Season Wrap-Up: Class 4A Awards

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='834925' first='Kylah' last='Patterson'] (2027) from Hammond's Oliver P. Morton 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 4A. These postseason awards are an attempt at honoring ladies who stood out in Class 4A 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 4A AWARDS   Most Outstanding Player: [player_tooltip player_id='492321' first='Lola' last='Lampley'], 2026, 6-3 F, Lawrence Central H.S. - The meaning of most outstanding player to me points to the best all-around basketball player, regardless of team quality, depth, etc. At this point, it would be improbable to be an Indiana basketball fan and not know who Lola is. She was the state's lone McDonald's All-American, she has been a multiyear member of Team USA, she is widely regarded as a top national prospect, and she is committed to Louisiana State University. When you see her play with the Lady Bears, she is really, really good, averaging 17.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. But if you took the time to watch her during grassroots play against top national competition, she's on a different level. She has size, strength, and can play with physicality, but she also has the ball skill and vision to play a point forward role. She can also sit down and defend bigger guards & wings or protect the paint.   Most Valuable Player: [player_tooltip player_id='567130' first='Gracyn' last='Gilliard'], 2026, 5-10 G/W, Center Grove 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. I was actually torn between a couple of different players in this spot. However, this season, I feel like Gracyn best fits this category, as evidenced by scoring nearly half (26.2 ppg of CG's 53.3 ppg) of the Lady Trojans' points while leading them to an undefeated 29-0 season, despite being an "underdog" by some during several state tournament games. She is a strong and very athletic wing who can also contribute in other ways, adding 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.4 steals per game to her tally. Gracyn originally began her high school career at Munster before playing her last two years at Center Grove, she is committed to Davidson College of the Atlantic 10.   Most Outstanding Newcomer: [player_tooltip player_id='1166593' first='Jillian' last='Sanderson'], 2029, 5-9 PG, Penn H.S. - Sometimes this award goes to a transfer student, sometimes it goes to an injury returnee, but in this case, it goes to a Freshman. Jillian's family began their move to Northern Indiana from Tennessee during the early portion of the Summer, and she eventually enrolled at Penn High School, immediately giving the Kingsmen an NCAA Division I caliber point guard prospect. Jillian then proceeded to perform game in, and game out, helping the black & gold to a 24-4 record and another Sectional title. For the year, she averaged 14.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.6 steals per game. She also knocked down 47 3-pointers and shot 74% from the free throw line, while posting season highs of 28 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 6 steals. Jillian has already attracted a great deal of college attention, including mid to high-major Division I offers/interest.   .   ADDITIONAL CLASS 4A AWARDS   Toughest Player: [player_tooltip player_id='419439' first='Lillian' last='Barnes'], 2026, 5-10 G/W, Valparaiso H.S., committed to Ball State University Best Motor: [player_tooltip player_id='834925' first='Kylah' last='Patterson'], 2027, 6-0 W/F, Hammond Morton H.S. Best Shooter: [player_tooltip player_id='567134' first='Joslyn' last='Bricker'], 2026, 5-9 G, Warsaw Community H.S., committed to Butler University Best Scorer: [player_tooltip player_id='567130' first='Gracyn' last='Gilliard'], 2026, 5-10 G/W, Center Grove H.S., committed to Davidson College Best Passer: [player_tooltip player_id='1690461' first='Jaliyah' last='Farmer'], 2029, 5-7 G, Evansville Harrison H.S. Best Rebounder: [player_tooltip player_id='834925' first='Kylah' last='Patterson'], 2027, 6-0 W/F, Hammond Morton H.S. Best Shot-Blocker: [player_tooltip player_id='928917' first='Jayonna' last='Flotow'], 2026, 6-1 C, Fort Wayne North Side H.S. Best On-Ball Defender: [player_tooltip player_id='486509' first='Maya' last='Layton'], 2026, 5-8 G, Lafayette Jefferson H.S., committed to Northern Kentucky University Best Athlete: [player_tooltip player_id='879936' first='Janaya' last='Cooper'], 2028, 5-10 G/W, Fort Wayne Snider H.S. Most Versatile: [player_tooltip player_id='751095' first='Lillie' last='Graves'], 2027, 6-1 W, McCutcheon H.S. Biggest Mismatch: [player_tooltip player_id='492321' first='Lola' last='Lampley'], 2026, 6-3 F, Lawrence Central H.S., committed to Louisiana State University

The featured image is of Kylah Patterson Kylah Patterson 6'0" | SF Hammond Morton | 2027 State IN (2027) from Hammond's Oliver P. Morton High School.