6 questions for Bloomington-area teams as girls' basketball season gets under way

With the girls' basketball season getting under way, here's a look at the six IHSAA teams in the Bloomington area, and the big question each of them need to answer this season:

Which freshmen will step up for Bloomington North?

COACH: Kiley Jarrett, first year. LAST YEAR: 17-7, 2-3 CI. Cougars continued to take another step forward as their core startling lineup matured, posting their most wins since 2009-10 and their best offensive average (51.8 ppg) since that same year.

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Mia Robbennolt, Sr. G (12.5 ppg, 7 rpg, 2 apg); Ava Robbennolt, Jr. G (6 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.3 apg); Ava Reitmeyer, Sr. G (9.6 ppg, 4 rpg, 1.4 spg).

OUTLOOK: The Cougars have a new coach and a lot of new faces on the roster, too. So that puts a leadership onus on the three returning starters, Reitmeyer and the Robbennolt sisters. "They really have to be vocal leaders and that is out of their comfort zone for all three of them," Jarrett said. That's in addition to the scoring and stats they'll need to pile up. Two freshmen fill out the starting line up, 5-11 forward Ashley Stegmoller and wing Audrey Burton. Both are fitting in well. Stegmoller has shown she can score in different ways early on and the 6-0 Burton can get into the lane and finish. Two juniors, forward Kendyl Feutz and guard Ellie Livingston, and frosh Rilynn Williams will be first off the bench. Jarrett knows there will be some growing pains but she's confident things will fall into place as the season unfolds. Last week's game against No. 3 Bedford North Lawrence was an taste of the level of physicality and speed they'll need to compete for a sectional title. "It was an eye-opener," Jarrett said.

SCHEDULE NOTES: North has pushed Northview to its season opener and made some big additions with possible sectional foes Mooresville (Dec. 9) and Center Grove (Dec. 22) before Christmas, along with New Palestine (Jan. 4). The new tourney this year is at Lebanon on Dec. 27-28.

ROSTER (No. Player, Cl. P, Ht): 2 CJ Bell, Fr., G 5-4; 3 Rilynn Williams, Fr., G, 5-7; 10 Ashley Greer, Fr., F, 5-7; 12 Ashley Stegmoller, Fr., 5-11, F; 13. Audrey Burton, Fr., 6-0, G; 15 Kendyl Feutz, Jr., F, 5-11; 21 Ava Reitmeyer, Sr, G, 5-10; 22 Ellie Livingston, Jr., G, 5-5; 23 Mia Robbennolt, Sr., G, 6-0; 24 Ava Robbennolt, Jr., G, 5-6; 33 Isobel O'Leary, Fr., C, 5-9.

Will sophomores shine for Bloomington South?

COACH: Larry Winters, 331-203 in 25th year. LAST YEAR: 13-9, 4-1 CI. Seniors carried team to a bounceback season after going 5-19. Panthers lost to just one team (Columbus East) with a losing record.

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Kate Barada, Sr. G; Abbie Lucas, Sr. F (5.7 ppg, 5 rpg, 28 blocks); Molli Lucas, Jr. G; Julia Lashley, So. G; Violet Hall, So. G; Audrey Craft, So. G.

OUTLOOK: This team is young but also athletic and tall, which will cause plenty of problems on most nights. With only two seniors and two starters back, there will still be some growing pains and Winters described it as a "work in progress" after the win over Edgewood. As always, defense and rebounding effort will be a big part of it and South's length should be a big benefit in both categories, especially if it can lead to turnovers and quick scores. Sophomores Hall and Lashley look to be much improved and even more comfortable on the varsity floor this season after coming off the bench last year. Their ability to score anywhere, along with 6-0 senior Abbie Lucas, who recently committed to IU-East, will give the Panthers three double-figure scoring threats every night. Craft, a capable shooter, could be a fourth scorer and point guard Molli Lucas round out the starting five, while 6-1 sophomore Rebekah Arnold gives South four players 5-10 or taller in the regular rotation.

SCHEDULE NOTES: Flipped Columbus East to the season opener and moved Northview to Nov. 9. Also added Greenwood (and dropped Castle) on the Friday after the North game and Avon in late January. Big home game on Dec. 7 features sectional favorites Center Grove. Panthers will also return to the Whiteland Tournament.

ROSTER (No. Player, Cl. P, Ht): 1 Kate Barada, Sr., G, 5-7; 5 Alice Racek, So., G, 5-7; 11 Molli Lucas, Jr., G, 5-8; 12 Alaina Maki, So, G, 5-8; 22 Violet Hall, So., F, 6-1; 23 Audrey Craft, So., G, 5-9; 24 Daniella Grimes, So., G, 5-8; 32 Julia Lashley, So., G, 5-10; 33 Abbie Lucas, Sr., 6-0, F; 34 Rebekah Arnold, So., F, 6-1.

How improved is another young Edgewood squad?

HEAD COACH: Gary Sims, 221-146 in 16th year. LAST YEAR: 4-19, 3-7 WIC. The Mustangs went through a tough rebuilding process running a bevy of freshman on the floor to learn by trial and error. They ended an 11-game losing streak with a sectional win.

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Ally Bland, So., G; Madi Bland, G (7.8 ppg, 4 rpg); Macey Crider, So. F (7.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg); Emily Whaley, Sr. F; Maris Holmes, Sr. F; Elaine McElhinney, Sr. G.

OUTLOOK: Three starters are back, all sophomores in the Bland twins and Crider, who will miss the first part of the season to an ankle injury and that will significantly hamper the Mustangs' offense, especially inside. The Blands will be counted on for production on offense, ball handling, pushing the pace and defense. Sophomores will make a bulk of the roster, with Addison Yearby starting and Ava Laroche showing some scoring pop off the bench with her shooting from the arc. But overall, 3-point shooting could be an issue overall. The three seniors will play big roles with their experience with Whaley and Holmes earning starting spots early on. Junior Madison Burks and sophomore Kaitlyn Wright help give Edgewood plenty of depth. It's a group that should grow in confidence as the season unfolds but it will need to lean hard on its defense until its offense can find its footing.

SCHEDULE NOTES: Mustangs have added Paoli on Dec. 9 and Martinsville to finish up the regular season. Also on the docket is a new tournament at North Decatur on Dec. 29.

ROSTER (No. Player, Cl. P, Ht): 2 Madison Burks, Jr., G 5-2; 3 Ally Bland, So., G, 5-2; 4 Kyleigh Murphy, So., G, 5-5; 5 Addison Yearby, So, F, 5-6; 10 Madi Bland, So., G, 5-3; 11 Emily Whaley, Sr., F, 5-7; 13 Elaine McElhinney, Sr, G, 5-5; 15 Maris Holmes, Sr., F, 5-10; 25 Ava Laroche, So., F, 5-8; 31 Olivia Edgeman, So. F, 5-10; 33 Kaitlyn Wright, So, F, 5-10; 42 Ava Norton, So., F, 5-9; 44 Lizzy Austin, So., F, 5-10.

Will better numbers lift Lighthouse Christian?

COACH: Brian Brown, 24-63 in 5th year. LAST YEAR: 8-16, 3-3 Southern Roads. The Lions had most wins since 2018-19 after an 0-6 start but it was a tough season as numbers shrank to as little as five and at the end of some games, LCA had just four players available.

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Abagail Rousey, Sr. C (17.8 ppg, 11.5 rpg); Victoria Mann, Sr. F (5.5 ppg, 9.3 rpg); Aleah Winders, So., F (4.4 ppg, 4 rpg); Jane Holdeman, So. G (4.4 ppg, 5 rpg); Katie Burlingham, So. F.

OUTLOOK: First off, the Lions have 10 players this year, a great relief to the returning players who seldom got a break last year, often none at all in games and now also have scrimmage partners. Two seniors and four-year starters will lead the way in Rousey and Mann. Rousey, a strong post presence at 5-10, is closing in on her 1,000th career point and should be in double figures rebounding every night as well. The 5-8 Mann will be a key piece as well with her ability to score inside and out, defense and run the floor. Her 3-point shooting must improve, however. Holdeman had to play PG last year due to injuries and will move back to a more comfortable spot on the wing. Winders and Burlingham will look to take a step up as sophomores. Winders is quicker and strong off the dribble and Burlingham's rebounding will be counted on. Ellie Mae Winders, a freshman, will be the new point guard. Sophomore transfer Elyzabeth Schuetz will bring some needed athleticism and quickness to the team. Brown is hoping to build depth as the newcomers pick up the system and that will be important to a team hoping to push the pace a bit more this season and compete for a conference title.

SCHEDULE NOTES: A lot of changes to the Lions schedule, with an opener against Crothersville. Clay City (Nov. 10) and Providence Cristo Rey (Nov. 17) are adds while North Central and Traders Point were dropped. Dates with Medora, Eminence and Mooresville Christian were switched. The Southern Roads Conference Tournament will now take place on Dec. 9 instead of at the end of the season.

ROSTER (No. Player, Cl. P, Ht): 0 Karlee Gonzalez, Fr., G, 5-3; 1 Naomi Connell, Fr., F, 5-9; 3 Jane Holdeman, So., G, 5-6; 11 Victoria Mann, Sr., F, 5-8; 14 Ellie Mae Winders, Fr., G, 5-6; 21 Aleah Winders, So., F, 5-6; 22 Taylor Helbert, Fr., F/C. 5-9; 24 Elyzabeth Schuetz, So., F, 5-7; 41 Abagail Rousey, Sr., C, 5-10.

Can Eastern Greene give Hudson enough help?

COACH: Joe Pigg, 17-8 in 2nd year (206-115 in 15th year). LAST YEAR: 17-8, 6-1 SWIAC. First year under Joe Pigg was a good one as the T-Birds road the Hudson sisters to second place in the league behind Linton. Eastern went 3-4 against 3A-4A competition

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Keylee Hudson, Sr. G; Bianca Wyatt, Sr. G; Mallorie Elliott, Sr. F; Chyann Padgett, Sr. G.

OUTLOOK: Four starters are back but a lot more will be asked of each of them with the graduation of Kenedy Hudson, one of the T-Birds' top scorers and rebounders. It's also left a leadership void that needs to be filled. Sister Keylee Hudson, last year's H-T Player of the Year, will get a lot more attention from opposing defenses this season, so that means Wyatt, Elliott and Padgett and others will need to pick up their scoring to keep the floor spread. Eastern got off to a slow start, but Pigg has seen big improvement since then, especially on the defensive end. "I'm happy with the way it's going, but there's still a ways to go," Pigg said. Offensively, he needs Elliott and Melanie Wyatt to score more. Hudson keys everything and she has to realize it's also her job to make everyone better, Pigg said. Clark Hawk and Lydia Pfaff are the top two players off the bench and freshman Grace Deckard could add to the depth as the season goes on.

SCHEDULE NOTES: Nearly identical lineup as last year, just add Barr-Reeve at the end of the year. The Toby Yoho Tourney paired the T-Birds with preseason No. 5 Springs Valley and No. 8 Tecumseh.

ROSTER (No. Player, Cl. P, Ht): 1 Lydia Pfaff, Jr., 5-3; 5 Bianca Wyatt, Sr., 5-6; 10 Clara Hawk, Jr., 5-5; 11 Chyann Padgett, Jr., 5-6; 13 Melanie Wyatt, Sr., 5-6; 22 Keylee Hudson, Sr., 5-9; 42 Mallorie Elliot, Sr., 5-8.

Can shorter Owen Valley speed it up?

COACH: Trace Temples, 95-79 in 8th year. LAST YEAR: 11-14, 5-5 WIC. Patriots had a tough 1-9 stretch in the middle of the season before going 6-3 down the stretch.

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Lily Smith, Sr. PG (1.7 ppg, 2 apg); Taylor York, Sr. G (5.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2 spg); Kalyn Greene, Jr.

OUTLOOK: The graduation of one of the best players players in school history (Reagan Martin) will be tough to overcome, so OV will take on a different look this season to play to the strengths of a group that won't have nearly as much height, but will have speed on its side. Guards Smith and York (out for a bit after hurting her hand in soccer) are back from the starting lineup while Greene will step up after coming off the bench as a sophomore. There's more youth involved with 5-6 freshman Hannah Bixler stepping into a starting guard role along with sophomores Cammie King and Mallory Owen. Bixler has been the leading scorer early on but Temples wants them all to do their part to fill in the stat lines that Martin and Kearstin Ciresi took care of last year. Smith will be big with keeping everyone on the same page at the point and he's looking for her to pick up her scoring on certain nights. Louisville-bound softball player Taylor Monroe, who played as a freshman, is back, giving the Patriots another good athlete. Elizabeth Hogan and Layla Hamm will help off the bench.

SCHEDULE NOTES: Just some minor reshuffling early, with the addition of Eminence and Terre Haute South and dropping North Central.

ROSTER (No. Player, Cl. P, Ht): 1 Lily Smith, Sr. G; 3 Cammie King, So. G; 5 Mallory Owen, So. F; 10 Taylor Monroe, Sr.; 11 Taylor York, Sr. G; 15 Elizabeth Hogan, So.; 20 Hannah Bixler, Fr.; 24 Kalyn Greene, Jr. G; 30 Layla Hamm, Jr.; 34 Miley Knieriem, So.; 44 Madi Amick, So.

Contact Jim Gordillo at jgordillo@heraldt.com and follow on X (Twitter) @JimGordillo.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: 6 questions for Bloomington girls' basketball as season gets under way