BOUNCE: Area girls basketball teams who are better than their record may indicate

CARROLL (3-9)

When we talk about teams who are better than their record shows, Carroll is one of three on this list who also lost one of their best players before the season began. That was a lot for the Chargers to have to answer through, an eager early season schedule has not made it easier. Carroll has yet to have back-to-back wins this season. But with 6 SAC games remaining on the schedule, the early season strength of schedule has to be beneficial down the stretch of the season. Of note, Carroll actually has the 17th toughest schedule in the state according to the most recent Sagarin Ratings.

Lily George is a machine on the interior and few area teams have a matchup that is good for her, which is something that helps keep Carroll a viable option to win a lot of games they are in. She has the rare double double average going and has had double digit rebounds eight times this season. Ava Myers is averaging 12.2 points per game as she has developed into a really reliable second option. Myers has three 20-plus point games and Carroll is 2-1 in those contests.

BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN (7-4)

The Braves have won four (or five) straight games and are starting to come into their own with a still young lineup. Not being in a conference, the comparison of Blackhawk Christian to other area teams is difficult, but look at their last loss for some comp. Concord beat them by 12, but Angola by only seven. The Braves also dropped games to Eastside, Fremont and Leo but by a standard 18 points each outing.

With just two games in the books against Class 1A teams, they are 1-1 in that area with the Fremont loss. The fact that Blackhawk Christian also punches up in class a lot makes it difficult to see how strong they really are against teams on their level and teams they need to beat in the postseason. On Tuesday night, they showed some grit as Jae Pickett helped lead them through adversity in beating Heritage.

WOODLAN (4-5)

Lets take Tuesday’s loss to Norwell this week out of the equation because the Knights are the top team in the state for a reason. The Warriors are 2-0 right now in the ACAC and very much in the conversation – if not the lead – when it comes to the ACAC race right now. That comes with a December 12 upset victory over conference favorite Bluffton that should have and should continue to open a lot of people’s eyes about Woodlan.

After being held to single digit rebounds for five games in a row, massive double-double threat Alyssa Anderson returned to form against Bluffton last week, snatching 17 rebounds to go with her 20 points. To do that against a team with good inside play is significant for Woodlan moving forward. Sophomore Savannah Scheumann is averaging 9.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game as she is developing into a bigger threat including a 19 point, 5 steal effort in just a 10 point loss to Eastside.

GARRETT (6-5)

The Railroaders have already matched or surpassed last year’s win total so that alone is a good sign under first year head coach Wade Hantz. The Railroaders have had a three game winning streak and have not lost more than two in a row this season. More impressively perhaps has been their ability to push teams into deeper waters than expected with quality performances opposite Angola, Eastside and Leo.

Avery Leech is one of those players who has to be considered one of the best breakout players in the NECC, if not the area. She has emerged as a rare double-double threat and is averaging 10.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game as a freshman. Stepping into such an important role early isn’t easy, but the pressure hasn’t seemed to have gotten to her. Emma Coffman is averaging 16.1 points and 3.5 steals per game and has showcased that she can be the conference’s top scorer in bursts.

CENTRAL NOBLE (7-4)

The Cougars took a hit with a loss of one of their top returners early, but have responded strongly. Jaylee Stone has been one of the area’s biggest breakout players throughout the season, constantly showing that she can be among the best scorers in the NECC both now and into the future while Kaydintz Bales has also stepped up in a supporting role but has also been Central Noble’s leading scorer in each of their last two games. Grace Swank, of course, continues to thrive as a double double threat.

Central Noble has a better record than five of their remaining guaranteed opponents and did have a three game winning streak between the end of November and the start of December. If they can string another big push together in the closing month and a half of the season, they could have really solid momentum come Sectional time.

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