DESSI POPE, SNIDER
Dessi Pope brings established playmaking and valuable experience to Snider after transferring from Blackhawk Christian. The junior point guard averaged 6.1 assists per game last season. Her court vision, ability to control pace and knack for creating scoring opportunities give the Panthers a guard who can organize the offense and make their athleticism more productive. Her biggest potential impact is how she complements Snider’s scoring options, particularly Janaya Cooper and McKenzie White. Pope could take on more of the responsibility for initiating possessions, allowing those teammates to attack as finishers and scorers.
LUCI REICH, COLUMBIA CITY
Luci Reich brings proven scoring and perimeter shooting to Columbia City after transferring from Huntington North. The 5-foot-8 junior averaged 15 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals last season, earning second-team All-NE8 recognition. She made 53 three-pointers in 23 games while shooting approximately 38 percent from beyond the arc. That production gives the Eagles a guard defenses must account for on the perimeter and another established scorer to build around.
She could give Columbia City flexibility to use her both as a creator and as a shooting threat away from the ball. Her presence should help create space for teammates to attack while giving the Eagles another option when possessions break down. She has demonstrated the ability to take over offensively, too, scoring 28 points and tying Huntington North’s program record with seven three-pointers in a win over Bishop Dwenger last season.
BRYCE LACROSS, HOMESTEAD
Bryce LaCross brings a highly proven lead scorer and versatile perimeter presence to Homestead after transferring from Blackhawk Christian. The 6-foot-4 junior averaged 19.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.3 steals last season, while making 65 three-pointers. His combination of size, shooting and playmaking gives the Spartans another player capable of carrying significant offensive responsibility alongside returning seniors Jake Coolman and Mack Welker. His rebounding also adds value beyond the backcourt, helping Homestead finish defensive possessions and start its offense.
LaCross has demonstrated that he can deliver when defenses focus on stopping him. He scored a career-high 40 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in Blackhawk Christian’s 53–52 overtime sectional semifinal victory over DeKalb, making 15 of 17 free throws. His early results with Homestead have been encouraging, too: at the Charlie Hughes event, he reportedly averaged 22.3 points and 5.5 rebounds during a 3–1 weekend, including 30 points against Fishers.
BRI’TANYA DIEDRICH-WILLIAMS and BRY’LEE DIEDRICH-WILLIAMS, WAYNE
Bri’Tanya Diedrich-Williams gives Wayne one of the SAC’s best scorers and another major offensive threat after transferring from South Side. The junior averaged 18.3 points, 5 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.1 assists across 23 games last season, earning first-team All-SAC recognition. Her arrival pairs two returning first-team all-conference players in Diedrich-Williams and Davianna Irons, giving the Generals the potential to spread scoring responsibility and make it harder for opponents to concentrate their defense on one player.
Bry’Lee Dierich-Williams heads to Wayne too alongside for her senior season after being South Side’s third leading scorer last season at 6.9 points to go with 4.6 rebounds.
CAYLEIGH GOHEEN, WHITKO
Cayleigh Goheen gives Whitko an experienced, physical frontcourt addition after transferring from Warsaw. The senior, listed at 6-foot-1, averaged 4.8 rebounds last season, finishing second on Warsaw’s team with 129 boards and leading the Tigers with 15 blocked shots. Those contributions point to immediate value for the Wildcats in securing rebounds, defending the interior and matching up with bigger opponents.
Her offensive value includes the work that helps teammates succeed. Indiana Girls Basketball Recruiting Report describes Goheen as an energetic post who sets strong screens, pursues rebounds and plays physically on both ends. Based on those strengths, she could give Whitko a dependable interior target while creating openings for its guards through screening and second-chance opportunities.
REAGAN HUSS and AVERI AMSTUTZ, NORTHRIDGE
While Northridge isn’t considered part of OTH’s area, they are just adjacent and these two pick ups deeply alter the lineups for two areas teams: Warsaw and East Noble.
Reagan Huss brings size, perimeter shooting and familiarity with Northridge’s program as she returns after spending last season at Warsaw. The 5-foot-11 senior averaged roughly six points and 3.6 rebounds for the Tigers, providing complementary production alongside their leading scorers. She will have to sit out Northridge’s first seven games under IHSAA transfer rules.
Averi Amstutz adds a proven lead guard after a standout junior season at East Noble, where she led the Knights in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. She averaged 13.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.8 steals while shooting approximately 47 percent from the field.
Together, their skill sets suggest a useful combination: Amstutz can initiate offense and draw defensive attention, while Huss provides another target on the perimeter and additional size on the wing. Both bring senior experience from successful programs, giving Northridge more options for handling the ball, scoring and matching up defensively.
LINDANI BAKER, NEIL COLLINS JR. and ISAIAH COLLINS, SNIDER
Snider will win and lose in the transfer world with the loss of Trell Hogue to a prep school but the addition of several players. Lindani Baker will join the program after previously playing at Concordia. Baker is a swing player who has some guard strengths, but also can be a dynamic rebounder even if undersized a bit because how hard he works around the basket. Baker saw action in 11 games for Concordia last season.
The Collins brothers join the program after a move from defending state champion program Mt. Vernon. The sons of former North Side and Earlham College standout Neil Collins, Neil Jr. is a long and athletic defender junior and Isaiah is an explosive sophomore who can play lead guard and gets downhill well.
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