For the fifth season in a row, Bounce and Outside the Huddle are counting down who they feel are the top 50 individual players in northeast Indiana heading into the 2023-2024 season.
Today, we continue on the girls hoops side with positions No. 35-31.
No. 35 – Marissa Trout, Huntington North
Trout will be one of a few area girls players who will be making her way back to the court in due time after a patella tendon surgery that kept her from participating in basketball during the offseason. Trout has been a mismatch problem during her career, highlighted last season where she averaged a team second best in points (10.6) while adding four rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.2 steals per contest. She is a very versatile performer for the Vikings, able to guard multiple positions across the court.
COACH’S QUOTE ON TROUT:
“I believe her capabilities and potential will be recognized this season. At 5’10” she is one of our best ball handlers. She can shoot the three, attack off the dribble, or take her defender down low in the post. She has the potential to be a matchup nightmare for teams.” – Huntington North coach Matt Hinds
No. 34 – Faith Frey, Columbia City
Frey was a consistent part of the Eagle lineup and seemed to flourish in her auxiliary roles, which could change from game to game. She found success in many key moments from three point range and her ability to help the Eagles spread the court was certainly a catalyst in their dominant run. Frey averaged 5.7 points, two rebounds and an assist per game while playing on the wing for the Eagles. Frey really stannds out with her constant movement and work.
COACH’S QUOTE ON FREY:
“Brings toughness to the squad, improved 3 point shooter, and likes to mix it up on the boards.” – Columbia City coach Amy Shearer
No. 33 – Brooke Zartman, Warsaw
Already the holder of the most three point makes in a single season at Warsaw, Zartman is a terror from downtown. She broke that record at the end of January, hitting 66 total through the season to beat that previous record of 60 and she was just a freshman when she did it. More impressive is that she shot 40 percent from deep while breaking that record. Zartman finished with 12.3 points and 1.2 steals per game through he first season of high school basketball.
COACH’S QUOTE ON ZARTMAN:
“Brooke is a basketball junkie. She just loves the game and is constantly working on her game. This off-season we challenged Brooke to improve her ability to put the ball on the floor and to become a better defender. She responded to the challenge by doing just that. When we take the floor this season, the results of her hard work will be evident.” – Warsaw coach Lenny Krebs
No. 32 – Lily George, Carroll
George will continue to be one of the best inside forces in the SAC after leading the Chargers in field goal percentage last season at 56 percent. She is a big strong player who knows how to adequately move around the post opposition. She averaged 8.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in a tough SAC as a freshman and does a great job of not only shying away from contact when she gets downhill, but kind of seeking it out and making the game more challenging for her defender.
COACH’S QUOTE ON GEORGE:
“Lily is an excellent passer against a double team and she is improving on reading defensive double
teams. Lily is a strong and powerful post player with the understanding on how to maneuver around her
defensive players to receive the ball. Lily as a sophomore has a great upswing due to her work ethic off
and on the court so she can become a dominate post player and an all-around player in the future. Lily’s
leadership ability makes her a valuable asset to any team. This is why, she is considered one of the best
players in the area.” – Carroll coach Mark Redding
No. 31 – Macy Pries, South Adams
Pries has been a somewhat hidden gem for her entire career but has been a scoring machine in the ACAC through the entire three years she has helped lead the Starfires. Now as as senior, she is 100 percent the leader of this team coming off a year when she averaged 15.2 points per game. Pries scored in single digits just twice last season, both 9 point games and had a 28 point game opposite Leo. She is a true two way player, that also averaged 4.1 steals per game last season with 8 games of 5 or more steals including eight against Canterbury and three more games with 7 steals.
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