Preseason Preview: Class 3A Awards

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='239346' first='Lauren' last='Foster'] (2024) of Indian Creek High School.   Now that I've spent this past week previewing each of the 16 Sectionals in Class 3A, I wanted to take a look at who I think could be the better individuals in Indiana throughout the 2022-2023 season. Taking some ideas from college preview magazines, below I've assembled a variety of preseason awards, preseason all-state teams, plus a preseason honorable mention section. I've given past years' performances some consideration, but the players below are listed based specifically on how I think they will perform this season.   TOP CLASS 3A PRESEASON AWARDS These preseason awards are an attempt at honoring girls who I think stand out in Class 3A. Typically, there are multiple candidates for each award, and every award can be easily debatable, but I chose the individuals below based on who I thought filled the description the best. Each award is determined through different criteria, as some awards are based primarily on opinion, while others are decided with a heavy influence from statistical merit.   Most Valuable Player: [player_tooltip player_id='59762' first='McKenna' last='Layden'], 2023, 6-2 SF, Northwestern H.S. - The meaning of most valuable player to me leans more towards the idea of if you removed this player from their team, how would their team continue to perform. There are a number of quality candidates for this award, but I felt like McKenna defined her high school team better than any other player in Class 3A. Already committed to Purdue University, she does it all for the Lady Tigers. Entering her final season, she is an 1141-point scorer, she is a career 42% 3-point shooter (116-279), but she also acts as their primary facilitator and has handed out 301 assists in 72 games, or a career 4.1 apg average. At 6-2, she also rebounds and defends multiple positions.   Most Outstanding Player: [player_tooltip player_id='201885' first='Faith' last='Wiseman'], 2024, 6-4 PF, Indian Creek H.S. - As opposed to the most valuable player award, the most outstanding award points at simply the best basketball player in all of Class 3A, regardless of team quality, depth etc. Over the course of her short career, Faith has tremendously grown her game, as well as grown to 6-4. She is a legitimate face-up '4' who can play at all three levels, as she showcased throughout the grassroots season. As a Sophomore, she unselfishly averaged 12.2 points on a skilled and talented team, but she also snagged 10.9 caroms per game, and protected the paint by altering and blocking shots (3.2 bpg). This Fall, she committed to Indiana University to further her career.   Most Outstanding Newcomer: [player_tooltip player_id='59746' first='Abby' last='Fleetwood'], 2023, 5-9 CG, Indian Creek H.S. - I chose a newcomer instead of a Freshman in Class 3A, because I felt like Abby would have a much greater impact for her school than any of the Class 3A Freshmen. She isn't new to Indian Creek this year, but she has returned to the Varsity roster after sitting out last year due to transfer restrictions. As a Sophomore at Brown County H.S., Abby averaged an impressive 20.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 4.7 steals per game. She has also knocked down a consistent 35% from 3-point range over her career. For Indian Creek, she'll offer them another ball-handler, a multilevel scorer, plus she'll bring additional toughness to an already strong backcourt.   ADDITIONAL CLASS 3A PRESEASON AWARDS Toughest Player: [player_tooltip player_id='295775' first='Icesis' last='Thomas'], 2025, Bishop Noll Institute Best Motor: Emma Hart, 2024, New Castle H.S. Best Shooter: [player_tooltip player_id='177346' first='Olivia' last='Nickerson'], 2024, Twin Lakes H.S. Best Scorer: [player_tooltip player_id='59748' first='Nevaeh' last='Foster'], 2023, Mishawaka Marian H.S. Best Passer: [player_tooltip player_id='295786' first='Addison' last='Bowsman'], 2025, Twin Lakes H.S. Best Rebounder: [player_tooltip player_id='372357' first='Avah' last='Smith'], 2023, Woodlan H.S. Best Shot-Blocker: [player_tooltip player_id='201885' first='Faith' last='Wiseman'], 2024, Indian Creek H.S. Best Defender: [player_tooltip player_id='177359' first='Adrianne' last='Tolen'], 2024, West Lafayette H.S. Best Athlete: [player_tooltip player_id='239359' first='Justyce' last='Williams'], 2024, Jimtown H.S. Most Versatile: [player_tooltip player_id='59762' first='McKenna' last='Layden'], 2023, Northwestern H.S.   CLASS 3A PRESEASON ALL-STATE TEAMS Like the preseason awards, this was another attempt to honor girls who could stand out in Class 3A during the 2022-2023 season. These teams were selected based on equal parts talent, skill, potential, statistical accomplishments, and team accomplishments. While we can debate who should be where, I do think it's at least easy to understand why each of the players listed below were selected to be honored. Disclaimer: Freshmen were not considered for the All-State teams, only Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors, however I have highlighted a few in the Honorable Mention section.   1st Team All-State [player_tooltip player_id='59748' first='Nevaeh' last='Foster'], 2023, 5-8 CG, Mishawaka Marian H.S. - 19.5p, 4.9r, 2.8a, 3.3s, committed to Western Kentucky University [player_tooltip player_id='127226' first='Bailey' last='Kelham'], 2023, 5-10 SF, Garrett H.S. - 16.2p, 5.2r, 1.6a, 1.8s, committed to Huntington University [player_tooltip player_id='59762' first='McKenna' last='Layden'], 2023, 6-2 SF, Northwestern H.S. - 22.1p, 6.2r, 4.1a, 3.8s, committed to Purdue University [player_tooltip player_id='96091' first='Renna' last='Schwieterman'], 2023, 6-0 SF, Jay County H.S. - 18.3p, 5.8r, 4.5a, 2.4s, committed to Purdue University Fort Wayne [player_tooltip player_id='201885' first='Faith' last='Wiseman'], 2024, 6-4 PF, Indian Creek H.S. - 12.2p, 10.9r, 2.8a, 1.6s, 3.2b, committed to Indiana University   2nd Team All-State [player_tooltip player_id='59749' first='Brea' last='Garber'], 2023, 6-0 PF, Fairfield H.S. - 15.6p, 5.4r, 2.7a, 3.1s, 1.5b, committed to Indiana Wesleyan University [player_tooltip player_id='127232' first='MaKaya' last='Porter'], 2023, 5-11 PF, Mishawaka Marian H.S. - 19.0p, 9.7r, 2.7a, 3.0s, 2.5b [player_tooltip player_id='178232' first='Ava' last='Weber'], 2023, 5-11 SF, Corydon Central H.S. - 20.1p, 7.8r, 2.6a, 3.5s [player_tooltip player_id='177346' first='Olivia' last='Nickerson'], 2024, 5-6 SG, Twin Lakes H.S. - 18.3p, 4.9r, 2.6a, 2.2s [player_tooltip player_id='177352' first='Camryn' last='Runner'], 2024, 5-9 CG, Hamilton Heights H.S. - 17.0p, 5.4r, 2.0a, 3.0s   3rd Team All-State [player_tooltip player_id='59746' first='Abby' last='Fleetwood'], 2023, 5-9 CG, Indian Creek H.S. - 20.6p, 7.3r, 4.6a, 4.7s in 2020-2021 at Brown County H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='127211' first='Emily' last='Mattingly'], 2023, 5-10 SG/SF, Evansville Memorial H.S. - 14.2p, 4.2r, 2.1a, 2.7s, committed to Indiana Wesleyan University [player_tooltip player_id='239346' first='Lauren' last='Foster'], 2024, 5-7 SG, Indian Creek H.S. - 16.7p, 4.6r, 3.4a, 1.9s [player_tooltip player_id='177359' first='Adrianne' last='Tolen'], 2024, 5-10 SF, West Lafayette H.S. - 18.0p, 6.1r, 2.6a, 4.6s [player_tooltip player_id='295778' first='Leah' last='West'], 2025, 6-1 PF, Greensburg H.S. - 12.9p, 8.5r, 1.7a, 1.2s   4th Team All-State [player_tooltip player_id='203668' first='Kaydence' last='Mellott'], 2023, 5-8 SG, Tippecanoe Valley H.S. - 17.4p, 5.0r, 1.0a, 2.5s, committed to Indiana University Kokomo [player_tooltip player_id='177324' first='Chloey' last='Graham'], 2024, 5-9 SG, Gibson Southern H.S. - 16.9p, 3.6r, 1.3a, 2.3s [player_tooltip player_id='177335' first='Avery' last='Kelley'], 2024, 5-6 PG, Evansville Memorial H.S. - 11.6p, 4.2r, 2.5a, 1.8s [player_tooltip player_id='295786' first='Addison' last='Bowsman'], 2025, 5-5 PG, Twin Lakes H.S. - 15.8p, 4.7r, 3.9a, 2.4s [player_tooltip player_id='295774' first='Gabby' last='Spink'], 2025, 5-8 CG, Gibson Southern H.S. - 13.9p, 3.4r, 4.5a, 2.1s   5th Team All-State [player_tooltip player_id='178242' first='Reagan' last='Martin'], 2023, 5-11 PF, Owen Valley H.S. - 18.5p, 8.4r, 1.1a, 4.1b [player_tooltip player_id='59791' first='Isabelle' last='Wooten'], 2023, 5-8 SF, Danville Community H.S. - 13.8p, 9.4r, 3.3a, 2.3s [player_tooltip player_id='177332' first='Sophia' last='Johnson'], 2024, 6-0 CF, Evansville Memorial H.S. - 12.7p, 6.0r, 1.9a, 1.2s, 1.2b [player_tooltip player_id='295767' first='Avah' last='Montgomery'], 2025, 5-9 CG, Southridge H.S. - 14.1p, 3.4r, 1.5a [player_tooltip player_id='324096' first='Josie' last='Vaughn'], 2025, 5-4 PG, Corydon Central H.S. - 9.8p, 3.1r, 3.4a, 3.5s   Class 3A Preseason Honorable Mention All-State Alexandria Barr, 2023, Lebanon H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='410036' first='Caroline' last='Bell'], 2023, Bishop Chatard H.S. Claire Bickel, 2023, Heritage H.S. Sidney Brown, 2023, Salem H.S. Cameran Cahall, 2023, Madison Consolidated H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='410038' first='Dionna' last='Craig'], 2023, Culver Academy [player_tooltip player_id='303460' first='Eva' last='Dodds'], 2023, New Prairie H.S. Katelyn Fennell, 2023, West Vigo H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='516350' first='Natalie' last='Fernandez'], 2023, Guerin Catholic H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='241198' first='Faith' last='Fleetwood'], 2023, Vincennes Lincoln H.S. Makayla Granger-Young, 2023, Batesville H.S. Shantrice Grant, 2023, Shortridge H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='300080' first='Peyton' last='Hartsough'], 2023, Lakeland H.S., committed to Huntington University [player_tooltip player_id='96083' first='Kennedy' last='Hayden'], 2023, John Glenn H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='331766' first='Aliyah' last='Hershberger'], 2023, Mishawaka Marian H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='406158' first='Hannah' last='Hodgen'], 2023, Twin Lakes H.S., committed to Indiana University Kokomo Mia Hooten, 2023, John Glenn H.S. Emma Howdeshell, 2023, Rochester Community H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='203665' first='Peyton' last='Hull'], 2023, South Bend St. Joseph H.S. Annie Karlaftis, 2023, West Lafayette H.S. Madison Kay, 2023, Owen Valley H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='460828' first='Sydney' last='Keane'], 2023, Bellmont H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='59761' first='Gracie' last='Kramer'], 2023, Vincennes Lincoln H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='418170' first='Chanya' last='Lambert'], 2023, Beech Grove H.S. Ashley Lewis, 2023, Monrovia H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='372362' first='Caroline' last='Long'], 2023, Western H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='460837' first='Lily' last='Long'], 2023, Western H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='372353' first='Mackensy' last='Mabie'], 2023, West Noble H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='127228' first='Kennedy' last='Martin'], 2023, West Lafayette H.S. Leah May, 2023, Leo H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='127229' first='Tatum' last='McFarland'], 2023, Charlestown H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='241195' first='Jaci' last='Menard'], 2023, Boone Grove H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='424861' first='Katie' last='Moyer'], 2023, Bremen H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='59764' first='Briley' last='Munchel'], 2023, Rushville Consolidated H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='96089' first='Annaka' last='Nelson'], 2023, Concordia Lutheran H.S., committed to Huntington University Maiya Newsom, 2023, Lebanon H.S. Bailey Orme, 2023, Corydon Central H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='127231' first='Abby' last='Parsons'], 2023, Cascade H.S. Carlie Pennington, 2023, Western Boone H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='460840' first='Maeve' last='Perry'], 2023, Brebeuf Jesuit H.S., committed to Denison University Alivia Rasler, 2023, Lakeland H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='361750' first='Lizzie' last='Redar'], 2023, Lawrenceburg H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='460841' first='Payton' last='Reid'], 2023, Highland H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='372352' first='Faith' last='Riehl'], 2023, Lakeland H.S. Emmy Roys, 2023, Western Boone H.S. Natalie Rupp, 2023, South Dearborn H.S. Katheryn Rutherford, 2023, Western Boone H.S. Kassidy Schell, 2023, Franklin County H.S. Maddy Schenkel, 2023, Garrett H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='372357' first='Avah' last='Smith'], 2023, Woodlan H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='178240' first='Audri' last='Spencer'], 2023, Northview H.S. Corinna Stiles, 2023, Tippecanoe Valley H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='241196' first='Hannah' last='Stutsman'], 2023, Scottsburg H.S. Raya Tewari, 2023, Yorktown H.S. Anna Thompson, 2023, Bishop Chatard H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='59783' first='Skyla' last='Tomasek'], 2023, Norwell H.S. Alexis Tucker, 2023, Gibson Southern H.S. Hailey Vanderhye, 2023, Hanover Central H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='96094' first='Addison' last='Ward'], 2023, Twin Lakes H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='59786' first='Sydney' last='Warran'], 2023, Cascade H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='127243' first='Ava' last='Weisheit'], 2023, Gibson Southern H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='96096' first='Kate' last='Wenger'], 2023, Evansville Mater Dei H.S. Madison Whitmore, 2023, River Forest H.S. Bailey Willard, 2023, Fairfield H.S. Lera Wilson, 2023, Mt. Vernon H.S. (Posey) Amari Wright, 2023, Yorktown H.S.   Taylor Abston, 2024, Crawfordsville H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='177310' first='Kennedy' last='Blakely'], 2024, Bishop Noll Institute [player_tooltip player_id='298265' first='Kylie' last='Caswell'], 2024, Angola H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='496021' first='Hailey' last='Cole'], 2024, Bellmont H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='177316' first='Kennedy' last='Coleman'], 2024, Charlestown H.S. Gabi Comia, 2024, Hanover Central H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='177320' first='Brylee' last='Delano'], 2024, Evansville Mater Dei H.S. Alex DeLisle, 2024, Speedway H.S. Morgan Downs, 2024, Knox H.S. Joselyn Edwards, 2024, NorthWood H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='201870' first='Giselle' last='Eke'], 2024, Bishop Dwenger H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='326487' first='Jayden' last='Flagg'], 2024, New Prairie H.S. Malaysha Flanagan, 2024, George Washington H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='369829' first='Sienna' last='Foster'], 2024, Benton Central H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='264113' first='Kennedy' last='Fuelling'], 2024, Norwell H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='331809' first='Makenzie' last='Fuess'], 2024, Norwell H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='825947' first='Daniella' last='Galvez'], 2024, Speedway H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='510511' first='Arianna' last='Gerkin'], 2024, Vincennes Lincoln H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='176407' first='Sarah' last='Gick'], 2024, Benton Central H.S. Emma Hart, 2024, New Castle H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='298262' first='Carrie' last='Hiler'], 2024, Scottsburg H.S. Aaliyah Keil, 2024, Highland H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='264114' first='Taylor' last='Kneubuhler'], 2024, Woodlan H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='177341' first='Koryn' last='Marshall'], 2024, Heritage Christian H.S. Nicole Mears, 2024, Franklin County H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='177343' first='Lauryn' last='Merritt'], 2024, Maconaquah H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='177348' first='Maddie' last='Nipper'], 2024, Charlestown H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='331784' first='Kaelyn' last='Ortiz-Vaudt'], 2024, Concordia Lutheran H.S. Rylie Schipp, 2024, Heritage Hills H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='825965' first='Lexi' last='Smith'], 2024, Princeton Community H.S. Emma Sperry, 2024, Frankton H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='201882' first='Kooper' last='Stone'], 2024, Danville Community H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='177360' first='Sarah' last='Werth'], 2024, West Lafayette H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='331818' first='Morgan' last='White'], 2024, New Prairie H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='239359' first='Justyce' last='Williams'], 2024, Jimtown H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='496049' first='Mackenzie' last='York'], 2024, Western H.S.   [player_tooltip player_id='386496' first='Anna' last='Bishir'], 2025, Northwestern H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='828044' first='Emily' last='Bleke'], 2025, Bellmont H.S. Mylee Boiling, 2025, Beech Grove H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='828051' first='Jaci' last='Crick'], 2025, Mississinewa H.S. Kila Foster, 2025, Bremen H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='324075' first='Olivia' last='Gilley'], 2025, Washington H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='324078' first='Joslyn' last='Marshall'], 2025, Heritage Christian H.S. Emery Newlin, 2025, Monrovia H.S. Claire Payne, 2025, NorthWood H.S. Alyson Peters, 2025, Batesville H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='828036' first='Piper' last='Ramey'], 2025, North Montgomery H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='295802' first='Ellie' last='Richardson'], 2025, Scottsburg H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='453221' first='Savannah' last='Schafer'], 2025, Brebeuf Jesuit H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='295792' first='Alexis' last='Stillman'], 2025, Angola H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='324095' first='Kayla' last='Tamm'], 2025, Greensburg H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='295775' first='Icesis' last='Thomas'], 2025, Bishop Noll Institute Taylor Van Meter, 2025, Rensselaer Central   Ahniyah Bennett, 2026, Connersville [player_tooltip player_id='492316' first='Piper' last='Brumm'], 2026, Culver Academy [player_tooltip player_id='761161' first='Brooklyn' last='Craig'], 2026, Lawrenceburg Eva Herbert, 2026, Fairfield [player_tooltip player_id='534674' first='Emily' last='Parker'], 2026, Boonville [player_tooltip player_id='479613' first='Alyson' last='Powers'], 2026, Greensburg [player_tooltip player_id='492323' first='Kamri' last='Rowland'], 2026, Rensselaer Central [player_tooltip player_id='486477' first='Hannah' last='Stepp'], 2026, West Vigo

The featured image is of Lauren Foster Lauren Foster 5'7" | SG Indian Creek | 2024 State IN (2024) of Indian Creek High School.