IBCA Shootout Preview: Pools K-O

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='570376' first='Libby' last='Blythe'] (2025) of Evansville North High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week marks the NCAA's second year for a "scholastic live period" in June, when prospects are allowed to participate in individual and team events operated by either their state's association or their state's coaches' association. In Indiana, the IHSAA allows the IBCA to operate said events, and last year the Top-100 individual showcase and the team showcase went over very well with college coaches, as Indiana was one of just 18 states to take advantage of the "scholastic live period".</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Friday &amp; Saturday, June 14 &amp; 15, the IBCA will host the second annual Charlie Hughes team showcase for girls at a combination of Hamilton Southeastern High School, plus Mt. Vernon (Fortville) High School and Middle School. 93 teams from around the state have chosen to participate, with games beginning as early as 9:00 a.m. Friday morning. Below is a quick look at the teams in Pools K through O, with a top prospect for each team, a "sleeper" prospect or top newcomer for each team, and one player from each pool to especially keep an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://basketball.exposureevents.com/223213/2024-ibca-ihsaa-girls-team-showcase/schedule" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Complete scheduling information can be found here!!</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong><font size="+2">POOL K</font></strong></td><td><strong><font size="+2">TOP PROSPECT</font></strong></td><td><strong><font size="+2">TOP SLEEPER or NEWCOMER</font></strong></td></tr><tr><td>Austin</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='567133' first='Brynn' last='Owens'] (2026)</td><td><strong>Ally Davidson</strong> (2026)</td></tr><tr><td>Borden</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='486522' first='Ava' last='Wheeler'] (2026)</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='797505' first='Emma' last='Hart'] (2026)</td></tr><tr><td>Cathedral</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='496026' first='Jaeda' last='Wilson'] (2025)</td><td><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131916' first='Precious' last='Anuka']</strong> (2026)</td></tr><tr><td>Crown Point</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='761164' first='Sophie' last='Hart'] (2026)</td><td><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999415' first='Ava' last='Richie']</strong> (2028)</td></tr><tr><td>Ft. Wayne Northrop</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='486518' first='Swynn' last='Jackson'] (2026)</td><td><strong>Niamyah Anderson</strong> (2027)</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEEP AN EYE ON</strong>...Northrop Junior-to-be forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492326' first='Khala' last='Williams-Thomas']</strong> (2026). Khala is one of the best athletes in the entire state, regardless of class, and her bounce, coupled with her start &amp; stop ability, is at another level. She has grown skillfully over the years, but she's still alternating at times between mid-post and perimeter play, however the talent is real. During the 2023-2024 season, she posted 8 games in the 20s, including a 38-point outburst against Wayne High School. She is aggressive, tough-nosed, and she can defend three positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong><font size="+2">POOL L</font></strong></td><td><strong><font size="+2">TOP PROSPECT</font></strong></td><td><strong><font size="+2">TOP SLEEPER or NEWCOMER</font></strong></td></tr><tr><td>Charlestown</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='751050' first='Chesney' last='Jackson'] (2027)</td><td><strong>Natalie Gagnon</strong> (2026)</td></tr><tr><td>Decatur Central</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='751066' first='Havana' last='Thompson'] (2027)</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='890798' first='Skyla' last='Akers-Richards'] (2027)</td></tr><tr><td>Ft. Wayne Snider</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='828076' first='Zyann' last='Phinezy'] (2025)</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='879936' first='Janaya' last='Cooper'] (2028)</td></tr><tr><td>Marquette Catholic</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='486528' first='Laniah' last='Davis'] (2026)</td><td><strong>Livia Balling</strong> (2025)</td></tr><tr><td>Norwell</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='732354' first='Vanessa' last='Rosswurm'] (2026)</td><td><strong>Addison Norris</strong> (2026)</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEEP AN EYE ON</strong>...the entire Snider Panthers team. Following the graduation of talented guards <strong>Jordyn Poole</strong> and <strong>Joh'nea Donahue</strong>, plus 6-3 post <strong>Tia Phinezy</strong>, I'll be curious to see who steps up and leads this season. The Panthers do have a nice 2025 class, led by wings <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828076' first='Zyann' last='Phinezy']</strong> (2025) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828072' first='Kyra' last='Parker']</strong> (2025), post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='496072' first='Saniah' last='Sandlin']</strong> (2025), and forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828079' first='Brie' last='Barnes']</strong> (2025). Additionally, incoming Freshman wing/forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='879936' first='Janaya' last='Cooper']</strong> (2028) is extremely athletic and has already picked up a lot of Division-I interest. The Panthers will use a collaborative effort this season to remain competitive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong><font size="+2">POOL M</font></strong></td><td><strong><font size="+2">TOP PROSPECT</font></strong></td><td><strong><font size="+2">TOP SLEEPER or NEWCOMER</font></strong></td></tr><tr><td>Bloomington South</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='624879' first='Julia' last='Lashley'] (2026)</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='832694' first='Audrey' last='Craft'] (2026)</td></tr><tr><td>Evansville North</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='756251' first='Brooke' last='Silva'] (2027)</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='828084' first='Maddy' last='Knies'] (2025)</td></tr><tr><td>Mt. Vernon (Fortville)</td><td><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1223008' first='Gabby' last='Thomas']</strong> (2027)</td><td><strong>Addison Bucksot</strong> (2025)</td></tr><tr><td>Parke Heritage</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='506018' first='Emma' last='Simpson'] (2025)</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='881701' first='Addilee' last='Jenkins'] (2025)</td></tr><tr><td>Rensselaer Central</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='295796' first='Taylor' last='Van Meter'] (2025)</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='756244' first='Courtney' last='Mathew'] (2027)</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEEP AN EYE ON</strong>...Rensselaer Central Junior-to-be wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492323' first='Kamri' last='Rowland']</strong> (2026). The 5-8 "Swiss Army Knife" was highly productive as a Sophomore, and she helped the Bombers to a near-perfect record at 22-2. They return their top four players and look to make a deep playoff run in 2024-2025. Rowland is strong, physical, but athletic on the wing. She can handle the ball and initiate the offense, she can get downhill North/South to score at the basket, plus she has some touch outside. She's also willing to battle guards, wings, and forwards defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong><font size="+2">POOL N</font></strong></td><td><strong><font size="+2">TOP PROSPECT</font></strong></td><td><strong><font size="+2">TOP SLEEPER or NEWCOMER</font></strong></td></tr><tr><td>East Central</td><td><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122835' first='Meredith' last='Sizemore']</strong> (2025)</td><td><strong>Anna Black</strong> (2026)</td></tr><tr><td>Heritage Christian</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='324078' first='Joslyn' last='Marshall'] (2025)</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='773844' first='Trinity' last='Taylor'] (2026)</td></tr><tr><td>Linton-Stockton</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='495982' first='Addisyn' last='McKee'] (2025)</td><td><strong>Jaycee Archer</strong> (2028)</td></tr><tr><td>Northview</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='834965' first='Carlee' last='Schrader'] (2027)</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='874344' first='Brenna' last='Stallcop'] (2026)</td></tr><tr><td>Princeton</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='486492' first='Ailie' last='Taylor'] (2026)</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='486561' first='Nya' last='Dame'] (2026)</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEEP AN EYE ON</strong>...Princeton Junior-to-be combo guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486492' first='Ailie' last='Taylor']</strong> (2026). The Tigers posted an impressive 19-5 record in 2023-2024, despite rarely playing anyone over about 5-foot-7. Now, two of their top three players have graduated, leaving Taylor to lead the Tigers into the future. She has all the tools to do so, as she can handle the ball, initiate, create, and facilitate as a point guard, plus she has touch outside or can get to the basket to score it as a '2'. She is strong, tough-nosed, hard-working, and entertaining to watch. Look for her numbers to steadily increase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong><font size="+2">POOL O</font></strong></td><td><strong><font size="+2">TOP PROSPECT</font></strong></td><td><strong><font size="+2">TOP SLEEPER or NEWCOMER</font></strong></td></tr><tr><td>Brownstown Central</td><td><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='928931' first='Sophie' last='Wischmeier']</strong> (2026)</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='750165' first='Claire' last='Brock'] (2027)</td></tr><tr><td>Lafayette Central Catholic</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='295785' first='Carley' last='Barrett'] (2025)</td><td><strong>Brook Thompson</strong> (2028)</td></tr><tr><td>North Decatur</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='366794' first='Madi' last='Allen'] (2025)</td><td><strong>Sydney Rohls</strong> (2025)</td></tr><tr><td>Whitko</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='890886' first='Jayma' last='Stonebraker'] (2027)</td><td><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122773' first='Adriyanna' last='Phillips']</strong> (2025)</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEEP AN EYE ON</strong>...Brownstown Central Junior-to-be wing/forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='928931' first='Sophie' last='Wischmeier']</strong> (2026). The 5-9 Wischmeier stepped up in a variety of ways this season, helping the Lady Braves to a State Runner-Up finish in Class 2A. On a small school schedule, like Brownstown will predominantly play, Sophie is able to play some interior forward, she can stand out in the mid-post as a shooter/scorer, and she can step outside, knock down the occasional 3-pointer, plus she can defend bigger guards and wings. She's a balanced all-around athlete, and she is still somewhat under-the-radar as a prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->