We are back in action the Northeast Corner Conference and while some top players were lost to graduation, the bevy of experience back in the conference makes the race really interesting in the top, middle and even at the expected bottom.
So who rises to the top this season?
THE FRONT RUNNER
EASTSIDE
Eastside is set to build on their impressive 21-4 record from last season where they broke a program record for wins but fell short of title aspirations outside of the NECC Tournament. With the return of their top five scorers, including seniors Lily Kreischer, Paige Traxler and Sydnee Kessler, Eastside is confident in contending for a conference regular season title and momentum into the post season. The three seniors each scored double digits a game, led by 11.8 points and 7 rebounds from Kreischer. Returning with her, Traxler (11.1 ppg) and Kessler (10.3 ppg) will be fellow senior Avery Wilson and standout sophomores Lucy Kitchen (6.2 ppg) and Taylor Mack (5.3 ppg)
Varsity successes weren’t the only such victories, as the junior varsity team went 19-2 last season. Three juniors: Adelaide Elden, Rylan Moughler and Addison Moughler are expected to make impactful contributions as they move up from that JV team. This mix of veteran talent and new energy from the JV squad positions Eastside as a formidable competitor
“One of our biggest strengths will be our experience,” coach Mike Lortie said.
THE CONTENDER
FREMONT
With all five starters returning, Fremont is poised for a competitive season. Seniors Addy Parr, Brayleigh Moss, and Claire Foulk, alongside sophomores Grace Scharlach and Mya Turner, bring experience and familiarity to the team dynamic. Foulk (5.9 ppg/4.9 rpg) will bring a lot to the interior alongside Turner (9.6 ppg/5.6 rpg), but Fremont’s backcourt led by Parr (12.5 ppg) and Scharlach (12.5 ppg/2 spg) is arguably the best guard tandem in the conference.
The lineup is further strengthened by new varsity players from last year’s junior varsity team, including junior Haily Heller and sophomores Chloe Verdin and Malorie Hufnagle. With quickness as their main strength, Fremont will need to leverage that speed to compete effectively and maintain a high level of play throughout the season for another postseason push.
“With experience under our belt this year, we expect to compete at a high level. We moved from 2A sectionals to 1A sectionals, but our expectations will stay the same,” said coach Shae Thomas.
THE REST (ALPHABETICALLY)
ANGOLA
Angola, led by coach Dave Panning, is optimistic about their 2024-2025 season. With an experienced senior class, the team boasts a balanced lineup with both speed and height. The returning varsity players include seniors Lexi Stillman (7 ppg/3.3 apg), Bailey Holman (8.1 ppg/7.6 rpg), Ava Rinard (5.8 ppg), Karleigh Gillen, Anna McClure and Alana Miller and junior Aspen Sutton, who all bring varied but valued on-court experience. Additionally, the team welcomes a promising freshman class with Kendall Holman, Stella Stockamp, Hadley Pocock and Ella Savick, who are expected to strengthen the roster further. Addison Weisenauer moves in to Angola for her junior season.
The program has focused on improving their defense. Offensively, the team aims for efficiency by utilizing their diverse skill set. Over the summer, the team bonded and sharpened their skills by participating in over 20 games, building momentum and cohesion ahead of the season.
“We hope to be much better defensively than we were last year with a better ability to put pressure on the ball and defend the rim. Offensively, we have several weapons we hope to use in a more efficient style of play,” Panning said.
CENTRAL NOBLE
Central Noble has the strength of having one of the best returning cores in the NECC this season. Seniors Kierra Bolen, Taylor Custer, Kennedy Vice and Megan Carnahan are all back and they are joined by juniors Abby Pliett and Grace Swank, who add valuable height and experience of their own.
New additions like junior Katie Forker, junior move in Austen McGlothlin, and sophomore Kaydintz Bales – the leading JV scorer for Central Noble last year – are expected to strengthen the lineup and contribute to the team’s depth. That depth is one of the team’s primary strengths this season, which coach Sam Malcolm thinks fosters healthy competition in practice and could provides flexibility in both scoring and defensive strategies.
“Our six returning letter winners should provide the leadership needed to be competitive in our conference and sectional,” said Malcolm.
CHURUBUSCO
The Eagles made a change in the coaching world, bringing in Dawn Kock to take over a program that has two solid leaders heading into the new season. Churubusco returns its top two scorers from last season with Brooklyn Sinclair (9.9 ppg/1.9 spg) and Bridget Timbrook (9.3 ppg/3.8 rpg) both back for their senior seasons. Patty Wiggs (6.3 ppg/4.7 rpg) is also expected to return for the Eagles.
The rest of the significant Churubusco could minutes could see interesting splits. The Eagles saw 17 different players contribute on the varsity level last season with 12 of those playing double digit games. Just two significant contributors were lost to graduation.
FAIRFIELD
Fairfield didn’t seem to miss much of a beat in their transition between coaches heading into last season. And while they didn’t match the lofty spot of a state finals appearance, they still went an outstanding 22-4 while winning the NECC regular season title. Junior guard Eva Herbert, who led last season with 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game, will spearhead the offensive efforts alongside forward Madison Jones (10 ppg/5 rpg), a sophomore standout with consistent rebounding and scoring ability. Macy Worthman, a junior, is also back after averaging six points last season.
Six players will be up from the junior varsity, including senior Haddee Herbert, juniors Maddy Miller and Gisel Lopez and sophomores Hayden Minder and Aubrey Wogomon. Mykayla Mast also joins the Fairfield lineup for her junior year after playing at Westview. With a well-rounded mix of experienced players and fresh talent, the team’s biggest strengths this year are its offensive variety and rebounding edge according to coach Kyle Hartman.
“We’ll be able to score in a lot of different ways this season. Last year we grinded through a lot of games but this year I expect us to get up and down the court more. We have a lot of weapons on the court this year,” coach Kyle Hartman said.
GARRETT
After an 8-16 record last year, the Railroaders are hopeful for a bump up due to returning players like Sarah DePew, who averaged 12 points and 6.3 rebounds per game and is one of the better returning guards in the NECC. She will be joined by returning seniors Delaeni Hixson (4.8 ppg/6.2 rpg) and Madison Freeze and sophomore Rilyn Flotow.
New talent, including Emma Coffman and Ava Secrest, is expected to enhance guard play and reduce turnovers, a key area of focus following challenges last season. Secrest did not play the last two seasons but returns for her senior year while a lot could be expected of Coffman during her freshman campaign. Fellow freshman Hadley Flotow and sophomore Charlotte Lemen will add depth to the lineup.
“We will be improved over last season. We are still young, but more experienced. With the addition of Emma Coffman and Ava Secrest along with returnee Sarah DePew, our guard play should improve,” coach John Bodey said.
LAKELAND
With a roster full of returning talent and a couple of new additions, this season could be a nice bounce back for Lakeland. The senior trio of Cara Schackow (4 ppg/4.3 rpg), Arlene Thompson, and Briana Poe are back to anchor the lineup. Juniors Dulce Canedo (8.3 ppg) and Katelyn Ryan (4.2 ppg) round out the upperclassmen, ready to make big contributions in the point guard and small forward spots. Meanwhile, sophomores Zoey Bowman (4.5 ppg) and McKenzie Carlson will add depth
Newcomer Madison Larimer, who, at 6’1”, is a promising addition at center after not playing as a freshman. Freshman Ella Huppenthal is also projected to bring fresh talent to the power forward position. The team’s outlook is positive and ambitious, fueled by a summer of bonding and hard work, allowing them to enter the season with renewed energy and optimism. With a deep bench, Lakeland will look to capitalize on aggressive defense, creating turnovers and quick transition plays.
“Defensively, I think we will be able to be more aggressive on that end, with fantastic athletes who can guard multiple positions. We are very confident we are going to be able to apply pressure more on the perimeter and hopefully create more opportunities for us on the other end,” coach James Benson said.
PRAIRIE HEIGHTS
This is a pretty inexperienced Prairie Heights roster that will have to lean heavily on returning players senior Emily McCrea (9.7 ppg/7 rpg) and junior Avery Wagler, who have the only real experience on the varsity side. The Panthers will have three juniors move up from the junior varsity with forward Maddison Certain, guard Peyton Gibson and combo Jenna Park. Depth will be added to the lineup with sophomore Bailee Godsey and Prairie Heights also adds a freshman in 5-foot-11 forward Avery Certain.
Despite their youth, the team has notable strengths, particularly their size advantage under the basket and quickness on the floor.
“Our program is very young entering this season. This season we are focusing on the fundamentals and small wins within games and practices as we look to build on each game and practice,” coach Bill Morr said.
WEST NOBLE
The 2024-2025 season marks a fresh chapter for West Noble, with a lot of new talent coming to the court for the Chargers. West Noble is only expected to return three players with significant experience in junior forward Kayle Jordan (2.3 ppg/3.8 rpg), as well as a pair of sophomore guards in Marley Mast (4 ppg/3.7 rpg) and Allison Recendiz (2.3 ppg).
The lineup will be bolstered by new varsity players up from the junior varsity in junior guard Stella Venturi and sophomore forward Leah Pruitt. Another sophomore Reagan Eash will join the lineup after not playing last season. The future of West Noble will start being built heavily this season too with three freshmen expected to contribute in Elyse Mea, Ava DeLong and Addy Burns. As the season unfolds, this group’s work ethic and evolving chemistry could keep some opponents on their toes and pave the way for a promising year.
“We are excited to get started this season and continue to keep growing off a successful summer and preseason,” coach Haley Holliday said. “We also have been building a strong team culture with a family-based outlook and positive team culture, so to keep building and growing that aspect as well.”
WESTVIEW
While Westview loses all-conference player Hope Bortner to graduation, the vast majority of the team is back and looking to build on last season. Coach Ryan Yoder will return seven varsity players and likely won’t be adding anyone to the fold. Senior guard Karis Weinberg (6.6 ppg) and forward Morgan Riegsecke lead the team’s veteran presence. They’re joined by juniors Bre Cory (8.6 ppg), a reliable forward shooting 50% on two-point attempts, Janissa Lehman (2.5 ppg/2.6 rpg), JJ Whetstone (3.2 ppg) and Maddie Grossman, a 6-foot tall center.
Sophomore Olivia Bontrager (3.3 ppg/2.2 rpg) adds to this core, rounding out a lineup that’s ready to carry strong offseason momentum into the regular season. With experienced leaders at every spot and a focus on refining key areas, the team is looking to be well-positioned to compete effectively and push toward a successful season.
“We are experienced at all positions and have a good idea of what we need to improve on to be successful this season,” coach Ryan Yoder said.
BOUNCE’S NECC PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Eastside
2. Fremont
3. Fairfield
4. Central Noble
5. Angola
6. Garrett
7. Churubusco
8. Prairie Heights
9. Lakeland
10. Westview
11. West Noble
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