In the state of Indiana, basketball season reigns supreme. Hoosiers live and breathe basketball --- and high school hoops brings the community out every night.
The high school season is ready to go and the girls took to the hardwood Nov. 4, marking the official start of the 2024-25 season.
It should be a roller coaster of a ride for the eight Delaware County programs, as is every winter in the state Dr. James Naismith called “the cradle of basketball.”
Delta Eagles
Head Coach: Tyronda Benning
2023-24 Record: 11-12
The Eagles finished seventh in the Hoosier Heritage Conference (HHC) and a tick below .500 on the 2023-24 season.
Part of the struggles last season came from the lack of experience and senior leadership. According to MaxPreps, the Eagles do not have a single senior on their current roster.
Head coach Tyronda Benning said she is heading into the season optimistic. She hopes her team can build off the experience they gained last season and continue to build a culture.
“My team brings more maturity this year,” she said. “We focused hard on our mindset last season and [are] digging even deeper into it this season.”
Benning hopes the experience her team gained last season as underclassmen will allow them to grow and learn this winter. With a roster of younger players, they have had to work on mental toughness to set their team apart.
“With only having one senior last season, being loaded with sophomores and freshmen, allowed them to get more playing time than average,” she said. “…We are looking for that experience to kick in this season and looking for a great outcome.”
The Delta girls will kick off their season Nov. 7 against Muncie Central at home with a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.
Muncie Burris Owls
Head Coach: David Harman
2023-24 Record: 2-17
The Owls will look to turn the tides this season with leading scorer Sydney Jackson ahead of the pack. Jackson averaged 11.3 points per game last season and led the team, shooting 31% from the field.
Jackson led the Owls in almost every statistical category last season. She averaged 2.1 assists per game, 3.8 steals and one block per game. Head coach David Harman will be relying on her ability again this winter.
Jackson excelled on both ends of the floor totaling 138 points and 60 steals. Her leadership will be a lift along with the five other rostered seniors, according to MaxPreps. Having her hard-nosed style of play will provide a spark for the Owls.
Wes-Del Warriors
Head Coach: Ryleigh Skaggs
2023-24 Record: 2-4
With first-year head coach Ryleigh Skaggs taking over the reins, the Warriors are looking forward to the new season under their new head honcho.
“The biggest reason for hiring Coach Skaggs as our head girls’ basketball coach was her energy and excitement for Wes-Del and our girls,” athletic director Matt Nuckols said. “She already had strong relationships with our girls from when she was an assistant here and is very knowledgeable.”
Skaggs comes into the position with some experience as an assistant in the past for Wes-Del. She has used that opportunity to learn and grow as a first-time head coach.
Skaggs and her Warriors come into the season with one senior player. With the lone senior, Skaggs is going to have to rely on the play of some younger players this season.
Last season, the program struggled in participation. Bringing in the young coach has shown promise in increasing program numbers.
“Our numbers have already doubled from last season,” Nuckols said. “We're excited to see her grow the numbers in both our youth and [high school] team and bring excitement to Wes-Del girls basketball.”
Wes-Del girls basketball’s next contest is Nov. 13 at Madison-Grant. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Yorktown Tigers
Head Coach: Leigh Ann Barga
2023-24 Record: 13-11
The Tigers are coming off of a 13-11 (3-4) season in 2023-24.
Head coach Leigh Ann Barga is ready to bring back the success she previously had in her time wearing the kelly green. This team brings many differences from the one she coached on the hardwood last season.
Her team returns a roster with three seniors and a junior to lead an otherwise young squad. Relying on her upperclassmen leaders will play a major role in guiding the young Tigers.
Competing in the strong HHC is a challenge within itself. But, the Tigers are returning their leading scorer in junior Lilly Sylvester who averaged 14.5 points per game as a sophomore.
Sylvester scored 348 points last season and led Yorktown in most offensive categories. She also led the team in rebounds with 168.
Yorktown will tip off its season Nov. 12 at home against Guerin Catholic at 7:30 p.m.
Daleville
Head Coach: Joe Rench
2023-24 Record: 9-14
The Broncos were able to win a sectional championship to cap off their 2023-24 season. Even with the sectional championship under their belts, Daleville felt there needed to be a change at the helm coming into the 2024-25 season.
Joe Rench will be the head coach for the Broncos in the upcoming season. Rench will have to battle some adjustments needed after losing a multitude of seniors. A key returning contributor for the black and gold is junior Addi Gothrup.
Gothrup was the second leading scorer last season for Daleville with 12.6 per game and is the biggest piece that Rench will rely on this season.
There are some new faces on this roster as well, and with the addition of a new head coach the meshing of the team may take some time before it looks like a finished product on the court.
Daleville (0-1) started their season Nov. 4 with a road game against Alexandria-Monroe where the Broncos fell 30-69.
Cowan
Head Coach: Lisa Blalock
2023-24 Record: 4-18
The Blackhawks last season above .500 was during the 2020-21 campaign, finishing 13-10. Having only posted four victories last year, the black and yellow are hoping for a turnaround.
A key to that turnaround will be the upperclassmen-heavy roster the Blackhawks have under their belts with the likes of seniors Brooklyn Sizemore and Regan Gill, junior Alyssa Stevens, and sophomore Savannah Hall.
“These girls gained valuable experience last season and are all stepping into even bigger roles this year,” Blalock said via email. “They are tough competitors, hard workers and have all really improved.”
The black and yellow lost some productive seniors from last year's squad with Davelynn Lindsay being one of the most impactful. Lindsay led the team in points, assists, and steals last year while Brooklyn Hall led the Blackhawks in blocks.
Despite the losses, there is confidence around the team and how this season's roster will respond.
“I expect our team to compete hard with great energy and effort. Our first two weeks of practice have been great and we are looking forward to an exciting season.” Blalock said.
Cowan will begin their 2024-25 season Nov. 7 as they host Southern Wells. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
Wapahani
Head Coach Scott Hudson
2023-24 Record: 17-8
After a successful 2023-24 season was cut short in the sectional semifinals against Lapel, Wapahani has reloaded and is gearing up for another run at a sectional championship.
Retaining its two leading scorers from last season, juniors Emily and Megan Luce, is a big key to the Raider's success this season.
“They both averaged around ten points and four rebounds last season and getting them back provides us with a solid backcourt,” Hudson said via email.
The Raiders also acquired 6-foot-3 Monroe Central transfer and Oakland University commit Kimber Abshear in the offseason.
“She provides such a strong inside presence with her scoring and defensive presence around the basket,” Hudson said.
The red and white have multiple players on this year's rosters who will see increased roles this season due to departures. Two of those crucial additions are current seniors Judy Dargo and Bailey Carpenter.
“They’ll both see significant playing time after being in reserve roles last year,” Hudson said. “Both have shown steady improvement this off-season. Judy provides depth on the perimeter and Bailey will make her presence felt in transition, running the floor, and scoring inside.”
In Hudson's eyes, defense seems to be the Raiders' calling card this season, so it will be all about the development of offensive execution throughout the year.
“We can be a strong defensive team, but ultimately, how well we execute and become more efficient offensively will determine our success,” Hudson said.
Wapahani will tip off their season Nov. 16 against Union at 6 p.m.
Muncie Central
Head Coach: Dameon Wyatt
2023-24 Record: 2-20
Muncie Central is coming off of its worst season since 2016-17 where the Bearcats went 3-21. Having struggled mightily last season, there is a mindset of a culture change that is needed in order to turn the program around and get back to its winning ways.
“Our goal is to create a winning culture and improve every day,” Muncie Central head coach Dameon Wyatt said via email. “We want to improve defensively, limit our turnovers, and create opportunities with our athleticism.”
Changing the culture surrounding the program starts with some of the new faces on the Bearcat roster this season. Incoming freshmen Kei’Maija Hickey and Ja’Niyah Johnson have the chance to be big impact players for the purple and white this season.
“Hickey is very athletic and can be a great defensive player. She has the length and quickness to be really disruptive,” Wyatt said. “Johnson has great hands and a soft touch around the rim. She will only get better and better as the season progresses.”
A large change on the court this year will be the implementation of a new system for the team to learn. Naturally, there will be a learning curve and an adjustment period before things begin to click.
“We are implementing a new system and it may take some time for us to hit our stride, but we plan to expand our defense and try to pressure teams into mistakes,” Wyatt said.
Muncie Central will open its 2024-25 campaign Nov. 7 with a road trip to Delta. Tip off is set for 7:30 p.m
Contact David Moore via email at david.moore@bsu.edu or on X @gingninj63. Contact Logan Connor via email at logan.connor@bsu.edu or on X @_loganconnor.
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