IHSAA Girls' Basketball: Class 3A-A outlook for Monrovia, Indian Creek and Eminence
Welcome back, basketball. With the leaves hitting the ground, temperatures falling and the football season nearing its end, it's the perfect time for the return to the hard court in Indiana. Here's a season outlook for the smaller schools in the area, including Monrovia, Indian Creek and Eminence.
Monrovia
2021 record: 8-16
Last result: 54-20 loss to Danville, sectional opener.
Schedule overview
The early season tilt is where Monrovia will see its schedule at its strongest. The Bulldogs will matchup against teams like Indian Creek (22-5), Triton Central (19-5), Sheridan (14-6), Crispus Attucks (12-9) and rival Eminence (12-8) within the first seven games.
The midseason stretch, moving into the final set of games, dials it back a touch with teams like Herron (5-16), Cardinal Ritter (7-16) and Beech Grove (4-18), but there are some tough matchups mixed in such as a back-to-back against Speedway (17-7) and Cascade (18-5), as well as a meeting with Edgewood (19-5).
Key returning players
Ashley Lewis will, in all likelihood, be the key leader of this group. As one of a small group of seniors, Lewis is coming off a career year, averaging 10.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.2 assists per game. With an even more important role, expect the do-it-all force to have a great season.
Also creating a great deal of offense, and defense, is Emery Newlin. The multi-sport star had a late season surge for the Bulldogs in 2021, finishing with a balanced 10.4 points, 4.0 steals, 3.2 assists and 3.1 rebounds. She should play a large role for Monrovia.
Other talent like sophomores Mary Cox and Joslyn Young should also see an uptick in production.
Season outlook
The good part about playing young last season is this Monrovia team not only has plenty of experience on the court, but als have learned how to win with one another. That started to shine through late in the season as the Bulldogs impressed, winning four of its last seven regular season matchups after starting 4-12.
This season should see a continuation of what was established towards the end of the last year, at least that's likly the hope for head coach Kevin Rounds and his staff. Simply taking down a 4A team (Decatur Central) was huge. With the talent the Bulldogs do have, doing so shouldn't be a problem. It's just a matter of putting up consistent performances.
There's a lot to be excited for with this group, and there's certainly a ton of potential to improve upon last year's record. The schedule isn't overly difficult, so notching more wins should be an obtainable goal.
Indian Creek
2021 record: 22-5
Last result: 52-36 loss to Bishop Chatard, regional final.
Schedule overview
The Braves have one of the more difficult schedules among Class 3A schools, featuring six 4A schools, including Franklin (28-2), Westfield (18-5), Greenwood (14-11), Southport (11-13), Martinsville (7-15) and Whiteland (6-17).
Then there's the tough opponents within the Western Indiana Conference such as Northview (21-5), Edgewood (19-5), Sullivan (17-6) and North Putnam (18-9). Late in the season, the Braves are also slated to take a trip to South Holland, Illinois to play Thornwood, a school that was 18-4 last season.
Key returning players
There's few that's a better duo than juniors Faith Wiseman and Lauren Foster. Wiseman, an IU commit, is fresh off a season averaging 12.2 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.2 blocks and 2.8 assists, all on 43% shooting and 38% from deep. Foster, a guard, serves as the team's lead scorer, notching 16.7 points on 59%, adding 4.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals.
With Emily Todor gone from graduation, the team will be searching for a new No. 3 option. Senior Savannah Hall and sophomore Ayla Lollar are two that could fulfill that role.
Season outlook
These Braves have the ability to go however far their star duo can take them, and if last season is any indication, that should be far. The regional championship loss to Bishop Chatard was a tough pill to swallow, especially with all the success and all the great teams Indian Creek defeated last year. But it's also great for motivation.
Of course, the Braves are going to need others to step up around Foster and Wiseman. Last year, they were able to get production from a variety of players, many of which are back this season. They should be able to use that experience to their advantage this season.
The schedule isn't easy, but it also wasn't last year. The Braves picked up quite a reputation for being able to top Class 4A teams. In fact, they defeated Johnson County rivals Whiteland and Greenwood, also adding Greenwood Christian into the mix. Indian Creek has enough firepower to do it all again this season.
Eminence
2021 record: 12-8
Last result: 50-41 loss to White River Valley, sectional opener
Schedule overview
Opening the season with a trip to North Central (Farmersburg) should be a challenging yet invigorating early season matchup for the Eels. It starts what will be a long span of games on the road, making 10 trips away from the Eel Tank in its first 17.
Among some of the top contestants during the span are Purdue Poly (17-7), rival Monrovia (8-16), Cloverdale (8-16), Crispus Attucks (12-9), Tindley (10-9) and Scecina (8-14). Fortunately for the Eels, its last five games will be at home, facing opponents with a combined 38-63 record last season.
In what should be a fun battle, the Eels' final game will be the battle of Eminence's as they take on Eminence High School of Kentucky.
Key returning players
Who isn't returning for the Eels? The team is essentially bringing back the whole lot from last season. The stellar junior trio of Danica Myers, Natalie Hubbard and Bella Dittemore will all be back. As will six others, including sophomore Sophia Saucerman and senior Kris Rumbaugh.
Myers led the team in scoring, steals and assists in 2021 with 12.1 points, 3.0 assists and 3.0 steals. Also tacked in there was 5.8 rebounds per contest. Hubbard was shortly behind, totaling 11.6 points, a team-high 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 steals. Dittemore added 9.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.4 assists per game.
Season outlook
There's no doubting Eminence has the talent. It's just a matter of translating it into wins. Obviously, the Eels finished with a winning record last season, but new coach Greg Burton will look to get even more out of this group. Judging from his track record, it's something he should be capable of doing, especially with the given talent.
When it came to playing upscaled competition outside of its Greater Indianapolis Conference foe last year, the Eels' struggled. That's likely to be a point of emphasis this season. The win over Scecina was big, but Eminence is going to need more of those type of wins to ready itself for sectional play.
There's a lot this Eminence team could be capable of on the 1A level. With two great scorers (Myers and Hubbard), one who can get it done if both are off (Dittemore) and a 6-foot-1 big with budding potential in Saucerman, there's plenty to be excited about for the Eels this season. It's just a matter of capturing wins, and they could do a lot of that.
Contact reporter Devin Voss at dvoss@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @DevinVoss23.
This article originally appeared on The Reporter Times: Class 3A-A girls' basketball outlook for Monrovia, Indian Creek and Eminence
