East Central Among Five Area Teams Ranked To Start Girls Basketball Season

The 2021-22 season tipped off this week.

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana high school girls hoops season is officially underway, and five area teams start the season ranked. 

2021-22 Preseason Polls were released this week. 

In Class 4A, the East Central Lady Trojans start the season ranked #13. The Lady Trojans went 19-5 a season ago, capturing an EIAC and sectional championship. 

The Lady Trojans are expected to compete for a conference and sectional championship again in 2021-22. Back are junior forward Josie Trabel (17.0 PPG) and senior guard Hope Fox (14.5 PPG). Both were All-Conference and All-State performers a season ago. 

Other key players returning include Julia Tiemann, Laney Baker, and Ashley Nobbe. 

East Central is off to a 1-0 start with a 77-27 win over South Dearborn on Wednesday night. For head coach Kevin Moore, it was his 200th career win. 

In Class 3A, two EIAC teams start the season ranked in the Top 20. Rushville checks in at #12, followed by Greensburg at #16. 

The Lady Lions are led by All-Conference senior shooting guard Olivia Yager (14.0 PPG), and senior point guard Annika Marlow. Greensburg lost a talented senior class but have a host of players returning who got experience as freshmen and sophomores a season ago. 

South Ripley begins the season #16 in Class 2A. The Lady Raiders return three of their top four scorers from last year's sectional championship team including Rachel Meyer (10.9 PPG), Gracie Gunter (9.4 PPG), and Sarah Meyer (6.2 PPG). Other key contributors back this year are Alexa Heidt and Katelynn Samples. 

Jac-Cen-Del comes in as the highest ranked team in the area at #4 in Class 1A. The Lady Eagles (22-4 in 2020) are led by All-Conference guard Annabelle Williams (11.4 PPG), Jalee Rider (7.3 PPG), Reagan Hughes (6.2 PPG), and Desiree Sparks (3.9 PPG). 

Full preseason polls can be found at indianagirlsbasketball (homestead.com).