Indiana vs. Ohio: Hoosier Starters

In the spirit of fun and entertainment, one of our content directors at the Prep Network headquarters in Minneapolis had the idea of creating "paper" rivalries with neighboring states. Knowing that Indiana plays Kentucky in the annual IBCA/IndyStar All-Star series each June, it was proposed to Jim Dabbelt (Senior Editor, Prep Girls Hoops Ohio) and I to create a series of articles this week highlighting what would happen if Indiana and Ohio were to get together in a border war rivalry game. The biggest difference between our traditional Indiana/Kentucky rivalry and this one with Ohio is that we can incorporate anyone from any of the four graduating classes currently in high school. With that said, Jim and I agreed to picking 15 kids from across each of our states.   Once again, this is meant to be a fun article and not a debate as to who did or didn't make it, but rather why those who were chosen do fit well on a team of this type. We are also fielding a TEAM to play against another TEAM, so if the best 15 prospects in Indiana were, say, all 5-foot-5, it would make no sense competitively to field those 15 prospects when Ohio will definitely come with some size. There were some easy choices for me, and there were some tough ones as well, especially toward the end. All in all, I think this group as a team gives the Hoosiers the best chance to compete with the Buckeyes in this rivalry matchup. Below is a look at the five ladies I chose to be "starters". Wednesday's article will have five subs, Thursday's article will include five additional subs, and Friday's article will look at the potential outcome of the game if this, that, and the other happens...or if it doesn't. Let's get it, Indiana!   .    At one guard spot, Indiana comes out with the table setter in K.K. Holman. She is fast, quick, and explosive, she has a great deal of experience playing around other talented players and finding them for easy scores. She even averaged 7.3 assists per game as a Sophomore, so she has that in her toolbox. This year, she has been needed to score for the Royals to win, so she is averaging 18.1 points per game. And if that isn't enough punch, she can be an elite on-ball defender, utilizing her speed & quickness, along with her length, and she can affect passing lanes as well. She is committed to Florida.     At the other guard spot is [player_tooltip player_id='492319' first='Myah' last='Epps']. She is another talented backcourt player who can fit in just about any system or style of play because of her versatility. She is great out in transition and can get downhill quickly to create and/or score the ball. She has improved her jumper each season and is a real threat from beyond the arc. She can also play a traditional point guard role, find open teammates, and lead them to easy scores. Defensively, she has some height at 5-10, nice length, and she has greatly improved her strength and absorbs contact well. She is such a nice, all-around guard. She is committed to Louisville.     Our "youngster" of the starting lineup is wing [player_tooltip player_id='751095' first='Lillie' last='Graves']. Lillie's growth throughout her career has taken several turns, but through it all, it has made her a better, more well-rounded player. This season, she is handling the ball a lot more for her high school team, trying to find open teammates. She is a high-level slasher who can get to the basket and finish in a variety of ways. She has also consistently improved her perimeter shooting and can keep defenses honest. At the other end of the floor, Lillie can be an elite defender, she plays with versatility, and she does a nice job both on and off the ball.     Lola was probably the easiest pick of all for the team. She is the state's Team USA representative, and she has international experience touring with them. She is strong, athletic, and can play just about anywhere on the floor. If you think she plays this position or that position, you haven't seen her enough, because she can play anywhere. She has tremendous vision in transition and can make pinpoint passes as a point forward. She also has an array of post moves and can dominate smaller defenders on the block. She is Indiana's highest ranked player nationally, and she backs it up each night. She is committed to LSU.     Adding to a talented group of four above, I went with height over position, so instead of a true post in the starting group, I love what Brooklynn brings to the court from a skill and versatility standpoint. She is incredibly long, fluidly athletic, and bouncy. She could likely have played high-level volleyball if she wanted as well. On the hardwood, she can score it in the paint, she's great in the mid-post facing the basket where she can attack or shoot, but she also has a bit of a perimeter game and has really improved her outside shooting. Defensively, her length and mobility bothers EVERYONE. She is committed to Kansas.

In the spirit of fun and entertainment, one of our content directors at the Prep Network headquarters in Minneapolis had the idea of creating "paper" rivalries with neighboring states. Knowing that Indiana plays Kentucky in the annual IBCA/IndyStar All-Star series each June, it was proposed to Jim Dabbelt (Senior Editor, Prep Girls Hoops Ohio) and I to create a series of articles this week highlighting what would happen if Indiana and Ohio were to get together in a border war rivalry game. The biggest difference between our traditional Indiana/Kentucky rivalry and this one with Ohio is that we can incorporate anyone from any of the four graduating classes currently in high school. With that said, Jim and I agreed to picking 15 kids from across each of our states.