PLAYERS TO WATCH
Class of 2002

The following are the key SENIOR players from the Region and around the state that will be factors for their respective teams this season. They are not ranked, but are represented by class and shown in alphabetical order.  

PLEASE NOTE:  This is NOT an exhaustive listing of all players in the state who might warrant recognition.  We do our best, but cannot possibly know of each and every player worthy of being listed here.

Top Region Seniors
Region Seniors to Watch
Seniors to Watch Around the State

Class of 2002
TOP REGION SENIORS
(Listed alphabetically)

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    Meagan Austgen (5'7 G) Andrean  - Combines with Jamie Gutowski to give Andrean one of the best backcourts in the LAC and the Region. Helped Andrean capture a Sectional Championship last season.  Averaged 11.2 points a game last season. Will be expected to provide leadership and scoring again this season for an experienced Lady Niner team.

    Lauren Bechtold (5'4 G) Hebron - Has great ball handling skills and is considered one of the top point guards in the state. Selected to the Indiana Junior All-Star team this past summer. A 1st Team All-Area selection for both The Times and Post Tribune last season, Bechtold was also one of the top scorers in the Region.  She helped 2A Hebron to its "best-ever" season, winning both Sectional and Regional titles . She averaged 22.4 ppg and 7.1 assists per game. (VALPARAISO)

    Katie Beckman
    (6'1 F/C) LaPorte
    - This mobile and athletic center played extremely well last season despite some injuries. She played extremely well against Crown Point last season before leaving the game early with an injury. Could be one of the more dominate post players in the area this year if she continues to improve. Averaged 8.5 points per game last season.

    Alicia Booyer
    (5'7 G) Gary West Side
    - Booyer played both the point and the wing positions last season for Gary West Side last season, and helped lead the Lady Cougars to the Sectional Championship game against Highland. She is a good floor leader who can control the tempo. Another one in a long line of DI prospects to come out of Coach Fisher's Lady Cougars system. Excellent quickness makes her a tough defender in West Side's swarming press. Averaged 9.3 points per game last season.

    Jamie Gutowski
    (5'7 G) Andrean
    - Gutowski went down with an ACL injury during the summer, but should be back in fine form by the time the season starts. Has established herself as one of the top guards in the state, and without her, Andrean struggles. She's worked hard this summer in rehab, and is already back playing volleyball. She'll provide scoring this year for an experienced and improved 'Niners team. She is an excellent floor general who plays with intensity and confidence. Voted All-Area by both The Times and the Post Tribune last season. Averaged 17.5 points, 5 assists, and 4 steals last season.

    Brianne Harwood (5'9 G) North Newton - Harwood was one of the Lady Spartans' top players last season as a junior before going down with an ACL injury late in the year. She worked hard in rehab and will take on the leadership role this season for North Newton. Selected to the All-Area 2nd team by both The Times and the Post Tribune.  Averaged 15.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. A good defender who usually draws her team's toughest defensive assignments.

    Michelle Jones
    (5'7 G) Gary West Side
    - Jones is another in a long line of talented Lady Cougars who will continue playing basketball on the DI level next season. She saw extensive duty at the off-guard and point guard positions, and had an amazing game against Highland in the Sectional Championship scoring 27 points in an overtime loss. Will be the go-to player this year for West Side. Averaged 13.3 points and 3.5 assists per game last season. Selected to the All-Area 2nd Team by both The Times and the Post Tribune last year. 

    Jillian Martin (5'8") Munster - Martin was the bright spot for coach Beth Vesa and the rebuilding Lady Mustangs last season. She is an excellent outside shooter, who will become the go-to player this year for Munster. Martin has played varsity since her freshman year, so she will also be expected by the coaching staff to provide leadership for the Lady Mustangs squad. Averaged 12.4 points per game and was named to The Post Tribune All-Area 2nd team last season.

    Lisa Matie (5'8 G/F) Hobart - Matie was one of the top scorers for Hobart last season, and is a tireless worker who can rebound with the best in the post despite her height. She had a great summer playing AAU and will a force this year for the Lady Brickies. She scores inside, but is also an excellent outside shooter. Matie will be expected to put up some big numbers for the Lady Brickies this season, and is expected to be one of the top players in the always competitive Duneland Conference. Averaged 10.7 points per game last season.

    Brooke McAfee
    (6'2) Valparaiso
    - McAfee would have been a starter if she were anywhere else besides Valparaiso. For the past several seasons she has played off the bench and backed up Duneland Conference MVP Courtney Rosenbaum and All-DAC post player Lee Traynham. McAfee has worked very hard and had a great summer of AAU. Word has it, she has impressed several DI coaches with her play and has become a top post prospect for many programs. She is an excellent shot blocker who is becoming one of the top post defenders in the region.

    Julie Moniak
    (6'0 F) Hanover Central
    - Moniak has started since her freshman year for a Hanover Central team that has been extremely successful the past three seasons. She helped lead the Lady Wildcats to their first ever semi-state appearance two years ago, and led the team in most categories last season. She is an outstanding athlete in volleyball and has tried her hand at track and tennis as well. Voted to the PCC All-Conference team and selected All-Area Honorable Mention by both The Times and the Post Tribune. Julie is one of the best players ever to come out of Hanover Central.

    Nikki Neulieb (5'8 G) Michigan City - Helped lead a young Michigan City team to a surprising season last year. An excellent scorer who can penetrate or hit from beyond the arch. Expected to provide leadership and scoring this season. Averaged 12.7 points per game in the always tough Duneland Conference last season.

    Val Olis (5'10 G) Boone Grove - Smooth player who can score from the perimeter or in the post. Teamed with Kim Sliwa to help give the Lady Wolves an excellent one-two scoring punch. Voted to the PCC All-Conference team and selected All-Area Honorable Mention by both The Times and the Post Tribune. Averaged 13.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per game last season.

    Kim Sliwa (5'9 G) Boone Grove - Sliwa has started since she was a freshman for the Lady Wolves. She is an excellent long-range shooter, who comes from a long line of great athletes in the Sliwa family. Voted to the PCC All-Conference team and selected to the All-Area 2nd team by The Times. Averaged 19.1 points and 4.6 steals per game last season. She'll be expected to provide the leadership and scoring punch for Boone Grove again this season.

    Leslie Tyburski (5'8 G) Hammond Gavit -  One of the area's most improved players, she helped lead the Lady Gladiators to a Sectional and Regional Championship. Scored 41 points in the Regional Championship game against Andrean. Plays with a lot of emotion. Voted to the LAC All-Conference team and selected 1st team All-Area by The Times. Averaged 18.6 and 2.7 steals per game last year. Will be another DI guard prospect from the Region this year. 

    Alex Webster (5'10 G) Crown Point -  Webster is a dangerous penetrating guard and outstanding defender who sets the tone on the floor for the Lady Bulldogs with her tenacious defense. Helped lead Crown Point to a Sectional Championship and undefeated Duneland Conference crown. Was selected as Crown Point's first-ever Indiana Junior All-Star. Voted to the DAC All-Conference team and was selected All-Area 1st team by The Times. Speed, size, and strength make her one of the state's most heavily recruited DI prospects. Averaged 12 points and 4 assists per game last season in Crown Point's balanced offense.

    Carissa Triplett (6'2 C) Crown Point -  A transfer from Kentucky, Triplett made a statement early in the season with a double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds) in her second game as a Bulldog.  She receives the ball well and knows what to do with it when she gets it, whether to kick it back out to her teammates for the open shot or making a move to the bucket in one-on-one situations.  She rebounds extremely well and knows to keep the ball high to score.  She is a definite college prospect who will be a force for the Bulldogs in the paint this season in a big way. Averaged 8.9 points per game for the balanced scoring Lady Bulldogs last season.


    REGION SENIORS
    to Watch
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    Jessica Abbott (5'10) Andrean
    Shanna Beach (5'7) Morgan Township
    Crystal Benninghoff
    (5'9) Hammond Gavit
    Leann Cicillian (5'10) River Forest
    Jennifer Cieslak
    (5'7) Highland
    Kelly Compton
    (5'10) Valparaiso
    Lesley Cunningham
    (5'9) Kankakee Valley
    Nicole Dearing
    (5'8) Portage
    Christine DiConstanzo
    (5'11) Munster
    Lynette Diaz (5'4) Bishop Noll
    Stephanie Govert (5'9) Andrean
    Megan Diaz
    (5'8) Valparaiso
    Patty Drapac (5'4) Hammond Morton
    Crystal Duffala (5'7) Hebron
    Melissa Fanelli
    (5'9) Lake Central
    Jessica Glinski (5'10) Morgan Township
    Jeanine Haase
    (5'7) Hammond Gavit
    Shelly Hallberg (5'10) Hebron
    Niki Hanas
    (5'4) Lowell
    Rayna Hare
    (5'7) East Chicago Central
    Amber Harris
    (5'8) Wheeler
    Brianna Hefner (5'7) Morgan Township
    Janel Heneghen
    (5'7) Crown Point
    Crystal Hill (5'8) Gary West Side
    Dana Howard
    (5'5) Kouts
    Alisha Hric (5'5) Hammond Clark
    Heather Hutton (5'7) Valparaiso
    Ninaj Jackson (5'5) Hammond Gavit
    Brittany Landreth
    (5''7) Valparaiso
    Megan McElmurry (5''5) Hanover Central
    Maegan McPhee (5''9) Merrillville
    Annie Peckham (5'7") Chesterton
    Erin Pendowski
    (5'5) Kouts
    Kelly Pero
    (5'7) Hobart
    Ashley Plumley
    (5'5) Crown Point
    Lynn Ponscak (5'7) Hebron
    LaDonna Ray
    (5'5) Gary Roosevelt
    Heather Renehan (5'8) Merrillville
    Julie Seagraves (5'4) Merrillville
    Michelle Runyon
    (5'7) Hammond Gavit
    Emily Smitka
    (5'3) Lake Central
    Stacey Spurgeon
    (5'4) Kankakee Valley
    Jackie Squires
    (5'8) Chesterton
    Aimee Stirling
    (5'6) Highland
    Amanda Stoops
    (5'7) Hobart
    Monica Taylor
    (5'7) Wheeler
    Nicole Tesseneer
    (5'7) Portage
    Nichole Villarrvel (5'10) Calumet
    Stephanie Wanieki
    (5'10) Highland
    Beth Wendlinger(5'9) Hanover Central



SENIORS
to Watch Around the State

    Danielle Anderson (5'4) Terre Haute North
    Alisha Barnhardt
    (5'9) Avon
    Angie Bennett (6'0) Norwell
    Megan Bess
    (5'11) Danville 
    Melanie Boeglin
    (5'6) Terre Haute South
    Brooke Boggs (5'9) Fremont
    Sarah Bowling
    (5'8) Southport
    Brigett Branson
    (6'1) Turkey Run
    Holli Brouillette (5'9) Benton Central
    Ashley Buckingham
    (6'0) Center Grove
    Lauren Budreau (5'11) Benton Central
    Lindy Carey
    (5'8) Leo
    Brianne Casper
    (5'6) New Albany
    Katie Chamberlin
    (5'9) Northwood
    Kayla Cheesman
    (5'6) McCutcheon
    Rachel Clark
    (5'8) Warren Central
    Lauren Clary
    (5'6) Terre Haute South
    Morgan Clemons (5'8) Center Grove
    Dana Collins
    (5'4) Decatur Central
    Jenny Conkle (5'8) Fort Wayne Concordia
    Candace Dark
    (5'10) Fountain Central
    Whitney DeSchepper (5'7) Hamilton Southeastern
    Lauren Devich
    (5'6) Bloomington South
    Megan Dossen
    (5'11) Bishop Luers
    Emily Dossman
    (5'7) Bishop Chatard
    Carol Duncan
    (6'2) Northwood
    Jessica Dunn
    (5'2) Mooresville
    Ashley Elmore
    (6'2) Jennings County
    Kara Feller
    (5'10) Franklin Central
    Rebecca Florence
    (5'4) Bloomington South
    Nikki Frantz
    (5'8) Penn
    Jasmine Fullove
    (5'11) Fort Wayne Snider
    Teri Gepfert
    (5'7) Homestead
    Mandy Geryak
    (5'7) Martinsville
    Cassie Goodman
    (5'6) Martinsville
    Jackie Gusfaston
    (5'5) Terre Haute South
    Erin Guy
    (5'11) Twin Lakes
    Brooke Gutziller
    (5'8) Batesville
    Anna Hall
    (5'9) Martinsville
    Omega Harrington
    (5'6) North Central
    Amy Hayden
    (5'9) Fort Wayne Snider
    Kia Hayes
    (5'10) North Central
    Mica Hendrix (5'11) kokomo
    Stacey Hinkle
    (5'6) Tipton
    Andrea Holbrook
    (5'9) Jeffersonville
    Lindsay Houin
    (5'8) Plymouth
    Brianna Howard
    (5'8) Southwestern
    Jessica Huggins
    (5'5) New Albany
    Ashley Hughes
    (5'5) North Vermillion
    Kristin Jackson
    (5'6) Alexandria
    Amber Johnson
    (5'6) Ben Davis
    Megan Jones
    (5'3) Ben Davis
    Molly Klotz
    (5'11) Logansport
    Arin Rene Knox (5'3) Fort Wayne Concordia
    Brittany Laidig
    (5'3) Penn
    (5'8) Brownsburg
    Sheree Lauer
    (6'2) Huntington North
    Amanda Lechlitner (5'8) Penn
    Megan Liffick
    (5'10) Whiteland
    Regina Marshall
    (5'6) New Albany
    Molly Martin
    (5'7) Terre Haute South
    Ashley Mayes
    (5'9) Warren Central
    Leslie Mehrlich (5'11) Decatur Central
    Cindi Merrill
    (5'8) Noblesville
    Tiffany Miller
    (5'10) Fort Wayne Carroll
    Danielle Mitchell
    (510) Martinsville
    Danielle McGraw
    (5'6) Milan
    Chasidy Myers (6'1) Columbia City
    Ashley Myers
    (5'7) Carmel
    Ashley Nickel
    (5'11) West Vigo
    Hilary O'Connell
    (5'8) Warsaw
    Alexis Patterson
    (6'2) Pike
    Meghan Pilarski (5'10) New Prairie
    Jenny Pfeiffer
    (5'7) Jennings County
    Tabitha Pratt
    (5'9) Tippecanoe Valley
    Ande Ray
    (5'6) Carmel
    Darci Rector
    (5'6) Terre Haute South
    Devin Reed
    (5'6) Lawrence North
    Jena Reese (5'3) Fort Wayne Southside
    Lindsay Roberson
    (5'9) Mount Vernon
    Dana Roberts (5'8) Columbia City
    Jessica Scherer
    (6'0) Triton Central
    Stephanie Schrage
    (5'7) Culver Academy
    Stefanie Shrake
    (5'11) Mooresville
    Andrea J. Smith (5'9) Terre Haute North
    Carlotta Smith (5'7) Hamilton Southeastern
    Jessica Stewart
    (5'9) Rockville
    Darby Sturtevant
    (5'9) Hamilton Southeastern
    Missy Taylor
    (6'2) Connersville
    Cynthia Valentin
    (5'8)Bloomington South
    Amanda Wagner (5'6) Fort Wayne Canterbury
    Sarah Waltz
    (5'7) Decatur Central
    Sharika Webb
    (5'8) Cathedral
    Jenni Wheeler
    (5'8) Frankfort
    Chelesa Wessel (5'11) Evansville Reitz
    Ashlee Woodlee
    (5'9) Penn
    Jessica Wright
    (5'10) Cathedral
    Rachel Wright
    (5'3) Mooresville
    Shanna Zolman
    (5'7) Wawasee

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The inclusion of any player on this page is based upon the humble opinion of the Region Roundball Review pseudo-staff.