We are one week into the 2023-24 girls’ basketball season! SuperSam breaks down the top Fort Wayne area games for Week 2 of the girls’ basketball season.
Tuesday
(0-1) Carroll @ Angola
Series: 11-1 Carroll
Angola hasn’t beaten Carroll in girls basketball since 2012, and it’s a series dominated by Carroll. Last season, Carroll won 67-42 on their home floor.
But this season’s team is quite a bit younger, especially on a backcourt that has to replace Kayla Gibbs (Spring Arbor) and Taylor Fordyce.
On Saturday at Columbia City, Carroll struggled to a 62-31 defeat against a great Lady Eagles team. However, Lily George was excellent with 17 points in that game. But for Carroll to win tonight at the Hive, Jersey Paul must have a bounce back game and Carroll cannot commit 25 turnovers.
I expect Angola to be more competitive in this game and throughout this season under first-year Head Coach Dave Panning. However, I see the Chargers using that ugly Saturday night loss as motivation to get back on track.
Carroll absolutely needs this win from a confidence standpoint.
Players to Watch:
Carroll: Jersey Paul Junior Guard
Angola: Kylie Caswell Senior Point Guard
Carroll by 6
(1-0) Eastside @ (1-0) Blackhawk Christian
Series: 14-7 Eastside
Both teams look every bit as dominant in their opening wins. Eastside had a statement 47-31 win over a solid Concordia team led by 14 points and 4 3’s from Paige Traxler. Eastside is a nice balance of experience, height, toughness, and talent.
Blackhawk flexed their muscles in the 63-15 win over a young West Noble program. But if the Braves want to knock the NECC’s perennial favorite, they need Allie Boyer and Emma Kline to be on their ‘A’ game. Boyer had 26 points against the Lady Chargers, but will be greatly tested to get those looks against a physical Blazers team that has a lot of quickness.
Blackhawk will be a tough team to beat this season, but I have Eastside returning the favor after losing 53-48 to them a year ago.
Players to Watch
Eastside: Taylor Mack Freshman Shooting Guard/Forward
Blackhawk: Allie Boyer Senior Center
Eastside by 3
Huntington North @ (2-0) Snider
Series: 11-10 Huntington North
One of the most highly anticipated games of the night, and this has been an incredible game in each of the last two seasons.
The last 3 meetings have been decided by less than 8 points with the Lady Vikings winning it 45-42 and 48-42 in the previous 2, both coming in comeback fashion. But this Snider team led by Purdue commit Jordyn Poole and Bowling Green commit Nae Nae Donahue are hungry to get a much needed dub to build off of the success on Saturday at the Lake Central Tournament. This Snider team beat South Bend Washington 52-49, which that is a huge deal in this day of age.
Ciara Sims has been the difference maker in both of Snider’s games so far averaging 14 points, 8 boards, and 4 assists per game. If Snider gets that much contribution out of Sims and some of the other names on the team, they’re going to win a bunch of games this season.
I think Huntington North is still a good team and should be expected to compete in this game, but for them to have a shot, they’re going to need to make some shots early and especially from 3. Therefore, they’ll need to be patient and move the ball well. Defensively, it’s paramount that they limit Snider’s attack to the rim because otherwise the Panthers are way too talented and have a lot of length.
The Vikings should compete, but I have Snider getting the better of Huntington North.
Players to Watch
HN: Grace Fields Senior Shooting Guard
Snider: Ciara Sims Senior Combo Guard
Snider by 7
(1-0) Norwell @ (1-0) Northrop
First meeting
In an effort to get Northrop more prepared for postseason basketball, Katie Jackson added Norwell as one of their new non-conference opponents for this season, and this is an excellent choice for the Bruins to test their aggressive and stingy defensive unit that held a pretty athletic and young Carmel team to 54 points.
However, Norwell is not your middle of the road adversary. This is one of the best Norwell girls basketball teams that I have ever seen in my 7-8 years of following NE8 hoops. This is a team that can make a lot of 3’s, push the pace, and they share the ball at an elite level. The scary point is their lethal transition game, thanks to Eric Thornton’s famous 1-3–1 defense.
Northrop will be greatly tested in this game in terms of their ball-handling, but if they can handle their speed and aggression, Northrop still has a height advantage on Norwell even with an improved Dekota Hubble (Huntington) in the post. Lexi Castator (Valpo) will be a key player as their point guard.
Defensively, Northrop cannot allow Makenzie Fuess (Saint Francis) and Kennedy Fuelling to combine for 51 points and over 10 3’s or it’s Good Knight to Northrop’s chances of posting a 2-0 start. All it takes is for either one of them to make a few darts and they will get hot. These two are very, very, very talented guards.
I think Northrop puts up a good fight, but Norwell is just too strong on both ends of the floor.
Players to Watch
Norwell: Kennedy Fuelling Senior Shooting Guard (Marian Commit)
Northrop: Destini Craig Senior Forward (IUPUI Commit)
Norwell by 10
Wednesday
(1-0) Northridge @ Homestead
Series: 7-0 Homestead
Sparty opens their season by hosting a consistently strong Northridge team. But the Spartans have never lost to the Raiders. And with the talent they have back led by Myah Epps at point guard, I don’t see that stopping this season.
Northridge is still a good team, but Sparty is very, very good especially on their home floor. Homestead wins through their defense.
Players to Watch
Northridge: Morgan Cross Senior Combo Guard
Homestead: Emma Reust Senior Guard (Saint Francis Commit)
Homestead by 12
Thursday
(0-1) Central Noble @ (1-0) East Noble
Series in the last 20 years: 4-4 Tie
It’s the Battle of Noble County, and this is a tough game to predict because both teams have tough games on Tuesday. Central Noble hosts a much-improved Whitko team, and East Noble is at Dwenger against the Eke girls. Neither game will be easy.
No matter what happens though, no one should expect this game to be anything like last year’s 52-18 Central Noble win. The Cougars have a fighting chance to win this game, but if they are unable to get their guards going and play a clean game on offense, this East Noble team, under Coach Britain Isaacs, presses effectively, and they’ll intercept passes. This is a completely different East Noble team from just a season ago.
Averi Amstutz is already one of the best guards in her freshman class, as she is one tough player to slow down. Elli Will has the size and framework to contain CN’s talented center in Grace Swank, and EN has quick and high motor guards that compliment well with their two seniors. All of these points that I made are why EN will be able to limit some of the scrappy and athletic play that the Cougars will bring onto the court every night. The key is going to be: Can they avoid the turnover bug, and can they continue to find success crashing the boards? EN was a +10 in the rebounding department in their 53-32 win over a very solid Westview team.
This should honestly be a very good basketball game highlighted by strong defense. But the difference to me is the immediate impact from a talented freshman class, and a resurgent high IQ motion offense that has seen every player playing with more confidence.
I’m going to make a lot of CN fans upset for this, but there is something brewing at the Big Blue Pitt. The NE8 has gotten a whole lot better this year in girls’ basketball.
Players to Watch:
CN: Taylor Custer Junior Guard, and Grace Swank Sophomore Center
EN: Averi Amstutz Freshman Point Guard
East Noble by 4 in a SuperSam Upset Special!
Friday
(1-0) DeKalb @ Angola
Series Over the Last 20 Years: 15-5 Angola
This is the NE8 Game of the Week over at Around the Northeast Corner, and it’s a strong rivalry over by I-69 North of Fort Wayne. Last season, it came down to a last second shot by Kylie Caswell to win that game 48-46 in Waterloo. I expect this game to be extremely close.
DeKalb won 47-18 on the road against a shorthanded Lakeland team. Ashley Cox had 22 points, 7 boards, 11 steals, and 11 deflections for the Barons. Ashley is one of the 5 or 6 best players in all of the NE8. But how good is DeKalb? Don’t get me wrong. It’s a solid first win, but Lakeland is down this season.
This game is a huge first test. I don’t expect this to be an easy game on either side, and I could see this be one filled with fouls and physical play. These two respect each other on the floor, and they will be motivated to win. DeKalb-Angola is a big rivalry game that dates all the way back to the NEIAC years.
It’ll come down to defense. Last season, DeKalb had its best defensive season since 2006-07. Angola takes pride on playing fast and being a tough team to score on. I look for the size from both teams to be a difference on Friday.
But I still like Angola in a nail biter.
Players to Watch
DeKalb: Ashley Cox Junior Combo Guard
Angola: Macy Oberlin Senior Guard (Thomas More Commit)
Angola by 4
(1-0) Eastside @ Fremont
Series in the Last 20 Years: 18-10 Fremont
A rivalry that is starting to regain some steam after several years is the NECC Game of the Week over at the ANEC: Fremont hosting Eastside.
Eastside as I mentioned earlier are the projected favorites to win the conference. However, one team that could see an exponential jump this season is Fremont. They return a bunch of players back from a year ago that add grit, leadership, and athleticism all major needs for a school as small as Fremont.
But where the Eagles become a more serious threat is their generationally talented duo of freshmen Grace Scharlach and Mya Turner. There has been a lot of hype that has traveled alongside these two players. Add that with experience, some athletes, and a strong up and coming basketball coach in Fremont’s all-time leading scorer Shae Thomas, and suddenly Fremont looks like a very enticing team.
Do not overlook Fremont’s potential as a Super Duper, Spicy Upset pick. But I am not taking that chance this year. I still like Eastside in this one.
Players to Watch:
Eastside: Paige Traxler Junior Shooting Guard
Fremont: Grace Scharlach Freshman Point Guard
Eastside by 8
Bellmont @ (1-0) Woodlan
Series in the last 20 Years: 14-6 Bellmont
There’s a lot that we don’t know about these two yet as the Braves are set to play their first basketball game of the season on Friday. Bellmont played in the Class 3A state finals for the third straight season in volleyball.
With the Lady Braves, their success starts and ends with senior Hailey Cole (Trine Commit). If Cole is able to assert her will and become that Nikola Jokic type of playmaker for Bellmont, then Woodlan is in big trouble. As much as I like the start for Woodlan and the Kneubuhler sisters, the rest of the team still has a lot to show for it in the early goings of the season.
Yes, they showed flashes of good things against New Haven. But it was also against New Haven, and the Dawgs battled hard in the first half. This game could honestly go either way, but I give the Braves a slight edge.
Players to Watch
Bellmont: Emily Bleke Junior Guard
Woodlan; Taylor Kneubuhler Senior Combo Guard
Bellmont by 6
Saturday
(1-0) Northridge @ (1-0) Norwell
First Meeting
Much like with Northrop, Northridge and Norwell get to meet for the very first time, and this will be the home opener for Norwell in anticipation for what should be a special season.
Northridge showed promise in the 65-52 win over Chesterton. Sophomore Cam Conley is becoming a new folklore hero for the Raiders as she had 16 points, went 5-9 from the 3, and grabbed 6 boards per game.
If the Raiders are going to compete in this afternoon game at the Castle, they’re going to need a strong defensive performance all around for Northridge. And the concern I have is Northridge is not an overly big team, and they’re a lot younger than last year, which will show its weaknesses on paper against an elite Norwell team that has 7 seniors that has played a lot of basketball.
If this become a shooting clinic, Norwell wins big. They’re simply way too talented and skilled to play that game. Northridge has to keep Norwell in the low 60s to have a shot. This will either be a SuperSam Classic or another blowout win for Norwell.
I hate to do this to Northridge like that, but that’s a brutal two-game slate this week.
Players to Watch
Northridge: Gabby Gates Senior Combo Forward (Huntington Commit)
Norwell: Dekota Hubble Senior Power Forward/Center (Huntington Commit)
Norwell by 14
