Northwest Indiana's Top Returning Scorers

As you read this article, you'll find a breakdown of several of the top returning scorers from programs across Northwest Indiana.Each has established themselves as a proven offensive weapon since their freshman season, whether through consistent production in high school competition or standout play on the AAU circuit. This report highlights their scoring ability, overall impact, and what makes them stand out as they prepare for the upcoming year.    Lillian is one of the top returning players in Northwest Indiana as she heads into her senior season. The Ball State commit had an impressive AAU campaign, showcasing her versatility and impact on both ends of the floor. Offensively, she is a true three-level scorer, capable of knocking down jump shots, attacking the rim, and creating her own looks. She is highly effective in transition, pushing the ball with pace to score herself or set up teammates in scoring positions. In the half court, she reads defenses well off ball screens, making the right decision whether it's finishing at the basket or pulling up for a jumper. With her on the floor, Valparaiso is poised to continue its success, and she is making a strong case to earn recognition as an Indiana All-Star.     [player_tooltip player_id='834925' first='Kylah' last='Patterson'] is another talented young player out of Northwest Indiana who continues to prove herself as a high-impact prospect. At her size, she brings impressive versatility, showing the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Offensively, Kylah is creative with the basketball, using her handle and length to get to the rim consistently. She scores efficiently at all three levels, but what stands out is her ability to create opportunities for herself and her teammates. On the defensive end, she uses her size and instincts to disrupt passing lanes, generate steals, and turn defense into transition offense. Her production speaks for itself last season she averaged nearly 25 points per game while also leading her team in both assists and rebounds. That all-around impact makes her one of the most complete and valuable players in the region.     Last season, Lela showcased her versatility by playing both as a power forward and as a point guard. The growth in her ball-handling skills, combined with her ability to score from the perimeter, has elevated her offensive game and made her a more dynamic scoring threat. Heading into sectionals last year, she even displayed flashes of operating in a point-forward role something she looks primed to take on more consistently this season. What sets Lela apart is her explosiveness off the dribble. She possesses one of the quickest first steps in the East Chicago and Hammond area, allowing her to beat defenders off the bounce and create scoring opportunities. That blend of size, skill, and quickness makes her a tough matchup and a player with the ability to impact the game in multiple ways.     [player_tooltip player_id='624883' first='Jordan' last='Steele'] made a strong case last season as one of the top players in Northwest Indiana—and arguably a serious candidate for NWI Player of the Year. She is a complete offensive threat, excelling at scoring both off the dribble and at the rim, where she consistently draws contact and converts at a 76% clip from the free-throw line. Her ability to create her own shot and score efficiently makes her one of the toughest guards to defend in the region. Steele's impact went far beyond just scoring. She led Highland in points (26.4 PPG), rebounds, assists, and steals, showing her all-around value and ability to shoulder a heavy workload. Her leadership proved critical as she guided Highland to its second sectional championship in three years and the program's first regional title since 2003. With Steele returning this season, Highland has the talent and experience to make another deep state tournament run. Her combination of skill, production, and leadership firmly establishes her as one of the premier players in the area.     [player_tooltip player_id='486551' first='Valencia' last='Miller'] is another standout talent in Northwest Indiana who played a key role in helping Hammond Central capture the school's first sectional championship. One of her greatest strengths is her ability to run the floor in transition, consistently putting herself in scoring position. Where she's most dangerous, however, is when the ball is in her hands. Miller's quickness and explosiveness make her difficult to contain in the open court, as she attacks the basket with confidence and pace. That blend of speed, control, and aggressiveness gives Hammond Central a reliable weapon in transition and a player capable of creating momentum-shifting plays.     Throughout last season and during AAU play, Melaney consistently showed flashes of her potential, each time revealing new dimensions to her game. She is especially effective on the glass, using her size, length, and physicality to rebound over opponents. Her work on the offensive boards makes her a tough matchup, as she can extend possessions and create high-percentage scoring opportunities. Heading into this season, Melaney projects to be an important piece of Merrillville's offense, bringing interior presence and versatility that will complement the team's perimeter play. With her size and rebounding ability alongside the return of [player_tooltip player_id='756240' first='Malika' last='Jenkins'], Merrillville has the talent to be one of the top teams in Northwest Indiana once again.     [player_tooltip player_id='999415' first='Ava' last='Richie'] had an impressive freshman season for the Bulldogs, leading the team in scoring with 14.3 points per game while also topping the charts in steals and assists. She showed she was ready for varsity competition, handling the physicality of attacking the rim with confidence while maintaining a quick, versatile shot that makes her a threat from multiple areas on the floor. Entering her sophomore season under a new coach, Richie is poised to continue improving her game. Her combination of scoring ability, court vision, and defensive instincts positions her to lead Crown Point to another winning season—and potentially another sectional championship.

As you read this article, you'll find a breakdown of several of the top returning scorers from programs across Northwest Indiana.Each has established themselves as a proven offensive weapon since their freshman season, whether through consistent production in high school competition or standout play on the AAU circuit. This report highlights their scoring ability, overall impact, and what makes them stand out as they prepare for the upcoming year.