A Way Too Early Look: 5 Teams To Watch In 2026-2027

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='999408' first='Hillary' last='Labis'] (2028) from Westville High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are about a week away from most high school teams in the state starting their Summer workouts, practices, and/or scrimmages. We also have yet to experience a full Summer of transfers, Freshmen enrollment, and so on, therefore how rosters look today may not be the same as they look in November when the season starts. Even still, I wanted to take a look at five teams around the state who, based on the final ICGSA poll of the 2025-2026 season, did not make the Top 10 in their respective classes. However, I feel like they are teams who we should keep in mind based on their potential to climb into their respective Top 10 at some point during the 2026-2027 based on what we know about them right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">CLASS 4A</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Franklin Central (13-10)</strong><br>- Franklin Central has an extremely deep 2027 class, so they were looking to make a nice run this past year and next year. Unfortunately, they were snakebitten, as 5-6 point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756239' first='Riley' last='Huotari']</strong> (2027) went down with a knee injury at the very beginning of November and only managed 1 game. She is a tough-nosed lead guard, she plays hard, runs the offense, and keeps her team poised. She was also drawing varying college interest, including from a couple of Division I schools. 6-3 post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751115' first='Payton' last='DuVall']</strong> (2027) earned a spot on the Indiana Junior All-Star team because of the combination of her size, skill, and potential. She averaged 12.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 3.1 blocked shots per game, but Huotari makes DuVall even better. 5-9 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='692561' first='Ashlee' last='Baker']</strong> (2027) is a talented multilevel shooter, but she can also initiate the offense at times. She'll be seeking her fourth Varsity letter and has drawn some Division I interest as well. Baker was responsible for 11.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. 5-9 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137311' first='Aniya' last='Doughty']</strong> (2027) is kind of the athlete in the rising Senior class. She handles it and attacks, she can get to her spot, and she plays on-balance and makes a variety of floaters and mid-range pull-ups. Doughty scored 9.1 points per game, while chipping in 2.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists. 5-8 wings <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751048' first='Carly' last='Holmes']</strong> (2027) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751043' first='Briley' last='Layton']</strong> (2027) round out the significant contributors from the rising Senior class. Holmes is a 7.8 point, 3.2 rebound performer for the Flashes, while Layton went for 5.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Layton has been great this Spring as well. 5-8 wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263969' first='Journey' last='Washington']</strong> (2029) will provide some youthfulness, along with explosive athleticism to the lineup. There were times last year when she was their best player on the floor as well. Washington was good for 6.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game as a rookie. Up front, look for 6-1 post <strong>Ella DuVall</strong> (2029) to potentially help her sister after averaging 2.2 points and 2.4 rebounds per game across this season. Also keep an eye out for talented incoming Freshman <strong>Jada Reid</strong> (2030), a 6-4 post who plays with athleticism, length, and a lot of activity. The Flashes have enough talent and skill to win 20+ games and compete for a top spot in Class 4A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Central-Indianapolis (10-13)</strong><br>- When I consider what I've seen out of 2027 Lady Panthers throughout the Spring thus far, and I look at their size and shot-making potential, I can't help but think they are going to be a real problem for opponents next Winter. The frontline is stout, as 5-10 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='890884' first='McKenzi' last='Rutland']</strong> (2027), 6-0 forward/post <strong>Kenleigh Schueller</strong> (2027), and 6-1 post <strong>Nieah Jackson</strong> (2027) form quite the presence in the paint. Rutland is a powerfully strong "bully", who likes to seek contact early each possession, and she has soft hands and can finish in a variety of ways around taller, longer prospects. She has also shot it consistently from the perimeter this Spring. The 6-0 Schueller is a nice athlete who first stood out to me last June, but she has flashed some highlights already this Spring, especially as a defender/rebounder. With a heavy brace on her leg, Jackson looks like she is recovering from a recent injury. Even still, she has been athletic this Spring, she's willing to mix it up inside, and she's another nice defender/rebounder type. Around the perimeter, the Panthers don't lack for talent there either. 5-2 point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751090' first='Laila' last='Scott-Knox']</strong> (2027) is kind of the water-bug. She is quick/fast, feisty defensively, and she is a creator offensively, always looking for open teammates. 5-7 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751040' first='Arianna' last='Harrington']</strong> (2027) is a perimeter shooting threat, a nice athlete, and she is defending much better this Spring as well. 5-10 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756243' first='Macy' last='Loy']</strong> (2027) brings a great deal of versatility and upside. She has good size, athleticism, but she's also a capable shooter, or she can run the offense and find open teammates. 5-10 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992351' first='Halle' last='Daniels']</strong> (2028) is a youngster who has flashed a lot of potential. She is extremely long, fluidly athletic, and she can shoot it from outside or handle it and initiate the offense. 5-6 guard <strong>Da'Nyah King</strong> (2029) saw some action as a rookie, and big things look to be in her future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">CLASS 3A</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Purdue Polytechnic-Englewood (17-5)</strong><br>- Purdue Poly-Englewood was nowhere to be found among the 13 Class 3A teams ranked by the ICGSA at the end of the season. Despite a fine season, they had the daunting task of getting by Cathedral in Sectional #27. This time around, Cathedral leaves for Sectional #26, but State Finalist Roncalli is on hand to assert their dominance. The Techies graduated 4 of their top 8 scorers, however, they return their top 3, all double-figure contributors. 6-0 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137310' first='Te'Asia' last='Briscoe']</strong> (2027) was named the program's first Indiana Junior All-Star this Spring, and her combination of skill, shooting touch, athleticism, and balance are tough to matchup with. When she is locked in, she can be a problem. She averaged 17.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. 5-6 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751079' first='Ja'Nyiah' last='Rogers']</strong> (2027) is a really nice shooter/scorer with some quickness and a feistiness defensively. She also finds some easy scoring opportunities playing alongside Briscoe. Rogers averaged 12.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 3.5 steals per game as a Junior. 5-7 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='915527' first='Amelia' last='Story']</strong> (2027) is another capable scorer, but she has also been used as a primary ball-handler at times, and she plays with a great motor. The tough-nosed redhead put up 10.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.2 steals per game during the 2025-2026 season. From there, things get a little dicey, but 5-5 guard <strong>Madeline Pena-Valdez</strong> (2027) and 5-0 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992222' first='Myracle' last='Williams-Hatchett']</strong> (2027) both have quality Varsity experience and can provide more backcourt stability. Pena-Valdez chalked up 3.8 points per game last year, while Williams-Hatchett added 1.6 points per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">CLASS 2A</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Monrovia (20-6)</strong><br>- The Bulldogs were ranked 15th in the final Class 2A poll this past Winter, but their top 6 scorers were all Sophomores and Juniors, so they are expecting a lot of production back in the lineup next season. Most notable of the bunch is 5-11 wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999443' first='Zoie' last='Walls']</strong> (2028). She is a long, fluidly athletic wing with nice all-around skill and the ability to score it from all three levels. She averaged 20.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 3.6 steals per game in her second season. 5-6 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751061' first='Grace' last='Deaton']</strong> (2027) is a nice running 'mate who provides scoring support from the perimeter. She's a very good shooter outside, but she can also put it on the floor and create a little. Grace will likely find a double-digit average after posting numbers of 9.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game as a Junior. Helping defensively up front is 6-1 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992529' first='Brynlee' last='Hamblin']</strong> (2027), who transferred in at the beginning of the school year from Martinsville. Hamblin averaged 6.2 points and 5.7 rebounds but is their primary interior presence and should set out to be a double-double performer most nights. 5-5 guard <strong>Ava Sims</strong> (2028) and 5-6 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751036' first='Allie' last='Tallent']</strong> (2027) add more ball-handling and poise to the backcourt. They are able to get their teammates into offense, while also knocking down open jumpers when left alone. Sims averaged 6.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, while Tallent was at 6.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists as a Junior. And if that's not enough, 5-7 wing <strong>Camryn Wolfe</strong> (2028) brings toughness, energy, and versatility to the lineup. She averaged 5.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, plus she plays much bigger than she is. This is certainly a team equipped to make a state tourney run, if they work together for that common goal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">CLASS 1A</font></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Westville (17-7)</strong><br>- In the final Class 1A poll of 2025-2026, Westville was nowhere to be found among the 13 ranked teams. They did fall 7 times last season, 4 times to Sectional #49 opponents. They will have something to prove next season, but they are talented and fairly well-balanced for a Class 1A team. The problem last year was that #1 Marquette Catholic, #12 (tied) Morgan Township, and #12 (tied) Kouts were all in Sectional #49 as well. Still, though, Westville is a team to watch. 5-10 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999408' first='Hillary' last='Labis']</strong> (2028) is a Division I prospect and a matchup nightmare at the 1A level. She can create, score, shoot, and defend. As a Sophomore, Labis averaged 25.8 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.4 steals, and 2.0 blocked shots per game. 5-7 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137316' first='Ava' last='Fenters']</strong> (2027) has looked solid all Spring, and she'll return to lead the offense from the point. She is a nice athlete, tough-nosed, and hard-working, plus she was responsible for 8.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.8 steals per game. 5-8 guard/wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='746256' first='Dallas' last='Richey']</strong> (2028) transferred in at the beginning of the school year from LaPorte, and she provided them with another athletic weapon on the perimeter. Richey averaged 7.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. But the biggest gamechanger could be getting a full season out of 6-1 post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='912544' first='Olliana' last='Hardin']</strong> (2027), a midseason transfer from Valparaiso who played in the final 6 games of the season. She contributed 8.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, but a full offseason/preseason with the team should allow her to be a double-double machine as a Senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->