Season Highlights: Southwest Indiana

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='96092' first='Jalyn' last='Shelby'] (2023) of Evansville's North High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022-2023 IHSAA girls' basketball season came to an end last 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 Southwest Indiana.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='241197' first='Trinity' last='Britton'], 2023, 5-5 G, South Spencer H.S.</strong><br>- Trinity is a ball of energy, flying around the floor in every direction. She is an incredibly effortful defender, and she disrupts opposing offenses with her ability to both defend the ball, and to affect passing lanes. Offensively, she is a good perimeter shooter, she can also attack and get gaps, and she can slide over and play a more traditional point guard role. She is headed to play at Asbury University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='96092' first='Jalyn' last='Shelby'], 2023, 5-11 F, Evansville North H.S.</strong><br>- Jalyn had an outstanding Senior season, averaging 19.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.6 apg, and 2.3 spg for the Lady Huskies. She also knocked down 18 3-pointers and shot 71% from the free throw line. Jalyn has always been a strong, fairly physical forward, but she has shown the ability to play at all three levels, and to make shots at all three levels. She plays with a nice motor, and she is a really nice small college prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='556017' first='Avery' last='Kelley'], 2024, 5-5 PG, Evansville Reitz Memorial H.S.</strong><br>- Avery really stepped up her game from her Sophomore year to her Junior year. She was more aggressive scoring the ball, she more than doubled her trips to the charity stripe, while shooting 77% from there, plus she rebounded it well (<em>5.6 rpg</em>) and facilitated (<em>3.8 apg</em>) for the Lady Tigers. She is strong, tough-nosed, skilled, and she has played with a veteran's savvy for years. I'm anxious to see her this Spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='264115' first='Norah' last='Miller'], 2024, 5-7 G, Evansville F.J. Reitz H.S.</strong><br>- After a long string of tough seasons in the 2000s, Norah has helped the Lady Panthers to back-to-back double-digit win seasons. The Junior guard is fairly strong, shifty, and she has a balanced skillset. She is somewhat crafty off the bounce, she can create her own shot, but she is much better at attacking the basket for scores. This year she averaged 17.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg, and 3.7 spg...all major improvements.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='366796' first='Hannah' last='Bledsoe'], 2025, 6-0 F/C, Barr-Reeve H.S.</strong><br>- I am very intrigued to see Hannah live, because I have only seen film thus far. She is not a grassroots participant, but she is extremely long and wiry, she's a fairly fluid athlete, and she plays much tougher and more physical than her frame might suggest. She has solid hands and footwork around the block, plus she can knock down the 15-foot jumper. I'd be curious to see her compete against better players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295774' first='Gabby' last='Spink'], 2025, 5-8 G, Gibson Southern H.S.</strong><br>- Gabby missed the first eight games of the season with an injury, but after her return, the Lady Titans posted a 16-2 record, including a 10-game winning streak upon her return. She looks stronger this season, she's a nice athlete in most directions, and she is versatile skillfully. She can handle it and create offense for herself or teammates, she can knock down shots, plus she's a willing and capable defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='567991' first='Callie' last='Alston'], 2026, 5-9 W, Orleans H.S.</strong><br>- Callie recently popped up on my radar, specifically because of the nice year she had at Orleans. She has length, a wiry-strong frame, and she's a solid athlete in all directions. She led the Bulldogs in both scoring &amp; rebounding this season, and as she continues to build her skillset, she's going to be dangerous at the Class 1A level. Right now, she's most comfortable in the mid-range, or by attacking the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Peyton Geer, 2026, 5-0 PG, Evansville Christian H.S.</strong><br>- Peyton was electric for the Lady Eagles in their first season of IHSAA tournament eligibility. She is little, quick/fast, and creative. She is much more of a driver and creator than a shooter right now, so once she adds that piece to her game, watch out. She does a nice job of collapsing defenses, plus she can be a pesky defender. I would like to see her play against better competition during the grassroots season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->