The previews of the area’s big four conferences will come. But before we get to the SAC, NE8, ACAC and NECC, lets take a look at the teams in the area that Outside the Huddle covers that are not part of one of the big four.
Because these programs may prove to be critical in their respective conferences and classes throughout the season
BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN
The graduation of key players has left an opportunity for a younger group to shine as head coach Steph Gongaware sits five wins away from the 100 mark for her career. Experience does return in Malea Steele, who averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds per game, and Avery Ellsworth (5 ppg/3apg), providing guidance and setting the tone. Senior Maya Barrand and junior Marnie Davis also return to the lineup.
Senior Izzy Saldivar and juniors Lily Stangland and Quinn Mann will move up from the junior varsity level, while freshmen Desi Pope and 5-foot-10 forward Jae Pickett join the fold as well. They help what Gongaware says is a completely different look of a team, which may throw some opposing teams off.
“We are a pretty young group overall but do have a couple key players with experience which will help mold the younger girls. We have a solid foundation and I am excited to see our improvement throughout the course of the season,” said Gongaware.
HAMILTON
It will be a new look for Hamilton as they move on from the NECC this season. It comes with a lot of excitement about how the girls have bonded and adapted to the changes within the program, including a new head coach.
Abbi Dager and Taryn Kintz will help lead the way as the seniors for this season’s team. Juniors Tristen Creager, TeigAnn Freed and Marissa Mercer are also ready to step up. But Hamilton too has a lot of fresh slate players to help build the program up with sophomore Bella Rivera and freshmen Brenna Mercer and Karly Nester expected to contribute.
“We are building a new foundation for Hamilton girls basketball. We will have to deal with a lot of adversity this season, but are up for the challenge,” said coach Kris Tadsen. “We are looking forward to playing in a new conference this season. The girls team at Hamilton this year are a great group; the sky is the limit.”
LAKEWOOD PARK
This season’s strengths lie in the team’s experience and defensive capabilities, with five letter winners returning. Returning senior players for Lakewood Park include Ava McGrade (19.8 ppg/2.7 spg), a quick-scoring guard, Campbell Warner and Lilia West (3.4 ppg), a versatile guard/forward. That senior class will be very important especially the big stat threat of McGrade. But the Panthers return plenty more that could make them a threat. Junior Riah Johnson and 6-foot sophomore Gracelyn Martin (2.6 ppg) also return.
Rising players like Luci Young, stepping up from JV as a formidable 6’1” center, fellow junior Hannah Jacquay and freshmen guards Luca Bontrager and Carigan Treesh are eager to contribute. The team is looking to establish a focal point on defense early and often in the season.
“We are searching for one or two people to really take charge and lead this group. If someone can step up and fill in for [graduated] Jade Carnahan and Grace Kamleiter in that regard we could be a tough team to beat. I think we have a great group of kids who will work hard. There will be some bump along the way but I am hopeful and optimistic we will make strides all season long,” said Lakewood Park coach Jared Estep.
MANCHESTER
This is a highly experienced Manchester team, coming off a 14-win season. Seniors Molly Schannep and Hanna Stout, alongside juniors Peyton Ream (6 ppg) and Hadley West (3.8 ppg), bring seasoned leadership to the roster, while sophomores Emma Walker (10.5 ppg/6.8) and Ava Sautter add depth and energy with Walker as the team’s top returning scorer. Even with the departure of key players like Gracie Lauer and Kimberly Schroll, this group is optimistic, leaning into the strong team chemistry they’ve cultivated through hard work and dedication.
Newcomers Kaitlyn Schroll and Allie Egolf, moving up from JV, and freshman Olivia Stevens add freshness to a team that feels like they have good chemistry and experience.
“This group can create a lot of chaos on the defensive end with their athleticism. They also are able to score from the inside, off the dribble, but also on the outside with multiple shooters,” said coach Allison Kauffman said. “Their biggest strength is going to be their team chemistry and how well they work together on the court.”
WABASH
Welcome to the OTH world to Wabash, who joins our coverage area this season with a big boom in the addition of Brookelyn Buzzard to the lineup. Buzzard was a monster at Manchester last season and joins an upperclass heavy lineup for the Apaches. At the head of that lineup is Kaitlynn Honeycutt (13.3 ppg/4 spg), joined in return by fellow seniors Janika Stumbo (4.6 ppg) and Sammie Walter. Returning too will be two solid members of the junior class in Bryleigh Boggs (9.3 ppg/6.6 rpg) and Logan Wright.
A benefit for Wabash too will be the experience that joins their already established squad. Outside of Buzzard (14.4 ppg/4.4 rpg), another senior joins the program in guard move in Anna Daughtry from St. Louis. Internally, Wabash will see three seniors move up from the junior varsity level to provide depth: Gretta France, Kenley McWhirt and Olivia Braun. For those uninitiated on Wabash, coach Matt Stone has won 250 games in his career between boys and girls basketball; he has won 134 of those coaching the Wabash girls.
“Should be extremely competitive in county, conference and Sectional,” Stone said. “[We are] senior laden and very deep.”
WARSAW
The Warsaw Tigers are area juggernauts, not just in the Northern Lakes Conference, but in all of Northeast Indiana. Led by a powerful trio of Division 1 prospects with senior forward Brooke Winchester (15.4 ppg/9.5 rpg) and junior guards Brooke Zartman (16.3 ppg) and Joslyn Bricker (16.2 ppg/4.1 rpg), they are looking to bounce back big from a tough Sectional round loss last season as they push their streaks of 22 straight conference wins and 3 straight conference titles. The top returners are supported by a versatile lineup of returning varsity players with seniors Braylie Chastain and Leila Knepp as well as juniors Alexis Neely (7.4 ppg), Kyra Kiser and Kelsey Wrenn. This a very experienced Tiger squad. Senior Abbey Peterson also returns to the Tigers lineup after taking last season off to focus on golf.
Adding to the deep core of returners will be the additions of junior Erin McManus, sophomore Cayleigh Goheen and freshman Madison Branam. Offensively, this team boasts talent across the board, with an impressive ability to score from three-point range, mid-range, and at the rim. They’ve broken the school record for most three-pointers made in a season for the past two years.
“When we are playing as a collective unit we are capable of putting points on the board. Everyone saw a glimpse of what this team is capable of last January. While we averaged over 60 points per game last season, we have worked hard to become a better defensive team and I think that will pay off this season,” said coach Lenny Krebs.
WHITKO
The Wildcats lost just one player to graduation but a couple of other pieces as well for various reasons. That said, they return quite a bit under coach Justin Jordan that he is excited about. At the top of his lineup, he returns four quality scorers lead by seniors Adriyanna Phillips (11 ppg/3 rpg) and Braisha Harrison (7.8 ppg). Back too are junior Reese Stonebraker (8.1 ppg/4.9 rpg) and one of last year’s area breakout freshmen in Jayma Stonebraker (11.7 ppg/3 spg).
Whitko will fill out their lineup with a freshman point guard in Hazel Leffers. Whitko also adds a pair of sophomore move ins with Jocelyn Luecke and Anna Allebach, who both come from Warsaw.
“We return a lot from the year before. We had great chemistry last year on and off the court so I anticipate that gets even better. I believe we will have a decent year,” Jordan said.
These opinions represent those of Bounce and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow Bounce on Twitter at Bounce_OTH
Be the first to comment