It is not difficult to identify the best girls basketball team in Wayne County going into this season. With the season ready to begin this week all eyes will be on the Lady Knights from Northeastern.
Northeastern
The Knights are in a transition period. They are committed to change conference affiliation, and the defending Tri-Eastern Conference champions have designs on two more TEC titles before they switch to the Eastern Crossroads Conference for the 2027-28 season. Head coach Cody Dudley is entering his fourth year with a 59-18 record and two sectional titles. The Knights were 24-2 last season, but they lost the regional both of the last two seasons. This could be the year that they break through and advance to the semi-state or beyond.
The Knights graduated starters Cami Angi, Ava Mikesell and Ariel Shuler, but overall they might run deeper than they were a year ago. Grace College commit Ady Kircher will return for her fourth year as a starter. The team leader on offense and defense, Kircher enters the season as the No. 2 all-time scorer at Northeastern with a legitimate chance to catch No. 1.
Versatile junior Mackenzie Johnson, who can play inside or outside, has shown significant improvement. Junior Karri Gammon is a force in the paint both offensively and defensively. Senior Brooklyn Adams will play at the wing for the Knights, and a talented freshman will round out the starting lineup: Fiona Breitenbach will be the point guard.
The Knights will bring three sophomores off the bench: Sammi Kircher, Macey Oler and Kendall Patterson, the latter a transfer student who saw significant time last season at Winchester. There are several girls battling for the remaining roster spots. Juniors Jayden Hildebrand and Jocelyn Allen are in the mix as well as sophomore Zella Cook and freshmen Brielle Moody, Molly Wissel and Alyia Diamond.
The Knights, who play a challenging schedule, will open their regular season with two road games. They will travel to Monroe, Indiana, to open at Adams Central on Thursday, Nov. 6, and play at Yorktown on Thursday, Nov. 13.
Cambridge City Lincoln
Head Coach: Scott Speheger, first year at Lincoln
For the third time in the last three years, Lincoln will have a new head coach. Coach Scott Speheger has previous coaching experience, but this will be his first varsity job. His team will be very inexperienced. Only two of his roster players, junior Reilynn Ferguson and senior Alyssa Waddell, saw meaningful minutes last season. Junior Sophia Losekamp, primarily a JV player last season, has shown great improvement so far in practice, and freshman Taylor Bell brings size and athleticism to the team and is expected to give the Eagles a valuable post presence.
Senior Maddie Goulding and sophomores Charlotte Holcomb, Bailey Keen and Kari Pollitt, JV players a season ago, will also be battling for playing time. Freshmen Mackenzie McPheeters and Anna Webb could also be impact players. Juniors Autumn Magill and Riley Morrell are playing this year for the first time and are improving daily.
Coach Speheger has stressed fundamentals in practice, primarily ball handling and shooting.
“Let’s face it,” Speheger said. “If we are unable to do the essential skills, there is no offense we can run that would hide that fact.” Coach Speheger expects his team to be defensive minded and thinks that his team’s speed will make up for their lack of experience, but he is realistic in his expectations.
“These girls are great,” Speheger said. “They are coachable and I am looking forward to a fun and successful season. Our success will not be measured by wins and losses. My expectation is that we will play hard for 32 minutes every night. What we lack in experience we can make up for with speed and defense.”
The Lady Eagles open regular-season play on Wednesday, Nov. 8, with a trip to play Rising Sun. They will return to their newly renovated Nest for home games against Cowan on Thursday, Nov. 13, and Anderson Preparatory Academy on Friday, Nov. 14.
Centerville
Head Coach: Tyler Frame, 21-46 record entering fourth year at Centerville.
The Lady Bulldogs graduated Taelynn Swartz, who was their leading scorer and rebounder, and Olivia Hunter, who led them in field goal and free throw percentage and assists, but the Lady Bulldogs have shown improvement in each of the last three years under coach Frame and you can expect that trend to continue.
Frame likes what he sees with this year’s team.
“Our expectations for the upcoming season have really grown,” Frame said. “Our attitude and effort have been awesome. The girls understand their obligations and responsibilities and they are willing to put in the work to be the best they can be. We have a focus on weekly improvement and I think this team will be proud of their accomplishments.”
The Bulldogs will build around nine returnees from a season ago.
Juniors Kendall Nelson, Aubrey Seifer, Lindy Skinner, Ruby Snyder and Addie Talbott and sophomores Maddie Beach, Hannah Beaman, Bowi Frame and Lexi Mcginty all logged significant minutes last season. Newcomer Gracie Showalter, a sophomore, is also expected to be an impact player.
Centerville will play their first two games at home. They will host Randolph Southern on Saturday, Nov. 8, before hosting Blue River Valley on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
Hagerstown
Head Coach: Brad Catey, 1-22 record entering second year at Hagerstown.
After nearly two decades of averaging double-figure wins and winning two sectionals, the Lady Tigers fell on hard times. Two seasons ago, they did not have enough players to field a junior varsity team and were winless at the varsity level. When Coach Catey took over a year ago, the numbers started to increase and even though the team only won one game, they were more competitive. This season, the team will open the season with a combined roster of over 20 varsity and junior varsity players. Catey will have more players at his disposal this year, several with experience, and he is excited about it.
“Things are looking up,” Catey said. “We will have a full JV schedule this season for the first time in several years and we have quality depth at the varsity level. Our goal is to find a way to get to double-digit wins and continue to build for the future.”
He will have four seniors, two of whom, Avery Blunk and Bella Thalls, are four-year starters; Elly Cheeseman, who sat out last season, returns to the program after leading the team in both scoring and rebounding as a sophomore. Ava Goudy will be the fourth senior, and Rylan Hughes returns for her junior year. Catey will also look for contributions from the sophomores and freshmen.
Sophomores Aalyia Anderson and Sarah Sorrell return after missing most of last season with injuries. Skylar Brown, Lilly Catey, Layla Cool and Mack Johnson all played significant minutes last season and have improved. Freshmen Lilah Doerstler, Kenly Ferriell and Sophia Tinkle are expected to be impact players. Other freshmen on the roster include Payton Cones, Harper Fisher, Isabelle Goudy, Brynlee Marshall, Addi Miller and Makena Lanum. Fisher will start the season rehabbing a leg injury.
The Lady Tigers will host Shenandoah on Tuesday, Nov. 11, and travel to Knightstown on Saturday, Nov. 15.
Richmond
Head Coach: Gabrielle “Gabby” Smith, 12-12 record entering second year at Richmond.
Even though the Lady Red Devils graduated their top three scorers from a season ago, Amyannah Tucker (14.8), Maren Bolser (8.7) and Kiarra Handley (5.9), as well as their leading rebounder Amari Jackson (5.7) and steals leader Cami Turpin (1.6), there is plenty of reason for enthusiasm entering the 2025-26 basketball season.
The Lady Red Devils enter the upcoming season with an exciting mix of veteran leadership and youthful energy. Seniors Jayden Johnson and Jade Diamond will anchor the roster with their experience and composure, while a talented freshman class composed of Kalia Madison, Gianna James, R’sirae Nunn, Ali Coleman and Anaiya Mae Stevenson bring confidence, competitiveness and a love for the game that has brought the team a contagious spark.
Seniors Rena Olinger, Katie Shelly and Katey Woodridge and juniors Jazlyn Diamond and Nytasia Russell are also expected to be key contributors.
Coach Smith talked about her expectations.
“This year’s group is very young, coachable and driven,” Smith said. “They show up each day eager to work and play for one another, which makes coaching them a true joy. Our standard will be having love for each other, for our program and for the game of basketball. That’s what defines who we are and how we compete. When a team embodies that kind of heart, effort and unity, special things can happen. I’m incredibly proud of this group’s commitment to growing together and playing the game the right way. We know there will be challenges, but our energy, passion and togetherness set the tone for what’s to come. The future is bright for Lady Red Devils basketball, and we’re ready to take the floor.”
The Lady Red Devils will open with two home games. They will host East Central on Saturday, Nov. 8, and NCC rival Anderson on Friday, Nov. 14.
Seton Catholic
Seton Catholic will not field a girls basketball team this season.
A version of this article appeared in the November 5 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.