The start of Hauser’s girls basketball season may be delayed by a week or so.
But that’s just fine with coach Brad Hamilton and the Jets. That’s because eight or nine potential varsity or JV basketball players are still with the Hauser volleyball team that will play in the Class A state finals Saturday.
The Jets enjoyed some success on the basketball court, as well, last season. They went 14-9, including 6-0 in winning the Mid-Hoosier Conference title.
But after playing five of the six MHC games at home last year, five of the six are on the road this season.
“We have to bring it early, or we’re going to be out of it quickly,” Hamilton said. “That’s an added challenge for us.”
Hamilton has welcomed back 5-foot-9 senior Tessa Sims, who was a starter as a freshman and sophomore. Sims, an Indiana State softball recruit, sat out last basketball season because of a shoulder injury.
Sims underwent surgery this summer, but has recovered.
“She’s really working her tail off and fully released right now to play,” Hamilton said. “That’s a bit of exciting news because she’s worked hard, she’s matured and I’m impressed with what I’ve seen out of her.”
Grace Hasler (5.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.5 spg), a 5-6 senior, returns to run the point. Sarah Tedder (7.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg), a 5-8 senior and 5-9 junior Taylor Henderson (6.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg) are the leading returning scorers and rebounders.
Tedder and Henderson are starters on the volleyball team.
“That (Tedder) kid has a heart of gold,” Hamilton said. “She’s kind of the anchor of our team because she brings that energy and effort every single night.”
Lauryn Starnes (2.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg), a 5-7 senior, started most of last season. Mykenzie Ault (1.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg), a 5-6 junior, and 5-5 junior Jada Asher (3.0 ppg) played some varsity last season and could challenge for starting spots.
Also pushing for playing time are 5-5 sophomore Bree Hadley, 5-8 sophomore Nichole Paetzel, 5-6 sophomore Mel Hasler and 5-7 sophomore Shelby Fugate.
“We have a bunch of kids that I think are going to contribute,” Hamilton said. “It could be a different kid stepping up every night. From a depth perspective, I think we’re loaded.”
Columbus Christian
The Crusaders have a new coach this year after going 3-13 under Tom Planalp last season.
Kay Jones takes over the program and inherits one returning full-time starter in 5-6 junior Grace Lorimor. A pair of 5-6 sophomores, Kylee and Macey Wilkerson (formerly Ramage), also saw considerable action.
Kayla Jones, a 5-4 seventh-grader, and 5-5 seventh-graders Grace Graham and Sarah Lorimor saw some varsity action last season. Newcomers include 5-9 sophomore Kaitlin Conrad, 5-6 sophomore Ellie Ridder, 5-7 sophomore Annmarie Gandy, 5-3 seventh-grader Kayden Hoflech and 5-5 seventh-grader Madi Blair.
“Our plan is to use the fundamentals and basics that we’ll be using in practice,” Kay Jones said. “As long as we learn our fundamentals and learn our plays, we can put that into practice in the games.”
Jennings County
The Panthers hope to climb over the .500 mark with three starters back from a team that went 12-15 in Kristi Sigler’s first year at the helm.
Returning to the lineup are 5-10 junior Callie Wilder, 5-2 senior Macy Roth and 5-6 senior Alexus Brown. Four other players — 5-10 sophomore Baylee Byford, 5-6 junior Alana Daeger and 5-5 juniors Madi Skinner and Kylee Matern — also saw action last year and are battling for starting spots.
Looking to make an early impact are 5-7 freshmen Addison Kent, Grace Ramey and Tori Lee.
“I feel like they’re going pretty hard,” Sigler said. “They’ve picked up where they left off last year. Attitude and effort have been great. Getting everybody healthy will be a key, but we’re on our way up.”
Brown County
The Eagles could be rebuilding after going 9-15 last season and returning only two part-time starters.
Aubrey Hollander (7.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.2 apg), a 5-7 sophomore, started second half of season, and 5-5 junior point guard Dasia Wilkerson (3.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.0 apg) was a part-time starter. Savannah Lovins (4.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg), a 6-0 senior, and 5-5 sophomore Allison Stogsdill (4.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg) also saw plenty of a action, and 5-9 sophomore Gracie Matlock (1.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg) split time between varsity and JV.
Kathleen McCann, a 5-7 senior who played some varsity as a sophomore, is back after sitting out last season. Also pushing for playing time will be 5-3 junior Skylar Fleischman, 5-6 sophomore Abigail Hollander, 5-5 sophomore Piper Boyer and 5-7 freshman Anna Fleetwood.
“We’ll have some depth,” Brown County coach Matt Roberts said. “We have five or six girls that have some varsity experience, and then we’ll have the ability to bring some girls off the bench and contribute.”
Edinburgh
Two full-time starters and one part-time starter are back from an 8-15 squad.
Destiney Ramey (9.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg), a 5-5 sophomore point guard, and 5-10 junior Taylor Tatlock (5.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg) return to the lineup. Sidney Beier (8.0 ppg, 1.7 spg), a 5-7 junior, started some games.
Vanessa McManaway (1.8 ppg), 5-4 senior, and 5-7 sophomore Haven Link (3.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg) also saw playing time last season. Mary Franklin, a 5-8 senior, and 5-9 sophomore Kaylia Kelley are up from the JV and could contend for starting spots
Trinity Tatlock and Annelise Lollar, a pair of 5-8 freshmen, could see varsity action, along with 5-8 sophomore Destini Myers and 5-6 sophomores Abby Schooler and Paige Burton.
“We really don’t have a lot of varsity minutes with the players we have besides Sidney, Destiny and Taylor,” Edinburgh coach Amy Schilling said. “We have some young players, but they’re playing hard and aggressive, and we like what we see so far. We’re deep and have a lot of intensity. I don’t think we’ll lose much going to the bench.”
South Decatur
The Cougars went only 4-19 last year, but return seven key players, including three starters.
Taylor Best (9.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg), a 5-4 senior, and 5-9 junior Madison Owens (3.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg) are entering their third year as starters. Annie Gant (3.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg), a 5-6 junior, returns at the point.
“They bring a little bit of experience to the table,” South Decatur coach Kelly Fox said. “We’re a little bit quicker and a little taller than what we’ve been in previous years.”
Some of that height comes from 5-11 junior Sam Goodfellow, 5-9 sophomore Sierra Lang, 5-10 junior Hannah Miler and 5-7 junior Hannah Ballard, all of which saw varsity action last season.
Trinity Lutheran
Four returning starters and a promising freshman have the Cougars thinking big this season.
Abby Hackman (13.3 ppg, 12.2 rpg), a 5-10 senior, was first player in school history with 300 points and 300 rebounds in a season. Also back from an 11-14 team are 5-9 senior Piper Acton 7.1 ppg, 3.5 ppg), 5-3 senior Jodi Goecker (4.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.5 spg) and 5-7 junior Savannah Harweger (7.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.3 spg).
Sydney Jaynes, a 6-2 freshman, should make an immediate impact after leading St. John Sauers to the Lutheran schools national championship.
Morgan Gabbard (7.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg), a 5-7 senior, and 5-3 junior Maddie Bell (2.0 ppg, 1.4 spg) also saw varsity action last season. They will be joined by 5-3 senior Savannah Setty.
“This will be the most talented team we’ve ever had, top to bottom,” Trinity coach Mike Lang said. “If we come up short of 20 wins this year, I’m going to be disappointed. We have good senior leadership, and these kids are fun to work with and fun to coach.”
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2017-18 Columbus Christian and Hauser girls basketball schedules:
Columbus Christian
Nov. 11;Medora;6 p.m.
Nov. 18;Horizon Christian;6 p.m.
Dec. 1;at Southside Christian;5:30 p.m.
Dec. 2;at Washington Catholic;2 p.m.
Dec. 5;Martinsville Tabernacle Christian;6 p.m.
Dec. 8;Christel House Academy;6:15 p.m.
Dec. 15;Crosspointe Christian;5:30 p.m.
Dec. 16;at Cannelton Shootout;TBA
Dec. 20;at Medora;4 p.m.
Jan. 9;Bloomington Lighthouse;6:30 p.m.
Jan. 13; Cannelton;5:45 p.m.
Jan. 19;at Micah Christian;6:30 p.m.
Jan. 25;at South Decatur;6 p.m.
Jan. 30;Colonial Christian;6 p.m.
Feb. 2;Southside Chrsitian;6 p.m.
Feb. 9; Horizon Christian;5:30 p.m.
Hauser
Nov. 8;South Dearborn;7:30 p.m.
Nov. 9;Milan;7:30 p.m.
Nov. 11;at Trinity Lutheran;7:30 p.m.
Nov. 14;Brown County;7:30 p.m.
Nov. 17;at Waldron;7 p.m.
Nov. 20;at Southwestern (Shelby);7:30 p.m.
Nov. 27;at Jac-Cen-Del;7:30 p.m.
Nov. 30;at Indianapolis Lutheran;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 5;Indian Creek;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 7;at South Decatur;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 12;at Edinburgh;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 14;at Triton Central;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 27;at Greenfield-Central Invitational;5 p.m.
Dec. 28;at Greenfield-Central Invitational;5 p.m.
Jan. 4;Greenwood Christian Academy;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 9;Oldenburg Academy;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 11;Brownstown Central;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 16;at Greensburg;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 18;Morristown;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 23;at North Decatur;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 25;Shelbyville;7:30 p.m.
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