Season Wrap-Up: Class 1A Awards

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='999408' first='Hillary' last='Labis'] (2028) from Westville High School.   With the 2025-2026 season ending just a couple of weeks ago, and after already announcing the Prep Girls Hoops Indiana version of all-state teams, I wanted to finish off the season with a handful of specific awards in Class 1A. These postseason awards are an attempt at honoring ladies who stood out in Class 1A all Winter. There are going to be multiple candidates for each award who can be debated, but at the end of the day, I chose the individuals below because I felt like they best represented each category. Some awards are based solely on talent and skill, while others take into account statistical merit and team success. This is simply a fun activity for entertainment purposes, and while they can be debated, please appreciate and respect the individuals below for the seasons they have had.   .   TOP CLASS 1A AWARDS   Most Outstanding Player: [player_tooltip player_id='486528' first='Laniah' last='Davis'], 2026, 5-8 G, Marquette Catholic H.S. - The meaning of most outstanding player to me points to the best all-around basketball player, regardless of team quality, depth, etc. Laniah is no stranger to our awards, both preseason and postseason. Throughout her four years, she assembled an incredible collection of statistics for future Blazers to strive to meet. She is a 2100-point scorer, she amassed 758 rebounds as a guard, plus she handed out 255 assists and stole the ball 345 times. She improved her perimeter shooting each season, and she is a talented athlete who is difficult for anyone to defend, regardless of if they are Class 1A or 4A. This year, Laniah averaged 20.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 3.2 steals per game for Marquette Catholic. She has committed to play at NCAA Division I Northern Illinois University, and she should bring that same scoring mentality to the court, though she can also play some point guard, if necessary.   Most Valuable Player: [player_tooltip player_id='999408' first='Hillary' last='Labis'], 2028, 5-11 G, Westville H.S. - As opposed to the most outstanding player award, to me at least, the most valuable player award leans more toward the idea of if you removed this player from their team, how would their team continue to perform. Yet another member of Sectional #49, Davis' (above) graduation could allow room for Hillary and the Blackhawks to take that next step and make a deep run in the 2027 Class 1A State Tournament. Hillary is a dynamic guard who does a lot of everything. She is a multilevel scorer who continues to improve as a shooter. As a driver, she glides to the rim, she absorbs contact, and she finishes in different ways. As a playmaker, she has good vision and can find open teammates consistently. Additionally, she is a versatile defender, and she rebounds her position extremely well, having averaged a double-double this season. She has already drawn quite a bit of Division I interest, but I would assume that will turn into offers this Spring.   Most Outstanding Newcomer: [player_tooltip player_id='1311664' first='Rachel' last='Jones'], 2029, 5-4 G, Christian Academy of Indiana - Sometimes this award goes to a transfer student, sometimes it goes to an injury returnee, but in this case, it goes to a Freshman. Not only did the Lady Warriors improve their record from 2024-2025 to 2025-2026, but they also became much more competitive and significantly narrowed margins against the best teams on their schedule. Rachel was a huge part of that turn-around, as having a capable lead guard who can create for others, play with poise/confidence, make shots at all levels, and defend takes a lot of pressure off of surrounding teammates. Not only did she contribute 18.0 points per game, but just being able to escape pressure and get the ball to the open teammate cannot be overstated. With some solid returnees in the fold for next season, look for Rachel and the Warriors to continue improving, plus look for her to be a 20+ point per game scorer in the years to come.   .   ADDITIONAL CLASS 1A AWARDS   Toughest Player: [player_tooltip player_id='832676' first='Audrey' last='Barron'], 2026, 5-8 W, Shawe Memorial H.S. Best Motor: [player_tooltip player_id='751063' first='Grace' last='Scharlach'], 2027, 5-5 G, Fremont H.S. Best Shooter: [player_tooltip player_id='832676' first='Audrey' last='Barron'], 2026, 5-8 W, Shawe Memorial H.S. Best Scorer: [player_tooltip player_id='999408' first='Hillary' last='Labis'], 2028, 5-11 G, Westville H.S. Best Passer: [player_tooltip player_id='486527' first='Carly' last='Davison'], 2026, 5-5 G, Clinton Central H.S., committed to Culver-Stockton College Best Rebounder: Jaiden Moses, 2026, 5-7 F, Indiana School for the Deaf Best Shot-Blocker: [player_tooltip player_id='1223004' first='Kayden' last='Donaldson'], 2027, 5-11 F, North Miami H.S. Best On-Ball Defender: [player_tooltip player_id='917005' first='Shantel' last='Shockley'], 2026, 5-5 G, Tindley Accelerated H.S. Best Athlete: [player_tooltip player_id='486528' first='Laniah' last='Davis'], 2026, 5-8 G, Marquette Catholic H.S., committed to Northern Illinois University Most Versatile: [player_tooltip player_id='486550' first='Riley' last='Rarick'], 2026, 6-0 G, Borden H.S., committed to the University of the Cumberlands Biggest Mismatch: [player_tooltip player_id='486528' first='Laniah' last='Davis'], 2026, 5-8 G, Marquette Catholic H.S., committed to Northern Illinois University

The featured image is of Hillary Labis Hillary Labis 5'11" | SG Westville | 2028 State IN (2028) from Westville High School.