Lake Central takes the top spot, but Crown Point could provide a challenge.
TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Lake Central (17-4): The standards always are high for the Indians, who lost in a Class 3A semistate in penalty kicks to eventual state champion Noblesville and shared the Duneland Athletic Conference title last year. An impactful class graduated, but junior midfielder George Karabatsos is among the leaders. Junior midfielder David Dorneanu and senior central defender Tye Adams also return. Freshman midfielder Ethan Tarry, an academy player, is expected to make an immediate impact, with coach Jereme Rainwater saying Tarry projects to follow a trajectory similar to some of the program’s greats.
2. Crown Point (10-7-1): The Bulldogs could prove to be the team to beat in the area. They likely have the Region’s premier player in junior midfielder Brayden Kurtz. They also return junior defender Landyn Hoyhtya, junior midfielder Nate Townsend, senior midfielder Chris Podczerwinski and sophomore goalkeeper Oliver Brewer.
3. Munster (16-2): The Mustangs had 15 players graduate, but they’re perennially Northwest Crossroads Conference champions and postseason threats. Senior Vuk Maric is a standout goalkeeper, and senior midfielder Nikola Dimitrijevic also is a top player. Senior defender Lukis Raymond and senior defender Niko Panos are back too.
4. Chesterton (9-8): The Trojans, who shared the DAC title last year and return to an area sectional this season, typically are a top team. Senior forward Michael Shumate paced them in goals last season. Senior central defender George O’Connor and junior midfielder Alex Amaya also are among their returning players.
5. Valparaiso (13-7): An accomplished group of 10 players graduated, but the Vikings should be in the mix for DAC and sectional titles. Sophomore midfielder Noah Barnett, senior goalkeeper Jackson Novak, sophomore forward Will Donley, senior midfielder Xavier Sellers and junior midfielder Jack Luth all return.
6. Illiana Christian (14-5-1): The Vikings, who have won three straight Greater South Shore Conference titles, should flourish again despite losing six starters. Coach Todd Bevan said there will be “ups and downs,” but “this will not be a rebuilding year.” Junior midfielder Josh Carter is expected to be their key player. Junior central defender Noah Davids also returns. Junior midfielder Grant Terpstra, junior midfielder Lucas Terpstra and senior forward Michael Zylstra should be among their main contributors.
7. Wheeler (13-4-3): Senior midfielder/defender Chris Benefit and senior central defender Cooper Burton lead the Bearcats, who have won consecutive sectional titles. Junior midfielders Harper Schaberg and Tyne Vettickal also are among the primary returnees as Wheeler seeks to advance even deeper into the postseason.
8. Boone Grove (13-4-2): Senior midfielder Gavin Castellanos highlights the Wolves, and senior defender Avery Wertz also returns. Last year, Boone Grove won its third straight Porter County Conference title under Brian Sherwin, who enters his 25th season as coach.
9. Hanover Central (11-6-1): The Wildcats more than held their own in their NCC debut last season. Midfielder Logan Zilz and forward Kyle Otworowski were highly productive as sophomores.
10. Hobart (16-4-1): Coming off the first sectional title in program history, the Brickies have a new coach, Rakim Ali. A large, talented class graduated.
25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Tye Adams, Lake Central, senior, defender
- Chris Benefit, Wheeler, senior, midfielder/defender
- Oliver Brewer, Crown Point, sophomore, goalkeeper
- Cooper Burton, Wheeler, senior, defender
- Josh Carter, Illiana Christian, junior, midfielder
- Gavin Castellanos, Boone Grove, senior, midfielder
- Noah Davids, Illiana Christian, junior, defender
- Nikola Dimitrijevic, Munster, senior, midfielder
- Will Donley, Valparaiso, sophomore, forward
- David Dorneanu, Lake Central, junior, midfielder
- George Karabatsos, Lake Central, junior, midfielder
- Brayden Kurtz, Crown Point, junior, midfielder
- Alfonso Leon, Bishop Noll, junior, midfielder/forward
- Matthew Maldonado, Merrillville, senior, midfielder
- Vuk Maric, Munster, senior, goalkeeper
- Jackson Novak, Valparaiso, senior goalkeeper
- George O’Connor, Chesterton, senior, defender
- Tyler Onik, Lake Central, senior, forward
- Kyle Otworowski, Hanover Central, junior, forward
- Chris Podczerwinski, Crown Point, senior, midfielder
- Michael Shumate, Chesterton, senior, forward
- Ethan Tarry, Lake Central, freshman, midfielder
- Logan Zilz, Hanover Central, junior, midfielder
- Zekiel Zukley, Bishop Noll, senior, goalkeeper
- Michael Zylstra, Illiana Christian, senior, forward
