Girls Basketball
SAC GIRLS BASKETBALL POWER POLL (Final)
1. Northrop (18-2)
Conference Record: 8-0
SAC Rank: 1st
Last Game: 62-37 win over Wayne
Next Game: vs Columbia City(Jan. 24)
The Bruins have been terrific all year long with their only losses coming to the #1 team in the state South Bend Washington and another top-five team in Noblesville but they still have yet to clinch anything. Their opportunity to claim the SAC crown presents itself on Friday when they face the Homestead Spartans who have one loss in conference play. On Tuesday the Bruins will also have a big opportunity to overall prove themselves even further as the best team in the area playing Columbia City who resides within the top 10 in the state. So even with just two regular season games remaining the Bruins still have some big opportunities ahead of them before entering the postseason and they will be looking for their usual culprits Saniya and Neveah Jackson to lead the way.
2. Snider (16-4)
Conference Record: 7-1
SAC Rank: 2nd
Last Game: 68-46 win over Northridge
Next Game: vs DeKalb(Jan. 24)
The Panthers are truly one of the hottest teams in the state considering they started the year at 2-3 and have gone 14-1 since. Coming into the year there was a consensus Jordyn Poole was a top player in the area and she has certainly proved that by playing at a very high level all year long for the Panthers. Johnea Donahue also has proven her capabilities with over 12 points a game along with 4.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 5.7 steals a game. Overall the Panthers are rolling at the perfect time of the year to do so as they near the postseason. As for their SAC title hopes they themselves need a win over Carroll Friday plus a little help from the Spartans to earn a share of the title
3. Homestead (16-4)
Conference Record: 7-1
SAC Rank: 3rd
Last Game: 59-14 win over North Side
Next Game: @ Northrop(Jan. 27)
The Spartans have played some great basketball this season including a dominant showcase against the North Side Legends in their last outing. It’s been a mixture of both youth and experience blending together all year for Sparty with seniors Molly Stock and Ali Stephens leading the way along with three freshmen in Myah Epps, Gabby Helsom, and Whitney Ankenbruck. The Spartan’s regular season truly all comes down to Friday as they play for at least a share of the SAC title against the Northrop Bruins.
4. Carroll (13-6)
Conference Record: 5-2
SAC Rank: 4th
Last Game: 60-38 win over Penn
Next Game: vs North Side(Jan. 24)
After a rough start to the SAC season with an 0-2 record(to be fair the games were against Homestead and Northrop) the Chargers have turned it around completely winning their last 5 SAC contests. They are also on a 5 game-win streak overall since they took a two-game slide over winter break. The seniors Taylor Fordyce and Kayla Gibbs have been absolutely crucial for this squad all year leading the way as underclassmen Jersey Paul and Lily George have also been very impactful. To close out the regular season the Chargers still have two SAC tests looming including a battle against Snider Friday. Then when they enter the postseason right away they will get a chance for revenge against the Northrop Bruins.
5. Wayne (13-7)
Conference Record: 4-4
SAC Rank: 5th
Last Game: 62-27 loss against Northrop
Next Game: @ Lakewood Park(Jan. 24)
The Generals have been fantastic this year and have their highest win total since Lacia Gorman took the helm 5 years ago. The Generals also have a great opportunity to finish out the year strong with two games remaining the first against Lakewood Park and then the following being against Bishop Luers. The game against Luers will be the last time seniors Aniah Hill, Shabrea O’Quinn, and Emilia Diaz play on their home floor all have had such great careers with this squad.
6. Bishop Luers (9-12)
Conference Record: 3-5
SAC Rank: 7th
Last Game: 84-59 loss against Mishawaka Marian
Next Game: @ Wayne(Jan. 27)
The Knights have had a lot of ups and downs going through the grind of the season this year including what became a 6 game-losing streak in the middle of the year but they have shown their ability to get through adversity. In fact, in that 6 games losing streak they played 3 teams in Class 4A with the other 3 being from class 3A which will certainly have them battle-tested for when they compete in the Class 2A tournament. In their last game of the regular season, they will look to finish the year strong with a statement win over Wayne.
7. Concordia (8-13)
Conference Record: 3-5
SAC Rank: 6th
Last Game: 58-42 loss against Snider
Next Game: @ North Side(Jan. 27)
In the last outing for the Cadets, they suffered a tough loss against the Snider Panthers but before that game, they were riding high on a three-game win streak. All year long for this team it has been a duo of senior Annaka Nelson and freshman Alivia Bolinger leading the way as they both average around 12 points a game. The Cadets will finish their regular season on the road at North Side.
8. Bishop Dwenger (7-15)
Conference Record: 1-7
SAC Rank: 9th
Last Game: 54-30 loss against Bishop Luers
Next Game: vs Leo(Jan. 24)
The Saints are near the end of a very difficult stretch as they have lost 7 out of their last 8 games. They will look to turn that around in the final week of the regular season when they first face the Leo Lions and then play the South Side Archers on Friday.
9. North Side (6-13)
Conference Record: 1-6
SAC Rank: 8th
Last Game: 59-14 loss against Homestead
Next Game: @ Carroll(Jan. 24)
The Legends have struggled lately losing their last 5 games and will try and turn it around this week as they have three games still to play in the regular season. First, they will have a difficult task against the Chargers, then they will face the Concordia Cadets. Followed up by a game against Canterbury on Saturday to close out the regular season.
10. South Side (2-15)
Conference Record: 0-8
SAC Rank: 10th
Last Game: 71-27 loss against Heritage Christian
Next Game: @ Huntington North(Jan. 24)
The Archers still remain winless in SAC play and will have their last chance for a SAC win this year against Dwenger on Friday. Some good news for the Archers came out of the sectional draw though as they drew the New Haven Bulldogs who they were able to beat 68-48 earlier this season.
