State Finals: Class 3A/4A Potential Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of Davidson College commit [player_tooltip player_id='567130' first='Gracyn' last='Gilliard'] (2026) from Center Grove High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The IHSAA Indiana girls' basketball state tournament has reached the end of the road. This weekend, just 8 teams remain, seeking 4 state championships. By the end of Saturday's action, those winners will be known. Below is a quick look at six players...a potential standout for each of the 4 teams in Class 3A &amp; 4A, plus a wildcard candidate for each game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1225040"],"_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-69a1810eadf88"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I was in-between choosing Ashley or her twin, Mary, but to me, because Ashley is a perimeter player who will touch the ball more throughout a game, I figure she has the better chance of being impactful. She is a strong-for-her-age wing. She plays with a quiet toughness, and she is skilled. She is a worker who just absorbs contact, gets to the rim, and finishes in odd ways too. Additionally, she can shoot it consistently outside, she can handle and initiate the offense, plus she rebounds her position well, and she's a versatile defender who can take on guards, wings, and forwards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["716615"],"_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-69a1810eae02f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elliot is by far the leading scorer for the Royals, and she will undoubtedly be the focal point for Bellmont. Whether they decide to limit her and force others to step up, or limit others and force her to score 50 will be the question. But two things are certain about Elliot...she isn't afraid of the moment, and a missed shot has never stopped her from taking the next shot. She is a gamer and could be a problem for Bellmont if she's "on". She is strong for her position, tough-nosed, and skilled. She can attack the basket North/South and finish at the basket, plus she has range beyond the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Lydia Stahley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12120","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Roncalli H.S.","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a1810eae12e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>CLASS 3A WILDCARD:</strong> Lydia could be a key to Roncalli's success tomorrow. She has the necessary size, tremendous length, and nice all-around athleticism to cause problems in the paint defensively and effectively limit Bellmont's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1228337' first='Mary' last='Bleke']</strong>. If she is able to do that, it would really affect the Lady Braves' ability to score inside. Additionally, Stahley, a University of Missouri volleyball commit, has the skill and talent to post a double-double, so don't be surprised if she is able to score a dozen points and pull down a dozen rebounds. Stahley had a nice day at the Semi-State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["732354"],"_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-69a1810eae1aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Vanessa was an absolute "steal" for Indiana Wesleyan in recruiting. She picked up multiple Division I offers throughout the Spring &amp; Summer grassroots season in 2025, and she is one of the hardest working players in the state. She is very active, always communicating, not to mention long and athletic in all directions. She has developed her ball skill and perimeter jumper over the years to be a real threat outside, but she's probably an even better defender, whether she's on the ball or deflecting/stealing passes by exploding through passing lanes. Center Grove will undoubtedly focus on limiting her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["567130"],"_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-69a1810eae217"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The head-to-head matchup between Center Grove and Norwell pits two of the best wings in Indiana's 2026 class against each other. Gracyn is a talented athlete; she has four years of not only starting but also starring in her roles at Munster &amp; Center Grove. And for as much as she stands out as an athlete, I think her pure skill and understanding of the game get lost. She sees the floor extremely well, she's an accurate and on-time passer, and she has continued to develop a consistent jump-shot as well. If the Trojans can find her in the middle of Norwell's zone, she could be a problem.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["834961"],"_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-69a1810eae290"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>CLASS 4A WILDCARD:</strong> MacKenzie is the type of player who can cause problems for Norwell's defense. She is a nice athlete with some speed &amp; quickness, she has length, but most importantly, she is an effective shooter who can also put it on the floor. With other capable ball-handlers on the Lady Trojans, if she is able to find space in the deep corners and they can get the ball to her, she could put pressure on Norwell's 1-3-1 with her ability to make shots but also put it on the floor and attack the basket when they get to her quickly enough. Don't be surprised if she makes 5 or 6 3-pointers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->