Aniyah Bishop and everyone else are back for Lake Central, which leads the list of top teams in Northwest Indiana, followed by Valparaiso, Crown Point, Chesterton and Washington Township.
Top 10 Teams
1. Lake Central (23-6): The Indians can run it back — they lost no one after last season — and that’s a good thing for them. Senior forward Aniyah Bishop (9.7 points, 6.2 rebounds), senior guard Riley Milausnic (9.4 points), senior guard/forward Nadia Clayton (7.2 points, 3.2 rebounds), junior guard Vanessa Wimberly (7.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 3.1 steals), junior forward Ayla Krygier (8.4 points, 4.5 rebounds) and senior guard Kennedie Burks (4.7 points) all return. Lake Central won its first Duneland Athletic Conference title since 2018, its first regional title since finishing second in the state in 1998 and reached a semistate final after knocking off South Bend Washington. Coach Joe Huppenthal said junior guard Bryn Leonard has improved tremendously and sophomore Alexa Iwema helped the team in the post as last season progressed. Huppenthal acknowledged the Indians have an “X” on their backs.
2. Valparaiso (23-3): The Vikings are looking to build on success that included their first sectional title since 2005. Sophomore guard Lillian Barnes (17.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 5.7 steals) is a Division I prospect who has been recovering from a stress fracture in her back. Senior forward Becca Gerdt (13.7 points, 5.2 rebounds) returns after suffering a torn ACL early last season. Sophomore guard Cadynce Clark (5.4 points) is also back after suffering a foot injury in the middle of last season. Senior forward Raegan O’Halek and junior guard Mackenzie Wassermann stepped up last season as the injuries mounted. Senior guard/forward Kate Weber, an all-state soccer player committed to DePaul, has rejoined the team for the first time since she was a freshman, and coach Candy Wilson also has a promising freshman class.
3. Crown Point (14-10): Senior forward Ava Ziolkowski (17.9 points, 7.8 rebounds) gives the Bulldogs one of the best players in the area, if not the state. Seven players graduated, but coach Chris Seibert said senior guard Madison Dubiel, sophomore forward Sophie Hart and junior guard Gia Gagianas should be key contributors as they move up to the varsity level.
4. Chesterton (16-9): Guard Kenedi Bradley (10.2 points) flourished as a freshman last season. Forward Tenley Davis (6.0 points, 4.9 rebounds) also had a productive freshman season. Senior guard Ciara Bonner (7.2 points, 5.8 rebounds) gives the Trojans another returning starter.
5. Washington Township (20-7): The Senators feature an outstanding one-two punch with junior guards Clair Klinger (14.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.0 steals) and Gracie Little (14.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 3.8 steals), both central figures as they won their first sectional and regional titles since 2003. Junior guard Jaycee Jackson (4.5 points) is back too. With a starting lineup expected to include four juniors and a sophomore and a nice freshman class, coach Doug Godbolt strengthened the schedule with an eye on additional postseason success.
6. Merrillville (6-19): The Pirates are poised for a big bounce-back season after a rash of injuries. Leading the way is junior guard Kylie Wells (12.8 points, 3.0 rebounds), who suffered a torn Achilles early last season after a dynamic freshman season. Junior guard Vivian McSpadden (5.4 points, 3.0 rebounds) joined Wells on the sideline soon after with a torn ACL, but she’s back too. Sophomore forward Melaney Williams (9.0 points, 5.4 rebounds) had a strong freshman season, and coach Kelly Kratz said freshman point guard Malika Jenkins should make an immediate impact on a team with just one senior, guard Sydney Todd.
7. Andrean (25-4): Tori Allen, the program’s career scoring leader, graduated after helping the 59ers win their first regional title since 1999, their fourth straight sectional title and their third straight Northwest Crossroads Conference title. Junior guard Lindsay Arcella (8.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists) shapes up as their go-to player, according to coach Tony Scheub, and junior forward Maddie Walton (8.3 points, 6.6 rebounds) should display more of a perimeter game to complement her post presence. Senior guard Liv Delevic is another returning starter. They should be bolstered by junior guard/forward Ashlee Evans, a Lowell transfer, and sophomore guard Lailoni Staten.
8. Munster (17-8): Guard Gracyn Gilliard (17.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 steals) shined as a freshman last season. Junior forward Nina Garner (4.5 points, 3.5 rebounds) and junior guard/forward CeCe Mason (4.7 points) also return for second-year coach DeAndre Williams. They add freshman guard Caroline Wendlinger to a young team with potential.
9. Highland (17-7): Sophomore guard Jordan Steele (11.0 points, 3.8 rebounds) and senior guard Aaliyah Keil (10.9 points, 4.3 rebounds) return after the Trojans won their first sectional title since 2007. Freshman point guard Savannah Ballard should factor into the equation. Seven players graduated, but coach Darian Straughter said expectations remain high.
10. Hammond Central (10-16): Senior guard Kennedy Blakely (13.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.5 steals) joins the Wolves after transferring from Bishop Noll. They already had a talented duo with senior forward Aniyah Henry (16.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.4 steals) and sophomore guard/forward Indiah Hutchinson (15.4 points, 8.6 rebounds).
25 Players to Watch
Lindsay Arcella, Andrean, junior, guard; Lillian Barnes, Valparaiso, sophomore, guard; Aniyah Bishop, Lake Central, senior, forward; Kennedy Blakely, Hammond Central, senior, guard; Kenedi Bradley, Chesterton, sophomore, guard; Nadia Clayton, Lake Central, senior, guard/forward; Laniah Davis, Marquette, sophomore, guard; Tenley Davis, Chesterton, sophomore, forward; Becca Gerdt, Valparaiso, senior, forward; Gracyn Gilliard, Munster, sophomore, guard; Aniyah Henry, Hammond Central, senior, forward; Peyton Honchar, Morgan Township, senior, forward; Indiah Hutchinson, Hammond Central, sophomore, guard/forward; Aaliyah Keil, Highland, senior, guard; Clair Klinger, Washington Township, junior, guard; Ayla Krygier, Lake Central, junior, forward; Gracie Little, Washington Township, junior, guard; Ava Melendez, Portage, senior, guard; Riley Milausnic, Lake Central, senior, guard; Jordan Steele, Highland, sophomore, guard; Kirstin Summers, Lowell, senior, forward; Maddie Walton, Andrean, junior, forward; Kylie Wells, Merrillville, junior, guard; Vanessa Wimberly, Lake Central, junior, guard; Ava Ziolkowski, Crown Point, senior, forward.
