I-69 North of Indy (East Central Indiana)

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='331796' first='Jacelyn' last='Starks'] (2024) of Anderson High School.   Five years ago, when I first started with Prep Girls Hoops, I introduced different areas of the state and their top prospects. I wanted to again work through that this Fall and offer you a much more detailed look at the Hoosiers State's different regions and the prospects who should shine this Winter throughout those regions. This article will focus on the ladies Northeast of Indianapolis, headed towards Fort Wayne along I-69, and over to the Ohio border, specifically from Blackford County, Delaware County, Grant County, Jay County, Madison County, and Randolph County. There are 28 total schools spread throughout those six counties, with a fairly even balance of schools in Class 4A, 3A, 2A, and 1A.   This area has seen some really good basketball teams, especially in Class 2A. In just the last seven years alone, Oak Hill won the 2019 Class 2A State Championship and was the Class 2A runner-up in 2017. Winchester has been the Class 2A runner-up twice (2018 & 2019), Frankton has been the Class 2A runner-up twice (2020 & 2022), Lapel was the Class 2A runner-up in 2023, and Union City was the Class 1A runner-up in 2017. Additionally, the combination of those 28 schools has produced a great deal of talent, including a lot of sizeable frontline prospects. Recently, players like Lauryn Bates (Frankton 2022), Mariah Claywell (Union City 2022), Carley Culberson (Yorktown 2021), Tyra Ford (Anderson 2021), Caily Bolser (Mississinewa 2020), Ra'Shaya Kyle (Marion 2020), Madeline Lawrence (Winchester 2020), Taylor Westgate (Oak Hill 2020), Jordyn Barga (Monroe Central 2019), and Jazmyn Turner (Marion 2019) have represented their counties well. Ra'Shaya Kyle was a 2020 Indiana All-Star.   Still, though, there are a number of girls who go underrecruited throughout their careers, and this is an area where small colleges can find some real gems, plus there is typically a Division-I prospect in most graduating classes from these six counties. With that said, I wanted to take the time to highlight a handful of girls who may not often grab the spotlight, but who deserve their share of recognition for their basketball abilities. All of these girls are strictly from Blackford County, Delaware County, Grant County, Jay County, Madison County, and Randolph County.   .   [player_tooltip player_id='572821' first='Paizley' last='Cool'], 2024, 6-1 C, Delta H.S. - Paizley is a big, strong, physical post presence who plays with an outstanding motor. Over the years, her hands and footwork have improved greatly, plus she's finishing much more consistently around the basket. I like the fact that whether she's transitioning to offense or defense, she likes to be the first one down the floor and establish position immediately. Unfortunately, I've heard she possibly injured her shoulder to the point she needs surgery and will miss much/all of the 2023-2024 season.   [player_tooltip player_id='572807' first='Gabby' last='Douglass'], 2024, 5-6 CG, Anderson H.S. - Gabby is a real find in East Central Indiana. She is extremely fast and athletic, and she flies around the floor in all directions. Offensively, she is best off the bounce, as she can create easy scores for herself or others. She can knock down an open rhythm jumper when set, and she pursues offensive rebounds well for a guard. Defensively, she is very active, plus she uses her length and quickness to put pressure on the ball or create deflections/steals from a "help" position. She could have a big Senior year.   [player_tooltip player_id='404111' first='Jacklynn' last='Hosier'], 2025, 5-7 SG, Alexandria-Monroe H.S. - Jacklynn has been a stat-stuffer through two years of high school ball, plus she put together a really nice Spring & Summer grassroots tour. She is incredibly long, wiry, smooth, and fluid. I'll start defensively, because getting her hands in passing lanes and deflecting/stealing the basketball turns into her best offense a lot of the time. She also has a nice handle, she can attack and create for herself or teammates, plus she is a consistent perimeter shooter when set and in rhythm. She's already scored 866 career points.   [player_tooltip player_id='570378' first='Oaklee' last='Reichard'], 2025, 5-5 CG, Union City H.S. - Oaklee is another do-everything type of guard who could also top the 1000-point mark this season. She is strong and compact, quick, and tough-nosed. She can handle the ball and run offense, she can get downhill and score it, plus she can keep defenses honest from the perimeter. I also like how well she rebounds the ball at her size. She's a versatile defender, and a competitor. She will see a lot of attention this Winter, but I feel like she'll be a top stat producer in Class 1A all season.   [player_tooltip player_id='486126' first='Lilly' last='Sylvester'], 2026, 5-9 SF, Yorktown H.S. - Lilly is an intriguing forward prospect who can play at all three levels. She is strong enough and long enough to battle around the basket, whether that's defending, rebounding, or even scoring it inside. She also looks efficient in the mid-post, where she can knock down a 15-footer or get to the rim. Additionally, she has the mobility and skill to step outside and either defend the perimeter, or she can attack from there and knock down the occasional 3-point shot when in rhythm. And she should only get better.   .   Additional East Central Indiana/I-69 Prospects in Our Rankings for 2024-2026: [player_tooltip player_id='572817' first='Amaya' last='Collins'], 2024, Frankton H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='718309' first='Olivia' last='Howell'], 2024, Eastbrook H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='455942' first='Jocelyn' last='Love'], 2024, Lapel H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='239351' first='Sophia' last='Morrison'], 2024, Eastbrook H.S., committed to Grace College [player_tooltip player_id='331773' first='Madelyn' last='Poynter'], 2024, Lapel H.S., committed to Grace College [player_tooltip player_id='572794' first='Emma' last='Sperry'], 2024, Frankton H.S., committed to Grace College [player_tooltip player_id='331796' first='Jacelyn' last='Starks'], 2024, Anderson H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='295783' first='Kimber' last='Abshear'], 2025, Monroe Central H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='366800' first='Sydney' last='Patterson'], 2025, Monroe Central H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='570379' first='Alivia' last='Peoples'], 2025, Anderson Prep Academy [player_tooltip player_id='295797' first='Kaycie' last='Warfel'], 2025, Pendleton Heights H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='486495' first='Olivia' last='Jones'], 2026, Pendleton Heights H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='486521' first='Laniah' last='Wills'], 2026, Lapel H.S.

The featured image is of Jacelyn Starks Jacelyn Starks 5'7" | SG Anderson | 2024 State IN (2024) of Anderson High School.