These are the teams that are in the Outside the Huddle coverage area that do not play in one of the four conferences that OTH features.
BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN
Blackhawk Christian returns a strong interior foundation led by 6-foot-2 junior JaeLyn Pickett, who averaged 11.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 52 percent from the field last season. She is joined by 6-foot-1 sophomore Cierra Sefton, who contributed 8.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2 steals per game. Sophomore guard Kinley Steele added 2.9 points, 1.7 assists and 1.2 steals per contest, while seniors Avery Wampole, Ellie Helmuth and Cathy Grile provide additional experience in the backcourt.
The Braves will also introduce a promising freshman group featuring guards Charlotte Helmuth and Quinnlyn Pickett, along with 6-foot forward Saveah Long-Smith. Blackhawk Christian expects its competitiveness, work ethic and team chemistry to be its greatest strengths. The Braves’ goal is to give themselves an opportunity to win every night by focusing on what they can control, says coach Steph Gongaware.
“I have been looking forward to coaching this particular team for a long time. You could tell even when they were in elementary school that this group had the potential to be something special. We will be a very young team, which will certainly come with its own challenges, but I truly believe this is a special group of girls,” Gongaware says. “They work extremely hard, are very coachable, and, most importantly, are just a lot of fun to be around. For such a young team, they have a very high basketball IQ and a great understanding of the game. They listen, compete, and genuinely want to get better every time they step on the court.”
HAMILTON
Hamilton returns five players, giving coach David Prokop a young group with a year of experience together. Sophomore guard Lydia Hicks leads the returning starters at 4.2 points per game last season, while sophomore wing Gianna Ceci averaged 2.6 points and 3.6 rebounds. Junior wing Brenna Mercer added 3.5 rebounds per game. Sophomores Heidi Richter and Lilli Dager also return to the starting group.
Prokop wants Hamilton to play hard, defend well and slow the game down. Freshman wing Sloan Hurraw joins a team focused on staying together and improving the small details each day. Prokop, the Athletic Director at Hamilton, took over the program after an 0-4 start and went 5-9 in the rest of the way, the program’s most wins since the 2016-2017 season, including their first ever win over a Class 4A program.
“Leaders lead. No matter what, a leader will always do the right think,” Prokop says.
LAKEWOOD PARK
Lakewood Park Christian will lean heavily on senior forward Gracelyn Martin to provide stability for an otherwise young lineup. The 6-foot Martin led the Panthers last season with 9.5 points per game while adding 6 rebounds and 1.9 steals. Sophomore forward Gracie Dock contributed 1.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per game but continues to recover from an ACL tear with an unknown return timetable.
With up to four freshmen likely to start, Lakewood Park may experience some early growing pains, but the newcomers bring considerable upside. Emersyn Lyons, Vivian Martin, Kerrianne Nott, Eavie VanDuyn and Hannah Miller comprise a talented freshman class that played extensively—and won consistently—together in middle school, although Miller is also recovering from an ACL injury. The Panthers expect to be quicker, more athletic and more dangerous from 3-point range than last season, with their primary goals being to compete every night, show steady improvement and turn that growth into more victories.
“We are excited for the upcoming season. We will be a very young team but I think a lot of Panther fans have been waiting for this group to get to high school. We have some strong leadership that will help guide our youth. I don’t know how the wins and losses will play out but I feel very confident in saying this group will be competitive from day one,” says coach Andrew Evertts. “We are going to try and use our athleticism to our advantage, and I think this year’s team will be very fun to watch.”
MANCHESTER
Manchester enters the season with four returning starters and a veteran core capable of turning familiarity into a strong winter. Senior forward Emma Walker leads the way after averaging 13.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.1 steals per game last season, giving the Squires a proven producer on both ends. Junior guard Olivia Stevens provides a perimeter threat after averaging 7.6 points and shooting 39 percent from three-point range. Seniors Ava Sautter and Allie Egolf round out the returning starters, while sophomore forward Elin Betten adds valuable experience after averaging 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game. That group gives Manchester a solid foundation as it looks to improve upon last season’s 13-10 finish.
The Squires’ strengths extend beyond experience, with the coaching staff pointing to their ability to score inside and outside, run the floor and play with strong chemistry. Sophomore forward Brooklynn Grimes moves up from the JV level to add depth. Manchester has clear championship ambitions: winning the Wabash County Tournament for the first time in more than 20 years and capturing a sectional title.
“Manchester girls basketball team is a fun group to watch as they truly enjoy each other and celebrate each other’s success,” says coach Allison Kauffman. “They will play hard and bring energy. This is a special group of young women on and off the court.”
WARSAW
Warsaw enters the season with a basically new varsity cast led by new head coach Kyle Hartman, making the development of roles and chemistry a central storyline for the Tigers. Seniors Lucy Andrews, a 5-foot-9 guard, and Cassie Jackson, a 6-foot-1 center, join the group after not playing last season, while senior guards Presley Andrews and Olivia Rooney provide additional upperclass leadership. Juniors Addie Weidenbenner (5 varsity appearances) and Charlotte Kesler (15 games) give Warsaw size on the perimeter at 5-foot-9 and 5-foot-10, respectively. A sizable sophomore group includes guards Kinley Briscoe, Anya Puthucode, Dani Rastrelli and Eden Gackenheimer, along with 6-foot-1 center Josie Lovette, while freshman guard Landry Fitzgerald rounds out the newcomers.
The Tigers intend to build their identity around quickness, length and unselfish play, using those qualities to create transition opportunities and attack the basket. Jackson and Lovette offer size inside, while Warsaw’s collection of guards gives it options to push the pace and apply defensive pressure. The team’s goals provide clear benchmarks: average more assists than turnovers, force opponents into double-digit turnovers and produce one point per possession. Reaching those marks will require Warsaw to balance an aggressive approach with sound decisions, turning defensive disruption into efficient offense.
“We have a brand new team this year but we plan on continuing the success Warsaw has had in the past. We have a lot of hungry girls ready to make their mark this season. It’ll be a process throughout the year but we are excited for that challenge and hope to be playing our best basketball late in the season,” Hartman said.
WHITKO
Whitko brings back multiple starters from a 25-2 team that went unbeaten in conference play. Senior guard Jayma Stonebraker averaged 12.4 points, 4.0 assists and 4.2 steals last season while shooting 41 percent from three. Kyra Lowe added 3.2 assists and 2.9 steals per game, and 6-foot-2 center Ally Brown supplied 9.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. Hazel Leffers and Jocelyn Luecke also return to a lineup with experience across the floor.
The Wildcats expect their depth to be a strength, with Jules Leffers, Anna Allebach and Ady Luecke back and Warsaw transfer Cayleigh Goheen joining the rotation. That depth should let Whitko pressure the ball, force turnovers and keep its energy high while mixing lineups. After loading its schedule to prepare for the postseason, Whitko hopes to develop multiple double-digit scorers and put itself in position for another championship run.
“We will continue to get better every day in practice, learn from our mistakes, and compete at the highest level. We know what our expectations are as a program, but our focus will be on getting better each day and making sure we are playing our best basketball when it matters most,” said coach Justin Jordan.
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