While we continue to countdown the top 50 area players, we have to give some attention to those who may not qualify for that list this season.
While the Top 50 focuses on players with tangible varsity experience, again this year the freshman class is so loaded that they need some attention, mixed in with a couple of other so-called newcomers who could help raise the stock of their perspective programs this season.
Janaya Cooper, Snider freshman
Already with more than a handful of Division 1 offers at her feet, Cooper is now officially up as Fort Wayne’s next big star. She leads what is a pretty deeply talented Class of 2028 in Northeast Indiana. She averaged 10 points and 10 rebounds per game over the summer with Always 100 3SSB. Cooper is coming off leading back-to-back middle school City Championship teams where she avearged 20.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game as an 8th grader.
Macie Saalfrank, Norwell junior
The leading scorer from Norwell’s junior varsity team a year ago, Saalfrank will hopefully add a bit of a scoring punch to a Knights varsity with a lot of new faces. Norwell’s JV wasn’t just anyone last season, they went 20-0, in part led by Saalfrank’s poise. She averaged 13.7 points on the year and the 5-foot-9 now junior scored a season high 31 points in a junior varsity win over Concordia.
Suzy Perego, Homestead freshman
Another freshman with a wide array of Division 1 offers before she ever takes the high school court, Perego shared the court with Cooper this past summer. Perego also has some nice international experience with an Italian National U15 championship in 2023 with Basket Roma. Over the summer, she was picked out to play for Team Italy U15 at the Jr. NBA European Finals in Spain and at the Friendship European Tournament. She is part of a freshman class at Homestead that has been highly praised.
Haley Williamson, Norwell sophomore
Williamson is going to add immediate value to the Norwell lineup that has always thrived on having a head strong point guard to lead coach Eric Thornton’s clutch offensive schemes. Williamson is a natural leader who sees the floor so well. Is she a hard worker? Well according to Norwell’s social media, she became their first shot club member this year by making 25,000 shots between April and mid-September, showcasing a terrific drive.
Delaney Noll, Homestead freshman
A star for OPS Jordan 2026 – yes, two grades older – during this past summer circuit, Noll is another piece of this loaded 2028 class at Homestead and will be moving into AAU with the West Virginia Thunder next year. Her speed advantage could help her be an immediate asset for the Spartans and the pace they push. In September, Noll was part of the All-Showcase team for the Prep Girls Hoops Indiana Freshman Showcase. Watch out for Noll’s elite passing skill to lead the way even if she is also a 3 level scorer.
Mackenzie Carter, Snider freshman
Carter helped raise her stock even more during September’s IGBRR (Indiana Girls Basketball Recruiting Report) freshman showcase, where she was consistently one of the standout players. She is continuing to improve as a downhill player that can change speeds well. As that downhill agressor, she has a good ability to help push spacing for the opposing defenses and set up her teammates well.
Leah Hertel, Columbia City senior
A little bit of a cheat here as Hertel did actually play some varsity minutes as a sophomore. But, a season away from the sport and a new school means she is a bit of a newcomer. Hertel previously played at Huntington North, where she averaged 3.7 points over 24 games. She was a helpful part of that lineup adding 2.5 rebounds per game before spending last year as part of the Vikings gymnastics team but the 5-foot-5 guard is going to be a nice new piece for a rebuilding in ways Columbia City program.
Luci Reich, Huntington North freshman
The 5-foot-8 first year high school player has been known as a lock down defender so far in her career both in middle school and on the summer circuit. She is very active defensively and that allows her to not only control the perimeter but also be a rebounding threat. Her 14.8 points per game this summer helped her flirt with a double double average for Always 100 Select 2028.
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