East Central Indiana high school girls basketball 2022-23 team capsules
NOTE: Muncie Burris did not respond to The Star Press' information request.
MUNCIE, Ind. — IHSAA girls basketball is officially back.
The season began on Monday, and several East Central Indiana teams will hit the the hardwood for the first time throughout this week. There are varying expectations for the 16 area squads, but all of them are excited to get started.
Here's a look at the state of each program, with season outlooks from head coaches:
More high school basketball news:10 East Central Indiana girls basketball games to watch in 2022-23 season
Blackford Bruins (Class 2A)
Coach: Mitch Waters (38-51, fifth year with school)
2021-22 season: 17-6, 6-1 in CIC (lost in sectional semifinals)
Top returning players: Sr. Liv Waters (PG), Sr. Olivia Leas (SG), Jr. Sydnee Morris (G/F), Sr. Bri Stroble (G/F), Jr. Savanna Morris (C)
Key additions: Jr. Brooklyn McClain (G/F), Jr. Bralee Vanskyock (PG/SG)
Key departures: Macy Cagle (C)
Coach's comment: "We feel like although we broke the school record in wins, we under achieved last season (by) finishing second in the CIC and getting beat against Tipton in the sectional. Considering we only lost 1 starter, return all of our bench and have the addition of two very solid players that didn't play last season, we feel like we have potential to make some noise. This season we added Norwell, Lapel, North Miami, and Monroe Central to try and toughen up the schedule. We also played some of the best 3A/4A schools that Indiana has to offer this summer."
First game: At Kokomo at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2.
Blue River Vikings (Class 1A)
Coach: Terry Bales (96-33, sixth year with school)
2021-22 season: 24-3, 9-0 in MEC (sectional champions, lost in regional semifinals)
Top returning players: Sr. Maci Chamberlin (G), Jr. Maciah Driskill (F), So. Charlee Gibson (G)
Key additions: Sr. Rylee Hallatt (F)
Key departures: Ally Madden (C), Sami Loveless (F), Samantha Webb (G)
First game: At home against Waldron at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4.
Cowan Blackhawks (Class 1A)
Coach: Jeff Tharp (29-39, fourth year with school)
2021-22 season: 7-16, 2-5 in MEC (sectional champions, lost in regional semifinals)
Top returning players: Sr. Josie Byrd (G), Jr. Davelynn Lindsay (G), Sr. Briana Hall (G)
Key additions: Jr. Brooklyn Hall (F), Jr. Cheyenne Carter (F), Sr. Crism Morey
Key departures: Lauren Smith (G), Emma Johnson (F)
Coach's comment: "Our No. 1 goal every season is to be playing on championship nights. We use the season as a way of figuring out how to accomplish that goal."
First game: At Alexandria at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4.
Daleville Broncos (Class 1A)
Coach: Ashley Fouch (31-39, fourth year with school)
2021-22 season: 6-16, 1-8 in MEC (lost in sectional semifinals)
Top returning players: So. Trishell Johnson (G/F), Sr. Maddie Ethison (G)
Key additions: Fr. Addisyn Gothrup (G), Jr. Isabelle Williams (G/F), Sr. Amarah McPhaul (F)
Key departures: Emi Isom (G), Audrey Voss (F)
Coach's comment: "This season's success will greatly depend on how we can get all the new pieces of this program to work together. The amount of athleticism this Daleville Broncos team has is unmatched from past teams, but our new faces are going to need to step up and make an impact from the get-go. Once this team fully understands the word 'grit' and confidence begins to boil inside of them, we will be a tough team to compete against."
First game: At Muncie Burris at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4.
Delta Eagles (Class 3A)
Coach: Andy Lewman (46-91, seventh year with school)
2021-22 season: 3-19, 0-7 in HHC (lost in sectional semifinals)
Top returning players: Jr. Paizley Cool (C), Jr. Hannah Carter (F)
Key additions: Fr. Elizabeth Bamidele (G/F), Fr. Jillian Barr (F), Fr. Griffyn Knight (G), Fr. Ruth Sherck (G)
Key departures: None
Coach's comment: "We are going to be young with a talented incoming freshmen group that likes to compete, and planning to build throughout the season."
First game: At Muncie Central at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3.
Jay County Patriots (Class 3A)
Coach: Kirk Comer (198-78, 13th year with school)
2021-22 season: 20-4, 9-0 in ACAC (lost in sectional first round)
Top returning players: Sr. Renna Schweitermann (G), Sr. Gabi Bilbry, Sr. Maybre Mcintire
Key additions: Jr. Molly Muhlenkamp, Jr. Sophie Saxman, Jr. Breanna Dirksen
Key departures: Izzy Rodgers (G), Madison Dirksen (C)
Coach's comment: "Our goals are to continue to get better each night and be playing our best basketball at the end of the season."
First game: At Fort Wayne South at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Monroe Central Golden Bears (Class 2A)
Coach: Brock Morrison (34-31, fourth year with school)
2021-22 season: 12-11, 4-2 in MEC (lost in sectional semifinals)
Top returning players: So. Kimber Abshear (F), So. Sydney Patterson (G), So. Addy Puckett (G)
Key additions: Jr. Maggie Haney (F), Jr. Aubrey Johnson (G), Sr. Audrey Keeley (F), So. Maleigh Ervin (F)
Key departures: Macy Shinn (G), Alex McGrath (F), Sami Farmer (F), Lexi Conatser (G), Leah Osborne (G)
Coach's comment: "We are excited about the group we have and our potential as a team coming into this season. We are changing the way we practice and raising the standard when it comes to team expectations and what the kids expect out of each other. We have a relatively young and inexperienced group when it comes to varsity minutes. However, we believe we have the talent and the pieces to have a special year. Our staff can't wait to get the season started, to watch these kids compete and evaluate their growth as we play through our schedule. It's going to be a fun year."
First game: At Frankton at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5.
Muncie Burris Owls (Class 2A)
Coach: Dave Harman (19-48, fifth year with school)
2021-22 season: 2-9, 2-1 in PAAC (lost in sectional first round)
Key departures: Jasa Johnson (G), Katie Wood (G), Nuria Blanco (G),
First game: At home against Daleville at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4.
Muncie Central Bearcats (Class 4A)
Coach: Jayla Scaife (0-0, first year with school)
2021-22 season: 11-9, 6-3 in NCC (lost in sectional first round)
Top returning players: Jr. Gabby Douglass (G), Sr. Trinity Malone (F), Sr. Vic Hardnett (G/F)
Key additions: Grace Walker, Kadence Smith, Chloe Pugh
Key departures: Jasi Scaife (F), Makaiya Lowe (F), Garynn Sims-Jones (G)
Coach's comment: "Our goal is to be 1% better every day and every game."
First game: At home against Delta at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3.
New Castle Trojans (Class 3A)
Coach: Molly Bates (35-57, fifth year with school)
2021-22 season: 14-10, 4-3 in HHC (lost in sectional championship)
Top returning players: Jr. Emma Hart (PG)
Key additions: Sr. Jayci Reeves (F)
Key departures: Maddy Meek (F/G), Emma Blackburn (G)
Coach's comment: "We are going to be a defensive threat this year, though we may struggle to score on the half court. We are a very quick team and very aggressive."
First game: At home against Richmond at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1.
Shenandoah Raiders (Class 2A)
Coach: Hayley Hunter Wilson (0-0, first year with school)
2021-22 season: 6-11, 2-4 in MEC (lost in sectional semifinals)
Top returning players: Sr. Kayla Mutterspaugh, So. Aurora McKnight
Key additions: None
Key departures: Holly Shepard (G)
First game: At home against Alexandria at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3.
Union Rockets (Class 1A)
Coach: Ryan Chiddester (24-78, sixth year with school)
2021-22 season: 8-11, 1-7 in MEC (lost in sectional first round)
Top returning players: Sr. Honour Ellis (C), Jr. Zoe Ogden (F), Jr. Kaitlynn Holderman (G), So. Glory Ellis (F)
Key additions: Fr. Alexis Merchand (F), Fr. Emma Holderman (G), Fr. Gracie French (G)
Key departures: Taryn Armour (G)
Coach's comment: "This year we have a good mix of upperclassmen and freshmen that work hard and push one another. This team has a chance to be a very good team if we continue to work hard and push each other to be better. "
First game: At Wapahani at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12.
Wapahani Raiders (Class 2A)
Coach: Scott Hudson (59-37, fifth year with school)
2021-22 season: 17-7, 6-2 in MEC (lost in sectional semifinals)
Top returning players: Sr. Camryn Wise (F), Sr. Reese Baker (G), Sr. Kendyl Thrasher (G/F), Sr. Lauren Luce (F), Jr. Emilee Thompson (G)
Key additions: So. Bailey Carpenter (C), Jr. Zoey Swallow (G), Jr. Maddie Jefferson (F), Jr. Destiny Felder (F)
Key departures: Lala Lee (F)
Coach's comment: "Lala Lee, an All-Delaware County player, will be missed ... We return a strong senior nucleus ... We have more depth this year than we have had in the last four years. As a team, improving our free throw shooting and getting all players to rebound a little better is something we are going to stress during the season. As a team, it is important we become more efficient offensively and just execute better for 32 minutes. We also want to be simple and solid with our floor game. Our team goal is to work hard and improve each day in becoming the best team possible. By doing this, we want to put ourselves in the best position possible in each game all season long."
First game: At home against Union at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12.
Wes-Del Warriors (Class 2A)
Coach: Ed Geesaman (16-68, fifth year with school)
2021-22 season: 9-12, 3-4 in MEC (lost in sectional first round)
Top returning players: Sr. Rayven Luzadder (F)
Key additions: Jr. Jennah Love (G)
Key departures: Gracie Gilland (G), Marci Bunch (G), Jaci Knott (G), Kylie Antrim (G/F)
First game: At Eastern Hancock at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1.
Winchester Golden Falcons (Class 2A)
Coach: Holly Gutierrez (140-34, eighth year with school)
2021-22 season: 24-2, 7-0 in TEC (sectional champions, lost in regional championship)
Top returning players: Sr. Caitlyn Campbell (G), Sr. Morgan Lawrence (G), Sr. Reagan Riggin (F), Sr. Zoey Craw (G)
Key additions: So. Alivia McCoy (F), So. Madyson Hummel (F), So. Brooklyn Friend (G)
Key departures: Hayley Lanter (F)
Coach's comment: "Our team will be very authentic this season. We have a great group of young ladies who work very hard and want the very best for each other."
First game: At Lapel at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2.
Yorktown Tigers (Class 3A)
Coach: Leigh Ann Barga (39-31, fourth year with school)
2021-22 season: 5-18, 1-6 in HHC (lost in sectional semifinals)
Top returning players: Sr. Amari Wright (PG), Sr. Raya Tewari (G), Sr. Camryn Isaacs (F), Sr. Jenna Sylvester (C), Jr. Jayde Garrett (C)
Key additions: Fr. Lilly Sylvester (F), Fr. Addy Barnes (G)
Key departures: Palmer Perry (F)
Coach's comment: "Last year we struggled with scoring and playing hard for four quarters. I know it is early, but I have seen more scoring and the want to score out of this group than last year, by far. They are hungry and want to get more wins this season. We have a great combination of youth and experience, so it really depends on how hard they want to work and learn. Hope to be in the county and sectional championship games this season and have an opportunity to win."
First game: At home against Guerin Catholic at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Gus Martin is a sports reporter at The Star Press. Follow him on Twitter @GusMartin_SP, and contact him at gmartin@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: IHSAA girls basketball: East Central Indiana 2022-23 team capsules
