The Thanksgiving Third: Class 4A

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id="295763" first="Jaylah" last="Lampley"] (2025) of Lawrence Central High School. There are 13 weeks of regular season games scheduled during the IHSAA girls’ basketball season each year, and Thanksgiving weekend represents roughly the first third of the season by weeks. Most teams have played four, six, even eight or more games at this point, so it’s time to look back at the first third of the 2021-2022 season and look at which teams are hot, who’s trending up, and who’s playing unexpectedly, along with some additional notes from Class 4A.   The Usual Suspects The trio of Crown Point, Noblesville, and Franklin Community were expected to be top teams this season, and they have proven their worth through four weeks. #1 Crown Point did fall to a loaded Mount Notre Dame (Ohio) team yesterday in a shootout at Brownsburg High School, but otherwise they are 6-1 overall and 6-0 versus Indiana opponents. They are allowing just 22.3 points per game to their Hoosier foes, and they look to be playing better together this season. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="61030" first="Jessica" last="Carrothers"] (18.9p, 3.6r, 5.0a, 3.6s) continues to be their floor general, but Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="128115" first="Lilly" last="Stoddard"] (12.0p, 8.7r, 3.1b) has also gotten off to a strong start. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="243580" first="Nikki" last="Gerodemos"] (6.3p, 5.0r) continues to be an unsung hero for this group with her energy and versatility, while Junior wing Brooke Lindesmith (4.6p, 4.6r) returns this season from an injury to add more depth to an already strong lineup. With no Seniors in the lineup, Noblesville is getting strong play from a talented group of youngsters. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="59773" first="Ashlynn" last="Shade"] (20.1p, 8.4r, 5.3a, 4.4s) has been good against the state’s third toughest schedule thus far, per Jeff Sagarin’s ratings. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="177361" first="Reagan" last="Wilson"] (11.4p, 3.7r, 5.6a, 3.1s) and Freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id="295776" first="Meredith" last="Tippner"] (10.9p, 5.9r, 2.0a, 2.4s) help make up one of the state’s best backcourts. Throw in feisty Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="264991" first="Kaitlyn" last="Shoemaker"] (9.6p, 2.1a, 2.0s), and the Millers are going to be tough to pressure and turn over all season. The Grizzly Cubs of Franklin Community showcased an offensive explosion last year, and they are even deeper this time around. Last season they started 11-0, and right now they sit at 8-0 headed into this week. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="61040" first="Kuryn" last="Brunson"] (13.6p, 3.3r, 2.7a, 2.1s) continues to be their facilitator, and the 2021 Junior All-Star is one of their top offensive options. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="97305" first="Ashlyn" last="Traylor"] (14.6p, 6.3r, 2.3a, 3.6s) and Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="59785" first="Adelyn" last="Walker"] (9.3, 2.9r, 2.6a), who are sisters, moved in from Martinsville this Fall and having given this group a huge boost at both ends of the floor. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="326479" first="Erica" last="Buening"] (10.7p, 4.0r) has stepped up in a big way as well and given this team a nice, versatile forward. Add to them elite shooters [player_tooltip player_id="176408" first="Lauren" last="Klem"] (4.7p, 3.0r, 2.3a, 2.6s), [player_tooltip player_id="177336" first="Scarlett" last="Kimbrell"] (5.6p, 4.9r), and [player_tooltip player_id="300067" first="Kyndell" last="Jochim"] (5.6p, 2.7r), and this team gives opposing coaches matchup nightmares. Klem and Kimbrell are Sophomores, while Jochim is a Junior.   Early Arrivals While we figured Lake Central and Columbia City would be good, they are relying on talented young guards and have likely exceeded early season expectations to this point. Valparaiso has also sped out of the gates to a 7-0 start, and they have been clicking on all cylinders. Back to Lake Central, though, and the Indians have two Sophomores and two Freshmen in their starting lineup that has seen them race out to a 6-1 record with wins over Penn and Hammond Noll, while their lone loss was by nine points to the aforementioned South Bend Washington Panthers. Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id="176406" first="Aniyah" last="Bishop"] (15.3p, 4.2r, 2.8s) is healthy and playing at a high level. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="201878" first="Riley" last="Milausnic"] (10.5p, 3.3r) is one of Northwest Indiana’s better guards. Freshman point guard [player_tooltip player_id="295781" first="Vanessa" last="Wimberly"] (9.5p, 4.0r, 3.0a, 3.8s) is a dynamic young playmaker who is getting things done early, and Freshman forward [player_tooltip player_id="295811" first="Ayla" last="Krygier"] (6.3p, 3.8r) has been a nice addition to the frontline because of her versatility and energy. Columbia City has several nice, young guards of their own, and they have helped the Eagles to a 7-0 start, including big wins over Carroll, Snider, and Luers. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="61062" first="Rebekah" last="Marshall"] remains the leader of this group, and the skilled shooter welcomes the help from her underclassmen. Sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id="177354" first="Kyndra" last="Sheets"] is extremely tough-nosed and competitive, plus she controls tempo well and can knock down shots consistently. Freshman point guard [player_tooltip player_id="295754" first="Addison" last="Baxter"] is quick/fast and dynamic off the bounce, she can create or score it herself, and she uses her length and athleticism well defensively. Valparaiso is off to their first 7-0 start this century, and it’s their best start to a season since the early 2000s when they won four consecutive Sectional titles. They do have a date in a couple of weeks with Crown Point. For the Vikings, they are getting tremendous balance out of their lineup, with five girls averaging eight or more points per game. Sophomore wing Becca Gerdt (10.0p, 3.3r, 3.7s) leads the way with her hustle, and Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="241188" first="Kristin" last="Bukata"] (9.2p, 2.0a, 3.4s) has created opportunities offensively and defensively as well. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="303407" first="Amelia" last="Benjamin"] (8.2p, 3.7r, 2.5a, 3.5s) brings tremendous energy and toughness, Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="128194" first="Bolanle" last="Ayangade"] (8.2p, 4.7r, 2.7s) is a talented athlete who creates problems at the top of their 1-3-1, and 6-1 Senior forward Emma Gerdt (8.0p, 3.8r, 2.3a, 3.0s, 1.7b) has been a nice weapon at both ends of the floor.   Don’t Be Surprised Keep an eye out for Jennings County, Fort Wayne Snider, and Lawrence Central as this season progresses. Jennings County probably doesn’t get the publicity they deserve being down South, but they have posted 16 wins two of the last three seasons, and now they are leaning heavily on a pair of Sophomores. The Panthers currently sit at 7-0, and they have put together strong outings against Scottsburg (5-2), Charlestown (4-2), Salem (4-2), and Jeffersonville (5-3). 6-foot Sophomore front-liner [player_tooltip player_id="177362" first="Juliann" last="Woodard"] is a powerful forward who can control the paint or play in the mid-post effectively. Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id="201871" first="Alivia" last="Elmore"] plays with a nonstop motor and is a willing defender/rebounder type who can also score it at all three levels consistently. Two Seniors do contribute, and they are versatile forward [player_tooltip player_id="243567" first="Lily" last="Ernstes"] and guard Kali Thompson. Ernstes is a jack-of-all-trades type who can play inside or out, while Thompson can knock down an outside shot or run offense when necessary. Fort Wayne Snider began the year just 1-2, but since then they have responded in a big way, with a 15-point win over Indianapolis North Central, and a 5-point win yesterday against a tough Fishers squad. It seems they have figured out a way to integrate California transfer [player_tooltip player_id="49275" first="Jyah" last="Lovett"] (14.0p, 4.7r, 2.8s) into the lineup. The 5-7 Senior guard is an explosive offensive weapon who had games of 61 points and 55 points last year on the West Coast. She was rated #9 in the 2022 class on our sister PGH California site. At the same time, the Panthers return a trio of standout Sophomores in point guard [player_tooltip player_id="177351" first="Jordyn" last="Poole"] (13.5p, 2.5r, 3.2a, 2.0s), forward [player_tooltip player_id="177317" first="Destini" last="Craig"] (13.2p, 4.8r, 3.3s), and guard [player_tooltip player_id="177321" first="Joh’nea" last="Donahue"] (7.0p, 5.3r, 2.3s). Poole is a dynamic playmaker who has already drawn several mid to high-major Division-I offers. Craig is a tough-nosed, physical wing who can play inside out, while Donahue is another physical guard who can score it and defend all over the floor. The Bears of Lawrence Central started their season just 1-3, but they’ve also responded with three consecutive wins over Marion County rivals Pike, Heritage Christian, and Ben Davis, all by double-figures. 6-1 Freshman wing [player_tooltip player_id="295763" first="Jaylah" last="Lampley"] (16.7p, 6.2r, 3.2a) has certainly lived up to her expectations as a top National prospect, and she is giving opponents a handful every night. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="97284" first="Tori" last="Smiley"] (15.3p) is an athletic scorer who can fill it up in bunches from everywhere, while Sophomore wing Denyah Jacobs (13.3p, 4.3r, 3.5s) is a strong and physical point forward type who give the Bears a third double-digit scoring threat. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="128206" first="Montasia" last="McAllister"] (8.0p, 4.8r) has a smooth stroke outside and the potential to erupt at any time as well. 6-1 Sophomore front-liner [player_tooltip player_id="326485" first="Natalia" last="Franklin"] (2.8p, 5.2r) possesses a great deal of upside, and she will likely only get better with more experience. As this group continues to grow together, look for them to be a real threat in Sectional #10 in February.