Four Players Powering Teams Toward IHSAA State Title

<!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"left"} --> <p class="has-text-align-left">The IHSAA state semis kick off across Indiana this weekend, with some names that will be must-watch. These girls have done what they did all season, and that's been effective, not only in the box score, but they've been the keys to their team getting all the way to this point. The trip to the state is a long one; these players have been consistent and have shown up for their teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1256469"],"_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-6997ba3b96ad3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The senior wing representing Evansville Christian in the 1A IHSAA state tournament, [player_tooltip player_id='1256469' first='Hannah' last='Higgs'], has been the leader of her team thus far, averaging 18 ppg, 3.9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In this state run, Hannah has put up consistent numbers, 16, 5, and 5 in the first game, adding 2 steals and blocks. 22, 3, and 2 with another 5 steals in the second round. The final sectional game was just another one of those nights for her, with another 18-point night to cap off sectionals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With sectionals behind them, Evansville Christian would be ready to take on their regional matchup against White River Valley High School. They'd win 73-32 behind yet another 18-point game from Higgs and an impressive 13 steals!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hannah and the Eagles will play the Borden Braves this weekend in the first semi-state game in Charlestown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["486521"],"_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-6997ba3b96b51"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Butler commit and Indiana Miss Basketball runner-up, Laniyah Wills, represents Lapel High School in the 2026 IHSAA state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Laniah is wrapping up her senior season leading the team, averaging 26 ppg for the second straight year on 60% shooting from the field, 12.6 rebs, and 2.3 steals. Laniah has earned herself a top-15 spot in the state and a top-5 spot in her position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the sectional rounds, we saw Laniah continue to dominate and lead. In the first game, she goes for 22 on 90% shooting, adding 12 rebounds and 2 steals. Next was the matchup against Taylor High School, which ended in a lopsided 74-10 win. Laniah will once again have an impressive night, scoring 28 points, going 10/15, adding 12 rebounds, and recording 4 steals. The third and final sectional game, Laniah recorded her 3rd double double of the tournament— a stat she's ranked top 30 in, with 23 pts, 12 boards, and 2 steals and blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last weekend, the lapel bulldogs were regional champs again after a heartbreaking end to the season last year. We saw them take on the #9 2A-ranked Rensselaer Central bombers. Bulldogs go on to win by 21, 63-42. Laniah ended the game coming up big on the boards on both ends of the floor with 19. Laniah would also end that game, contributing another 20 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As lapel looks to get back to the state championship game, they will meet the #3-ranked school in the 2A division, Bremen High School. This semi-state game will take place this weekend in Frankfort @10 am.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["486508"],"_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-6997c4d6e6eaa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kansas commit, ranked top 10 in both position and state rankings, and over 1600 points in her high school career, representing the Jennings County Panthers, senior g/f [player_tooltip player_id='486508' first='Mollie' last='Ernstes'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mollie's senior season was a big one as she looks to head to Lawrence this summer, averaging 24.2 ppg, 6.5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and steals. Mollie also adds 66 regular-season three-pointers made and 7 30-point games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a first-round bye, Jennings County would face Lawrenceburg High School and defeat them 47-33. Mollie would score 16 points to advance to the sectional final. This would come against the #3 3A school, Greensburg High School. mollie goes on to score 16 again in a game where the Panthers would have full control from start to finish, making Jennings County sectional champs again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers, looking for their first regional win since the 1993 season, would take on the #2 3A school, Silver Creek High School. Another game where the Panthers would get out in front early and control the game, getting up to a 20-point lead at one point, Jennings County was led by a 29-point performance from Mollie, ending a 30-year regional drought.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mollie and the Panthers get to look forward to continuing their state run this weekend at Southport against the #5 team in the 3A division, Washington High School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["834963"],"_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-6997c4d6e6f3c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">ranked top 25 in her class and top 10 in her position, and recently cracked 1000 career points, [player_tooltip player_id='834963' first='Lily' last='Scholl'] is representing the #15 team in the 4A division, Northridge High School, in the 4A IHSAA state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lily continues to improve in her junior season, making a jump in her game and numbers across the board. 3 points up from last year, Lily sits at 18 ppg, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals, adding a block. Lily also sits at #10 in the 4A division in double-doubles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Northridge Raiders started their state run with a sectional win against Concord High School, 71-41. Lily did her thing and controlled the game with a double-double, 31 points,13 boards, 2 steals, and blocks. Lily didn't look to slow down at all in the next game against, putting up 42 points on 70% shooting to secure the sectional championship by 3 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a close game for the regional title, Northridge would take on the #12 Valparaiso Vikings. Coming down to the final seconds, Northridge would escape with a one-point win. Lily finishes the game with another double-double, 19 points and 14 rebounds, also being a presence on the defensive end with 5 blocks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After securing the school's second regional title in school history, Northridge continues its season against McCutcheon High School this weekend in the IHSAA 4A state tournament @11am in Laporte. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->