PREDICTED CHAMPION: BLUFFTON
This is a bit of a no brainer spot, right? The Tigers have wrapped up the conference title and this is a bit of an extra topping on the already eaten sundae.
Something special is brewing with Bluffton girls basketball as we approach the ACAC Tournament and a loss to a wildly surging Bellmont team is the only recent “black mark” if you even want to call it that. The Tigers had won 11 straight heading into the loss to Bellmont and their bounce back, ACAC clinching win over Jay County, is enough to think that they may not lose again before the postseason.
Bluffton has been lucky enough to have eight players appear in all 16 games and that kind of depth is always helpful, but especially helpful in a week where you need to rally off three wins against teams who all should know you the best. Isabella Stout leads the way at 20.1 points per game and is one of the best scorers in the area, while Konley Ault (14.9 ppg, 3.2 spg, 4.6 rpg, 4.3 apg) does just about everything for Bluffton. But also don’t forget how important that Maryn Schreiber, Madyson Sonnigsen, Khloe Dick, Tressa Renner and Sophie Eisenhut have been to this well oiled machine.
TOP CONTENDER: WOODLAN
With Alyssa Anderson averaging 16.5 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, to go along with her shot blocking prowess, the Warriors are immediately a contender anywhere they are.
The Warriors are 10-6 overall and 4-1 in the ACAC with their only conference loss coming against the already clinched champions of Bluffton. Brooke Kneubuhler is averaging 11.6 points per game and a team high 4.3 assists and 2.6 steals per contest. Woodlan has won five of their last six games and their “worst loss” – if you want to call it that – based on opposing record, is a 55-43 loss to 9-7 Leo.
BEST FIRST ROUND GAME: BLUFFTON vs. WOODLAN
These two teams played on December 13 and Bluffton came out the 66-43 winner.
That said, the Warriors have the best chance, as mentioned above, to topple Bluffton in this tournament. It being the first round game is what you get with random draw seeding. Woodlan was down just six points at halftime before Bluffton pulled away the first time.
Bluffton was led by Konley Ault’s 22 points in the first game, while Woodlan leading scorer Alyssa Anderson was held to just 12 points on 3-of-14 shooting from the field but Anderson did still have 13 rebounds and four blocks, so if her scoring output can be better, it makes this game so much more interesting.
THE UPSET TO WATCH FOR
Southern Wells over Adams Central, first round
Ok, so this isn’t an upset. But instead a chance to talk about Southern Wells and the outstanding job coach Kyle Penrod has done in his first season.
The Raiders sit at 13-4 heading into the ACAC Tournament and have clinched a winning record for the first time since 2012-2013, which is also the last time they won 13 games or more, going 16-7 and winning a Sectional title. Southern Wells last won a conference tournament game in 2020, also a win over Adams Central.
With the draw giving the winner of this game Heritage in the second round, is it possible that Southern Wells could find themselves in the ACAC Tournament finals? Southern Wells actually made the tournament finals as recently as 2017.
PLAYERS TO MAKE NOISE
Konley Ault, Bluffton
Ault is second on Bluffton in scoring at 14.9 points per game, but she has come out like a ball of fire all season doing a lot of everything along the way. She leads Bluffton in assists and steals and is second in scoring and rebounding. Ault is coming off her second double double of the season after scoring 15 with 11 assists last week in a win over Jay County.
Alyssa Anderson, Woodlan
You read above about her, but let us reiterate a little bit here. Anderson is arguably the best double double threat in Northeast Indiana. She rebounds and such a high clip and her nose for the ball in those situations is hard to manufacture. She has two 20 or more rebound games this season and is 18th in the state in rebounds per game amongst teams who’s stats are on MaxPreps.
Hallie Schwieterman, Jay County
She is averaging 19.1 points on the season and is carrying a load for a fairly young Jay County team that doesn’t want to give up all of their foothold in the ACAC despite the fact they will not repeat as regular season champions. She has scored 30 or more points three times and in the 20’s four other times this season. The sophomore’s scoring prowess is certainly among the best in the conference.
Ashlie Needler, Southern Wells
Leading the Raiders in scoring at 13.9 points per game, she has 14 double digit scoring games this season, including five straight games. In that stretch, she hit a career best 27 points (on 10-13 shooting) to open 2025 against Randolph Southern.
FULL BRACKET
Want to see Bounce’s picks for first round games? CLICK HERE
Tuesday
Adams Central at Southern Wells, 6 pm
Jay County at South Adams, 6 pm
Bluffton at Woodlan, 6 pm
Friday
Heritage at Adams Central/Southern Wells winner
Jay County/South Adams winner at Bluffton/Woodlan winner
Saturday
Championship, 6 pm at South Adams
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