Small but quick Braves look to compete under Simmerman

Indian Valley’s girls basketball team won’t wow anyone with size. With nobody listed at more than 5-foot-7, the Braves know they have to find other ways to beat teams.

With fourth-year head coach Jen Simmerman in the driver’s seat, expect the Braves to figure out a way. With three starters back from a solid 2024-25 squad, Indian Valley has plenty to fall back on.

“We are small but quick,” Simmerman said. “We’re looking for the underclassmen to step up. … It’s a great group of young women who work hard every day and we (looked) forward to this season.

A year ago Indian Valley was competitive, finishing a game below .500 overall at 11-12, and 5-7 in the Inter Valley Conference, which was good for a fourth-place finish. 

They had just one player graduate, as four-year letter-winner Brooklyn Myers walked the stage last spring. Two others were lost, though, as senior Natalie Kerns is out for the season with an injury and McKenna Rausch moved.

There are five seniors on the Indian Valley roster, three veterans and a pair of newcomers. Back in the fold are 5-7 point guard Bayli McConnell, 5-6 guard Cassie Micelie and 5-5 forward Bree Latella; 5-5 forward Carter Love and 5-4 guard Maddy Brown are first-year varsity players as seniors.

Also back are 5-6 junior forward Sadie Holbrook and 5-6 sophomore guard Halle Klaserner. New in the lower grades is a trio of 5-4 sophomore guards in Aubrie Rummell, Violet Steele and Ali Bair. 

“Our size is our toughest battle,” Simmerman said. “We are always the smaller team and have to work for rebounds. We also have had some injuries to work through. We have to put pressure and create turnovers to be able to score.”

The Braves headed into the week at 2-3 overall with their Dec. 15 home game against Carrollton postponed by weather. They were 0-2 in Inter Valley Conference play. Simmerman said her team brings optimism and a willingness to do whatever is asked.

That, coupled with a family atmosphere, could be a key to Indian Valley’s success throughout the season.

“They always have a positive attitude and are very coachable,” the coach said. “They also get along and are selfless. I enjoy coaching them because I know we are going to get better everyday and that’s all a coach can ask for.”

As somewhat of an underdog every time out, given the team’s overall size, Indian Valley will have to over-achieve in many ways to pick up victories hard work and consistent effort will be key toward making that happen.

“Our goal is to continue to improve the program and make a run in the post season,” Simmerman said.