For the sixth 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 2024-2025 season.
Want to know how we come up with our rankings? Click here.
Today, we tip off the countdown on the girls hoops side with positions No. 50-46.
No. 50 – Malea Steele, Blackhawk Christian
Steele was one of Blackhawk’s breakout performers last season, especially on the defensive end where she led the Braves in steals with two per game for the team that won 17 games. Steele’s 10 points per game became a major contribution point, accounting for near 1/5th of the team’s offense. Committed to play on the next level for Holy Cross (South Bend), the combo guard has been able to play at a high level over this past summer that will only elevate her game into her senior season.
COACH’S QUOTE ON STEELE
“I am so proud of the way Malea has continued to improve since her freshman year. She takes pride in her work ethic and is very determined to do whatever it takes to help the team be successful. She is not only an offensive threat but her defense is just as strong. Malea’s length is hard for other teams to get the ball around her. She understands how to get her teammates involved and is very well respected. I am excited for people to see her play this season!” – Blackhawk Christian coach Steph Gongaware
No. 49 – Reese Rhodehamel, Bishop Luers
The primary returner from the Knights’ state championship team, expectations will be high on Rhodehamel throughout her senior season. She is known as a strong three point shooter, hitting a team high 40 triples last season. Rhodehamel averaged 6.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game to assist the Knights’ title run a season ago. She hit three or more threes on five occassions including a 5-of-7 shooting game from deep against Columbia City in a massive win last December.
COACH’S QUOTE ON RHODEHAMEL
“Reese is willing to do all the little things to help her team be successful, whether it’s talking on defense, diving on the floor for a loose ball, or rebounding. Reese has been working extremely hard in the offseason to expand her game. She is an extremely coachable player with great leadership skills, who is stepping into expanded role. Reese’s strength has always been her three point shooting, but she has the ability get to the rim, and make some moves in the post. I love coaching her and can’t wait for her to excel this year!” – Bishop Luers coach Mary Hathaway
No. 48 – Emily McCrea, Prairie Heights
An All-NECC Honorable Mention last season, McCrea leads the Panthers as they continue to try and maneuver back up the NECC hierarchy, improving their win total by six games last season over the one before. During that run that included five conference wins, McCrea averaged 9.7 points, 7 rebounds and 1.4 steals per contest. The multi-sport athlete has been critical in Prairie Heights’ program as she takes the leadership role in full grasp for her senior season.
COACH’S QUOTE ON MCCREA
“Emily has been a great leader for our program and I expect nothing less as we enter her senior season. She leads both by example and vocally. Her work ethic is second to none and the other girls follow. Emily led our team last year in points and rebounds. She has been working on improving her jump shot this summer to add another option for her.” – Prairie Heights coach Bill Morr
No. 47 – Brooklyn Sinclair, Churubusco
Sinclair can be a defensive leader for the Eagles as she begins her senior season and had five games with three or more steals and registered nine steals in a game in a win over Hamilton.. Offensively, Sinclair has shown a tremendous ability to work off ball within Churubusco’s offense and the ways she has created for them made the offense at Busco manageable both off ball and in a lead guard position. In 2023-2024, Sinclair averaged 9.9 points and 2.4 rebounds per game for the Eagles; she had nine games in double digits scoring.
No. 46 – Laney Trausch, South Adams
Trausch has taken on the ACAC with very strong court vision with or without the ball in her hands. The junior runs the floor extremely well for the Starfires and has been big for a transitional offense. Last season, Trausch averaged 9.2 points and 6.7 rebounds for South Adams playing behind one of the program’s all-time greats. The lead role will now fall in her hands after nine games last season of double digit scoring including 19 against South Side and 18 in a Sectional loss to Whitko. Trausch shot 51 percent from the field as a sophomore.
COACH’S QUOTE ON TRAUSCH
“Laney is a tremendous leader and great worker. With all of our youth this year she has done a great job being a positive leader and influence on them. She’ll be a huge part of any success this program has in the future.” – South Adams coach Brett Freeman
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