After Homestead and Carroll had owned the top of the SAC for several years, Northrop and Snider broke through the last two seasons season to end their reign.
The question entering this season is, can the Bruins and Panthers stay atop the SAC despite losing plenty of production to graduation? Or will Homestead or Carroll claim the conference title in a return to form?
There’s plenty of intrigue in the city as the regular-season begins.
THE FRONT RUNNER
HOMESTEAD
If you do not factor in Emma Reust, who missed most of last season with a knee injury, the Spartans lost zero production to graduation from a team that won 23 games and reached the semistate round of the Class 4A tournament.
The junior duo of Myah Epps and Gabby Helsom lead the way. Epps paced Homestead in points (17.5) and assists (5.2) and is one of the top players in the area regardless of position.
Conversely, Helsom is a force both inside and out. She can play on the perimeter, but is also physical and tough to handle duty in the post. She averaged 16 points and six rebounds a game as a sophomore.
And that duo is just part of an ultra-talented junior class that also includes guards Whitney Ankenbruck (11 ppg, 4.6 rpg), Carley Moellering (seven ppg, three apg) and Kendall McLaughlin.
This year’s team will have more of a senior presence with the trio of Liv Fry, Seline Oezcan and Delaney Seitz filling roles.
“Being that we return all five starters, experience should be our biggest strength this season,” Homestead coach Rod Parker said. “Secondly, we are adding a lot of depth to our team this year, which will make us more versatile than in years past.”
Homestead, after a one-year drought, is poised to bounce back as SAC champions.
THE CONTENDER
NORTHROP
Despite the loss of four seniors – three of which are playing on the college level – Northrop has a talented core returning, led by an experienced and resilient junior class. Swynn Jackson and Khala Williams-Thomas will be crucial in leading the team on and off the court. Their length and ability to play multiple positions make them valuable assets.
Joining them in returning are juniors Brilee Day (3 ppg), Alivia Rice (3.3 ppg, 1.3 spg), Niamyah Anderson and Marion Wyss. Anderson, at 5-10, is a critical player when it comes to locking down the interior.
A pivotal new addition to the team will be 6-1 forward Miley Wareing (11.7 ppg, 9.4 rpg), a transfer from Bishop Luers. However, Wareing won’t be available until mid-season. Her return is highly anticipated, as her height and inside play will significantly enhance Northrop’s lineup, adding both rebounding and shot-blocking capabilities.
THE REST (ALPHABETICALLY)
BISHOP DWENGER
It has been six years since the Saints last finished with a winning record, but with former Jay County coach Kirk Comer on board, he of the 408 career victories, things could change quickly.
Five of the top six scorers are back from a season ago, including sophomore Izzie Eke, who led the team in scoring at 10.2 points per game.
What will be important to the turnaround at Bishop Dwenger is the offense. This is a program that hasn’t averaged more than 48 points per game in a season since 2018-19, Coach Cleveland Inge’s final year.
BISHOP LUERS
After capturing a Class 2A state title a year ago, the Knights are rebuilding their roster with a new coach at the helm. Mark Pixley stepped down and assistant coach Mary Hathaway is now at the helm.
The big test for Hathaway and the Knights is how to replace all five starters. Luers was hit hard due to graduation and move outs with Miley Wareing now at Northrop and Maggie Parent moving to Florida. Senior Reese Rhodehamel though is back after playing in in 26 games and averaging 6.8 points per contest.
CARROLL
Last season was the first losing season for the Carroll Chargers since the 2013-14 campaign
Although last season didn’t quite go as expected, head coach Mark Redding remains excited for this upcoming season.
“With an experienced team and leading scorers returning this year, I am looking forward to a strong season and a tournament run,” Redding said.
The team returns their top two leading scorers from last season. Junior Lily George returns as the leader for the Chargers. She averaged 14.9 points per game last season, which led the team. She also averaged 9.5 rebounds per game, nearly averaging a double-double. George is joined by senior guard Jersey Paul, who also returns. She was the second leading scorer from last year (14.3 ppg), while also averaging 2.3 steals per game.
Also returning are three seniors and one junior. Ava Myers (junior) got a lot of playing time last season and provided 7.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and a steal a game for the Chargers. Also returning are seniors Callie Mitchell, Madi Gawthrop and Lauren Kirkpatrick.
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN
Junior Alivia Bolinger is as advertised, a player who can fill the bucket and crash the boards. She did both last year to the tune of 13.4 points and seven rebounds a game.
Success for the Cadets likely hinges on how the personnel around Bolinger perform. Juniors Cella Kaiser and Lauren Goodman combined for 15.3 points a game, and Goodman is adept at running the offense.
There is talent and experience at Concordia, which could lead to the program’s first winning season in four years.
NORTH SIDE
The Legends won just two games last year, a significant regression from a seven-victory campaign in 2022-23.
Coach Michael Wallace will have a young group to mold in his sixth year at the helm, although senior combo guard Aubrey Bleeke, who led the team in scoring at 10.3 points per game last year, is back.
A pair of juniors in Jayonna Flotow and Makaya Harmeyer will be pivotal, as well as several sophomores. North Side got a trio of transfers into the program, junior Mariana Mitchell and sophomore Avery Leisure from Northrop and sophomore Saniyah Kimbrough from Snider.
SNIDER
Five years ago, the Panthers won just five games, but since former coach Akilah Sims and now Reggie Tharp have led the program, things have been different, including a league title last year.
But also different is the losses to graduation (and Division I hoops) of Jordyn Poole and Johnea Donahue.
The Panthers will be a mix of young and old, with an ultra-talented freshman class being complemented by a senior class that has seen the ebb and flow of contributions in their careers, featuring the likes of Kyra Parker, Saniah Sandlin, Brie Barnes and Zy Phinezy.
SOUTH SIDE
It has been a trying couple of years for Coach Juanita Goodwell and the Archers. What was formerly a go-to destination for talent in the city is now struggling to retain that talent as other programs rise.
But Goodwell doesn’t have over 200 career wins for nothing. She knows what she’s doing. South will be “young and feisty” this season in Goodwell’s words, with sophomores Renaesha Autry (8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game last year) and Bry’Lee Diedrich-WIlliams being relied upon heavily in the backcourt.
Center JaMaya Green may end up being the lone senior in the rotation, with junior Amayia Shetler, sophomores Sophia Mante and Ka’Leigha Owens (Northrop transfer) and freshmen Bri’Tanya Diedrick-Williams and Maddie White leading South’s youth movement.
WAYNE
Heading into the stretch run after Christmas a year ago, the Generals were 8-7. Then, they dropped their final nine games to finish 8-16.
Coach Lacia Gorman is expected a bounce-back campaign despite the losses of seniors Khalise Collins and Sydney Gorman.
After a superb freshman campaign, 5-7 guard Diva Irons returns as part of a potentially great sophomore class. A pair of senior transfers, Kamoni Grayson (South Side) and Nevaeh Wattley (Northrop) will be big additions to a veteran upperclassmen group.
This will be the most athletic team that Coach Gorman has had at Wayne, which has her excited.
BOUNCE’S SAC PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Homestead
2. Northrop
3. Carroll
4. Snider
5. Bishop Dwenger
6. Concordia Lutheran
7. Bishop Luers
8. Wayne
9. North Side
10. South Side
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