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. 25-21.
No. 25 – Ciara Sims, Snider
Sims is the type of player who is going to go all out and do everything you ask of her as a player. She is a very underrated intangible player for the Panthers. Sims averaged 9.5 points per game but also brought in 1.3 steals per game and a team second best 4.6 rebonds per game. Her 24 points on 56 percent shooting against Harrison was a great late season breakout.
COACH’S QUOTE ON SIMS:
“C.C is due for a breakout season. She is our most versatile player. She can play 4 different positions and also does a great job of rebounding the basketball.” – Snider coach Reggie Tharp
No. 24 – Emily Bleke, Bellmont
Bleke was a consistent threat for Bellmont that showed progression throughout the season. She averaged 8.3 points to go with four rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.9 assign per game. She has next level energy and her downhill scoring ability is strong when she controls the pace the entire way.
COACH’S QUOTE ON BLEKE:
“Emily is someone who is going to take another step forward this season. She played AAU in the offseason and that really improved her game. She is the most explosive player we have on our team and honestly one of the most explosive in the conference. She is starting to get some looks from colleges because of her drive on both ends of the court and the impact she can make on those ends. If she can realize her potential, she could be a very dangerous player.” – Bellmont coach Andy Heim
No. 23 – Dekota Hubble, Norwell
Hubble came out of nowhere in a lot of ways last season to become a real college prospect as a two-way interior player. She averaged five points per game, but shot 47.8 percent from the field and had a team high 5.3 rebounds per game to go with 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks per contest.
COACH’S QUOTE ON HUBBLE:
“Dekota’s transformation these past 2 years has been amazing. Her athleticism combined with her improved skill is so disruptive to play against. Dekota can change a game with her length, deflecting passes and blocking/altering shots. She has a great motor and might be the best offensive rebounder that I’ve been fortunate to have coached. Dekota’s confidence in herself and her teammates is strong, and we’re so excited to see her continue to lead and help our team really go for it this season.” – Norwell coach Eric Thornton
No. 22 – Jersey Paul, Carroll
Paul is Carroll’s top returning scorer after scoring 10.6 points per game last season to go along with 2.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game. She scored a season high 22 points in a clutch performance against Norwell and scored double digits in seven of her last eight games last season. Her ability to score on all three levels, especially shooting the three has really separated her game. She hit the most threes (55) for the Chargers last season.
COACH’S QUOTE ON PAUL:
“Jersey is an outside threat and one of the best offensive players in the area. Jersey has improved herself in moving without the ball and able to be a threat in a two-person game. This is a great example of Jersey being a complete offensive player and the ability to do whatever the team needs for the team to be successful. Her up-bringing as a coach’s daughter provides her with great basketball knowledge and the feel of the game. Jersey has a high basketball I.Q. and her 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. 21 – Tia Phinezy, Snider
There may be no better interior defender in the area than Phinezy, who can be a shot blocking and shot altering machine as seen by her 3.9 blocks and 6.9 rebounds per game for the SAC frontrunner Panthers. Phinezy also averaged 8.1 points per game while posting four double double performances. Phinezy terrorized offenses with nine performances with five or more blocked shots including seven each against Carroll, Northrop, Fishers and North Central.
COACH’S QUOTE ON PHINEZY:
“Tia presents presence on defensively that makes you think twice about attacking the basket. She’s a capable scorer and does a great job of rebounding the basketball.” – Snider coach Reggie Tharp
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