RRR Preseason Top 12 NWI & State Picks

Region Roundball Review
Top 12 Pre-Season Picks
2002-2003

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Go to Top 12 State Picks

It's finally the start of the practice season, so we're taking a head-first plunge by giving our pre-season rankings of the top teams in Northwest Indiana and the state. Here's a quick overview:

NWI - Locally, the Region returns plenty of talent to make it an extremely interesting season, especially in a number of conference battles. The Duneland race will be tight, but Chesterton looks like the team to beat this year. Valpo, Portage, Crown Point, and Hobart could all contend, but have young squads this fall. The Lake Athletic Conference will see a repeat performance by LAC champ Highland, but they could get a stiff challenge from an experienced Calumet and hungry Griffith. The Porter County Conference will be a horse race between Boone Grove, Washington Township, and Wheeler, who will all battle for the top spot. Gary West Side will be at the top of the mountain in the Northwestern Conference, and adds yet another talented freshman class this year. Lake Central will be a force this year as an independent, and could be the surprise team from the Region come tourney time.

State - Lots of changes this year with star players coming and going to different schools across the state. Last year's 4A State Champions, Terre Haute South, will be without Reicina Russell, but could still have enough weapons to make a run at a second state championship. South Bend Riley looks like the team to beat, however, as they return two of the state's most highly recruited DI prospects in 6'1 Crystal Norman, and 5'10 Suntana Granderson. Watch out for Kokomo, they have a veteran team, and possibly five DI prospects in their starting line-up. Indy area basketball will again be in the state limelight with Perry Meridian and Lawrence North (with Russell) considered to be among the state's best this season, but keep an eye out for Ben Davis, Bloomington North, North Central and Columbus North. Castle, Jeffersonville, and New Albany from the South could make some noise this year. From up North, watch out for Chesterton, Gary West Side, Fort Wayne Northrop, and Lake Central, who all will have talented veteran teams returning. Just as every year, there may be a couple of sleepers who are lying in wait for a shot at the 4A title this season. We are glad the season is finally here. It should again be a great year for girls basketball!

So, anticipating no injuries and that all expected players show up for that first week of practice, here are the RRR picks for the 2002-03 Pre-Season Top 12, together with a small pre-season report on each team. After you're done looking them over, put in your own two cents with a...
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Our Region Top 12
Pre-Season Picks for 2002-2003
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Rank	Team	Class	Pre-Season Report
#1	Gary West Side	4A	Lots of young talent that gained valuable experience last season helping the Lady Cougars advance to the Regional Championship Game against South Bend Riley. Top returnee's include 5'3 junior guard Belinda Drake, and 6'0 junior twin towers Karima Davis and Bernettra Grayer. Have an outstanding group of sophomores.
#2	Lake Central	4A	This could be the year that the Lady Indians reclaim their fame as one of the Region and state's top programs. They will be led by sharpshooters 5'8 senior Kim Haviar and 5'9 junior wing Lindsay Smith. Senior twin towers 6'2 Megan Bowman and 6'2 Katie Chick, along with 6'0 junior Jennifer Vanderzanden add size and scoring in the post.
#3	Highland	3A	The Lady Trojans have a lot of firepower returning from last year's Semi-State squad. At the top of the list is 5'11 junior post Julie DeMuth, a Junior All-Star candidate. Lyndee Arnold, a 5'10 guard is the best defender in the Region. The Trojans are packed with veteran players and should be among the state's best 3A teams come tourney time.
#4	Chesterton	4A	Surprised? You shouldn't be. Except for a slew of Valpo free throws, the Lady Trojans nearly upset Valparaiso last year in Sectionals and have almost their entire lineup back. A tenacious team defense, together with 5'11 senior forward Mandi Loving, 5'8 point guard Cat Campbell and a strong supporting case will turn some heads this season. Lots of talent on the roster this year makes Chesterton the early favorite in the tough Duneland Conference.
#5	Crown Point	4A	Lost a heartbreaker last year to Valparaiso in the Sectional final. The Lady Bulldogs will be young this year, but return some outstanding younger players who contributed significant minutes last year. At the top of the list are returning starters 5'7 sophomore point guard Cassie Pruzin and 5'10 junior wing Blayre Reeves. Keri Cuculich, a 5'10 senior center, and Amy Zondor, a 5'7 shooting guard will add experience and scoring. A couple of senior transfers will boost the Bulldog bench as well, including Hanover Central's leading scorer and enforcer last season, Jennifer McMullin.
#6	Valparaiso	4A	The Lady Vikings don't rebuild, they reload. This year's team will be extremely young, but can rely on the experience of veteran junior point guard 5'5 Lauren Hutton, their only returning starter. Valpo will have one thing the rest of the Duneland Conference lacks, however, and that's substantial size. Sophomore twin towers 6'3 Lindsey Humes and 6'3 Cassie Kerns will only get better as the season progresses.
#7	East Chicago Central	4A	Don't overlook the Lady Cardinals this year, they will be very, very dangerous. Returning to lead the charge this year are two of the Region's best players, 5'7 senior guard Lani Edmonds, and 5'9 senior wing Ebonie Campbell. Lots of speed and talent on this club.
#8	Merrillville	4A	A new coach who brings years of experience from one of the Duneland Conference's top programs. Coach Bob Maicher was an assistant under one of the Region's best coaches, Renee Turpa. He will inherit a young but talented Lady Pirate team that includes one of the Region's best junior players in 5'9 Marshay Jolly. With some help from a talented group of underclassmen and a couple of talented transfers, they could challenge for the Duneland title this year.
#9	Portage	4A	What they lack in size, they will make up for in hustle. Coach Turpa always has her teams ready to play, and this year will be no different. They will be led by sharp shooting senior guards 5'9 Caitlin Austgen and 5'8 Carly Ristich. Nikki McDonald, a 5'7 junior guard has seen consistent minutes on varsity since her freshman year.
#10	Griffith	3A	One of the Region's up and coming programs. Had their peaks and valleys last season, but were young and inexperienced. That will change this year as top returning veterans 5'10 forward Clarissa Farr, 5'7 junior guard Sarah Planer, and 5'7 sophomore guard Meghan Sudac look to bring the Lady Panthers to the top of LAC standings.
#11	Kankakee Valley	3A	The Lady Kougars will have one of the state's top post players in 6'6 Evansville recruit, Amanda DeVries. The team will have to rely on some of the younger players stepping up to be successful this year, but Coach John Gray has a lot of young talent to choose from.
#12	Calumet	3A	Coach Lori Downing has turned things around at Calumet with the help of a 5'5 sparkplug point guard, Kiki Bytnar, and a 6'2 center, Chandra Timberlake. Look for the Lady Warriors to challenge for the LAC title again this season, and make some noise come Sectionals.
Pushing the NWI Top 12: 4A: Hobart, LaPorte, Lowell, Munster 3A: Andrean, Bishop Noll, Hammond Gavit, Gary Mann 2A: Boone Grove, Hanover Central, North Judson, North Newton, Wheeler 1A: Hebron, Oregon-Davis, Washington Township, Whiting

Our State Top 12
Pre-Season Picks for 2002-2003
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Rank	Team	Class	Pre-Season Report
#1	South Bend Riley	4A	They lost at the State Finals to last year's Champs from Terre Haute South, but return two of the most highly recruited seniors in Indiana in 6'1 wing Crystal Norman and 5'10 guard Suntana Granderson. Kendra Reynolds, a 6'1 sophomore post player is also a DI prospect.
#2	Brebeuf Jesuit	3A	One of last year's dominant teams will return this year with experience and size. Carrie Smith, a 6'1 senior post is an IU recruit and one of the state's best players. Amber Jackson, a 6'2 junior post, and Amanda Quattrocchi, a 5'6 junior point guard are rising stars.
#3	Kokomo	4A	If it's any year Kokomo should be favored, it's this year. The roster is packed with outstanding senior talent. Several DI prospects dot the starting lineup including seniors 5'9 Deunna Hendrix, 5'9 Anne Thatcher (ISU recruit) , 5'8 Ashley Johnson, and 5'8 Ashley Hayes.
#4	Lawrence North	4A	They already have one of the state's top underclassmen in 5'7 junior point guard Robyn Stone, a definite DI prospect. Add to that, one of the nation's most highly recruited players, 6'6 Reicina Russell, and you can bet this team will be contending for a state title.
#5	Gary West Side	4A	Lost in the final seconds at Regionals last year to 4A state champion runner-up, South Bend Riley. Young and athletic, this team has size, speed, and plays defense all over the floor. If one of the upperclassmen steps up as a leader for the younger players, this team could be very dangerous. An outstanding sophomore class.
#6	Lake Central	4A	Yeah, they're back. This team has been getting better each season, and this could be the year when everything comes together. The Lady Indians have two of the state's better outside shooters in 5'8 senior guard Kim Haviar, and 5'9 junior wing Lindsay Smith. Lots of size in the post too, with 6'2 senior twin towers Megan Bowman and Katie Chick.
#7	Perry Meridian	4A	Lots of talent returns this year for the Lady Falcons led by 6'3 Evansville recruit Laura Gaybrick. Christina Cunningham, a 5'10 junior wing adds firepower and experience. A good group of experienced guards makes this team a contender for this year's state title.
#8	Jeffersonville	4A	Will be a force down south this year. Play well together as a team. Lots of talent return this year including 5'8 senior forward Lauren Stewart, 5'6 junior guard Jackie Rogers, and 6'5 sophomore Samantha Johnson. This team is loaded with talent this year.
#9	Castle	4A	Could be the year the Lady Knights make it all the way to Indy. They are blessed with size and talent. Expect a big year from 6'1 junior center Kaley Gossman, and Leah Phillips, a 5'6 sophomore point guard. Both have proven to be among the state's best underclassmen and top DI prospects.
#10	Ben Davis	4A	Do they ever have a down year? I don't think so. Watch out for this team, they have an experienced point guard in 5'5 senior Adrienne Jones, and one of the best underclassmen in the state and top DI prospect in Janese Banks. A tradition rich program that expects to win.
#11	Columbus North	4A	Should be a great year for the Lady Bulldogs. Lots of experience and talent returning including 5'6 senior point guard Tina Bolte, a Ball State recruit, 5'11 senior forward Jessie Busart, 5'11 senior center Stacy Axsom, and a pair of 5'8 junior guards Katie Kuperus and Lesley George.
#12 (tie)	Highland	3A	Lots of experience and talent returning from last year's Semi-State team that lost to eventual State Champions, Fort Wayne Luers. The Lady Trojans will be led by Junior All-Star candidate 5'11 Julie DeMuth. Lyndee Arnold, a 5'10 guard, is a defensive specialist and DI prospect. Lots of size and experience could make Highland tough to beat.
#12	South Bend St. Joe	3A	The other powerhouse team from the South Bend area that could make a lot of noise this year. Allison Lindborg, a 6'3 senior center, who is headed to Toledo next year, will lead them. Allison will get help from 5'9 sophomore phenom Aimee Litka, and a host of other talented players.
Pushing the RRR State Top 12: 4A: Bloomington North, Carroll (Allen), Carmel, Chesterton, Evansville Reitz, Fort Wayne Northrop, Floyd Central, Hamilton Southeastern, Huntington North, Indianapolis Cathedral, Mooresville, New Albany, Noblesville, North Central, Penn, Pike, Southport, Terre Haute South, Warsaw, Wawasee 3A: Alexandria, Angola, Beech Grove, Evansville Memorial, Fort Wayne Luers, Gibson Southern, Greenfield-Central, Heritage, Jasper, Northwestern, North Harrison, Shelbyville, Tippecanoe Valley, Washington 2A: Evansville Mater Dei, Heritage Christian, Lewis Cass, North Judson, North Putnam, Park Tudor, Rochester, Shenandoah, Southwestern (Hanover), Tell City, Triton, Wabash 1A: Borden, Clinton Prairie, Culver Community, Fort Wayne Canterbury, Lapel, Loogootee, New Harmony, North Central (Sullivan), North Vermillion, Oregon-Davis, Tri-Central, West Central

"Just-So-You-Know" Disclaimer

All rankings on this page are basically the humble opinion of the Region Roundball Review pseudo-staff. No other Region reporters have contributed to its formulation.