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 continue the countdown on the girls hoops side with positions No. 25-21.
No. 25 – Lily Kreischer, Eastside
The catalyst for Eastside’s run to a NECC tournament title a year ago, Kreischer is one of the NECC’s most consistent scorers and a constant double double threat. She averaged 11.8 points and 6.9 rebounds last season, often being the tone setter for the Blazers. Defensively, Kreischer was a problem for oppositions also, averaging three steals per game and helping be a fire starter for the offensive that thrived in transition off a turnover.
COACH’S QUOTE ON KREISCHER
“Lily is one of the best athletes in the area with an unbelievable work ethic and a motor that does not quit. She was our leading scorer last year and we expect to see her perform the same way this year as a player and leader.” – Eastside coach Mike Lortie
No. 24 – Carley Moellering, Homestead
Moellering’s rise will be something to continue to watch, but in the second half of the season she certainly showcased more ability to create on the offensive end while still being a heavily reliable threat shooting the ball. Averaging 7 points per game last season, it may get lost how incredibly vital she was to Homestead’s stacked offense, also adding 3.2 rebounds per contest. Heading into her junior year, she will get even more of a chance to showcase how total her game has become for the Spartans.
COACH’S QUOTE ON MOELLERING
“Carley is one of the most improved players in our program. Carley is an elite defender, brings great energy to our program, and is a prominent scorer on the perimeter and around the rim. Carley’s versatility will make her a tough match up for our opponents.” – Homestead coach Rod Parker
No. 23 – Alivia Bolinger, Concordia Lutheran
The diversity in Bolinger’s game meant a significant uptick in the quality of her minutes a year ago, something that carried over into the summer months as well. In just her second game last season, Bolinger scored a career high 31 points with 5 steals; it was the first of 14 games for Bolinger with multiple steals, on her way to averaging 2.1 per contest. She would also score in double figures 13 more times, including a stellar 20 point outing opposite Homestead. Bolinger averaged 13.5 points and seven rebounds per game as a sophomore.
COACH’S QUOTE ON BOLINGER
“Alivia is such a versatile player for us – she can go inside and post, she can step out and hit the three. She’s had to work on other aspects of scoring besides the three, but she provides a tough matchup for teams. This season she has a better idea of what teams may throw at her and will need to adapt accordingly. Her ability to see the floor and make the pass will help involve other teammates and keep defenses a bit more honest. We definitely need her to get to the line more often and attack the offensive boards.” – Concordia Lutheran coach Nicole Bolinger
No. 22 – Eva Herbert, Fairfield
No player in the area may have stepped up to the plate more significantly last season than Herbert, who made sure that Fairfield didn’t miss much of a beat from their state title run the season before. She put her foot on the gas quickly, scoring 23 points in a November 11 win over Goshen, where the opposition scored just 26 total points. Herbert was a do everything type of player for the Falcons, averaging 12 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals per contest.
COACH’S QUOTE ON HERBERT
“Eva had a breakout year last year and put in a lot of work this off season. She’s getting a lot of college interest, so we are all excited to see what this year brings. She’s a great person, with a strong work ethic, and an incredible teammate.” – Fairfield coach Kyle Hartman
No. 21 – Grace Scharlach, Fremont
The area’s big breakout freshman from a season ago, Scharlach lived up to substantial hype that she brought in from middle school and helped lead Fremont to a Sectional title with a co-team high 12.5 points per game. Her 2.8 assists and two steals per game averages did lead the Eagles. Scharlach has a very high motor as a lead or off guard but rarely speeds herself up too much. Balanced in her attack, she continues to get more intelligent with the ball in her hands. She also averaged 3.8 rebounds per game.
COACH’S QUOTE ON SCHARLACH
“Grace’s hard work and dedication to the game is what makes her the player she is. I look
forward to her stepping up as a leader this year.” – Fremont coach Shae Thomas
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