Washington continues as girls hoops leader
The Washington girls basketball team continues to impress any and all who watch them.
The No. 1 and undefeated Panthers also continue to make a lasting impression as the class of the state.
Coach Steve Reynolds' Class 4A No. 1 squad sits at a perfect 12-0 overall after an impressive 86-74 win over defending Michigan state champion and power West Bloomfield Saturday night in the Best of Michigan Classic. The Panthers are also 7-0 in the Northern Indiana Conference and lead the state in scoring at 82 points a game and an average margin of victory at 47.8 points.
H.S. basketball polls: Marian boys, Washington girls hold steady at No. 1
Dawn Huff wearing two hats at Adams High and loving it
The duo of senior guards and Miss Basketball candidates Rashunda Jones and Amiyah Reynolds, two of four starters back from last year's 28-3 Class 3A state champions, continue to lead Washington. Purdue recruit Jones is at 19.5 points a contest with Maryland-bound Reynolds at 16.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists per contest.
Sophomore star Kira Reynolds, who had a triple double in Saturday's win, averages 17.9 points, 13.4 rebounds and 5.2 blocked shots. Sophomore Ryiah Wilson is at 10.6 points and 6.9 steals with classmate Monique Mitchell at 11.8 points a game.
Marian continues to hold firm at No. 2 among the area's best. The Knights won at Penn 52-51 for a key league win Friday night before a home loss to Class 4A power Fort Wayne Northrop Saturday. Senior star guard Nevaeh Foster continues to put together an All-Star worthy season at 25.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 5.0 steals per game. The Western Kentucky commit has done it all for coach Steve Scott's squad with fellow senior star MaKaya Porter still out due to an offseason knee injury.
Among other local squads picking up steam are Northridge, Fairfield and LaVille.
The Class 4A Raiders have won four in a row since a 49-46 loss to Class 3A Fairfield. Coach Doug Springer's team sits atop the Northern Lakes Conference with Warsaw at 2-0 in league play. Senior Eva Fisher averages 14.1 points a game and junior Morgan Cross 10.3 to pace the Raiders.
The Falcons have won six straight since their lone loss to Columbia City 51-46. Coach Brodie Garber's veteran squad, which lost 35-34 to Frankton in a Class 2A semistate game last season, is led by his daughter Brea. The younger Garber, a University of Indianapolis commit, led her team to a 24-4 mark last year.
The Lancers, who finished 10-13 a season ago, are 9-2 under first-year coach Nicholas Amor. LaVille has won six in a row since a 37-28 loss to Culver Academy. Senior Lucy Sherk leads the way at 13.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, while senior Heaylyn Kwiatkowski averages 12.4 points.
A look at this week Top 10:
1. Washington (12-0)
The top-ranked Panthers face NIC foe Glenn Thursday night and then host Illinois power Bolingbrook on Saturday.
2. Marian (10-2)
Marian was to host Portage Wednesday night and then plays Elkhart in a key NIC matchup Friday night.
3. Northridge (10-2)
The Raiders, who are No. 12 in Class 4A, face league foe Goshen Friday night.
4. Penn (7-4)
The Kingsmen picked up a 56-25 non-conference win over Concord Tuesday night. Penn faces NIC foe Bremen Thursday night.
5. Fairfield (11-1)
The Falcons topped Northeast Corner Conference foe Fremont 54-17 Tuesday night as Brea Garber scored 15 points. Fairfield, No. 10 in Class 3A, faces Fort Wayne Snider Saturday afternoon in a key test.
6. Elkhart (7-4)
The Lions play Marian Friday night and then face Edwardsburg Saturday.
7. LaVille (9-2)
The Lancers had won six in a row prior to playing Riley Wednesday night. First-year coach Nicholas Amor's squad then plays a strong Pioneer team in a key league game Friday night.
8. NorthWood (7-3)
The Panthers topped Bremen 47-34 Tuesday night.
9. Mishawaka (7-4)
The Cavemen defeated Clay 47-31 Tuesday night. Mishawaka faces Concord Saturday.
10. Bethany Christian (9-1)
The Bruins are No. 7 in Class 1A poll. Bethany beat Wawasee 32-27 Tuesday night.
Others to watch: South Central (9-2), Triton (8-5), New Prairie (6-6).
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Washington continues to be the premier girls basketball team
