top of page
Riley Popplewell banner.png

Riley Popplewell Joins Chesterton Girls Basketball Coach Staff as JV Coach and Liberty Elementary Educator

Chesterton Girls Basketball is proud to welcome Riley Popplewell as the new Junior Varsity Head Coach for the 2025–26 season. A former Division I standout, professional athlete, educator, and high school coach, Popplewell brings a rare blend of competitive experience, teaching expertise, and contagious energy to the Trojan program.

A Northwest Indiana Star with Championship Roots

Hailing from Union Mills, Indiana, Popplewell made her mark early as a multi-sport standout at South Central High School, graduating in 2016. She earned varsity letters in basketball, volleyball, softball, and track & field—but shined brightest on the basketball court.

As a senior, she averaged 20.0 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.6 steals, and 3.1 blocks per game, earning Herald-Argus Player of the Year honors. She graduated as the school’s all-time leader in rebounds and blocks and was part of multiple record-setting track relay teams.

From South Central to Division I Basketball

Her high school success propelled her to the University of South Carolina Upstate, where she competed at the NCAA Division I level from 2016–2020 while majoring in elementary education.

Popplewell surpassed 1,000 career points and grabbed over 700 rebounds, anchoring her team in the paint and earning multiple academic and athletic honors, including:

  • Big South Conference Woman of the Year

  • Big South Scholar-Athlete of the Year

  • Big South All-Academic Team

  • Division I-AAA ADA Scholar-Athlete

Her ability to balance athletic excellence with academic achievement set the stage for her future in coaching and education.

Professional Basketball Career Across Europe

Following graduation, Popplewell launched her professional career overseas, first competing in Portugal and Germany, where she continued to develop her inside presence and leadership skills.

She later signed with Stjarnan in Iceland’s premier women’s basketball league, the Subway League. Since 2022, she has been a key contributor, posting regular double-doubles and earning weekly league honors. Her physical style and relentless rebounding helped Stjarnan secure a strong league finish and provided her with invaluable international playing experience.

Teaching and Coaching in LaPorte

Before coming to Chesterton, Popplewell taught at Kingsford Heights Elementary School in LaPorte, Indiana. At the same time, she served on the LaPorte High School Girls Basketball coaching staff, honing her skills as both an educator and a mentor to student-athletes.

Coming to Chesterton as a Coach and Educator

Now, Popplewell embarks on a new chapter as an educator at Liberty Elementary and Junior Varsity Head Coach at Chesterton High School. Her coaching philosophy—shaped by years of elite competition and classroom experience—emphasizes effort, discipline, academic success, and character development.

“We are beyond excited to add Riley to our staff,” said Head Coach Candy Wilson. “Her experience as a high-level athlete, her educational background, and her ability to connect with young players make her a tremendous addition to our program. She’s a perfect role model for what we want our student-athletes to strive toward.”

chesterton-high-school-logo-8E4E414D4D-seeklogo.com.png

PARENTS & PLAYERS STAY CONNECTED WITH US ON TEAM APP!

Teamapp for web.png

Stay Connected

Get the latest
Chesterton Girls Basketball news

Thank You for Subscribing!

2024 Chesterton Girls Basketball

bottom of page