Every other week, Outside the Huddle will break down the top 10 teams on the girls side.
#1 – Warsaw Tigers (13-0, 3-0 NLC)
The Tigers have some easier wins on their schedule sure, but their handling of a hot Columbia City team last week reminds us just how good and how deep Warsaw is. Brooke Zartman has continued to be on a tear as the best three point shooter we have seen on the girls side, possibly in the last decade. Warsaw is a complete team and that is why they sit undefeated heading into the new year, with their next game January 4. Warsaw is beating opponents by just a hair under 30 points per game on average.
Why not higher?
They don’t get higher.
Best win/Worst loss: 65-50 win over Columbia City; No Losses
#2 – Homestead Spartans (11-1, 5-0 SAC)
Homestead has to fall because they are no longer unbeaten like the top team this week. Warsaw holds all of the power, but the Spartans are right there with Myah Epps baring down on 1,000 career points and Gabby Helsom peaking at that spot herself.
Why not higher?
A loss is a loss, right? Even when its not really a bad loss?
Best win/Worst loss: 76-66 win over Norwell; 47-51 loss to Columbia City
#3 – Eastside Blazers (12-0, 6-0 NECC)
The best start in Eastside history belongs to this team and they have done it in a very balanced and cerebral way. You never know who the leading Blazer scorer is going to be in a box score and it has to make them much more difficult to scout for opponents when anyone could go off on any given night.
Why not higher?
While they remain unbeaten, Homestead has played a much tougher schedule.
Best win/Worst loss: 52-35 win over Woodlan; No Losses
#4 – Columbia City Eagles (10-3, 3-0 NE8)
The Eagles are on one of the best runs of the coach Amy Shearer era and they really are only on a one game win streak due to a 50-65 loss to Warsaw last week. But before that, their five game winning streak was legendary with both a rare win opposite Homestead and a win at The Castle over Norwell. Right now, CC is top of mind in many ways.
Why not higher?
They do have three losses, so it keeps them down (for now) despite their recent run of success.
Best win/Worst loss: 51-47 win over Homestead; 53-57 loss to Fishers
#5 – Bellmont Braves (12-1, 3-0 NE8)
They won six, got torched by Homestead, and then won six more. Since the Homestead loss, only one team has gotten into the 40s against Bellmont while they’ve held two teams in the 20s. Emily Bleke was the IBCA Region 1 Player of the Week last week as well.
Why not higher?
They would be if Columbia City didn’t win so many big ones in a row. Can’t wait for that NE8 matchup.
Best win/Worst loss: 53-38 win over DeKalb; 32-67 loss to Homestead
#6 – Norwell Knights (9-4, 2-1 NE8)
This is Norwell. They score well, they defend well, they rebound well. The toughest part of their schedule is in the past now and it makes it seem like the Knights have a good chance to not lose much, if at all, the remainder of the regular season.
Why not higher?
Four losses. That is really it. Because Norwell is still really good.
Best win/Worst loss: 62-57 win over Northrop; 54-57 loss to Northridge
#7 – Northrop Bruins (9-2, 4-1 SAC)
The Bruins lost by an identical 62-57 in their second and third games of the season, three days apart. They haven’t lost since. In fact, they really have not looked beatable in that time be it in the SAC, the area, or other parts of the state. Their defense always clicks and with the depth of their offense lately, Northrop is fighting to stay in the SAC title picture.
Why not higher?
Really more based on what the teams ahead of Northrop are doing. Hard for them to leapfrog anyone this week.
Best win/Worst loss: 63-54 win over Carroll; 57-62 loss to Concordia
#8 – Bluffton Tigers (13-1, 4-0 ACAC)
Bluffton has all but proven to be the class of the ACAC and their recent win over Wabash was really eye opening to see how good they can be. Isabella Stout, Maryn Schreiber and Konley Ault have led the way but this is a team effort to win the last 11 in a row.
Why not higher?
Like a broken record, it is the level of competition a bit. And their one loss coming to a .500 team doesn’t help at least in this power poll.
Best win/Worst loss: 78-52 win over Wabash; 47-57 loss to East Noble
#9 – Fairfield Falcons (11-2, 5-0 NECC)
The Falcons are winners of their last seven games and haven’t lost since November 19. They are moving in the right direction every single night and it is going to make for an interesting second half of the NECC season with them right back in the title picture.
Why not higher?
I’d like to see that win streak carry a bit more weight with competiton before a move up.
Best win/Worst loss: 37-31 win over Fremont; 28-51 loss to John Glenn
#10 – Whitko Wildcats (8-2, 4-0 TRC)
With a win over Lewis Cass last week at the race of the top of the TRC, the Wildcats are really shining right now. They have a lot of the tools they will need to try and close out this conference and also to compete in the postseason. Whitko is certainly one to watch in the second half of the season and they deserved a little praise here.
Why not higher?
They certainly need a tougher schedule to rise a lot and that loss to Columbia City was super lopsided.
Best win/Worst loss: 63-54 win over Central Noble; 44-83 loss to Columbia City
IN CONSIDERATION
Wabash, 9-3
Lakewood Park, 8-2
Fremont, 10-4
Snider, 9-5
Central Noble, 9-3
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