The high school sports season gets under way officially Friday with the start of girls golf practice, and matches begin Monday. Here is a look at area teams and the top five players (Arling could not be reached.)
1. Cathedral -- The Irish return a balanced and talented unit from last season. Molly Ward leads the cast that also features Christine White and Christie Cates from the only area team to reach the 2009 state meet. Freshman Karli LaGrotte is expected to compete for varsity time as Cathedral contends for a fourth consecutive state finals appearance.
2. Bishop Chatard -- The Trojans never have gotten out of regionals, but coach Beth Brogan made the goal for this squad clear: "We have to take the team to state this year." Bishop Chatard returns a talented and experienced lineup led by junior Paige Crafton, who tied for 11th in the state as an individual. Maggie Dodson and Christian Williams also return, with Sammie Summerlin expected to contribute, and basketball standout Cathy Doyle moving over from volleyball with the potential to be one of the team's top three players.
3. North Central -- The Panthers return Sriya Murali, a regional qualifier in 2008 who dedicated herself to the game in the offseason, and Sophie Herman, an '09 regional qualifier who played occasionally in the No. 1 spot and is expected to be fully recovered from spring shoulder surgery. Bria Carter established herself at No. 5 after joining the team late and is expected to move up to No. 3.
4. Heritage Christian -- Brooke McKay is one of the area's top players, but the Eagles have little other experience under first-year coach Keith Wagler. Jordan Sprehe played on the varsity last season and stepped forward in organizing offseason workouts, so Wagler believes his less-experienced players have two good role models to follow.
5. Pike -- The Red Devils will be led by team MVP Katie Bedsole, who enters her fourth varsity season. Brittany Thomas also is in her fourth season and likely will move from No. 3 to No. 2. Christian Cowling, a senior, and sophomore Bianca Britton also return to the varsity. Coach Mike Linville said practice will determine the rest of the lineup, and he believes Bedsole has the potential to get out of sectionals.
6. Park Tudor -- The Panthers have come a long way since restarting the program three years ago. Brooke Hasler and Claire Gerwig have been the top players since they were freshmen, with Gerwig advancing to regionals in 2008 and Hasler in '09. Courtney Fehsenfeld and Reilly Martin also are part of that first class, with sophomore Lauren Talbert and senior Samantha Tambunan filling out the lineup. Coach Eli Salatich will shift the team's focus from just enjoying the game to performing better in 18-hole tournaments.
7. Brebeuf Jesuit -- The Braves return a nucleus that benefits from the experience of a full varsity schedule last season. Juniors Tori Scheller and Monica Coats and sophomores Emily Green, Erin O'Connor and Mary Whistler return, with freshman Kelsey Helstrom also expected to compete for varsity time.
8. Lawrence Central -- Andy Renie takes over a program that qualified for regionals in 2008 and finished a close fourth in the sectional last year . . . but lost all five varsity players. Renie coached the junior varsity team, so he's familiar with the talent. Tashara Herndon is the only senior and player with varsity experience and is a clear-cut No. 1. Breanna Petrucciana, Abby Hollis, Audrey Meyer and Madeline Morton will fill out the lineup, and Renie expects them to improve throughout the season.
9. Lawrence North -- First-year coach Tom Ferry could not be reached for comment, but he takes over a program that finished fifth in sectionals last season with four seniors in the lineup.
10. Broad Ripple -- The Rockets have only three committed players, but all bring experience. Laveda Chester returns at No. 1 after playing on the Pepsi Tour this summer. Sophomores Cierra Lytle and Camille Trotter also played in the offseason and attended a golf camp. Coach Sandy Fenstermaker expects to fill out the lineup once school starts.
Top 5 Players 1. Paige Crafton, Bishop Chatard. 2. Molly Ward, Cathedral. 3. Brooke McKay, Heritage Christian. 4. Sriya Murali, North Central. 5. Christine White, Cathedral.