Youth is the buzzword for the inaugural Ink Free News All-Area Girls Basketball Team.

The five-member First Team, selected by the members of the IFN sports staff, features four underclassmen.

The superb squad is led by the 2014-15 IFN Player of the Year, stellar sophomore Anne Secrest of Tippecanoe Valley (see Player of the Year story to read more on Secrest).

Secrest has led the Vikings to a No. 9 ranking in the Class 3-A poll by virtue of a 19-2 record this season. Valley has already claimed a Three Rivers Conference championship at 7-0.

The following four standouts join Secrest on the IFN First Team in Triton senior Kylie Mason, Wawasee junior Kylee Rostochak, Whitko sophomore Aly Reiff and Warsaw sophomore Dayton Groninger.

Kylie Mason, Triton

The Triton senior guard has had another strong season for the Trojans.

Mason is leading her team in scoring (13.2) and 3-pointers (47). She also ranks first on the Trojans in assists (41) and steals (51).

“Kylie has done a great job this year maintaining her role as our primary scorer and stepping up as our primary ball handler in the absence of Krystal Sellers,” said Triton coach Adam Heckaman.

“Kylie has done a fantastic job adjusting to running the point guard position for us and not only continuing to score but also distributing the ball as well.  She has been vital piece to our team for the past four years  and will be greatly missed after this year.”

Mason has led the Trojans to a 15-7 mark and a No. 7 ranking in the Class 1-A poll. She became just the fifth girls player in school history to reach 1,000 career points earlier this season.

Kylee Rostochak, Wawasee

The Wawasee junior has been a consistent performer all season long.

Rostochak is averaging a team-high 14.3 points-per-game for the Warriors. She also leads her team with 32 treys and in steals with 51, while averaging almost four rebounds per game. Rostochak has done all of that with most teams sending double teams at her, and the Lady Warriors haven’t developed a second consistent scorer to aid her.

“Kylee is the heart and soul of the 2014-15 Warrior team,” said longtime Wawasee coach Kem Zolman. “She leads our team team in scoring at 14.3 points-per-game, in steals at 2.5 per game and in assists at 2.8 per game.

“She is the example of never quitting and hustle to the very end,” continued Zolman. “She has an understanding of the game.”

Aly Reiff, Whitko

The sophomore guard has been sensational for Whitko.

Reiff leads the Wildcats, who are 14-8, in scoring (16.7) and rebounding (6.5). She also averages 4.6 assists, 3.8 steals and 3.8 blocked shots per game as a do-it-all standout for Whitko.

“In the last calendar year Aly has done a tremendous job of changing her physical makeup,” said Whitko coach Brandon Bradley. “Over that span she has been dedicated to the weight room, and she lifts 2-3 days a week in-season and 3-4 days a week during the off-season. It has paid big dividends, and it only adds to her versatility as a player.

“This season Aly has gone from being a freshman who can score to being a sophomore every team prepares for. She has also had to step up and become one of our leaders this year, whereas last year she was able to lean on a pair of strong 2014 graduates. There have been bumps along the way, as there would be with any young player, but as the season has worn on she has taken on this challenge and continued to improve in all areas of the game.”

Dayton Groninger, Warsaw

The smooth sophomore has been a scoring threat inside and outside for Warsaw this season.

Groninger leads the Tigers (12-10) in scoring at 11 points-per-game. She also averages 5.1 rebounds per game and ranks second on her team in assists (32), steals (22) and 3-pointers (23).

“Dayton has done a tremendous job for us this year,” said Warsaw coach Michelle Harter. “She has continued to get better each game. Being the top scorer is a lot of pressure for a young player, but Dayton takes it in stride.”

Continued Harter, “She’s a natural scorer. She’s very coachable. She listens well and is not afraid to ask questions. She’s not a vocal player, but a good leader because of how she works.”

IFN Second Team

The IFN All-Area Second Team includes Whitko sophomore Brianna Cumberland, Triton senior Becca Kennedy, Tippecanoe Valley senior Caylie Teel, Tippecanoe Valley sophomore Meredith Brouyette and Lakeland Christian Academy junior Rachel Sand.

Cumberland averages 14.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game for the Wildcats. Cumberland adds a second legitimate scorer to compliment Reiff and the Whitko offense.

Kennedy is averaging 9.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per outing for Triton. Kennedy has stepped into a bigger role as a senior for the Lady Trojans and has been a key contributor in Triton’s run this season.

Teel, who has signed to play volleyball at Grace College, checks in at 7.8 points and 3.9 rebounds per game for the Vikings. Teel does a little of everything for the Lady Vikings, and isn’t afraid to take the shot when Secrest is demanding extra attention.

Brouyette is second on the Vikings in scoring at 9.4 ppg. and leads her team with 44 treys. When Valley has needed a huge shot, Brouyette has responded, hitting big shots in wins against Whitko, Westfield and Rochester.

Sand has been the most consistent scoring threat all year for a Cougar team that has improved significantly this season. Sand has been a double-double machine for LCA, including a 21-point, 10 rebound effort last week against North Miami going for 14 and 12 at Caston earlier this season. Sand is averaging a team-high 13 points-per-game.