 2025 graduates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">2. Norwell (12-1, 94.52)</font></strong><br>I'm not sure exactly what anyone expected Norwell would do this year, regardless of what class they're in, but in 2023-2024 they were the State Runners-Up in Class 3A. They then graduated nearly all of their production and still managed to be crowned as Class 3A winners following a strong 2024-2025 season. Now, they return their entire roster and only get stronger, better, and possibly deeper. They will have their speedbumps, like losing at Warsaw back on November 8th, but they have beaten typically strong programs in Northridge, Homestead, Cathedral, and Columbia City already this year. The Knights are balanced, they play extremely hard, and they are "system" kids who function so well together and play with poise in tough situations. Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732354' first='Vanessa' last='Rosswurm']</strong> is the clear leader of the group. She is a multilevel scorer, a talented athlete, and one of the best, most versatile defenders in the state. I don't know that I've ever seen her stand still on a court. Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137282' first='Macie' last='Saalfrank']</strong> emerged last season as a pure sniper form the perimeter, and I would imagine she'll be even more dangerous this time around. Senior guard <strong>Addison Norris</strong> is as tough-nosed and hard-working as the come, and she'll bring the energy for the group when they're down. Also keep an eye on wings <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1231135' first='Ashley' last='Waldman']</strong> and <strong>Jada Dale</strong>, both Seniors, as they can make open shots or attack the glass. Both are long, wiry, fluid athletes as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">3. Marquette Catholic (12-0, 93.68)</font></strong><br>The Blazers are not a very big team, but they clearly have one of the best backcourts in all of Class 1A. They have already posted a 9-0 record against Class 3A/4A teams this season, and they aren't done yet. Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486528' first='Laniah' last='Davis']</strong> (<em>21.9p, 8.8r, 2.1a, 3.1s, 12 gp</em>) can be unstoppable against most opponents, especially against small school competition once the state tournament rolls around again. She has helped them to a State Runner-Up appearance two years ago and a Semi-State appearance last season. Davis gets help from her backcourt 'mate in Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751101' first='Marissa' last='Pleasant']</strong> (<em>12.6p, 2.8r, 1.4a, 2.6s 12 gp</em>). Those two have now logged so many minutes together the last two seasons; they are the ideal 1-2 punch. Senior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486479' first='Addison' last='Penziol']</strong> (<em>7.5p, 3.3r, 3.6a, 1.9s, 12 gp</em>) has done a nice job of finding her niche as well. She is a strong ball-handler, she plays with a great motor, and she chooses well between finding open teammates and knocking down open shots herself. Also stepping up has been 5-6 Freshman guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1219780' first='Allison' last='Zolvinski']</strong> (<em>5.0p, 1.7r, 12 gp</em>). She is a very good shooter and does an excellent job of hiding on the wings and knocking down open shots when people overplay her teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">4. Valparaiso (9-1, 93.61)</font></strong><br>If we've learned anything over the past four years, any team with Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='419439' first='Lillian' last='Barnes']</strong> (<em>20.7p, 6.4r, 5.6a, 4.7s, 9 gp</em>) is probably going to be highly successful. The versatile, highly skilled, high IQ wing has always played with a next-level mind for the game. She can handle, distribute, and score it at all three levels, and she has helped Valparaiso beat the likes of Penn and Crown Point, with their lone loss coming to Warsaw (above). Fellow Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486512' first='Cadynce' last='Clark']</strong> (<em>8.4p, 1.7r, 1.7a, 1.3s</em>) has once again been a solid backcourt complement to Barnes. She works hard, brings a level of toughness, and is another high IQ performer. Junior wing <strong>Delilah Kincaid</strong> (<em>11.7p, 4.6r, 1.3a, 1.9s</em>) has made huge strides this season and gives the Vikings another strong scoring presence. Fellow Junior, forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1229598' first='Chyanne' last='Brown']</strong> (<em>5.7p, 3.3r, 2.0a, 2.6s</em>), has also made her mark on several games for the green &amp; white. Valpo has some big matchups coming up in the next couple of weeks with Norwell, Hamilton Southeastern, and Lawrence North just ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">5. Homestead (10-2, 93.31)</font></strong><br>Playing such a tough schedule can be both a blessing and a curse. The Spartans have put together a strong start to the season, but they have also fallen to Norwell (above) and Hamilton Southeastern (just this past Saturday), while defeating programs like Northridge, Pike, Plainfield, Bellmont, and Columbia City. They have as much talent, depth, and versatility as anyone, and they should still be considered a top contender for the Class 4A crown, despite a number of strong teams in the Northern half of the bracket. Seniors like guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492319' first='Myah' last='Epps']</strong>, wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='414465' first='Gabby' last='Helsom']</strong>, guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='761179' first='Carley' last='Moellering']</strong>, wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486540' first='Whitney' last='Ankenbruck']</strong>, and wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486546' first='Kendall' last='McLaughlin']</strong> have been staples in the program for years and want to reach the ultimate goal this season. Epps and Helsom have been the statistical leaders in most categories over the past couple of seasons, while McLaughlin has come the farthest in adding greater productivity to the Varsity squad. Sophomores <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='902152' first='Delaney' last='Noll']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='888190' first='Suzy' last='Perego']</strong>, plus Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751059' first='Eva' last='Scarbeary']</strong>, are additional nice talents who have found their niche with this group this season. A January 20th matchup at Warsaw (above) looks to be the most daunting of contests remaining on Homestead's schedule this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->