By RICHIE HALL
Noblesville girls basketball coach Donna Buckley said that after “three weeks of practice, I am sure my kids are extremely excited to play a game on Saturday.”
The Millers have many reasons to be excited about this season. Noblesville returns its top three scorers from last season, a good nucleus of players with varsity experience, plus some newcomers as well.
“Practices have been good,” said Buckley. “We have a nice mix of experience and youth. The young kids are leaning on the older kids to help them find their way.”
Those top three scorers are part of a Millers program that has set high expectations: Noblesville has totaled at least 21 wins over the past three seasons, which includes last season’s mark of 21-4.
Leading the way is junior Meredith Tippner, who is the top returning scorer (17.6 points per game) and rebounder (9.2) for Noblesville. Tippner is fresh off a soccer state championship.
Right behind her is senior Reagan Wilson. The Iowa State commit averaged 16.9 points last year and led the Millers in assists (4.0) and steals (3.4). Senior Ava Shoemaker is also back; she returns 8.7 points per game.
“We are excited about their scoring abilities but are also looking to add CC Quigley and Kate Rollins to that mix,” said Buckley. Quigley, now a sophomore, played in all 25 of Noblesville’s games last year as a freshman, averaging 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 points. The junior Rollins also played all 25 Millers games last season, adding 1.7 points per game.
“CC has taken big steps this offseason and looks ready to have a great year,” said Buckley. “Kate has really improved and gives us another great athlete who can go guard people.”
Newcomers that could help the Millers are juniors Brookelyn Grayson and Brinkley Cooper, sophomores Ally Hutchinson and Devyn Johnson, and freshman Ellie Motz. Grayson and Hutchinson both got some varsity playing time last season, while Cooper joins the basketball team after years as a cross country and track star for Noblesville.
Rounding out the Millers roster are juniors Khamani Ramsey and Bri Gray, plus sophomore Addy Horvath. All three got playing time last year as well.
Noblesville begins its season Saturday at Avon in a Hoosier Crossroads Conference game, then plays its home opener next Friday, Nov. 10, against Hamilton Heights.