Preseason Outlook: Class 4A
The featured image is of Hailey Smith Hailey Smith 5'10" | SG Fishers | 2023 State IN of Fishers High School. Two weeks ago, teams from all over Indiana were allowed to begin their first official practices. Beginning last night,…
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Continue ReadingThe featured image is of Hailey Smith Hailey Smith 5'10" | SG Fishers | 2023 State IN of Fishers High School.
Two weeks ago, teams from all over Indiana were allowed to begin their first official practices. Beginning last night, November 2nd, teams were permitted to begin official games. With that said, who are the best teams in Class 4A for the 2020-2021 season? Below I have attempted to answer that question as best as possible. This preseason outlook is based solely on how I think teams will stack up this season. Past success isn’t meaningless, but year-in and year-out rosters change, players graduate, Freshmen arrive, and other players transfer. Teams can slide up or down the competitive scale for any number of other reasons as well. In Class 4A, that can be magnified even greater, as just a couple of players can shift the balance of power in the State Tournament.
While there are definite favorites as we begin the season, the Class 4A state title in 2020-2021 might be as wide open to claim as any of Indiana’s four classifications. While Lawrence North stunned many around the state with their upset of Northwestern back on Leap Day, both the Wildcats and Tigers suffered significant graduation losses. Neither team can be counted out this year, however several other programs could rise to the top. Penn and North Central (Indianapolis) should prove to be two of the deepest teams in the state, top to bottom, while Crown Point and Homestead continue to roll along with great talent of their own. Fishers and Bedford North Lawrence each have incredible perimeter play throughout their rosters, while Brownsburg’s focus could turn to their interior play this season. Carmel looks to turn the corner with a couple of the state’s best prospects, and Mount Vernon (Fortville) looks to avenge an early Sectional exit from a year ago after a near-perfect regular season. Beyond that, any number of remaining teams in Class 4A could make a deep tournament run and find themselves travelling to Indianapolis at the end of the season.
PRESEASON POLL
1. Penn (27-3, 2019-2020 Regional Champion)
It feels like Penn is at or near the top of Class 4A just about every year, but this very well could be the deepest, most balanced group they’ve had. Their Junior Varsity team might be able to defeat a majority of Varsity teams around the state. The program is rich with skill, structure, and discipline, plus they should get a full season out of three key players. Senior guard
Kaitlyn Costner
Kaitlyn
Costner
5'7" | CG
Penn | 2021
State
IN
(12.8p, 4.8r, 2.0s in six games) transferred in last year from Elkhart Central, and she was forced to sit out until the state tournament due to limited eligibility rules. She is one of the most athletic talents in the state, as she could likely have a high-level college career in most track & field events. She is an 84-foot on-ball defender, a playmaker off the bounce offensively, and she brings a ton of energy. She committed to Ohio State University late in the Summer. Senior point guard
Jordyn Smith
Jordyn
Smith
5'6" | PG
Penn | 2021
State
IN
(3.7p, 2.3a in seven games) returned late in the season from a knee injury she suffered late in the Summer of 2019. She had been a key starter throughout her Freshman and Sophomore seasons. She’s a strong guard, a nice game-manager, plus she plays with a good motor, she can knock down open shots, and she’s a strong kid with good toughness. Then there’s Senior forward
Grace Adams
Grace
Adams
5'11" | PF
Penn | 2021
State
IN
(4.2p, 4.3r in 2018-2019), who returns to the team after taking the 2019-2020 season off completely. She is a perfect fit for this team and this system, because you can plug her in just about anywhere and she can affect games. She is long, versatile skillfully, and she has a natural feel for the game. As for the other returnees, there is no shortage of talent there as well. Senior guard
Trinity Clinton
Trinity
Clinton
5'7" | SG
Penn | 2021
State
IN
(17.8p, 5.4r, 3.3a, 2.6s) stepped her game up to another level last year, and the strong and athletic prospect competes every possession. She is tough, she’ll defend, and she has shown an enhanced ability to score the ball at all three levels. Junior forward
Jada Patton
Jada
Patton
5'11" | PF
Penn | 2022
State
IN
(5.5p, 4.0r) will be the “muscle” inside. She is a powerful, but very athletic forward prospect. She gets out and runs in transition, she can defend wings at times, and she is aggressive on the boards. Sophomore forward
Julia Economou
Julia
Economou
5'11" | SF
Penn | 2023
State
IN
(2.7p, 3.8r) saw a lot of time as a rookie last season, and the long, wiry strong, and athletic wing is versatile as well. She can play in the mid-post or around the perimeter, and she too plays with a nice motor. Senior guard
Grace Schutt
Grace
Schutt
5'6" | CG
Penn | 2021
State
IN
(4.0) and Junior guard
Gracie Bobo
Gracie
Bobo
5'10" | SG
Penn | 2022
State
IN
also saw significant Varsity action, and both look to leave their mark on this season. Schutt has committed to Olivet Nazarene University. Senior guard Emily Salwin, Junior point guard
Payton Adkins
Payton
Adkins
5'7" | PG
Penn | 2022
State
IN
, and Junior forwards
Sydney Little
Sydney
Little
5'8" | SF
Penn | 2022
State
IN
and
Gabrielle Hoover
Gabrielle
Hoover
6'2" | PF
Penn | 2022
IN
are all talented prospects who could see quality floor time as well this season.
2. Indianapolis North Central (17-10, 2019-2020 Sectional Runner-Up)
While Penn boasts tremendous depth, North Central likely has the most talent amongst their key rotation players. The Lady Panthers have been snakebitten by injuries and a tough Sectional in years past, but this could very well be the year they finally get past that and make a run to Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Regardless of how their season goes, it will likely revolve around the play of Senior forward
Meg Newman
Meg
Newman
6'3" | PF
North Central (Indianapolis) | 2021
State
#84
Nation
IN
(10.7p, 6.2r). The Arizona State University commit has as much talent and skill as just about anyone at 6-3, and she has takeover ability when she wants. The thing is, though, she will need to start taking over high school games like she does during the grassroots season if the Panthers are to make it far in the state tournament. Newman is strong, skilled, and athletic, and she can play like a power forward or a point forward at times. She’s just a problem for the opposition. She gets help up front from classmate
Nakaih Hunter
Nakaih
Hunter
5'11" | PF
North Central (Indianapolis) | 2021
State
IN
(11.0p, 7.5r). Hunter, an IUPUI commit, is a strong, physical, tough-nosed power forward who loves contact. She is great at the basket, but she also has some touch and finishing moves when in the mid-post. She plays with a ton of energy on the frontline and outworks her matchups most nights. Junior point guard
Tanyuel Welch
Tanyuel
Welch
5'10" | PG
North Central (Indianapolis) | 2022
State
IN
(13.6p, 5.1r, 3.1a, 2.5s) has come a long way in just a couple of short years. She has grown, gained strength, plus she’s tremendously long and athletic. She has great feet and can defend just about anyone, she is still probably best off the bounce offensively, but her jump-shot has come a long way and become much more consistent. She had a great end to the Summer, and it looks like she’ll be one of the state’s best guards this Winter. Sophomore wing
Ava Couch
Ava
Couch
5'10" | SF
Indy North Central | 2023
State
IN
(6.9p, 2.7r) found herself in the rotation a season ago, and the tough-nosed, high-motor youngster played extremely well throughout this Summer/Fall. She makes all of the hustle plays her team needs, plus she is an accurate perimeter shooter who doesn’t need much space. Seniors
Alivia Terry
Alivia
Terry
5'8" | SF
North Central (Indianapolis) | 2021
State
IN
(4.5p, 2.1r) and
Dynasty Witherspoon
Dynasty
Witherspoon
6'4" | C
North Central (Indianapolis) | 2021
State
IN
(2.0p, 2.1r) have also seen playing time the last couple of seasons. Terry is another tough-nosed wing who can shoot it outside, while Witherspoon is a big-bodied, 6-4 post who can definitely clog the lane defensively. Also look for Junior power forward
Destinee Hooks
Destinee
Hooks
5'11" | PF
North Central (Indianapolis) | 2022
State
IN
(2.4p) to possibly see a much bigger role this year. She can play in the mid-post or knock down the 3-pointer consistently.
3. Crown Point (26-1, 2019-2020 Sectional Champion)
For much of last season, Crown Point looked like THE team to be reckoned with. Despite knocking off Penn in the Hall of Fame Tournament back in December of 2019, the Bulldogs fell by a single point to the Kingsmen in the Regional first round. They then saw both
Dash Shaw
Dash
Shaw
5'7" | CG
Crown Point | 2020
State
IN
(13.5p, 3.3r, 3.0a, 3.4s) and
Abby Stoddard
Abby
Stoddard
6'0" | PF
Crown Point | 2020
State
IN
(10.2p, 4.8r) leave via graduation. However Crown Point still returns a great deal of talent and potential for the 2020-2021 season. Junior guard
Jessica Carrothers
Jessica
Carrothers
5'7" | CG
Crown Point | 2022
State
IN
(19.1p, 4.5r, 3.8a, 4.6s) returns for her third stanza, after leading the Bulldogs in scoring each of the last two seasons. She is a strong, high-energy, tough-nosed guard who is aggressive to the rim and uses the free throw line as a weapon as well as anyone. Junior power forward
Lilly Stoddard
Lilly
Stoddard
6'4" | PF
Crown Point | 2022
State
#73
Nation
IN
(9.7p, 8.1r, 2.8b) showed glimpses of brilliance last season, and after a strong Summer she should be primed for a breakout year. She does so many good things at 6-4 as a high-level athlete, that she’s incredibly difficult for opponents to match up with at times. Both Stoddard and Carrothers are receiving a great deal of Division-I interest. The Bulldogs also look to get a full, healthy season out of Senior point guard
Alyna Santiago
Alyna
Santiago
5'5" | PG
Crown Point | 2021
State
IN
(5.9p, 2.1r in 14 games). She was injured early in the season, but she returned to the court in grassroots ball this Fall. She is a tough-nosed, athletic guard who is a pass-first kid. She also might be the team’s best on-ball defender, and she will bring a lot of value at that end of the floor. She has committed to Indiana University-Northwest. From there, a trio of players return from last season’s rotation. Senior wing Allie Govert (3.3p), Junior power forward Nikki Gerodemos (3.0p, 2.7r), and Junior wing
Alyvia Santiago
Alyvia
Santiago
5'8" | SG
Crown Point | 2022
State
IN
(2.4p) should give the lineup flexibility depending on matchups. I don’t know that the Bulldogs can replicate their undefeated season from last year, but I would anticipate them again being a tough out come tournament time this year.
4. Homestead (26-2, 2019-2020 Regional Finalist)
Homestead is another “usual suspect” who finds their way to the top of Class 4A polls most seasons. This year is no different, though they’ll be in need of finding some replacements for a pair of key graduation losses. Gone via the diploma are
Sydney Graber
Sydney
Graber
6'0" | PF
Homestead | 2020
State
IN
(15.5p, 8.7r, 2.0a, 2.0s) and
Rylie Parker
Rylie
Parker
5'6" | SG
Homestead | 2020
State
IN
(13.2p, 3.3r, 2.3a). Graber is now playing at Central Michigan University, while Parker is playing at Purdue University-Fort Wayne. At the same time, when you return a prospect the magnitude of Junior forward
Ayanna Patterson
Ayanna
Patterson
6'3" | SF
Homestead | 2022
State
#5
Nation
IN
(13.5p, 8.4r), you always have a chance. Patterson, considered a Top-5 National prospect in the Class of 2022, is tremendously athletic at 6-3, she has great length, and she has a perimeter skillset. Like
Meg Newman
Meg
Newman
6'3" | PF
North Central (Indianapolis) | 2021
State
#84
Nation
IN
(above), when Patterson wants to take over games, she can, and she’ll need to do so this Winter for the Spartans to make a dent in the state tournament. Senior point guard
Grace Sullivan
Grace
Sullivan
5'4" | PG
Homestead | 2021
State
IN
will likely dictate this team’s personality. She is as tough as they come, gritty, feisty, and very quick/fast. She can defend the ball, she’s great at collapsing defenses offensively, and she just has a nice overall feel for the game. She has committed to Ferris State University. Senior post
Amber Austin
Amber
Austin
6'0" | C
Homestead | 2021
State
IN
has paid her dues over the years, and I look for her to provide quite the defensive and rebounding presence for the Spartans. She is strong, quietly tough-nosed, and she plays with a nice motor. She can score it a little in the mid-post as well, and I think she could be a deceptive double-double threat most nights because of the attention that will be paid to Patterson and Sullivan. Junior forward
Maggie Keinsley
Maggie
Keinsley
5'10" | PF
Homestead | 2022
State
IN
has improved each season, and she was outstanding at times over the Summer. She is a long, wiry strong athlete, and she can play at all three levels effectively. She’ll figure out a way to carve out a nice role on this team. Sophomore point guard
Molly Stock
Molly
Stock
5'7" | PG
Homestead | 2023
State
IN
and Sophomore forward
Alison Stephens
Alison
Stephens
5'11" | SF
Homestead | 2023
State
IN
also saw action a year ago, and both are talented, skilled kids who really know how to play, plus they fit the Homestead system well. This is a Spartan team who I think could surprise Penn or Crown Point in the North.
5. Fishers (23-2, 2019-2020 Sectional Champion)
I am anxious to see how this Fishers group plays in 2020-2021, especially considering the depth and potential they have in the backcourt. In fact, the biggest concern for the Tigers this year will be frontcourt play/depth. While
Tamia Perryman
Tamia
Perryman
5'8" | SF
Fishers | 2020
State
IN
(7.7p, 4.7r, 2.2a) and
Kaitlynn Feagan
Kaitlynn
Feagan
5'8" | SF
Fishers | 2020
State
IN
(7.3p) both graduated, there are a number of options at the guard and wing positions for Fishers. Let’s start with Senior guards
Katie Burton
Katie
Burton
5'9" | SG
Fishers | 2021
State
IN
(15.4p, 4.7r, 2.0s) and
Audra Emmerson
Audra
Emmerson
5'6" | PG
Fishers | 2021
State
IN
(7.2p, 2.2r, 2.4a). Burton is a high-energy, tough, physical guard who loves to attack the basket off the bounce. She is athletic, acrobatic at times, and she can finish in a variety of ways with either hand. She has continued to make her perimeter jumper more consistent, and she’s starting to be more of a facilitator as well. I also like the amount of attention she’s paying to the defensive end of the floor now. Emmerson is the consummate teammate and lead guard. She is a pass-first kid who finds open teammates on time/on target. She is a good perimeter shooter with deep range, but she also understands how to play efficiently. She is feisty/gritty and quick at the defensive end of the floor as well. From there, the Tigers will turn to “the twins”, in Sophomore guards
Hailey Smith
Hailey
Smith
5'10" | SG
Fishers | 2023
State
IN
(7.1p, 3.4r) and
Olivia Smith
Olivia
Smith
5'10" | SG
Fishers | 2023
State
IN
(4.6p, 2.3r). They are extremely tough-nosed, aggressive, and athletic in all directions. They defend their matchups 84-feet, and they are on attack from the catch offensively. Senior wing
Katie Howard
Katie
Howard
5'7" | SF
Fishers | 2021
State
IN
(3.4p) could see an increase in minutes and step into Feagan’s role from a year ago as the wing and deep-corner sniper. Howard has a good IQ for the game, she moves well without the ball, and she can make rhythm jumpers consistently. Sophomore
Karina Scott
Karina
Scott
5'5" | SG
Fishers | 2023
State
IN
, a transfer from Pike, plus Freshmen
Joirdyn Smith
Joirdyn
Smith
5'4" | CG
Fishers | 2024
State
IN
and
Talia Harris
Talia
Harris
5'8" | PG
Fishers | 2024
State
IN
could find their way into playing time depending on how coach wants to play all of these talented guards.
6. Bedford North Lawrence (21-6, 2019-2020 Regional Champion)
For as deep as Fishers is with backcourt talent, Bedford North Lawrence has assembled a quality group of guards and wings as well. While the Stars thrived on frontcourt play over the last few years, they will now turn their attention to the perimeter, where they’ll be incredibly difficult to match up against in the Southern part of the state. Double-figure scorers
Chloe McKnight
Chloe
McKnight
5'8" | SG
Bedford North Lawrence | 2021
State
IN
(14.1p, 4.9r, 2.1a) and
Irye Gomez
Irye
Gomez
5'9" | SG
Bedford North Lawrence | 2021
State
IN
(12.5p, 3.2r, 2.3a) both return as Seniors, and the two guards should provide a dynamic duo on the wings. McKnight is a knockdown shooter with one of the quickest releases from 3-point range. She understands how to find space, and she is a threat anywhere on the offensive side of half-court. Gomez is a long, wiry strong, athletic slasher. She can knock down a perimeter jumper, but she’s much better as a playmaker off the bounce. While those two are the top two returning scorers, look for Sophomore point guard
Karsyn Norman
Karsyn
Norman
5'7" | PG
Bedford North Lawrence | 2023
State
IN
(8.1p, 2.2r, 2.7a) and Freshman guard
Chloe Spreen
Chloe
Spreen
5'10" | SG
Bedford North Lawrence | 2024
State
IN
to have as much, if not more of an impact this season. Norman is a true floor general who is always aware of the situation. She plays with her eyes up scanning the floor, she communicates well, and she typically makes the correct play. She has started to assert herself more offensively, so I look for her to score it even better this Winter. Spreen is a fluid and smooth athlete. She is tremendously skilled with the ball in her hands, and she can shoot/score it at all three levels consistently. She is great off the bounce, she changes directions well, but she can also bury a variety of shots outside. She should be a double-figure scorer immediately. From there, the Stars have some options. Senior forwards Haley Deckard (3.5p, 2.5r) and Makena Moore can provide support up front, while gritty Senior guard
Jenna Louden
Jenna
Louden
5'3" | CG
Bedford North Lawrence | 2021
State
IN
(2.7p, 2.0r) is yet another skillful guard with a good feel for the game. Louden has committed to play at Franklin College. Freshman guard
Madisyn Bailey
Madisyn
Bailey
5'9" | PG
Bedford North Lawrence | 2024
State
IN
could also add quality backcourt depth to this team.
7. Carmel (15-8, 2017-2018 Sectional Champion)
This Greyhound group may have lost eight games a season ago, but with two of the state’s best prospects, they will have a chance to surpass the 20-win mark this season. 6-1 Junior wing
Kate Clarke
Kate
Clarke
6'1" | SF
Carmel | 2022
State
#56
Nation
IN
(17.1p, 3.7r, 2.5a) has proven to be a lethal scoring threat who can fill it up outside or attack the basket and finish inside. She has gotten stronger, more physical, and more assertive off the bounce, which only makes her perimeter shooting that much more dangerous. I would like to see her be just a little more impactful both defensively and on the boards considering her talent and size, but she can definitely score the ball from anywhere in the gym. Clarke recently gave a commitment to the University of Michigan. Senior forward
Bridget Dunn
Bridget
Dunn
6'3" | PF
Carmel | 2021
State
IN
(12.3p, 9.9r, 1.8b) has quietly put together a really nice career, and I still maintain that she was under-recruited over the years. She has tremendous length, good North/South athleticism, and she has nice perimeter skill for a player at 6-3. I feel like Kent State University got quite a steal in Dunn, and I’m anxious to see how she does at the next level. Senior
Riley Pennington
Riley
Pennington
5'9" | PF
Carmel | 2021
State
IN
(6.4p, 5.6r) and Junior
Emily Roper
Emily
Roper
6'0" | PF
Carmel | 2022
State
IN
(2.5r) are a pair of frontline prospects who might star on another team. Both are nice soccer players, but on the basketball court they provide necessary interior defense and rebounding. Pennington is a strong and athletic forward who can play in the mid-post and even step out and defend some wings/guards. Roper is a 6-0 post who does a nice job of establishing and holding her position, both offensively and defensively. Sophomore wing
Hannah Lach
Hannah
Lach
5'10" | SF
Carmel | 2023
State
IN
(5.6p, 2.7r, 2.0a) saw significant Varsity action as a Freshman, and she could step into that third-scorer role to compliment Clarke and Dunn this year. She is a wiry strong kid with good touch from the perimeter. She should find open shots playing off of those two upperclassmen. From there, the Greyhounds can go a variety of directions. 6-1 Sophomore post
Mackenzie Thomas
Mackenzie
Thomas
6'1" | C
Carmel | 2023
IN
has really improved, plus Junior point guard
Laura Valiente
Laura
Valiente
5'6" | PG
Carmel | 2022
State
IN
has shown flashes of talent and could see a role in the Varsity lineup this year. I also wouldn’t count out the diminutive Senior point guard,
Brooklynn Edwards
Brooklynn
Edwards
4'11" | PG
Carmel | 2021
IN
. She is a quick, fast, and dynamic playmaker off the bounce.
8. Lawrence North (26-4, 2019-2020 State Champion)
The Wildcats finished off a storybook ending in 2019-2020, and while they return 2021 Purdue commit
Jayla Smith
Jayla
Smith
5'11" | SG
Lawrence North | 2021
State
#73
Nation
IN
(13.9p, 3.1r, 3.5s), they must deal with the loss of a huge 2020 class. Gone are
Katie Davidson
Katie
Davidson
5'10" | SF
Lawrence North | 2020
State
IN
(12.2p, 5.3r, 2.1a),
Kristian Young
Kristian
Young
5'4" | PG
Lawrence North | 2020
State
IN
(11.4p, 4.7r, 4.3a, 2.3s),
Lauren Gunn
Lauren
Gunn
5'9" | SF
Lawrence North | 2020
State
IN
,
Justis Odom
Justis
Odom
6'1" | C
Lawrence North | 2020
State
IN
, and
Kalyn Ervin
Kalyn
Ervin
5'5" | SG
Lawrence North | 2020
State
IN
. Lawrence North will still be talented, and the Senior Smith is a great place to start. She is so long, fluidly athletic, and explosive in all directions. She can fill it up, and with range to about 30-feet. She will be relied upon to handle it more and create offense for the team this year, but I feel like she’s ready to step into that role at this point in time. Sophomore wing
Monica Williams
Monica
Williams
5'10" | SF
Lawrence North | 2023
State
IN
(5.2p, 2.4r) saw a lot of minutes as a Freshman, and she is a budding star who could break out and be the #2 this year to Smith. She is long, wiry strong, and very athletic. She’s starting to be more of a playmaker off the bounce, but she has always been a really nice defender, both on and off the ball. Junior power forward
Ariel Helm
Ariel
Helm
6'0" | PF
Lawrence North | 2022
State
IN
transferred in midseason last year from North Central, and she could have an immediate impact for the Wildcat frontline. She is strong, physical, and athletic. She should serve as a nice rebounder/defender type, and I feel like she could be a double-double threat on the block as well. Senior power forward
Sydnee Hughes
Sydnee
Hughes
5'11" | PF
Lawrence North | 2021
State
IN
transferred in last Fall from nearby Horizon Christian, and she provided that defensive and rebounding presence off the bench the Wildcats so desperately needed. I’d look for her to again patrol the paint at both ends of the floor. There are a few other girls who could make an imprint this season, depending on their skill development and productivity. Senior wing
Shamaria Walker
Shamaria
Walker
5'7" | SF
Lawrence North | 2021
IN
has always been a nice, strong athlete with playmaking ability. She’ll need to play more efficiently, but she can be a problem at times. Sophomore wing
Laniya Early
Laniya
Early
5'10" | SF
Lawrence North | 2023
State
IN
has a lot of athletic talent and potential. She’s another one who if she can take care of the ball a little better and score it more consistently, she could see a major uptick in minutes. And Junior forward Kaitlyn Fasbender is a long, wiry strong, and fairly fluid kid who can knock down an open jumper or play in the mid-post if need be. The Wildcats will again be formidable, just with a mostly new cast.
9. Mount Vernon (Fortville) (22-2, 2018-2019 Sectional Champion)
Despite a 22-1 regular season, with wins over quality programs like North Central, Westfield, Noblesville, and others, the Lady Marauders unfortunately fell in the first round of the Sectional to conference rival New Palestine last season. This year, they look to repeat last year’s regular season, only to advance much farther come state tournament time. Mount Vernon will have to play without 2020 graduates
Sydnee Perry
Sydnee
Perry
5'7" | SG
Mount Vernon-Fortville | 2020
State
IN
(15.0p, 3.8r, 2.4a, 3.5s) and Tessa Freeman (4.3p, 4.0r, 2.8a), who had seven years of Varsity experience between them. At the same time, they return four Varsity regulars and welcome the addition of a talented newcomer to the mix. Senior forward
Lexi Shelton
Lexi
Shelton
5'8" | SF
Mt. Vernon (Fortville) | 2021
State
IN
(16.0p, 5.9r) was the team’s leading scorer last season, and the University of Saint Francis (IN) commit returns in that capacity again this season. She is as tough as they come, she plays extremely hard, plus she has a high basketball IQ and a pure jump-shot from the perimeter. Senior front-liner
Olivia Yeley
Olivia
Yeley
6'0" | PF
Mt. Vernon (Fortville) | 2021
State
IN
(8.8p, 5.5r) has been quite a nice find for them, as the tall, strong, and athletic forward gives them a quality presence around the paint. She can score it a little inside of 15-feet, plus she’s active defensively and on the boards. Senior point guard
Abby Worley
Abby
Worley
5'3" | PG
Mt. Vernon (Fortville) | 2021
State
IN
(7.9p, 2.2r, 4.5a, 3.2s) followed up a nice Junior campaign with a strong Summer this year. She does a tremendous job of taking care of the basketball, she runs offense well, and she has proven to be able to make open shots when the defense plays off of her. Senior forward Riley Hasseld was the other player who saw action in all 24 of their games a season ago, and she’ll add frontcourt depth this time around. But Marauder fans are excited about the entrance of 6-2 Freshman wing
Ellery Minch
Ellery
Minch
6'3" | PF
Mt. Vernon (Fortville) | 2024
State
IN
. She is long, wiry strong, and she can create offense off the dribble like a point forward or play in the mid-post equally well. She should make an immediate impact and add another scoring threat to the lineup. Junior forward Maddie Swingle is another player who could help immediately.
10. Brownsburg (21-9, 2019-2020 Regional Finalist)
Brownsburg is a team who could be transitioning away from a more perimeter-oriented approach, to one of size, strength, and inside-out play. With the graduations of
Allison Bosse
Allison
Bosse
5'7" | CG
Brownsburg | 2020
State
IN
(16.9p, 3.9r, 2.2s),
Mackenzie Stien
Mackenzie
Stien
5'10" | SF
Brownsburg | 2020
State
IN
(8.6p, 2.7r, 2.2a), and Mackenzie Bedrick (3.2p, 2.9r), look for the Bulldogs to possibly start feeding the post a lot more. Brownsburg does return a healthy
Ally Becki
Ally
Becki
5'8" | PG
Brownsburg | 2021
State
IN
(11.5p, 7.2r, 3.9a, 3.0s), which will be scary for opposing teams. The Senior point guard was not quite 100% at the start of last season, recovering from a knee injury, but she looked great over the Summer, and I’d expect for her to be an Indiana All-Star candidate and possibly a Miss Basketball candidate. She is dynamic off the bounce, she plays with a ton of energy, and she can score it all over the floor. She has committed to play next year at Ball State University. Joining her in the backcourt should be Sophomore guard
Kailyn Terrell
Kailyn
Terrell
5'7" | PG
Brownsburg | 2023
State
IN
(4.2p). Terrell was strong last season, and she too plays with an outstanding motor and great toughness. She is a defensive-minded guard who can handle the ball and run offense or knock down an open jumper as well. I’d expect her numbers to increase, as she helps make up for the loss of Bosse. From there, the Bulldogs have quite a lot of quality size. 6-0
Leah Yarbrough
Leah
Yarbrough
6'0" | PF
Brownsburg | 2021
State
IN
(2.3p, 2.7r), 5-11
Novalee Glass
Novalee
Glass
5'11" | PF
Brownsburg | 2022
State
IN
(2.2p), 6-0 Quinci Thomas (2.0r), and 6-0
Allison Shaffer
Allison
Shaffer
6'1" | PF
Brownsburg | 2021
State
IN
could provide an intimidating presence up front. Yarbrough, a Senior committed to the University of Illinois-Chicago, moved in last year from Illinois, and she is a strong, very athletic talent who is just starting to scratch the surface. I’d look for her to see a significant increase in minutes and production. Glass is a hard-working, high-energy Junior power player who likes contact but also possesses good skill and understanding away from the basket. Thomas, another athlete, is a wiry strong Sophomore who will only continue to get better and better with more game reps. And Shaffer, a long, wiry Senior, has good touch and skill, plus she can float outside some and play around the perimeter. Add to that group Junior Swiss Army Knife
Ra’Mya Milton
Ra’Mya
Milton
5'9" | PF
Brownsburg | 2022
State
IN
(2.2p, 2.1r), and Brownsburg should be ready to roll. Milton is a strong, physical forward, but she is a nice athlete who can defend a variety of positions.
20 MORE TO KEEP AN EYE ON:
Ben Davis (13-12)
Castle (17-8)
Center Grove (20-6)
Columbus East (16-8)
Columbus North (16-9)
East Central (23-6)
Fort Wayne Carroll (17-7)
Fort Wayne South Side (16-10)
Hamilton Southeastern (22-3)
Martinsville (20-4)
McCutcheon (15-12)
Mooresville (16-8)
Noblesville (10-13)
Northridge (10-15)
Northwestern (29-1)
Plainfield (12-12)
Roncalli (17-7)
Warsaw Community (16-8)
Westfield (14-11)
Zionsville Community (6-17)