From the time she was a second-grader, Emily Todor grew up idolizing the best players in the recent history of Indian Creek girls basketball.
These days, the high-tops are squarely on her feet.
The lone returning starter from last season’s Class 3A sectional finalist, Todor, a 5-foot-6 junior, takes over as the Braves’ point guard after being the 2 guard a year ago.
It is, in some ways, the continuation of a little girl’s dream.
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Click here to purchase photos from this gallery“I went to all of the girls home games when I was younger, and looked up to them, for sure,” Todor said. “Allie Lehman, Candace Danz and Addie Rund. Those were the ones I wanted to be like. This season is going to be different not having last year’s seniors, but I’m planning to take on more of the scoring load.”
Despite graduating 56 percent of its point total, Indian Creek plans to blend its most experienced upperclassmen with two promising freshmen and see what transpires.
Todor averaged 6.1 points, 2.1 assists and 1.8 steals last season, scoring as many as 15 points in a 71-62 decision over Edinburgh. Former backups Luci Woodrum and Kurstin Thompson, the lone seniors on coach Brian Ferris’ roster, should be stepping into the starting lineup.
“I think we’ll be able to accomplish a lot this season,” said Woodrum, a forward and the team captain. “We have the element of surprise with some of our younger players. We’re going to be a fast team, and we have some solid post players, too.”
Immediate contributions are expected from a pair of touted freshmen, 6-2 center Faith Wiseman and 5-7 guard/forward Lauren Foster.
Fourth-year coach Ferris is 40-32 during his tenure. He knows much of what Indian Creek accomplishes this season starts with Todor’s ability to score, defend and lead.
“Emily started every game last year as a sophomore,” Ferris said. “Now she has to take on that point guard role for us, and obviously, her scoring is going to have to pick up. She so far seems like she’s going to be able to handle it.”
“We’re going to be very inexperienced. Emily is the only player with significant varsity experience. I’m hoping the others grow up fast, but it’s just a matter of how quickly they grasp what we’re trying to do.”
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Head coach: Brian Ferris
Last season: 15-11, lost to Cardinal Ritter in Class 3A sectional final
Top returnees: Kurstin Thompson and Luci Woodrum, seniors; Emily Bryant, Emilee Scott and Emily Todor, juniors; Savannah Hall and Lauren McClanahan, sophomores
Key newcomers: Lauren Foster and Faith Wiseman, freshmen
Outlook: The Braves have posted winning records 10 of the last 12 years, a tradition that will be a challenge to maintain after graduating key players from the 2019-20 roster. The return of Todor makes for a good starting point, with Woodrum and Thompson also back for their senior campaigns after logging valuable varsity minutes. Freshman center Wiseman is expected to give Indian Creek an immediate interior presence at both ends of the court.
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<strong>1. Which nonconference opponent are you most looking forward to facing?</strong>
Probably Whiteland. Last year, it was a close, competitive game, and I think we need another shot. I hope we can beat them this year.
<strong>2. Which unknown player on this team will become a household name this winter?</strong>
We have two freshmen who are really good in Faith Wiseman and Lauren Foster. They definitely bring a lot to the team this year.
<strong>3. Given the ongoing pandemic, how concerned are you about the season being interrupted in some way?</strong>
I haven’t really been worried about it and have tried to stay positive. Our school has done a good job of keeping the number of cases down.
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