In terms of both personality and style of play on the basketball court, Ella Thompson and Emma Utterback are pretty dissimilar.
Utterback is non-stop energy, a spitfire whose frenetic presence might make you wonder whether she bleeds raw caffeine. Thompson, on the other hand, exudes a chill, quiet confidence that borders on appearing aloof.
This odd couple has always found a way to make it work on the hardwood, though — and this season, nobody in this area did it better. Thompson and Utterback are the Daily Journal’s Players of the Year.
Center Grove coach Kevin Stuckmeyer said the two IBCA All-State guards complemented each other well during the Trojans’ 22-4 season, which included an 18-game winning streak and a sectional title. He likened Thompson and Utterback to two travelers sharing the driving on a long road trip.
“There’s times in games where we needed composure, so Ella kind of needed to be the focal point,” Stuckmeyer said. “There’s times in games throughout the season where we needed energy and push and get after it, and Emma needed to be the focal point. … They really respect each other, and they’re okay if the other one is getting the accolades.”
Their styles of play fit well together. Utterback has been more of a slasher whose offensive game is built on getting to the rim and either getting a layup, getting fouled or kicking out to an open shooter. Thompson was a bigger threat from outside, connecting on 65 3-pointers.
Having played with each other since elementary school, the two know how to utilize one another’s strengths.
“I know for a fact that if I drive in and her girl closes out on me or comes and gets me, she’ll knock down that shot,” Utterback said of Thompson, “and I kind of know wherever she’s going to fade or shift over, because we’ve played together for so long. And also on defense, whenever I pester the point guard on top, I know that I can go a little bit harder on her side because she’s always going to have my back.”
On any given night, either or both could carry the load for the Trojans. Thompson had a 21-point outing against Pike, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer that forced overtime in an eventual Center Grove win. She also scored 59 points in three games to lead the team to the Columbus North tournament title in late December.
When teams focused more attention on Thompson, Utterback was almost always there to take advantage. She had 23 points in a season-opening win over Plainfield, then hit that number again in critical sectional performances against Martinsville and Franklin.
Thompson said that she and Utterback made life much easier for one another on the court this season.
“Teams can’t really focus on one player,” she explained. “Or if they do, then you’re taking that person out but you’re leaving the other one open. … I think it’s kind of just pick your poison.”
The two will go their separate ways after graduation, though both are heading eastward to New England. Utterback will play at the University of Vermont, while Thompson passed up a handful of Division I offers to suit up for Bentley, a perennial Division II powerhouse just outside of Boston.
Stuckmeyer, not surprisingly, will miss having them both around next season.
“I always thought if you blend both of them together, you’d have a superhero girls basketball player,” he said, “but they both are already pretty close to that.”
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The 2019 All-County team for girls basketball:
Megan Harlow, Whiteland senior: All-conference pick paced the Warriors in scoring (12.5 ppg) and was second on the club in rebounds (6.5), assists (2.6) and steals (2.0) … IBCA All-State honorable mention … Will continue her playing career at IU East.
Izzy Reed, Greenwood Christian sophomore: IBCA Underclass All-State selection averaged 21.1 points, 15.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.4 steals in helping lead the Cougars to their first-ever sectional title and a regional finals appearance.
Caitlyn Snyder, Indian Creek senior: Averaged a double-double (12.7 points, 10.9 rebounds) for the Braves, earning All-Western Indiana Conference honors and IBCA All-State honorable mention … Will play for Anderson University next season.
Ella Thompson, Center Grove senior: Led the Trojans in scoring (13.3 ppg) and was second on the team in rebounds, assists and steals … Hit 65 3-pointers, shooting 40 percent from behind the arc … IBCA Senior All-State pick will play at Bentley.
Emma Utterback, Center Grove senior: IBCA Senior All-State selection averaged 12.4 points and led her team in assists with 67 … Totaled 30 steals and forced countless other turnovers with her tenacity … Signed to play at the University of Vermont.
Honorable mention
Kuryn Brunson, Franklin; Katie Burkman, Indian Creek; Ashley Buster, Greenwood; Kiki Crabtree, Franklin; Sarah DeCastro, Greenwood; Ashley Eck, Center Grove; Savvanah Frye, Greenwood Christian; Hannah Grider, Indian Creek; Ali Harris, Indian Creek; Toni Joyner, Whiteland; Haven Link, Edinburgh; Annelise Lollar, Edinburgh; Heather Maddox, Indian Creek; Alexis Mead, Greenwood Christian; Destiney Ramey, Edinburgh; Hailee Robbins, Franklin; Kylie Storm, Center Grove; Natalie Stuck, Whiteland; Bailee Taft, Center Grove; Bayleigh Torrance, Franklin; Mary Wilson, Center Grove
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