Don’t cast Northrop’s loss of the Jackson twins as meaning the Bruins are out of the picture in the area or the SAC.
In fact, the emergence of so many younger players last season means that this year’s Bruins team could come into the season with more depth that expected prior to last year. The well is plentiful off Cook Road.
“We will need to rely on some our JV/ Varsity split players early as we get everyone healthy, but our program continues to have big team goals as we enter the season and face an even tougher schedule,” said Northrop coach Katie Jackson.
It starts with the return of Destini Craig, who missed most of last season, her first in orange and brown, win an ACL injury. Now back in the lineup and with a Division 1 commitment to IUPUI in the books, Craig could be a big player in the area once again. Craig was averaging 10.3 point and 2.7 steals per game last season when she went down.
Back too is fellow D1 commit Lexi Castator, who will join the aforementioned Jackson twins at Valparaiso next season. Castator has been a steady presence on the local scene her whole career and averaged a very balanced 5.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game last season.
Niya Bell will return as another senior in the Bruin lineup. Last season, the strong shooter averaged 3.7 points per game but shot 48 percent from deep.
A pair of sophomore playmakers could really see their stock skyrocket despite already being high on the area radar. Swynn Jackson (6.7 points, 3.8 assists per game) had some captivating moments and Khala Williams-Thomas (4.3 points, 1 steal per game) brings back a defensive mindset that will tough up the Bruins. Alivia Rice (2 points, 2.2 rebounds per game) also returns with the sophomore class with a bigger role expected.
Senior Kyndall Thompson and junior Jah’Liya Robinson will join the lineup
“Northrop will be a contender in the 2023-24 season. Although, we will need to fill the scoring and rebounding holes with the graduation of Saniya and Nevaeh Jackson and Brooklyn McLemore, we are excited about our seniors: Lexi Castator, Destini Craig, Niya Bell, and Kyndall Thompson,” Northrop coach Katie Jackson said. “With the maturation of last year’s freshmen class; Swynn Jackson, Alivia Rice, and Khala Williams-Thomas, plus junior, Jah’liya Robinson, we will put pressure on teams and stretch defenses with our shooters.”
WHY #3?
They have some of the best players in the area, including five returners that are part of the OTH Top 50 player countdown. Northrop has the players to push teams into treacherous waters on both ends of the court and are going to be willing to do the right things and do them aggressively to contend in both the SAC and the postseason.
At 100%, this is a very scary team on paper. Their work on the court for the last season or two under coach Jackson has shown that the paper Bruins aren’t even half as good as the actual Bruins.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Health plays a big role here. Can they stay healthy throughout the season? Craig’s absence last year was certainly a hurter to a team that was playing like a well oiled championship contender.
The teams ahead of them this preseason have proven that they can keep healthier than the Bruins in the past and it does make a difference.
KEY GAME
January 5 at Snider
There are a lot of games here you could pinpoint. Opening at Carmel, home against Norwell the very next game and at rival Carroll all before thanksgiving makes this schedule very loaded. Think its front loaded? The Bruins finish the season with South Bend Washington, Wayne, Columbia City and Homestead.
But if you watched the game last season, you can go ahead and circle a showdown with Snider again. They will be expected to be the two teams competing for a SAC title and that title could realistically be decided in this game. Northrop lost some pieces from last year’s tremendous regular season win against the Panthers, but by this point in the season, the new pieces should be so battle tested, could we be on even ground.
This is going to be a very feisty and very well executed game, just like it was last regular season.
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