Trio of juniors to lead younger South Bend Washington girls basketball in 2023-24

SOUTH BEND — The South Bend Washington girls basketball team is hungry. After eating at one restaurant, though, they’re looking for a new place for a meal.

That’s how Panthers head coach Steven Reynolds explained the differences between last year’s team and this one, which is set to start its season Thursday at Goshen.

“I had two phenomenal leaders last year in Rashunda (Jones) and Amiyah (Reynolds), who are at Purdue University now," said Reynolds. "That was their era, and this is a different era. … We still have a lot of talent, but we have a lot of growing pains to go through.”

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Washington has been like St. Elmo’s Steakhouse the last three seasons. A Class 3A runner-up trophy in 2021, Class 3A state title in 2022 and Class 4A regional championship in 2023. Perennially at the top of the rankings not only in Indiana, but in the country. The best of the best.

And while this team is by no means like McDonald's, it might take some time before they become the high-end option they’ve grown accustomed to being.

The top talent is still there. A trio of juniors — Kira Reynolds, Monique Mitchell and Ryiah Wilson — lead the charge. All averaged double-digit points per game last year. Reynolds, a Purdue commit, averaged 16.2 points, 12 rebounds and 5.8 blocks per contest, helping her earn second team All-State recognition.

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Along with 11.3 points, Wilson led the team with 6.2 steals per game. Mitchell scored 13.4 points per game, adding close to three rebounds and three assists per contest.

The three were part of a starting five alongside Jones and Amiyah Reynolds that won its first 27 games last season. A late-season injury to Amiyah dampened its chances at a state title, however. After being able to win sectional and regional titles without the Miss Basketball finalist, the Panthers lost in the semistate semifinals to Lake Central.

“My freshman year, we went down to state, so going down to state has been the only thing on my mind,” Kira Reynolds said. “So, getting that close and losing (last year) just gives everybody a lot more motivation to get all the way there. Our juniors, we’ve been there and we’ve seen what its like, and then we’ve been where we were so close. Having that freshman year and completely flipping to feel that heartbreak sophomore year just gives us that motivation to go.”

The graduation of Amiyah Reynolds means Wilson will step into the primary point guard role. It’s a spot she’s played while competing on the AAU circuit in the summer, but will be new for her in a high school game.

“I feel I’m getting more comfortable with it, so it’s not as much pressure,” Wilson said. “But coach Steve wants to get on me as hard as he can, so I think that’s where the pressure is, doing well for coach.”

It’s an interesting dynamic for Washington this year, as there are no seniors on the roster. Steven Reynolds said it’s the first time he’s had that happen in his coaching career. It also means the likes of Kira Reynolds, Mitchell and Wilson will be looked upon to fill those leadership roles.

“I’ve handled it pretty well,” said Mitchell. “Most of (the younger players) have come to me to ask questions. Like, during practices and running our plays, they’re like, ‘Mo, can you tell me about this?’ I just try and walk it through for them. I’m super patient because we have new players and our team is so young. We don’t have those (senior) leaders, so we have to be them.”

Coach Reynolds mentioned juniors Makayla McNeal, Ayanna Nicholson and Jamiyah Parahams, sophomore Zeya Alexander and freshman Kyra Lowe as those who’ll see considerable playing time this season.

The Panthers get an early test Saturday, playing a doubleheader against No. 9 Fort Wayne Snider and No. 7 Lake Central at Central. Washington, ranked 4th in the preseason poll, also faces elite teams from the Indianapolis area, Illinois and Michigan during the season.

The goal for every team right now is the same: win a state championship. But how this Washington team goes about that will be different than last winter.

“We have a long way to go,” Steven Reynolds said. “We have a lot of talent. We’re fast, we’re strong; all those great things that you love to have as a coach. But there’s a way we want to accomplish what we want to do, and every year, that reboots based on the personnel.

“It’s been difficult in trying to see the things we need to see to say right now, ‘We’re going to be contending for a state championship.’ I haven’t felt that yet, though the potential’s there and we have the staff that can get us there. The goal is to be the best versions of ourselves by the end of January.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend Washington girls basketball preview in 2023-24