For our Family veteran coaches, school season is just as enjoyable as travel season.   The excitement builds as we watch our players lead their respective teams over the season,  and our girls often find themselves having to compete with their travel teammates in critical games.   This upcoming season is similar to past years in that there is a very real potential that some of our kids will make it all the way to the state final,  only to find they must square off against each other in the ultimate Family Feud!  So will there be repeat episodes like last year, where we saw Skylar Diggins of South Bend Washington meet up with Lauren McRoberts of Carmel in the 4A Championship?  Lets take a look at some the preseason top-ranked teams for a possible Family Feud preview.

Your top Class 4A contenders are loaded with Family talent.  While many are already well known, such as  Penn State commit Alex Bentley of #1 ranked Ben Davis,  Parade All American Skylar Diggins of South Bend Washington, and Lauren McRoberts of defending champs Carmel,   we find another "Family" top contender in Lawrence North.  LN features 2 lesser known but equally talented Family players in the guard combination of Erica Beeler and Consuelo Owens.   Beeler,  a senior point guard, is a terrific floor general with great range and athleticism.  Owens, a junior,  can shoot the 3 as well but is better known for blinding speed and the ability to penetrate.   Both players are considered by many to be the top sleepers in their respective recruiting class.  Other top ranked 4A teams include Fort Wayne South with sophomore guard Brittany Johnson, and Marion HS  with sophomore combination guard Katrina Blackmon.   Both Johnson and Blackmon excel in a physical and fast paced transition game,  both  played on our Lady Legit AAU state and national championship team, and both players have been garnering major D1 attention.  Kyla Buckley, who plays for top ranked North Central, is another elite player that could find herself in a Family Feud as well.

Class 3A could likewise see the state tourney turn into a "Family Reunion".  Fort Wayne Elmhurst is one of the top contenders, and its no surprise that they feature 3 Family D1 level players on their roster.  Senior wing and Legit veteran Lacretia Smith has already committed to the University of Toledo.   Sophomore point guard Lacia Gorman is the total package with outstanding ball handling, great perimeter shooting, and the speed and agility to match up to any style of play.   Sophomore post Liza Clemmons is a dominating presence in the paint and has a great midrange shot as well.   Both Gorman and Clemmons play for the state/national champ Lady Legit team and are on many a D1 radar screen.   Another ranked 3A contender is Evansville Memorial with 2 Family regulars.   Sophomore post Mallory Ladd was, at 14 pts, 10 rb per game, the leading freshman in the state last season, and was a starter on this years Lady Legit 14U state championship team.  Combo guard Natalie Cohlmeyer joins Ladd this year in Memorial's starting line-up.   Although a freshman, Cohlmeyer is a 3 year veteran of the national travel circuit whose scoring abilities have attracted major D1 interest since before 8th grade.  Indianapolis Brebeuf is another 3A ranked contender with a strong Family contingent.  Senior guard sharpshooter Lauren Meadows is a veteran of a previous "Family Feud", having won her state championship ring along with Tashia Phillips in the 07 state championship.  Phillips is at Xavier now, but Brebeuf still dominates the paint with players like Brittany Campbell and Liz Lopshire.  Campbell, a junior, made Street & Smith All American HM and has been garnering her share of D1 interest. Lopshire, a senior, is another long time veteran of Family travel ball.  Last, but certainly not least, of our Family 3A contenders is Indianapolis Northwest boasting 3 Family veterans.  Senior Talaya Earls consistently is one of the top rebounders in the state and is a veteran of our Nike travel team.   NW's Family guard combo of senior Ciera Dotson and junior Mahogany Childs push a strong, aggressive style of play reminiscent more of elite travel play, as evidenced by Dotson's season opener 33 point performance vs nationally ranked Heritage Christian. 

 Moving on down to Class 2A, you have Mo Peacock, senior guard and scoring specialist at highly ranked Winchester.  And at 1A we have Gabrielle Minix of top ranked Oregon Davis - a tough and scrappy point guard.  Also highly ranked at 1A is University, which includes Brea Sneed -another great point guard and scoring specialist.  And what could be a sleeper team at 1A this year is Indianapolis Tindley, led by sophomore Kabrina Merriweather.  A do everything player that can handle every job from point to post,  in Merriweather's 3 years experience on the Nike travel circuit she has earned her share of D1 interest as well.

THE VIEWING AUDIENCE WAS ASKED WHICH OF THE ABOVE TEAMS WILL MEET ON THEIR WAY TO A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP....

 And the survey said: " WELCOME TO FAMILY FEUD 08/09 - LET THE GAMES BEGIN!"