Fresh off learning senior Kenedi Bradley lost for the season, Chesterton girls basketball team short on size and long on athleticism and hustle, plays maroon and gold scrimmage tonight

Patrick Mochen
Onwardtrojans.com

The Chesterton girls basketball season plays its maroon and gold scrimmage tips today at 6 p.m., the first public step toward rebounding from tough news: Three-time All-DAC guard Kenedi Bradley is not on the roster this season, sidelined by an ankle injury suffered playing AAU basketball, Coach Candy Wilson said.
Bradley was on pace to break Jackie Campbell’s long-standing career scoring record of 1,212 points and was the team’s leader in scoring and steals in each of her three seasons as the starting point guard.
Bradley, the school-record holder in the 100 meters, 200 meters and 4x100 relay as the anchor, will continue to rehabilitate her ankle with an eye challenging her own records. She placed second in the state in the 100 meters and fifth in the 200 last season and has committed to run track at Butler University.
Senior Tenley Davis, lost midway through last season with an ankle injury, is not playing basketball this season and will play volleyball next season at Loyola University of Chicago. Classmates Aubrey Bamber, Anna Miles and Liv Roach also are not playing basketball as seniors.
The Trojans lack of size and experience has not dented second-year coach Candy Wilson’s excitement about working with the group that starts the regular season Thursday at Highland.
“We won’t be bulky or tall, but we are very athletic,” Wilson said. “They’re probably one of the hardest practicing teams I’ve ever had. They get after it.”
Sophomore Lindsi McGuffey (5.7 points per game), junior Novea Brandon (4.5) and senior Allison Van Kley (4.3) are the leading three returning scorers.
Brandon has the most experience on the roster playing point guard against high-level competition.
“Lindsi will be playing point guard with me since Kenedi is out,” Brandon said. “She is a really good offensive and defensive player.”
A team captain praised by coaches for her high basketball IQ, Brandon plays well at both ends of the court and is noted for taking charges against players of all sizes.
The 5-9 Van Kley, fresh off her fourth varsity cross country season and a returning varsity starter in basketball, didn’t ask for any time off between sports and showed up ready to get to work Monday, Wilson said. The blend of Van Kley’s length and quick first step have made her a disruptive defender prowling the passing lanes. She has improved her scoring ability in the offseason, according to Wilson.
“When you’re a multisport athlete, and you're running track and cross country, you’re not going to be able to do as much stuff in the offseason to develop your basketball skill,” Wilson said. “It’s been a longer process for Allison over the years because of that and she’s finally getting comfortable, and she’s been looking to score over the summer a lot. She was phenomenal last year on defense and I think you will see more floor-leadership from her on offense this year.”
Addison Glossinger, a 5-10 senior, was a reserve player last year and is expected to take on a much bigger role.
“My JV coach (Riley Popplewell) is doing some work with Glossinger, and they seem to really bond together with that,” Wilson said. “She’s going to play a bigger role than she has in the past for sure. I was really impressed with where she was at the end of the summer.”
Along with Van Kley, another track athlete playing basketball is sophomore Addison Pack, a member of the school record 4x100 meter dash team last spring. Pack’s quick burst helps her on the court as well as track. Last season, she was a reserve player that played a little bit of varsity and some junior varsity. Her sister, freshman Macie Pack, will likely be in a position similar to her sister’s freshman year.
When talking about Addison Pack, Brandon first noted the value she brings off the court.
“Really supportive all the time, she’s gotten way better too. She’s a really good person to be around, a great teammate.” Brandon said. “On the court, really great driver. She gets foul calls, good shooter, and a good defensive player.”
Sophomores Reese Dilbeck, Taylor Kisic and Paige Clancy, who were in volleyball, golf and cross country respectively during the fall, bring athleticism and skill.
Dilbeck gained extensive varsity experience last season.
“She came in and it’s like she never left, jumped back in after volleyball,” Wilson said of Dilbeck, a setter on the volleyball team. “She has a very good basketball instinct.”
Additionally, Wilson mentioned one “a really good freshman” to look out for on the varsity squad: Ella Boyanski.
“She’s one you’re going to notice,” Wilson said. “She’s very poised for her age. Natural scorer.”
Freshman Chloe Murzyn, listed at 5-11 on both the varsity and jv roster, is the tallest player in the program.