Before we get to the 2026 Outside the Huddle All-Area Team and our end-of-year awards, Bounce wanted to take some time and take a last glance at area conferences and hand out some league-specific metaphorical hardware.
Today, we take on the SAC.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Gabby Helsom, Homestead
Helsom delivered a strong senior season for Homestead, serving as one of the area’s most reliable perimeter threats and veteran leaders. The 5-foot-11 guard/wing, who is committed to play at the University of Toledo, has built a reputation as a skilled shooter and high-motor competitor throughout her career.
During the season she averaged 14.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, providing consistent scoring for the SAC champs. Helsom’s ability to stretch the floor with her shooting and play with toughness on both ends made her a key Spartan, continuing the program’s tradition of producing high-level talent. She has been long praised her work ethic and range as a shooter, traits that helped her impact games for the best team in Fort Wayne.
HONORABLE MENTION: Janaya Cooper (Snider), Myah Epps (Homestead), Swynn Jackson (Northrop), Alivia Bolinger (Concordia)
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Alivia Bolinger, Concordia Lutheran
If you know Bounce’s awards and OTH history, you know MVP means something different than Player of the Year. MVP to us is someone who is legit the most valuable to their team and overall success of that program.
Bolinger proved to be one of the most valuable players in Northeast Indiana girls basketball this season to her team, serving as the centerpiece of the Cadets’ offense while also impacting the game on both ends of the floor. This season, Bolinger averaged 19.3 points, 9 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game, showcasing her ability to score, defend, and control the glass.
Her value to the Cadets was undeniable—she accounted for 44 percent of the team’s scoring and 31 percent of its rebounding, meaning nearly half of Concordia Lutheran’s offense flowed directly through her. Bolinger not only carried a heavy statistical load but also provided the leadership and two-way presence that made her indispensable to the Cadets.
HONORABLE MENTION: Lily George (Carroll), Janaya Cooper (Snider), Davianna Irons (Wayne), Bri’Tanya Diedrich-Williams (South Side)
BREAKOUT/MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Harvest Green, Bishop Luers
As just a freshman, Harvest Green quickly emerged as one of the most impactful players in the SAC and area. The guard averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.7 steals per game, leading the team in scoring while also topping the roster in rebounds, assists and steals despite being in her first high-school season.
Green’s ability to influence the game in multiple ways made her a focal point of the Knights’ offense and defense, showcasing a maturity beyond her years as she handled the ball. Her standout debut season earned her First Team All-SAC recognition, placing the freshman among the conference’s top performers and signaling the arrival of one of the area’s most promising young talents.
HONORABLE MENTION: Delaney Noll (Homestead), Mckenzie White (Snider), Khloe Vanderford (Concordia), Bri’Tanya Diedrich-Williams (South Side)
COACH OF THE YEAR: Rod Parker, Homestead
Under the steady leadership of Parker, Homestead continued their run as one of the premier programs in northeast Indiana by capturing another Summit Athletic Conference championship . The Spartans finished with an impressive 24-3 record, marking their third consecutive season with at least 20 wins and the eighth time in the last 10 years Parker’s program has reached that milestone.
Consistency has become a trademark of Homestead basketball, and this season was no different as the Spartans proved to be one of the area’s toughest teams night after night. Even their setbacks underscored the level of competition they faced—two of their three losses came against the eventual Class 4A state runner-up, further highlighting how Parker’s squad regularly measures itself against the state’s elite.
HONORABLE MENTION: Reggie Tharp (Snider)
EARLY 2026-27 CONFERENCE CHAMP PICK: Homestead Spartans
Think the loss of four high end future college players is going to stunt Homestead’s future? Well then you haven’t been paying attention for the last decade-plus. Yes, the Spartans have to reload but the word rebuild doesn’t ever really suit Homestead.
Out of the gate, you have to shift focus to Delaney Noll and Suzy Perego, who have grown in each of their two years with the program and will take on big time leadership and ownership roles next season. Noll hit double digits on the season with 10 points per game, adding 4.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game as a sophomore. Meanwhile, Perego brings a unique experience outside of the program to help grow internally after averaging 4.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 blocks this season. Senior-to-be Eva Scarbeary will also be a big piece back to continue moving forward, as will another class of 2028 player in Aggie Bell.
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
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