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Area loaded with talent as hoops season gets started

rob hunt, the herald bulletin, anderson, ind.
·4 min read

Oct. 29—If there is one absolute truth for the Madison County area it is there is an abundance of talent in the ranks of girls basketball players.

From scoring machines in Jacklynn Hosier, Kaycie Warfel, Jacelyn Starks and Alivia Peoples to dynamic duos in Laniah Wills and Maddy Poynter and Amaya Collins and Emma Sperry to sophomore standouts like Addison Gothrup, there is as much depth of scoring firepower as the area has seen in recent years.

Last season belonged to the Lapel Bulldogs, who won the Madison County tournament and went on to advance to the state championship game behind Wills and Poynter.

They will be challenged by Pendleton Heights and Alexandria at the county level this season while the Tigers also pose the biggest sectional threat.

Frankton looks for success in its second season at the Class 3A level and will do so under a new coach.

New faces will also be guiding Anderson, Daleville and Liberty Christian, where the Lions look to rebuild after not fielding a team last year.

Full-team previews will be coming in the near future, but here is a snapshot look at each team ahead of the season, which begins in earnest this week:

ALEXANDRIA

Coach: Mickey Hosier (4th season); 2022-23: 17-6; Key Loss: Cali Crum; Expected to return: Jacklynn Hosier, Lily Harpe; Potential breakout: Payton Pulley.

ANDERSON

Coach: Aaron Boyd (1st season); 2022-23: 9-15; Key Losses: Zoe Allen, Makhile McWilliams, Payton Sargent; Expected to return: Starks, Kennedy Brown, Drayaunna Ivy; Potential breakout: Brown.

ANDERSON PREP

Coach: Josh Fathauer (4th year); 2022-23: 11-12; Key Loss: Arianna Flowers; Key Returning Players: Peoples, Kaylynn Orr; Potential Breakout: Julia Smith, Tameah Eldridge.

DALEVILLE

Coach: Brandon Hanshew (1st season); 2022-23: 3-18; Key Loss: Trishell Johnson; Key Returning Players: Gothrup, Emma Voss, Makenna Corbin; Newcomers to watch: Isabelle Williams, Olivia Pratcher, Modlene Campbell; Potential Breakout: Pratcher.

Outlook: "Respect. We know it's earned, and we are ready," Hanshew said. "We are tired of mediocrity and are ready to make a statement. Bring it."

ELWOOD

Coach: Courtney Lickliter (2nd season); 2022-23: 2-21; Key losses: Olivia Shannon, Yzabelle Ramey, Kenzie Cornwell; Expected to return: Darica Dickey, Reaghan Wisehart.

FRANKTON

Coach: Jeff Bates (1st season); 2022-23: 18-7; Key Losses: Bella Dean, Launa Hamaker, Haylee Niccum, Addie Brobston; Key returning players: Sperry, Collins, Sophia Hoagland, Ann Curtis, Emma Key; Newcomers to watch: Macy Curtis, Laela Dietzer, Lainey Hamaker; Potential breakout: Sperry, Collins.

Outlook: "We have high expectations this season," Bates said. "With the addition of some really good juniors and underclassmen, we are positioned to have a good season."

LAPEL

Coach: Zach Newby (6th season); 2022-23: 22-8, Madison County champions, Class 2A State Runner-Up; Key Losses: Kerith Renihan, Jaylee Hubble, Deannaya Haseman; Key Returning Players: Wills, Poynter, AnnaLee Stow, Rosemary Likens; Newcomers to watch: Taylor Mroz, Jocelyn Love; Potential breakout: Mroz.

Outlook: "We want to work as hard as we can each day," Newby said. "We want to be the hardest working, most disciplined team each night. We feel if we can execute a game plan, then we can put ourselves in positions to win."

LIBERTY CHRISTIAN

Coach: Malik Perry (1st season); 2022-23: NA.

Outlook: After a season without basketball, the Lions will play a limited schedule this winter. A young team, Liberty Christian is looking to rebuild with an eye on the future.

MADISON-GRANT

Coach: Jace Martin (2nd season); 2022-23: 10-13; Key Loss: Daya Greene; Key Returning Players: Maddy Moore, Dannika Horn, Katie Stowers, Jasmyn Rainey, Carley Holliday, Caydence Campbell; Newcomers to Watch: Madalee Holloway, Camryn Bolser; Potential Breakout: Rainey.

Outlook: "We return four starters from a double-digit win team," Martin said. "The girls enjoy basketball and each other, which makes practice fun. We're hoping to make a big jump this year with a great mix of veterans and newcomers."

PENDLETON HEIGHTS

Coach: Nick Rodgers (2nd season); 2022-23: 15-10; Key losses: Whitney Warfel, Berkley Shelton, Ava Phillips; Expected to return: Kaycie Warfel, Olivia Jones, Skylar Baldwin; Newcomer to watch: Adah Hupfer; Potential breakout: Jones.

SHENANDOAH

Coach: Hayley Wilson (2nd season); 2022-23: 9-14; Key Losses: Kayla Muterspaugh, Carly Chandler; Key returning players: Gabbi Patrick, Haley Hughes, Rory McKnight; Newcomer to watch: Grace Lee; Potential Breakout: Lee.

Outlook: "We plan to be competitive in every game with the intention to win come postseason tournament time," Wilson said.

Contact Rob Hunt at rob.hunt@heraldbulletin.com or 765-640-4886.