Whitko has turned a deep postseason run into an expectation. The Wildcats finished 25-2 last season, swept their conference schedule and won a second consecutive Class 2A regional championship before falling to Oak Hill in the semistate. Now they return multiple starters with the experience to chase another title.
The biggest change is the departure of Reese Stonebraker, who led Whitko with 12.7 points per game. Her younger sister, Jayma Stonebraker, is ready for an even larger role after averaging 12.4 points, 4.0 assists and 4.2 steals as a junior. She also shot 41 percent from three, giving Whitko a point guard who can create offense and finish possessions herself.
Stonebraker will have another experienced ball handler alongside her in senior Kyra Lowe. Lowe averaged 9.2 points, 3.2 assists and 2.9 steals last season, numbers that fit Whitko’s plan to pressure the basketball and turn defense into scoring opportunities. With both guards back, the Wildcats have a strong foundation for playing at a high pace.
Inside, 6-foot-2 senior Ally Brown gives Whitko a different way to win. Brown averaged 9.3 points and a team-leading 5.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 54 percent from the field. Her production around the basket should be especially valuable when opponents focus on slowing Whitko’s guards.
Junior Hazel Leffers and senior Jocelyn Luecke complete the returning starting group. Leffers contributed 3 rebounds per game last season, while Luecke shot 37 percent from three. In the Wildcats’ regional victory over Eastside, both scored 10 points, a reminder that this team can get meaningful offense from beyond its leading scorers.
That balance extends to the bench. Sophomore Jules Leffers, senior Anna Allebach and sophomore Ady Luecke return, with Luecke coming off a season in which she shot 37 percent from beyond the arc. Senior forward Cayleigh Goheen joins the group as a transfer from Warsaw, adding another option to a rotation Whitko believes it can use in several combinations. Goheen averaged 4.7 points and 4.8 points over 27 appearances for the Tigers.
Depth is central to how the Wildcats want to play. They expect to rotate freely, maintain their defensive energy and force turnovers throughout games. Just as valuable is the unselfishness that has helped them share scoring opportunities during their recent success.
Whitko has again built a demanding schedule with February in mind. The goal is to develop multiple double-digit scorers so opponents cannot concentrate on one or two players, then carry that balance into the tournament. After consecutive sectional and regional titles, this group enters the season with a clear standard: give itself another chance to compete for a championship.
“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.
WHY #4?
Jordan has turned Whitko back into a consistent contender across the area, no matter class size. The Wildcats have the benefit of expectations and the players to make sure that the run Whitko has been on is not a flash in the pan. Jordan and his staff have developed a great program that makes sure players are making progression and not just expecting to reload. Whitko is very dangerous on all three levels and they make sure opponents feel the weight of that.
And while the loss of Reese Stonebraker is a significant one, the Wildcats return every other player of major significance this season.
CRITICAL GAME – NOVEMBER 21 vs. LAWRENCE CENTRAL
Whitko will head to Pike for this game against a school that was a win away from the Class 4A state finals last year before falling by three points against the eventual state champions. That is a major litmus test for Whitko and how much talent they return. No matter how this one turns out, Whitko has to play games like this to prepare them for a potential deep run.
Can Whitko deliver against one of the best 4A teams in the state? This is the first of 5 (or more, pending the Northridge Tournament) games against Class 4A teams this season and a chance for Whitko to learn, grow and make a big statement.
CRUCIAL PLAYER
Ally Brown’s ability to control the paint is something that is going to be a major factor for Whitko’s success this season. The Wildcats can work inside-out well with Brown, but when teams have to start sending more of an emphasis at Brown, it is going to open up their guard play even more.
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