Winter Update: 2026 Newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='624214' first='Ciyah' last='Thomas'] (2026) of Hammond's Central High School (middle of picture in white jersey).</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A couple of weeks ago, we continued our annual class by class Winter update for rankings on Prep Girls Hoops Indiana. As it relates specifically to the Class of 2026, we expanded the list from 180 prospects to 200 prospects. That 20-player increase wasn't nearly as big as some of the other classes, but it allows us to maintain a similar pace of growth for the Class of 2026 from their initial list through graduation. Below is a look at those 20 new additions, along with comments and analysis on a handful of them. The Class of 2026 updates have already been posted.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Point Guards (2):</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WL - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131968' first='Emily' last='Luce']</strong>, 5-5 PG, Wapahani H.S.<br>WL - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131978' first='Ecrin' last='Mart']</strong>, 5-8 PG, Bishop Noll Institute</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131978' first='Ecrin' last='Mart']</strong> is new to Bishop Noll this year, as she is originally from The Republic of Türkiye but played at Layton Christian Academy in Utah one season ago. She has a solid to strong frame, some length, and she's very crafty with the basketball in her hands. She has been instrumental for the Warriors, averaging 15.8 points, 2.9 assists, and 2.5 steals per game this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Combo Guards (5):</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#32 - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='624214' first='Ciyah' last='Thomas']</strong>, 5-8 CG, Hammond Central H.S.<br>WL - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131916' first='Precious' last='Anuka']</strong>, 5-6 CG, Cathedral H.S.<br>WL - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122688' first='Taylor' last='Cotham']</strong>, 5-3 CG, Herron H.S.<br>WL - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131952' first='Kera' last='Dunham']</strong>, 5-7 CG, North Vermillion H.S.<br>WL - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131960' first='Emma' last='Kincaid']</strong>, 5-5 CG, Bremen H.S.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this group, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='624214' first='Ciyah' last='Thomas']</strong> is another transfer student to Indiana, coming to Hammond Central from Bolingbrook High School just across the border in Illinois. She is an athletic, playmaking guard, and she has drawn Division-I interest/offers already. Ciyah is averaging 12.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 6.4 steals per game for the Wolves this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122688' first='Taylor' last='Cotham']</strong> from Indianapolis has been on a tear this Winter. After playing two seasons at Tindley High School, the dynamic combo guard is averaging 20.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 5.9 steals per game for the Achaeans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Shooting Guards (5):</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WL - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131919' first='Konley' last='Ault']</strong>, 5-8 SG/SF, Bluffton H.S.<br>WL - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='886667' first='Shaylee' last='Barrett']</strong>, 5-7 SG/SF, Lafayette Jefferson H.S.<br>WL - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131939' first='Jillian' last='Chew']</strong>, 5-7 SG, Tri H.S.<br>WL - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131972' first='Megan' last='Luce']</strong>, 5-6 SG, Wapahani H.S.<br>WL - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131983' first='Robyn' last='Pate']</strong>, 5-6 SG, Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This collection of shooting guards is a very versatile and intriguing group, where everyone has a little different niche for their school teams. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131919' first='Konley' last='Ault']</strong> has helped Bluffton to a 20-2 record on the season and a chance at making a deep tourney run in Class 2A. The strong wing is a solid athlete, and she has contributed 15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 3.0 steals per game for the Tigers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131939' first='Jillian' last='Chew']</strong> has been a focal point for the Titans, averaging 14.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 4.7 steals per game, as they are seeking their second Sectional title in three years. She is a strong guard who has a nice jump-shot and a solid mid-range game as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Small Forwards (4):</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WL - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131950' first='Allyson' last='Davidson']</strong>, 5-11 SF/PF, Austin H.S.<br>WL - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='886356' first='Meredith' last='Deaton']</strong>, 5-8 SF, West Washington H.S.<br>WL - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131959' first='Da'Niyah' last='Johnson']</strong>, 5-7 SF/PF, Lafayette Jefferson H.S.<br>WL - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='730754' first='Casey' last='Schuessler']</strong>, 5-8 SF, Lafayette Central Catholic H.S.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Austin Eagles are 19-3 this season, and they have a nice core group of players. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131950' first='Allyson' last='Davidson']</strong> has shown fluid athleticism, she has a long frame, and she is a multisport kid who also displays her versatility on the court, being able to defend multiple positions and scoring the ball from different areas. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='730754' first='Casey' last='Schuessler']</strong> has helped the Lady Knights to another successful regular season and an 18-4 record on the equivalent of a Class 3A schedule. She brings a fluid athleticism to the court, the ability to play around the perimeter or in the mid-post, helping in a variety of ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Power Forwards (3):</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WL - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131931' first='Sidney' last='Burton']</strong>, 5-10 PF/SF - Eastern H.S. (Pekin)<br>WL - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131990' first='Jillian' last='Salts']</strong> - 5-11 PF - Carroll H.S. (Flora)<br>WL - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131993' first='Alexa' last='Sichting']</strong> - 6-0 PF/C - Indian Creek H.S.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following the graduation of 6-4 forward <strong>Faith Wiseman</strong>, Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131993' first='Alexa' last='Sichting']</strong> has stepped up and accounted for a lot of that role, chipping in 12.1 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.6 steals, and 2.7 blocked shots per game. She has a strong frame, nice length, and she plays with a good motor for a frontline prospect. I'd anticipate her being a double-double machine next season as a Senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Centers (1):</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WL - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131946' first='Macy' last='Curtis']</strong>, 6-1 C, Frankton H.S.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While attending a Frankton game earlier this season, I sort of stumbled onto <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131946' first='Macy' last='Curtis']</strong> and was surprised no one had really talked about her. It could be that she is a really nice volleyball player, and her focus might be there, but she is a quality basketball prospect as well. She has a solid to strong frame, good length, quick feet, and she will get out and run the floor. She has touch in the mid-post, she'll play with physicality around the rim, and she defends with versatility as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->