Season Highlights: Northern Indiana

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='295795' first='Jessa' last='Troy'] (2025) of Penn High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022-2023 IHSAA girls' basketball season came to an end Saturday, as four State Champions were crowned. Very soon, I will begin my annual rundown of the all-state awards for each classification in their own articles, however, I wanted to take the time to highlight several ladies from different areas of the state. Below is a look at a handful of ladies who stood out in Northern Indiana.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='59748' first='Nevaeh' last='Foster'], 2023, 5-8 G, Mishawaka Marian H.S.</strong><br>- Nevaeh has been great throughout her career, scoring over 2200 points, not to mention all the wins and accolades that have come her way. But this season, she played at a different level, really thinking the game much better, and playing with a lot more efficiency. She is a talented shooter with range, a good ball-handler, and a savvy veteran. She is committed to Western Kentucky University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='203668' first='Kaydence' last='Mellott'], 2023, 5-8 G, Tippecanoe Valley H.S.</strong><br>- Kaydence had a really nice Senior season, averaging 19.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, and 2.3 spg, while shooting nearly 50% (71-143) from '3' and 82% (155-189) from the free throw line. She is very skilled, tough-nosed, and she plays hard. She also has a really good mind for the game, and she can play a little point guard when needed. She will attend Indiana University Kokomo and play ball there, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='369826' first='Samiyah' last='Stout'], 2024, 5-7 G, Elkhart H.S.</strong><br>- Samiyah is a talented athlete. She has an athletically strong frame, she can run and jump with the best of them, and when she's determined, she can defend any number of positions full-court. Offensively, she creates by attacking the basket and drawing attention. As her jump-shot comes along, she will be that much more dangerous from the perimeter. I also like that she rebounds well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='338899' first='Zoe' last='Willems'], 2024, 5-7 G, Bethany Christian School</strong><br>- Zoe helped Bethany Christian to an incredible run all the way to Indianapolis for the Class 1A state title game this past Saturday. She is a strong, hard-working, and skillful wing guard. She is a multilevel scorer who can attack the basket North/South, score it in the mid-post, or knock down the occasional outside jumper. I also like her intensity and effort at the defensive end of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295770' first='Kira' last='Reynolds'], 2025, 6-3 F, South Bend Washington H.S.</strong><br>- Kira has a wealth of talent and skill. Last year, she protected the paint quite a bit and played a lot around the basket, but this season she showcased her skillset away from the basket. She has ball skill, the ability to create offense off the dribble, and she's scoring it very well in the mid-post. I've always heard she's a combination of her two older sisters, and this season everyone could see that on display.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295795' first='Jessa' last='Troy'], 2025, 5-6 G, Penn H.S.</strong><br>- Jessa is just a Sophomore, but she has been impactful at Penn since the moment she began her high school career. She is a dangerous shooter with deep range, she has a really nice feel for the game, and she has solid ball skill and can play on the ball when necessary. But her ability to make shots is what opposing coaches focus on, and she is learning quickly how to move without the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='567134' first='Joslyn' last='Bricker'], 2026, 5-8 W, Warsaw Community H.S.</strong><br>- Joslyn had an impactful season for the young but talented Warsaw Lady Tigers. She averaged 12.6 ppg, while shooting 41% (23-56) from 3-point range and 77% (77-100) from the free throw line. She is a long and wiry wing, and as she finishes growing and gaining strength, she could be scary for opposing teams. She also plays with a nice motor and is a versatile defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='624884' first='Shaniyah' last='Stout'], 2026, 5-7 F, Elkhart H.S.</strong><br>- Shaniyah is a bit different player than her sister (<em>above</em>), but she figured out how to be extremely productive as a Freshman. She is strong, physical, and can battle on the interior. She has good balance, solid athleticism, nice hands, and she is effective shooting it in the mid-range as well. I really like her motor/energy and her toughness, and she's one of those kids opponents don't want to face.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->