2025 BodyArmor Showcase: Playmaking Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past Saturday, November 22nd, the inaugural&nbsp;<strong>BodyArmor Showcase</strong>&nbsp;tipped off at Pike High School, hosted by Pike Girls Basketball Head Coach&nbsp;<strong>Keith Hollins</strong>. The event delivered a full day of competitive matchups, highlighting a strong collection of rising talent from across Indiana. With teams featuring players from the&nbsp;<strong>2026–2029</strong>&nbsp;classes, the gym was filled with energy, physical play, and breakout performances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article, I will be covering both&nbsp;<strong>player skills</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>game summaries</strong>&nbsp;from the showcase. The matchups included&nbsp;<strong>Indianapolis Crispus Attucks vs. Pike, East Central vs. Hammond Central, Fort Wayne Snider vs. Lawrence Central, Floyd Central vs. Decatur Central</strong>, and&nbsp;<strong>North Central vs. Peru</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each team displayed its own style of play, with similarities and differences across programs, but every roster featured talented players from the&nbsp;<strong>2026–2029 classes</strong>, making the showcase a strong indicator of the future of Indiana girls basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Game 1 Summary: Indianapolis Crispus Attucks vs Pike</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pike jumped out to an early lead, showcasing the depth and talent that makes this team so dangerous. <strong>2026 players [player_tooltip player_id='1038873' first='Deniyah' last='Warren'], [player_tooltip player_id='686306' first='Komari' last='Booker'], [player_tooltip player_id='486542' first='Alonna' last='Divine'] (12 points) , [player_tooltip player_id='928878' first='Marley' last='Jeffers'] (6 points)</strong>, and <strong>2027 guard [player_tooltip player_id='751118' first='Saniya' last='Smith'] (19 points)</strong> brought energy and intensity on both ends of the floor from the tip. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='686306' first='Komari' last='Booker']</strong> stood out as a force to reckon with—hard to guard and even harder to challenge. Her ability to pressure the ball at the top of Pike's full-court and half-court presses, combined with her physicality and relentless motor, makes her a key piece of the team's success. Another standout was <strong>junior guard Korinne NicKolson</strong>, who came off the bench to score <strong>13 points</strong>. Nicholson's quickness, energy, and poise kept Pike in control during the second quarter, including a buzzer-beater that energized the team. <strong>Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='999451' first='Chami' last='Williams'] (8 points) </strong>also impressed off the bench with her court vision, decision-making, and calmness under pressure, demonstrating the composure of a much more experienced player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After falling behind early,&nbsp;<strong>Indianapolis Crispus Attucks</strong>&nbsp;mounted a strong&nbsp;<strong>18–8 run in the second quarter</strong>, adjusting effectively to Pike's full-court and half-court pressure. The team was led by&nbsp;<strong>UCF commit [player_tooltip player_id='331774' first='Kamrah' last='Banks']</strong>, who delivered an impressive performance with&nbsp;<strong>31 points</strong>, showcasing her ability to score from virtually anywhere on the floor. Banks shot&nbsp;<strong>7-of-17 from the field, 4-of-9 from three, and 13-of-15 from the free-throw line</strong>. Contributing to Attucks' push to cut the deficit to 10 by halftime were&nbsp;<strong>senior guard Naomi Moses</strong>&nbsp;with&nbsp;<strong>11 points</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1005025' first='Sevan' last='Walls']</strong>&nbsp;with&nbsp;<strong>7 points</strong>. Another noticeable factor was&nbsp;<strong>6'3" sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='999406' first='Zyah' last='Jones']</strong>, who controlled the glass, made scoring over her difficult, and provided a physical presence that Pike had to contend with throughout the game. Pike ultimately pulled away in the second half to secure the win,&nbsp;<strong>defeating Indianapolis Crispus Attucks 88–56</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1038873"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6925f03d864e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've been watching&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1038873' first='Deniyah' last='Warren']</strong>&nbsp;since last season, and what continues to stand out is her attention to the&nbsp;<strong>little things</strong> that make a big impact on the floor. She is unselfish, consistently making plays that elevate her teammates, and provides the energy and intensity that Pike relies on to succeed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a senior, stepping into a leadership role like this is not always easy, but Warren has embraced it fully. Her poise, work ethic, and ability to influence the game without always being in the spotlight are helping Pike reach new heights and setting the tone for the rest of the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["999451"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6925f03d8653f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Although&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999451' first='Chami' last='Williams']</strong>&nbsp;may be the only sophomore on Pike's varsity roster, she doesn't play like it. She is extremely quick on the defensive end, able to pressure the ball and disrupt opponents, while also showing skill and confidence in attacking the rim and knocking down shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Williams finished the game with&nbsp;<strong>8 points off the bench</strong>, providing the energy and scoring punch that Pike relies on from its reserves. With three more years ahead of her, she projects to continue growing into a key contributor and standout leader for the program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["751088"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6926065335c78"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Corinne Nicholson began emerging as a standout for Pike during her sophomore season and has continued to make significant strides as one of the top guards in her class. She started her junior year strong, bringing energy, toughness, and leadership to the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This past weekend, Nicholson came off the bench to score&nbsp;<strong>13 points</strong>, shooting&nbsp;<strong>4-of-7 from the field</strong>&nbsp;and knocking down&nbsp;<strong>3 three-pointers</strong>, including a&nbsp;<strong>buzzer-beater to close the half</strong>. Her combination of scoring, intensity, and poise provides exactly what Pike needs from a guard, helping the team maintain momentum and secure the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["999406"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6926065335d22"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999406' first='Zyah' last='Jones']</strong>&nbsp;is gaining valuable varsity experience as a sophomore while playing alongside one of Indiana's top guards in&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331774' first='Kamrah' last='Banks']</strong>. On Saturday, she made her presence felt with her size, length, and activity around the rim. Jones rebounded the ball well and consistently challenged shots, making it difficult for Pike to finish over her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As she continues to develop her skills and confidence, Jones has the potential to rise in the rankings. Her physical tools, combined with her improving feel for the game, make her a promising prospect to watch in the 2028 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Game 2 Summary: East Central vs Hammond Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second game of the showcase featured two strong 4A programs—both of which won their sectionals last season and returned their top player.&nbsp;<strong>East Central</strong>&nbsp;brought back&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999426' first='Natalie' last='Stenger']</strong>, who currently averages&nbsp;<strong>18.4 points per game</strong>, while&nbsp;<strong>Hammond Central</strong>&nbsp;returned its leading scorer,&nbsp;<strong>Northern Illinois commit Indiana Hutchinson</strong>, who enters the season averaging&nbsp;<strong>23.4 points per game</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The game opened with back-and-forth scoring from both teams. East Central struck early behind freshman forward&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263951' first='Lilly' last='Maple']</strong>, who finished with&nbsp;<strong>16 points</strong>, most of which came in the first half. Despite their youth, East Central has several players with varsity experience, and they showed they were more than capable of rising to the level of competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As Hammond Central's star began heating up, East Central shifted into a <strong>Box-and-1</strong> defense on <strong>Indiana Hutchinson</strong> in an attempt to slow her down. Even with the added pressure, Hammond Central's top scorer proved why she is one of the state's best guards. Hutchinson consistently found ways to beat East Central's full-court pressure, navigate the Box-and-1, and score off the bounce. She read the defense well, attacked gaps, and got to the basket almost at will, showing the poise and versatility expected from a Division I commit. Hammond Central may have graduated a significant portion of last year's roster, but with Hutchinson returning for her senior season, they still have one of the most dynamic scorers in Indiana leading the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["567131"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6926065335deb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The&nbsp;<strong>Northern Illinois commit</strong>&nbsp;did not disappoint when she came to Indianapolis. She put on a show against one of the best and youngest teams from Southern Indiana, proving why she's one of the top guards in her class. A smooth lefty with a clean jump shot and a quick first step, she was able to get to the rim consistently and score at all three levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She led her team in nearly every statistical category, which naturally puts pressure on her shoulders—but she handled that pressure with poise. She's used to being defended with the type of intensity that East Central brought, and she responded with confidence and maturity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Northwest Indiana has several high-level&nbsp;<strong>2026 players</strong>, and she continues to make a strong case as one of the&nbsp;<strong>best in the region</strong>&nbsp;and a rising standout across the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["999426"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6926065335e4e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999426' first='Natalie' last='Stenger'] </strong>is continuing to emerge as one of the top young players in Southern Indiana, and she is quickly becoming her own player at East Central. Currently ranked 3rd at her position, she returns this season as EC's top scorer and has clearly elevated her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The first time I saw Natalie was at a showcase, where she immediately stood out with her leadership and confidence on the floor as a freshman. Watching her again this past weekend was a reminder of how much she has grown—now a sophomore, she has become the steady offensive presence for her team and continues to lead them in scoring. Her development, maturity, and impact make her one of the most promising young talents in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->