Editor
Girls basketball on the Southside will be on the upswing this season.
Several teams are back with many returnees, including 1A Greenwood Christian which has all players back from last season. The 1A No. 7 Cougars should enjoy a lofty ranking throughout the season.
Roncalli, 4A No. 11, and Center Grove are expected to be at the top of their game again. Southport, with nine returning players, should surprise with its experience and balance.
Franklin Central, Greenwood, Perry Meridian and Beech Grove expect to improve from last year’s record.
Top players include Indiana All-Star candidate Rachel Loobie of Franklin Central, Izzy Reed of Greenwood Christian, Maddie Bischoff and Alaina Vinson at Roncalli, Claire Rake and Mary Wilson at Center Grove, Lexi Green of Southport and Savannah Pipes of Perry Meridian.
The Johnson County tourney winds up Saturday with the Marion County tourney beginning Dec. 10 and ending at Bankers Life Fieldhouse with semifinal and championship games Dec. 14.
A special night Tuesday finds Katie Douglas returning to Perry Meridian as her famed No. 23 will be retired between games in a unique girl-boy doubleheader starting at 6 p.m.
The outlook (with last season’s won-lost record):
Beech Grove ready to improve from 2018 season
Trojans coming off another great year
Franklin Central far better than it was a season ago
Greenwood should improve from four-win season
Expectations through the roof at GCA
Lutheran plans to peak at sectional time
Manual with new coach for third-straight year
Perry Meridian led by strong junior class
Rebels ready to score with loaded offense
Southport to be better in 2019-20