New-look Lake Central begins the season at No. 1 all the same, while other top teams have new coaches.
TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Lake Central (26-5): The Indians will have a different look after a three-season run that included a Class 4A state runner-up finish, a semistate final appearance, a regional final appearance and back-to-back Duneland Athletic Conference titles. But they’re the team to beat. Senior guard Vanessa Wimberly and senior forward Ayla Krygier are the returning stars who have been integral in the recent success.
2. Valparaiso (19-8): Coach Kelly Kratz moves to the Vikings after three seasons at Merrillville. She inherits a rare talent, junior guard Lillian Barnes, who should be ready to go after knee surgery. Junior guard Cadynce Clark and senior guard/forward Kenzie Wassermann also return from a team that won its first regional title since 2004. Sophomore guard/forward Delilah Kincaid could make further strides.
3. Chesterton (16-8): After 10 seasons at Valparaiso, coach Candy Wilson returns to her alma mater, taking over for her coach, Jack Campbell, who stepped down after 36 seasons. The Trojans feature two elite players, junior guard Kenedi Bradley and junior forward/center Tenley Davis.
4. Merrillville (17-9): Coach Darian Straughter returns to her alma mater after three seasons at Highland. The Pirates have a pair of premier players, senior guard Kylie Wells and sophomore guard Malika Jenkins. Senior guard Vivian McSpadden and junior forward Melaney Williams also are back.
5. Marquette (24-5): All the Blazers do is return 99.8% of their scoring from last season after nearly winning the Class 1A state title. Star junior guard Laniah Davis is the headliner. The rest of the starting lineup also returns: sophomore guard Marissa Pleasant, senior forward Natalie Robinson, senior forward Livia Balling and senior guard Jiselle Chabes. Senior forward Elaina Balling is back after sitting out last season to focus on volleyball, and they add junior guard Addison Penziol, who transferred from La Lumiere.
6. Crown Point (15-11): Senior guard Gia Gagianas leads the Bulldogs, who lost star forward Ava Ziolkowski to graduation. They should be bolstered by 6-foot-4 sophomore forward/center Ivy Henderson, who missed almost all of last season with an injury.
7. Hammond Central (19-6): Junior guard/forward Indiah Hutchinson is a standout for the Wolves. They added sophomore guard/forward Adrian McGee, who flourished as a freshman at Bishop Noll.
8. Andrean (14-15): Guard Lindsay Arcella and forward/center Maddie Walton were key players as juniors last season, when the 59ers won their fifth straight sectional and second straight regional before reaching a semistate final.
9. Munster (18-5): The Mustangs took a major hit when star junior guard Gracyn Gilliard transferred to Center Grove. But they still have talented players, including senior forward Nina Garner. Senior guard CeCe Mason, senior guard Helena Spencer and junior guard Arroya Mongerie also are among the returnees for the defending Northwest Crossroads Conference champions.
10. Lowell (13-11): The Red Devils could be on the upswing. Senior center Elysia Laub highlights the group. Senior guard Bre Kidd, sophomore guard Brooke Dawson and sophomore center Gatlin Hanrath also return. They add senior guard/forward Ashlee Evans, who transferred back from Andrean, and senior guard Torri Chabes, who transferred from Lake Station.
25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Lindsay Arcella, Andrean, senior, guard
- Claire Bakker, DeMotte Christian, senior, forward
- Lillian Barnes, Valparaiso, junior, guard
- Kenedi Bradley, Chesterton, junior, guard
- Laniah Davis, Marquette, junior, guard
- Tenley Davis, Chesterton, junior, forward/center
- Nina Garner, Munster, senior, forward
- Indiah Hutchinson, Hammond Central, junior, guard/forward
- Malika Jenkins, Merrillville, sophomore, guard
- Clair Klinger, Washington Township, senior, guard
- Ayla Krygier, Lake Central, senior, forward
- Elysia Laub, Lowell, senior, center
- Madi Lemmons, Morgan Township, senior, guard
- Gracie Little, Washington Township, senior, guard
- Kylah Patterson, Morton, sophomore, forward
- Marissa Pleasant, Marquette, sophomore, guard
- Abbie Ritzema, Illiana Christian, senior, guard
- Kahlen Robinson, Bowman, senior, guard
- Jordan Steele, Highland, junior, guard/forward
- Sienna Stilley, Hanover Central, junior, center
- Maddie Walton, Andrean, senior, forward/center
- Riley Weber, Hobart, senior, forward/center
- Kylie Wells, Merrillville, senior, guard
- Giniya Williams, Bishop Noll, sophomore, forward/center
- Vanessa Wimberly, Lake Central, senior, guard
