Top 10 Teams
1. Lake Central (24-4): Expectations are sky-high for the Indians after reaching a regional final against Crown Point. Junior forward Aniyah Bishop (14.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.2 steals); junior guard Riley Milausnic (11.0 points); sophomore guard Vanessa Wimberly (8.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 3.3 steals), who is healthy after undergoing offseason surgery for a late-season knee injury; and sophomore forward Ayla Krygier (6.4 points, 3.8 rebounds) all are back. They’ve added junior guard Kennedie Burks (8.2 points, 3.2 assists), who has “fit right in” after transferring from Merrillville, according to coach Joe Huppenthal. Lake Central is ranked No. 7 in the preseason state coaches poll and has put together a schedule commensurate with its goals and talent.
2. Valparaiso (19-5): There’s significant buzz surrounding freshman guard Lillian Barnes, who has offers from Western Michigan, Milwaukee and Valparaiso and received interest from an array of other programs before playing a high school game. She joins an already strong team that includes high-level returning starters in senior guard Kristin Bukata (8.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.0 steals, 2.8 assists) and junior forward Becca Gerdt (10.8 points, 4.4 rebounds).
3. Crown Point (24-4): It’s certainly the dawn of a new era after the graduation of the iconic duo of Jessica Carrothers and Lilly Stoddard, who led the Bulldogs to the 2021 state title and headlined a five-player class that went 103-7 and was undefeated against Region teams. But don’t underestimate this group, which includes seven seniors and is ranked No. 19 in the preseason state coaches poll. Senior guard Brooke Lindesmith (5.3 points) is a returning starter. Junior forward Ava Ziolkowski, senior guard Emily Phillips and senior forward Abbi Foster also are back, although the Bulldogs will miss senior guard Zoey Wells after she tore her ACL during soccer season.
4. Merrillville (17-9): Sophomore guard Kylie Wells (12.9 points, 4.4 rebounds) made a major impact as a freshman and has a ton of potential. Senior guard/forward Mya-Lee Jackson also returns for the Pirates under second-year coach Kelly Kratz.
5. Andrean (21-7): Senior guard Tori Allen (15.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists), a DePauw recruit, leads the way as the 59ers seek a breakthrough after three straight sectional championships and back-to-back Northwest Crossroads Conference titles. Senior guard Lauren Colon (9.7 points, 3.2 rebounds), a noted defender who should increase her offensive output, and sophomore guard Lindsay Arcella (7.5 points, 5.4 rebounds) give Andrean its top three scorers back. Coach Tony Scheub said sophomore forward Maddie Walton “has a ton of potential.”
6. Kankakee Valley (16-10): The Kougars return four starters, including standout senior guards Kate Thomas (12.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.0 steals) and Lilly Toppen (9.8 points, 3.9 rebounds). Senior forward Abby Grandchamp (5.7 points, 5.2 rebounds) also is back after missing more than half of last season with a torn ACL. Junior center Genna Hayes is another returnee for second-year coach Brandon Bradley.
7. Portage (12-11): Senior guard Anjelicia Del Valle (11.3 points, 2.5 steals) highlights the Indians’ returnees. Junior guard Ava Melendez, who missed all but one game last season because of shoulder surgery, and senior forward Alyssa Hiller also are back. Junior guard Alante Wright (9.7 points) returns to Portage after transferring back from Bishop Noll.
8. Kouts (20-7): Senior guard Allison Capouch (17.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.3 steals), a Trine recruit, returns after leading the Fillies to back-to-back sectional titles. They’ll welcome back senior forward Lauryn Koedyker (8.5 points, 8.5 rebounds as a sophomore), who missed last season with a torn ACL. Senior guard Emma Garavalia (7.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.1 steals), senior guard Taylor Moyer and junior forward Olivia Miller also return.
9. Washington Township (17-6): The Senators should have an exceptional backcourt, including talented sophomore guards Gracie Little (16.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 3.8 steals) and Claire Klinger (15.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 4.4 steals). Senior guard Addie Graf (13.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.1 steals) also is back after suffering a season-ending knee injury down the stretch. Sophomore guard Jaycee Jackson (5.8 points) gained valuable experience as a freshman.
10. Munster (6-12): Senior center Akaoma Odeluga (9.8 points, 12.4 rebounds) provides a strong foundation for first-year coach DeAndre Williams. Senior guard Trinity Hogge and senior forward Lily Mason also return. Freshman guard Arroya Mongerie should make an impact from the outset.
25 Players to Watch
Tori Allen, Andrean, senior, guard; Lillian Barnes, Valparaiso, freshman, guard; Aniyah Bishop, Lake Central, junior, forward; Kennedy Blakely, Bishop Noll, junior, guard; Kristin Bukata, Valparaiso, senior, guard; Kennedie Burks, Lake Central, junior, guard; Allison Capouch, Kouts, senior, guard; Anjelicia Del Valle, Portage, senior, guard; Asia Donald, Hobart, senior, guard; Sophia Frasure, North Judson, senior, guard/forward; Nasiya Gause, Lake Station, senior, guard; Becca Gerdt, Valparaiso, junior, forward; Peyton Honchar, Morgan Township, junior, guard/forward; Claire Klinger, Washington Township, sophomore, guard; Ayla Krygier, Lake Central, sophomore, forward; Brooke Lindesmith, Crown Point, senior, guard; Gracie Little, Washington Township, sophomore, guard; Riley Milausnic, Lake Central, junior, guard; Akaoma Odeluga, Munster, senior, center; Payton Reid, Highland, senior, guard; Kate Thomas, Kankakee Valley, senior, guard; Lilly Toppen, Kankakee Valley, senior, guard; Kylie Wells, Merrillville, sophomore, guard; Kayla Wilkerson, Lake Station, junior, guard; Vanessa Wimberly, Lake Central, sophomore, guard.
