Columbus North’s Miley McClellan, center, shields the ball from Roncalli’s Brennah Cerny, left, and Jasmine Horsman Jan. 25, 2024, at Columbus North.
The Republic file photo
With the most of the key players back from last year’s girls basketball team, Columbus North coach Brett White wanted to play as many quality teams as possible during the June period when high school coaches are able to work with their teams and play against other schools.
As a result, the Bull Dogs lost a few games, but they figure the experience from the high-level competition will help them in the winter.
“I thought it was a good summer for us,” White said. “We made a lot of progress as June went along. With so many girls back, we wanted to beef up our summer schedule and compete against some bigger schools, and we were able to do that. We were able to play a lot of good competition, and I thought we wrapped up our summer on a high note at Indiana Wesleyan.”
North began its summer schedule at the IBCA All-Star Shootout. The Bull Dogs lost to Pendleton Heights and Pike, but were without returning starter Avery Johnson and top sub Sydni Schiefer, who were competing in the state track and field meet that day.
At the Indian Creek Shootout, North went 1-2 with losses to Floyd Central in overtime and Jeffersonville and win vs. Edgewood. The Bull Dogs beat Ben Davis and lost to Noblesville in the IBCA Charlie Hughes Shoutout.
North finished the summer by going 8-0 and winning the tournament at the Indiana Wesleyan Team Camp, beating Conference Indiana rival Bloomington North in the final.
The Bull Dogs were bolstered by the return of senior Miley McClellan, who was a starter as a freshman and sophomore before tearing an ACL last summer and missing her junior season.
“Miley looked good this June,” White said. “We kind of limited her minutes as she got back into live action, but when she did play, she played well. She gives another dimension with her defense and her rebounding, and she can score as well, so we’re glad to have her back.”
Columbus North’s Kaylie Harmon calls a play against Columbus East in the sectional semifinals Feb. 7 at Columbus North.
The Republic file photo
Juniors Kaylie Harmon and Johnson have started at guard the past two years, and junior Ava Wilson has been a top sub and part-time starter. Senior Kenna Conrad returns at forward.
Junior Riley Sims and Schiefer, a sophomore, were first two off the bench this summer. Also playing with the varsity were sophomore Claire Finney and Rion Streitelmeier, senior Addy Wheatley and juniors Ava Kerber and Riley Hurt.
“We’re excited with so many returnees,” White said. “We were able to build on some things offensively and defensively. As the summer, with Miley mixed in and some people in different roles than they were in the past, I feel like we really meshed at the end of the summer.”
Meanwhile, North’s JV team also went 8-0 and won their tournament at Indiana Wesleyan. That team included several promising freshmen.
“It’s a class that we’re excited about, but with so many back, we didn’t have them play with the varsity,” White said.
