Valparaiso, Marquette, Crown Point and Hammond Central have Division I prospects this season.
TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Valparaiso (19-8): The Vikings return their starting five after winning their third straight Class 4A sectional title, second straight regional title and first Duneland Athletic Conference title since 2005. Star senior guard Lillian Barnes (Ball State) leads the way. Senior guard Cadynce Clark also is back for second-year coach Kelly Kratz, along with junior forward Delilah Kincaid, junior forward Chyanne Brown and senior guard Bri Fincannon.
2. Marquette (23-5): The Blazers have the talent and depth to go all the way in Class 1A after a semistate final appearance last season and a state runner-up finish in 2024. Star senior guard Laniah Davis (Northern Illinois) is on pace to become the team’s career scoring leader and the school’s first player to eclipse 2,000 points. Junior guard Marissa Pleasant and senior guard Addison Penziol (Holy Cross College) also are top players. They have two anticipated impact freshmen: guard Loyalty Scott, Davis’ sister, and guard/forward Alli Zolvinski.
3. Crown Point (12-12): The Bulldogs should have a dynamic one-two combination with sophomore guard Ava Richie and junior forward/center Ivy Henderson, who both have Division I offers. Brad Stangel, who takes over as coach from 2021 state champion Chris Seibert, comes over from the Hanover Central boys team and led the Andrean boys to a state title in 2019. Junior forward Ava Punak also is among eight returning letter-winners.
4. Lake Central (17-8): Sophomore forward/center Jill Beaderstadt, who showed promise last season, is the Indians’ lone returning starter. Senior guard Allie Huppenthal returns after missing last season with a foot injury. Four-year stars Vanessa Wimberly and Ayla Krygier graduated.
5. Hammond Central (20-4): Senior guard/forward Indiah Hutchinson, a Division I prospect, gives the Wolves one of the premier players in the area. She helped them win their first sectional title last season. Ciyah Thomas and Valencia Miller, who transferred to the school for last season, have transferred out.
6. Merrillville (15-7): Junior guard Malika Jenkins should excel for the Pirates under second-year coach Darian Straughter. Key player Kylie Wells graduated.
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7. Chesterton (15-9): The Trojans suffered a significant setback under second-year coach Candy Wilson when senior guard Kenedi Bradley suffered an ankle injury that is expected to sideline her for the season. A Butler recruit in track and field, Bradley was in position to become the team’s career scoring leader. Junior guard Novea Brandon returns.
8. Andrean (15-12): Senior guard Lailoni Staten should take on an increased role for the young 59ers, the defending Northwest Crossroads Conference champions who have won six straight sectional titles. Guard/forward Delaney Myers also is among their returnees and is part of a large sophomore class. Key players Lindsay Arcella and Maddie Walton graduated.
9. Highland (15-11): Senior guard/forward Jordan Steele emerged as a bona fide star for the Trojans last season, carrying them to their first regional title since 2003 in coach Eric Kundich’s first year. Junior guard Savannah Ballard, sophomore guard Addyson Figueroa and sophomore guard/forward Avery Steele also return as they try to build on that success and contend in the NCC.
10. Munster (14-10): The Mustangs also should be in the mix in the competitive NCC. Senior guard Arroya Mongerie, senior forward Igbo Odeluga, sophomore guard Isabella Jarrett and sophomore forward Nwanma Odeluga all are back. Key players Nina Garner and CeCe Mason graduated.
25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Lillian Barnes, Valparaiso, senior, guard
- Jill Beaderstadt, Lake Central, sophomore, forward/center
- Chyanne Brown, Valparaiso, junior, forward
- Cadynce Clark, Valparaiso, senior, guard
- Laniah Davis, Marquette, senior, guard
- Brooke Dawson, Lowell, junior, guard
- Lela Edmonds, East Chicago Central, senior, guard
- Gatlin Hanrath, Lowell, junior, forward/center
- Ivy Henderson, Crown Point, junior, forward/center
- Indiah Hutchinson, Hammond Central, senior, guard/forward
- Malika Jenkins, Merrillville, junior, guard
- Delilah Kincaid, Valparaiso, junior, forward
- Ecrin Mart, Bishop Noll, senior, guard
- Arroya Mongerie, Munster, senior, guard
- Igbo Odeluga, Munster, senior, forward
- Simone Parker, Hanover Central, junior, guard
- Kylah Patterson, Morton, junior, forward
- Addison Penziol, Marquette, senior, guard
- Marissa Pleasant, Marquette, junior, guard
- Ava Richie, Crown Point, sophomore, guard
- Mallorie Rose, Kankakee Valley, junior, guard/forward
- Lailoni Staten, Andrean, senior, guard
- Jordan Steele, Highland, senior, guard/forward
- Sienna Stilley, Hanover Central, senior, center
- Morgan Von Ogden, Griffith, senior, guard/forward