Girls Basketball
SAC Girls Basketball Power Poll (Week 1)
1. Northrop
21-22’ Records: 15-8(6-3)
21-22’ SAC Finish: 4th
First Game: @ Leo(Nov. 5)
The Bruins are currently on an upwards trajectory as they finished 4th in the SAC last season after an 8th place finish in 2020-21’. With Coach Katie Jackson now being in her second season with Northrop it looks like the Bruins are ready to make yet another jump as they return 3 of their top four scorers from last season in Saniya Jackson, Neveah Jackson, and Alexa Robinson. The Bruins also have incoming transfers Destini Craig and Lexi Casator who will both make an impact this season. Overall this team is going to be loaded with talent in Coach Jackson’s second year at the helm and will be opening the season on the road at Leo.
2. Homestead
21-22’ Records: 23-2(9-0)
21-22’ SAC Rank: 1st
First Game: @ Carmel(Nov. 5)
After going unbeaten in SAC play last season and only suffering two losses through the entire year(both to eventual state champion Noblesville) the Spartans will look to repeat that success this season. It won’t be easy though as they will try and fill the void of the Mcdonald’s All-American and 2022 Indiana Miss Basketball Ayanna Patterson. Leading the effort this year for the Lady Spartans will be a trio of returning starters in Molly Stock, Ali Stephens, and Emma Ruest. The Spartans also have a very talented freshman class with Myah Epps, Whitney Ankenbruck, and Gabby Helsom on the varsity roster and all being expected to have an impact early on for the Spartans. With all the shooters on this team and no longer having the post presence of Patterson, the Spartans will have a completely different look this season offensively and that will first be showcased when they face the Carmel Greyhounds.
3. Snider
21-22’ Records: 20-4(8-1)
21-22’ SAC Rank: 2nd
First Game: @ Lake Central(Nov. 5)
The Panthers lose their top two scorers from last season but do return the duo of junior guards in Jordyn Poole and Johnea Donahue. Poole is an electric scorer who averaged 12.7 PPG last season and it’s very likely that will increase this year as she will have an increased role for the Panthers. Donahue and Poole also make a big impact defensively as they averaged a combined 3.8 steals per game last year. Tia Phinezy and Ciara Sims are also key returning players for the Panthers.
4. Carroll
21-22’ Records: 14-9(7-2)
21-22’ SAC Rank: 3rd
First Game: vs Columbia City(Nov. 5)
The Chargers return two double-digit scorers from last season in Taylor Fordyce and Kayla Gibbs. Gibbs not only has put up production for the Chargers offensively in the past but is also a top defensive player in the SAC as she racked up 2.8 steals per game last season. Fordyce also is great defensively as she averaged 2.3 steals per game and a team-high 15.2 PPG. Jersey Paul is another returner who will have a big impact for the Chargers this year as she averaged 4 PPG last year as a Freshman.
5. Wayne
21-22’ Records: 10-12(3-6)
21-22’ SAC Rank: 7th
First Game: vs Canterbury(Nov. 4)
The Generals have not had a winning season 2014-15 and they look to change that this year. The Generals were just two games under .500 last year and they will return everyone this season as they had no seniors last year. Emilia Diaz was the leading scorer last season and will look to repeat that production this season. Not only was Diaz the leading scorer for this squad last year but she is the leader for this team on both sides of the court. Sydney Gorman and Aniah Hill are also returning starters who put up big production last season. Hill also has the ability to control the game overall as she can truly do it all. Last season she had 6 games with a double-double while also averaging 2.4 steals per game along with 2.8 assists per game. For the Generals and Coach Gorman this season is the chance to complete the full 180-degree turnaround for this program as they only won 8 games in a four-season stretch from 2016-20 and now they look to be true contenders in the SAC this year.
6. Luers
21-22’ Records: 12-11(4-5)
21-22’ SAC Rank: 6th
First Game: @ Central Noble(Nov. 5)
The Knights return their second-leading scorer from last season in Addie Shank who is expected to be the leader for the Knights this season. Another key player for the Knights this season is going to be Anika Davis who had to sit out last season after transferring to Luers but in her freshman year at South Side she demonstrated her potential and should be a key factor for the Knights this season. Sophomores Reese Rhodehamel and Maggie Parent also return for the Knights as they were the 3rd and 4th leading scores for this team last season.
7. Dwenger
21-22’ Records: 12-14(5-4)
21-22’ SAC Rank: 5th
First Game: vs Churubusco(Nov. 1)
The Saints will look for another year of improvement this season as they only lost two seniors to graduation. For Coach Steve Wiktorowski now in his third year with the Saints last year was his first double-digit win season and will look to build upon that success this year. Maggie Pieper, Vanessa Cook, and Kassidy Court are all expected to make an impact this year for the Saints.
8. South Side
21-22’ Records: 5-17(2-7)
21-22’ SAC Rank: 8th
First Game: vs Jay County(Nov. 8)
After a bit of a down year, last year for the Archers as they were below .500 for the first time since 2015 Coach Juanita Goodwell and her team will look to bounce back this season. The Archers do lose their leading scorer from a year ago in Olivia Smith as Justice Billingsley and Terra Easley are key returners for the squad.
9. Concordia
21-22’ Records: 4-18(1-8)
21-22’ SAC Rank: 9th
First Game: @ New Haven(Nov. 5)
After struggling for most of last season this team will look to turn the tide this year. Their first game of the season is a perfect opportunity to get some momentum rolling early as they play a New Haven team they beat last season 60-4.
10. North Side
21-22’ Records: 2-21(0-9)
21-22’ SAC Rank: 10th
First Game: @ Whitko(Nov. 5)
The Legends struggled mightily last season only beating New Haven and Marian last year and going winless in SAC play. This year the Legends will look to change that this year as they only had one senior on last year’s roster. Sophomore guard Kaleah Williams is likely to lead the way for the Legends this season along with Ja’liyah Paige and Aniya Woodson.
