Indiana 2A Preview: #6 Western Boone

<p>The Stars, or better known around here as WeBo (pronounced Wee Bow), have always been an athletic program. I have known kids that have gone on to successful careers that have played for WeBo, and never saw them coming. The Stars are located in an area far enough away from Indianapolis that they can duck under the radar with their success, yet still close enough to play all the high-level teams in all classes to gauge their talent level. With only two graduating, and none in the attack, this might be their year to go beyond the sectional. Heritage Christian, the actual champ from this sectional last fall, is moving up to 3A and won’t see the Stars again until 2023. So you’re tellin’ me there’s a chance.....</p> <p><strong>’22, Maddie Hawkins, 5-6 OH/DS</strong></p> <p>Maddie, above all else, is a primary attacking six rotation player who has recently played for Circle’s 17-2 team. She’s the leading attacker coming back, and is in the top two from behind the baseline and on defense. I love her athleticism, her ability to constantly be around the ball, and always making a smart decision during play. Without Maddie, I’m not sure I’d be talking about the Stars this fall.</p> <p><strong>’23, [player_tooltip player_id="85927" first="Elena" last="Gubera"], 5-5 S/DS</strong></p> <p>Playing as the libero for Circle City’s 16-2, she’s a left back defender that is quick with her feet and quiet with her body. On WeBo, however, she was used as one of the setters in their 6-2 offense last fall. The fact that she’s capable of both makes her highly marketable at the next level, but I see her as an exceptional defender for some college soon. Nevertheless, her team-leading ace numbers and top four defensive numbers make her a very important piece to a possible postseason run.</p> <p><strong>’22, Marli Ransom, 5-6 DS/L</strong></p> <p>The <em>current</em> libero for WeBo plays club at Rev, and is on their 17-1 roster. Another left back kid, Marli is hyper quick and gets to balls that are seemingly impossible to get to. I like her quiet movement in serve receive, as she rarely shanks a ball she can get to. The top defender and third-best ace maker, Marli can do a ton of the dirty work while others get the accolades---an important character trait for a deep playoff run.</p> <p><strong>’23, [player_tooltip player_id="85891" first="Kennedy" last="Kiger"], 5-9 OH</strong></p> <p>An Academy/Boiler Juniors-trained pin attacker, Kennedy is yet another cog in this machine that does multiple things well. #2 in kills only behind Miss Hawkins listed above, she also uses her size to be the top blocker on this squad. If I were to guess, this is a pin attacker at the next level, but might have to play a little middle at the high school level just to give the Stars a little bit of size. </p>