The offseason of high school basketball seems like it takes forever. So this offseason, I wanna stay active. I wanna talk hoops.
Topic 2: the shot. Its big and basketball at every level has followed suit of the Steph Curry era where the three ball is preferred in many instances and the great equalizer in others. So who are the area’s best pure shooters heading into next season come this winter?
In case you were wondering, these players are listed in NO specific order.
GIRLS
JAYMA STONEBRAKER, WHITKO
Stonebraker enters the season as one of the area’s most dangerous returning perimeter shooters after knocking down 41 percent of his three-point attempts a year ago. The Whitko standout connected on 61-of-149 shots from beyond the arc, averaging 2.3 made three-pointers per game while serving as a key piece of the Wildcats’ offensive attack. His ability to stretch defenses created driving lanes and scoring opportunities for both himself and his teammates, making him a major factor in Whitko’s success. As Stonebraker continues to expand his game beyond being an elite spot-up shooter, he has the potential to become an even more versatile offensive weapon and one of the most difficult players in the area to defend.
EMMA COFFMAN, GARRETT
Coffman emerged as one of the area’s most reliable perimeter threats last season, giving Garrett a consistent source of offense from beyond the arc. As a sophomore, she buried 61 three-pointers on 204 attempts, averaging 2.7 made triples per game and providing the spark that often got the Railroaders rolling offensively. This winter, Coffman steps into the role of Garrett’s primary scoring option, making her outside shooting even more critical to the team’s success. Opposing defenses will undoubtedly make stopping her a priority, but her ability to find openings, create separation, and knock down shots under increased pressure will be a major factor in determining how far the Railroaders can go.
KHLOE DICK, BLUFFTON
Much like Coffman at Garrett, Khloe Dick enters the season in line to take on an even larger offensive role for Bluffton. Whileestablishing herself as one of the area’s top perimeter shooters last winter, Dick knocked down 57 three-pointers while averaging 2.4 makes per game and shooting an impressive 38 percent from beyond the arc. With more defensive attention likely coming her way this season, her ability to create her own shot will become increasingly important. Just as crucial will be her movement without the basketball, using screens, spacing, and timing to find openings against defenses designed to limit her touches. If Dick can continue to knock down shots at a high rate while expanding her offensive arsenal, she has the potential to be one of the most dangerous scoring threats in northeast Indiana.
TAYLOR MACK, EASTSIDE
While Mack is often celebrated for her relentless motor, physical play, and ability to impact games on both ends of the floor, her perimeter shooting has quietly become one of the most important weapons in the Blazers’ arsenal. The Eastside standout knocked down 49 three-pointers last season, adding another dimension to a game already built around toughness and versatility. As the engine that drives much of what the Blazers do offensively, Mack presents a difficult challenge for opposing defenses. Teams want to keep her away from the basket where she can use her strength and determination to create opportunities, but leaving her alone beyond the arc is just as dangerous.
GRACE SCHARLACH, FREMONT
Scharlach’s three-point shooting numbers from last season almost defy belief when considering both her volume and efficiency. As the centerpiece of a Fremont team that advanced all the way to the state championship game, Scharlach buried 68 three-pointers, the most of any returning girls player in northeast Indiana. Even more impressive was how she accumulated those makes, connecting on an astounding 50 percent of her attempts from beyond the arc. High-volume shooters typically see their percentages dip as defenses focus on taking them away, but Scharlach consistently found ways to get quality looks and make opponents pay.
BOYS
DANIEL SELKING, BELLMONT
Selking enters the season as one of the most feared shooters not just in northeast Indiana, but anywhere in the state. The Braves standout led the entire area last season with 87 made three-pointers, averaging 3.6 makes per game while consistently stretching defenses to their breaking point. What makes Selking especially dangerous is how much his game has evolved beyond simply being a catch-and-shoot threat. He has become increasingly comfortable creating his own shot off the dribble, allowing him to generate quality looks even when defenses are keyed in on stopping him. Every opponent knows that limiting Selking is priority No. 1 on the scouting report, but that task is much easier discussed than accomplished.
KOBE MARQUARDT, LAKEWOOD PARK
Last season served as a true breakout campaign for Marquardt, who established himself as one of the premier perimeter shooters in northeast Indiana. He was one of only two players in the area to knock down more than 80 three-pointers, finishing the year 81-of-195 from beyond the arc while shooting an outstanding 42 percent. Among returning players who made at least 50 triples, Marquardt owns the second-best three-point percentage, yet he connected on 22 more shots than the player ahead of him on that list. His combination of volume and efficiency is rare, and his unique release point only adds to the challenge for defenders trying to contest his shots. Opponents already know he can get hot in a hurry, and he provided another reminder of that this June when he erupted for 11 three-pointers in a single game.
GEORGE POIRY, BISHOP DWENGER
Poiry established himself as one of the most dangerous shooters in northeast Indiana last season and, at times, may have been the premier perimeter threat in the SAC. During a season filled with intense conference battles, the Saints sharpshooter connected on 72 of his 200 three-point attempts, placing him among the area’s leaders in total makes. What separates Poiry from many shooters is the variety of ways he can hurt a defense. He is equally comfortable spotting up and firing off the catch as he is pulling up in transition before a defense can get set. That versatility forces opponents to account for him at all times, whether he’s sprinting the wing, working off screens, or spacing the floor in the half court.
RYDER IMEL, HOMESTEAD
Imel enters next season with the distinction of owning the highest returning three-point percentage among area players who made at least 50 triples a year ago. The Homestead sharpshooter connected on 59 of his 138 attempts from beyond the arc as a sophomore, shooting a remarkable 43 percent from deep while emerging as one of the area’s breakout underclassmen. His shooting ability became a critical piece of another championship-caliber run for the Spartans, as defenses were forced to extend farther and farther from the basket to account for his range. That attention created valuable space for Homestead’s other stars to operate, making Imel’s impact far greater than his scoring totals alone.
BRYCE LACROSS, HOMESTEAD
LaCross gives Homestead another dangerous weapon from beyond the arc and adds yet another layer to what could be one of the area’s most explosive offenses. As a sophomore at Blackhawk Christian last season, LaCross knocked down 65 three-pointers while averaging 2.4 makes per game, proving himself as one of northeast Indiana’s premier young shooters. There is still plenty to learn about how his game—and specifically his perimeter shooting—will fit within Homestead’s talented lineup, but the potential is obvious. Defenses will have a difficult time accounting for a player with LaCross’ range, and the added spacing he provides should create opportunities not only for himself but for the entire Spartans offense. At the same time, playing alongside Homestead’s collection of talent could open up even more quality looks for LaCross, making both he and the Spartans more dangerous heading into the season.
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