JAE PICKETT, BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN
Pickett showed promising two-way potential during her freshman campaign, contributing 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game. Her size and athleticism allowed her to be a defensive anchor for the Braves, often altering shots and controlling the glass against older opponents. Pickett’s presence in the paint provided Blackhawk with a reliable interior option on both ends, while her rebounding instincts and shot-blocking (4 vs. Concordia) make her one of the area’s more intriguing young forwards to watch.
“Jae has made tremendous strides since last season. Not only is she dangerous in the post but she has developed a mid range game this past offseason that will help spread the floor. Her athleticism and work ethic are going to make her a problem for opposing teams,” said Blackhawk Christian coach Steph Gongaware. “Her ability to block shots on the defensive end will make opponents shot attempts a lot more challenging. Meanwhile, she is just scratching the surface of her potential. Jae is a natural leader that people gravitate towards. We are looking for her to have a major impact on and off the court for us this season.”
LUCA BONTRAGER, LAKEWOOD PARK
Bontrager is an energetic and developing guard for Lakewood Park Christian, where she brings quickness, and strong court awareness to the floor. As a freshman, she averaged 4.7 points, 3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.8 steals per game — numbers that reflect her defensive intensity. Bontrager’s game is built on energy; she pressures opposing ball-handlers, creates turnovers, and contributes as a facilitator in transition.
“Luca is such a great athlete, we are very excited to see what she can do for us this year. She is going to be asked to do a lot. She will be our primary ball handler and has the potential to be one of the top defenders in the area,” said Lakewood Park coach Andrew Evertts. “Offensively she can shoot the 3 and get to the rim well, so we definitely expect her to be one of our leading scorers.”
SUZY PEREGO, HOMESTEAD
Perego is a sophomore at Homestead this season., listed at about 6′1″ and primarily playing small forward. She has the ability to create offense off the bounce, giving her upside as a multi-dimensional wing. As a sophomore on Homestead’s varsity roster, she already holds a place among her team’s core contributors. With her combination of length, ball skills, and early success, she projects as one of Indiana’s rising wing talents in her class as she earns more depth in her Spartan experience. Last season, Perego gave the Spartans 2.3 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.
“I believe Suzy has the most diverse skill set of any player in the area. She can play all five positions, rebounds well, is an excellent passer, has a great feel for the game, and can score from anywhere on the court. Suzy has a high ceiling and will have a breakout year in 2025-26,” said Homestead coach Rod Parker.
LIZ BRUNSWICK, JAY COUNTY
Brunswick is a sophomore guard for Jay County High and has carved out a well-rounded all-around role for her team. She averaged 7.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.7 steals per game over 23 contests as a freshman.That rebounding average is particularly strong for a guard, hinting at her tenacity and effort on both ends. As a sophomore, she’s already showing signs of being a dependable presence in Jay County’s rotation, offering balance through scoring, playmaking, and defense.
“Liz is a dynamic athlete, she brings versatility and energy to every game. Her ability to dominate inside the paint or step out on the wing makes her difficult to guard,” said Jay County coach Sherri McIntire. “She’s a force on defense, always giving her team a spark with effort and toughness. When attacking the rim, she does it with confidence and strength, making her difficult to defend and constant scoring threat.”
ADDISON NORRIS, NORWELL
Norris has emerged as a versatile two-way contributor for Norwell. During the 2025 Class 3A state championship, Norris delivered a stat-studded performance: 16 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, and 4 blocks, helping Norwell clinch its first girls’ state title. Over the season, she averaged 6.6 points per game. Norris’s all-around game—scoring, defense, rebounding—underscores her value as a budding breakout performer in her senior season.
“Addison plays each game as if it’s her last. She brings a bulldog mentality to the fight and a toughness that you can’t teach. Her performance in the state championship game will never be forgotten as she refused to let us lose,” said Norwell coach Eric Thornton. “Addison’s makes so many plays on the baseline of our 1-3-1 and can score at all 3 levels offensively. Her leadership shows in how she plays with physicality and an unwavering determination to win.”
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