Eastside heads into the new season with high expectations, fueled by momentum from a dominant 2024–25 campaign. The Blazers went a perfect 10–0 in the NECC regular season and captured the conference and conference tournament crowns as well as Sectional and Regional titles; it was their first Regional title since 1979.
Anchoring the roster are returning starters Taylor Mack (junior guard/forward) and Lucy Kitchen (junior guard), both of whom bring firepower and versatility to the backcourt Both Mack and Kitchen were crucial pieces to last year’s team and have been a big part of the program since their freshman seasons. Mack averaged 10.1 points last year and is the team’s leading returning scorer, but her impact has gone well beyond that, posting 2.2 steals per game as well. Kitchen averaged 7.8 points per game last season.
Supporting them are other key returners: Adelaide Elden (2.9 ppg), Addison Moughler, and Rylan Moughler. With years of experience in the program, these five returners establish a backbone of continuity and leadership.
Adding more depth to the rotation this year are varsity newcomers like Paige Kriescher, Payton Reycasa, and Carly Carnahan, with just Kreischer being a senior. These additions will help offset the loss of three high-scoring graduates, as Sydnee Kessler, Lily Kreischer and Paige Traxler had combined for 2,569 points in their Eastside careers. The addition of the pair of juniors and the senior Kreischer looks to inject some new blood into the Eastside varsity lineup.
One of Eastside’s greatest strengths is the wealth of experience returning, even after losing so many scoring contributors. The team’s chemistry and collective buy-in have been forged through past success, and their defensive mindset and athleticism are expected to be weapons on most nights. Their togetherness—on and off the court—will be a key differentiator in tight contests.
Still, there are areas for growth. Even though the returners know the system well, they’ll need to continue elevating their leadership, especially as newer varsity players adjust.
The schedule will challenge them early, but the Blazers will draw confidence from their last season’s run, including a strong showing in the state tournament. Their resilient postseason performance gives them experience to lean on now, especially big postseason games like their wins over Andrean (Regionals) and Whitko (semi state semi finals).
In the Northeast Corner Conference, Eastside enters as the team to beat. Their 10–0 conference record last year set a high standard. In all, with conference tournament and postseason play, Eastside was 16-0 against NECC opponents a season ago. The Blazers will be chasing both the NECC regular season crown and the NECC Tournament title again, all while aiming to defend and repeat their Sectional Championship success from last season.
If Eastside can maintain their defensive identity, grow their leadership, and get productive contributions from their newcomers, they’re well positioned to make a deep postseason run. With the core of the team back and a shared hunger to prove themselves, the expectation is nothing less than competing for every title on the line.
“Coming off of a 27-2 season, with a final four appearance in 2A we look to continue that success. We are very excited to get things going with this group of young ladies. We may look a little different, but everyone will see that we can adjust and maintain the willingness to play for each other that has been the staple of our program for the last few years with “Drive, Determination, and Discipline,” said coach Mike Lortie.
WHY #5?
Admittedly, Eastside has some big shoes to fill. They lost who many consider their three biggest and most consistent performers to graduation. That said, Eastside under Lortie has been able to refresh pretty quickly when needing to rely on new faces. There is little question as to whether the Blazers will be able to do that in Lortie’s seventh season or not since it has become such a consistent rise.
Eastside overwhelms and overperforms every season as of late. The NECC is going to be a pretty solid battle ground this season, but so far there is no indication that the Blazers are going to take a step backwards from being the class of the conference.
KEY GAME
vs. South Bend Riley (December 27 at East Noble)
The Blazers will take part in East Noble’s Max Platt Tournament in December and while their announced opening round game against South Bend Riley has no “make or break” impact on the Blazers’ season, it is a rare test none the less.
Eastside doesn’t get the luxury of scheduling a wild assortment of out of the area opponents because of their Class 2A status and the NECC having the most teams of any area conference and a conference tournament to boot. So the Blazers’ dance card is always pretty full out of the gate.
South Bend Riley was 16-10 a season ago and their style is one that could really test Eastside. The Blazers have bigger and more important games that this 1 p.m. affair, but the uniqueness of this opponent, who is in Class 4A, should only help strengthen Eastside in the long run.
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