The holiday break seemed too long and also, a lot of things happened while we were away from the power poll, didn’t they?
It is time to circle back and take a look at some teams as we head down the stretch of the girls regular season with conference titles and tournament titles soon to be decided before we start handing out Sectional crowns much sooner than it feels like we should be.
#1 – SNIDER PANTHERS (15-2)
The Panthers lost to close out 2023 after nine straight wins but it was the same day that they took care of Norwell, so we can’t weigh it too bad. And missing players or not on the Bruin side, the way that Snider handled Northrop last Friday was incredible. Snider has just had a really good year and consistently have been the team in the area that you can rely on the most. They have the depth and the workhorses to really be a team who could push to make a run in Class 4A. #2 is close, but for now, its the Panthers in the top spot again.
#2 – COLUMBIA CITY EAGLES (15-2)
The Eagles have lost by one and in overtime. That says that they are very difficult to beat. Defensively, they are one of my favorite teams in the area. It is likely they reach 20 wins with not significant challenges remaining on the regular season schedule.
Why not higher?
Despite the fact that they beat Snider early this season, when weighing all four teams losses, the Eagles’ to Bishop Luers isn’t looking like a great one currently.
#3 – NORWELL KNIGHTS (14-4)
Kennedy Fuelling has been filling up the score sheet again and it has Norwell in position to emerge as NE8 champs if they can beat their rival Bellmont this week. The Knights are unbeaten when scoring 56 or more points; literally their lowest scoring win was 56 and their highest scoring loss was 55.
Why not higher?
Recent loss to Snider. And their win over Carroll probably should have been bigger.
#4 – HOMESTEAD SPARTANS (15-2)
Perhaps Homestead needs more respect. They have not lost in the area and hold an early season win over Northrop. Gabby Helsom is coming off one of the best three game scoring weeks in the area this season and she and Myah Epps make up one of the area’s most feared offensive duos currently.
Why not higher?
Homestead’s last win against a team from Indiana with a current winning record was December 19 against currently 8-7 Angola. In fact, only a third of the Spartans wins are against teams currently above .500
#5 – FAIRFIELD FALCONS (14-2)
Still rolling along, the Falcons are heavy favorites to win this week’s NECC Tournament and they also are likely to win the regular season title. Fairfield’s biggest issue is a lack of credible challenges. Only 5 of their 14 wins come against teams with current winning records. But with that said, Fairfield’s ability to spread the ball around and show depth offensively have made them a very difficult team to defend for those on their schedule.
Why not higher?
Their last two wins were closer than they should have been. And the NECC is mostly down this year, so that does effect Fairfield being able to rise about this season’s big four.
#6 – JAY COUNTY PATRIOTS (15-2)
Jay County looks to continue their massive hold on the ACAC and that strength is one of the most impressive things in the area. When you factor in that they have a new coach (even if she was with the program as an assistant) and you graduated the best player in team history (even if she’s been replaced well by her little sister), the Patriots are a stand out story of 2023-24. Another ACAC Tournament title this week would be icing on the cake.
Why not higher?
The ACAC is not a tough schedule outside of Bluffton so this hasn’t been the toughest schedule in recent memory for the Patriots.
#7 – NORTHROP BRUINS (11-4)
This is a very good team who has had to deal with a lot of injury adversity throughout the year. Healthy and fully staffed, Northrop has ever bit of argument that they are a top 5 team or higher in the area. Unfortunately, their consistency has been hit because they aren’t full strength enough. The Bruins have a heavy remaining January but could find themselves playing some big spoiler on some team’s momentum and even within the SAC still.
Why not higher?
Shorthanded or otherwise, the loss last Friday to Snider is a tough one.
#8 – EASTSIDE BLAZERS (14-3)
Eastside is getting a lot of help from a developing cast of characters. They have been winning to alter what they are doing and are one of the best teams this season at avoiding being stagnant. That said, the expected players have been big ones and it has the Blazers as one of the area’s most watched teams this week with the NECC Tournament still possibly a crowning moment.
Why not higher?
The loss to Fairfield last week. Lets see if they can get it back.
#9 – BELLMONT BRAVES (12-4)
After a 7 game win streak early in the season, Bellmont has not been able to bring together more than 3 wins in a row. But what they do in those wins has been significant including Hailey Cole matching South Adams by herself with 32 points in a game last week. Their recent wins over Eastside and Bluffton were nice but they can really make waves if they top Northrop and Norwell this week.
Why not higher?
The loss to Columbia City last week. A win over Norwell this week changes that.
#10 – LAKEWOOD PARK PANTHERS (12-4)
A win over then #1 Bethany Christian last week has to give Lakewood followers hopes that this team could make an impact come the postseason. And when you aren’t in a conference, the postseason is what you are playing for, right? Their defensive has only given up 40 or more points on 7 occasions, but the Panthers are 3-4 in those games.
Why not higher?
They need some bigger wins in the area, which isn’t something you can just manufacture. But in Northeast Indiana, everyone above them on this list has a better win or more.
IN CONSIDERATION
Whitko, 11-3
Warsaw, 9-7
Central Noble, 10-7
Bluffton, 13-4
Bishop Luers, 9-5
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