Snider HS Girls “Favorites” In Hoops 2023/2024 SAC Girls Basketball Preview!

Unscripted
By Keith Edmonds FWIS Contributing Writer

As we begin the 2023/2024 season of girls high school basketball, I wanted to share that I’ve become a HUGE fan of the women’s game! The elevation of the game on the collegiate level as well as the WNBA has made me take notice of what’s going on. I’m very fortunate to be deeply involved in women’s basketball by being an AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) coach so I get the opportunity to see the very talented young ladies in our area on a regular basis and trust me when I say that this season will be…LOADED with talent! In today’s UNSCRIPTED, I’ll be taking a look at the teams in the SAC (Summit Athletic Conference) and share my thoughts on who I think will emerge as the team to beat this season!

My SAC Girls Basketball rankings for 2023/2024 Season:

1) SNIDER PANTHERS: I think that this team is locked and loaded and has to be the favorite based on the fact that they return ALL of their starters from last season’s Semi-State team and add 6’3 Tia Phinezy (who sat out last year to focus on being a D1 volleyball recruit). Lead by Purdue bound and Miss Basketball Candidate Jordan Poole and Bowling Green recruit Johnea (Nae Nae) Donohue along with strong complimentary pieces in C.C. Sims and Brie Barnes, I look for this team to take everyone’s best shot and when the smoke clears, they will emerge as not only conference champion, but Sectional, Regional, Semi-State as well. They will have a lot to say about who wins the State Championship in February. Don’t be surprised if it’s them!

2) NORTHROP BRUINS: How much did this team learn from last season’s successes and failures? They certainly have a very deep and talented roster lead by their own D1 talents in Lexi Castator who’s headed to Valporaiso and Destini Craig who recently committed to IUPUI. With talented young ladies who contributed greatly as freshmen, in Alivia Rice and Khala Williams-Thomas this team could be the team to beat if Snider should stumble along their path, and will be a dangerous team to play come state tournament time. If Craig returns fully healthy from last season’s injury then don’t be surprised if the Lady Bruins win the conference and make a deep tournament run! Swynn Jackson returns later in the season so that makes this team even scarier! Ooooooo this is going to be a great game when they meet Snider on January 5th !

3) HOMESTEAD SPARTANS: Remember when I said that this conference is loaded with talent? Look no further than the Lady Spartans who started three 9th graders last year and each of them have been offered by multiple D1 programs! Myah Epps, Gabby Helsom, and Whitney Ankenbruck all bring unique skillsets to the table and along with their high IQ for the game, and will have a lot to say about who wins this conference. These youngsters can flat out play but will their youth be a plus or detriment to their growth? Keep an eye on them folks they are only SOPHOMORES!

4) WAYNE GENERALS: Wayne? Why so high you ask? Because they turned the corner last year with a solid season and have a dynamite player in senior 3-level scorer Sydney Gorman who has hit 159 career 3pters! I knew that with coach Lacia Gorman running things and some very solid reserves, this team could be a problem for SAC schools and they were! I’m believing that they will be even better this year! They took a huge step with a solid winning season last year, so I’m anxious to see which direction their next step will be which may be shaking up the BIG GIRL TEAMS listed above them in the SAC ratings!

5) CARROLL CHARGERS: Lead by senior sharpshooter Jersey Paul and sophomore Lily George (who is going to be a a dominant post player when given time to develop) This team will strive to follow the tradition of previous Charger teams which is competing, and finding ways to win! Coach Redding always keeps his teams ready to play and this season will be no different. Watch them all season and especially during tournament time!

6) BISHOP LUERS KNIGHTS: Annika Davis, Kendal Tyree, along with super post player Addy Shank lead this team towards what should be a very solid season, and some surprises along they way. I look for them to improve on last season’s 11-14 record because these 3 players have a tremendous work ethic, understand how to play together, and skillsets’ to make a huge difference night in and night out!

7) BISHOP DWENGER SAINTS: Year #5 under Coach Steve Witorokowski may be tough for the Lady Saints. They have a tremendous talent in post Giselle Eke (who’s headed to D1 St. Francis of Pennsylvania) but who are her complimentary pieces? There are mountains to climb but if done together, it CAN be accomplished! I think this team will continue to get better as the season progresses.

8) NORTHSIDE LEGENDS: This program under Coach Mike Wallace took a giant step towards respectability with 7 wins last season. The Lady Legends are making HUGE strides and I expect them to be even better this year. Aniya Woodson, and Jaliyah Paige will lead this team, but keep an eye on emerging player Aubrey Bleeke who is one of the most underrated players in the conference!

9) CONCORDIA CADETS: This program finished with a surprising 10-14 record last season. They will be hard-pressed to duplicate this type of record with their schedule but THAT’S WHY WE PLAY THE GAMES. Keep grinding and be ready to play your best basketball in the state tournament Cadets!

10) SOUTHSIDE ARCHERS: The Lady Archers have fallen on tough times these past 2 seasons but I know that Coach Goodwell will continue to prepare her team to compete and pull some upsets along the way this season. The SAC will be tough on this team but there are some roads that lead to victories this season.

**Writers Note: Please look to support our efforts by subscribing to Fort Wayne Ink Spot. We are striving to continue bringing you the best news stories in NE Indiana!