Welcome in Indiana High School Basketball fans. I hope to put out some more content in the 2019-20 season and where better to start than with the BIG question in the city. Who is the best Girls team in Ft. Wayne for the upcoming 2019-20 season?? As far as I see it there are 2 teams clearly above everyone else in Homestead and South Side. Let’s lay out some of the key factors in these 2 teams being at the top of the list and then you can decide who you think it will be.
South Side:
Head Coach Juanita Goodwell continues to win her Sectional year after year, but last year lost in the Sectional championship to the South Side’s rival, Homestead. The Lady Archers return 4 starters from a year ago plus arguably the best backcourt in the northern part of our state, in Senior Jaci Jones and Sophomore Olivia Smith.
Senior Jaci Jones
Jones will bring pack a huge scoring threat from beyond the arc and off the dribble but more importantly will be her leadership. She has amassed a ton of high-level minutes in her 4-year varsity career at South and has been through about every type of situation.
Sophomore Olivia Smith
Smith is one of the top prospects in the Midwest in the 2022 class and there are many reasons why but here are a few; phenomenal court vision w/ the ball, high-level dribbler, unlimited shooting range and tremendous on the ball defending. She is only getting better which will provide a huge test for opposing teams throughout the year.
Others
Along with them are talented frontcourt players in Senior Alaya Chapman and Junior Lamyia Woodson. They will be counted on to replace the tremendous rebounders lost from graduation and as scoring threats inside the paint to keep the needed spacing. From what we’ve seen in past years they absolutely have the ability to make the jump to the big time. A couple of X factors for South will be Juniors Cassidy Connelley, Jas Combs, and Shay Peterson. All 3 have shown they can be counted on but will need to take the next step in their 3 rd year to help South Side get over the hump.
Homestead:
The Lady Spartans are coming off a disappointing ending to their season as they lost at Semi-State and the graduation of 7 seniors, but Head Coach Rod Parker does return arguably 3 of the 10 best players in the city.
Sophomore Ayanna Patterson
Of course, it will all start with the #4 ranked player in the 2022 class in Ayanna Patterson. Patterson who is a once in a generation type of player with the size and skill she possesses. She can play all 5 positions on the court both offensively and defensively and I expect her to handle the ball more which could open up even more things for Sparty.
Senior Sydney Graber
Also coming back is one of the most proven players in the conference in Sydney Graber. She is a tremendous shooter who can take the defenders inside an out using her height and underappreciated handles.
Senior Rylie Parker
Rylie Parker was at times the leading scorer last year and her shooting ability is the reason why. She can flat out knock down shots and will show a more complete game with the added touches she will get on the court. I do think her biggest strength for this team will be her leadership for the young players Homestead will need to be successful.
Others
Other players to be counted on will be Juniors Grace Sullivan and Amber Austin. Sullivan will be stepping into the starting point guard role and was one of the best perimeter defenders in the conference last year. For Amber Austin, she adds height to the frontcourt and is a natural rebounder. She has shown glimpses of what she can do in limited time over the last 2 years and expect her to be a player in her junior year.
Now, with all of that said who do you think will be the best in the city in 2019-20????
