Back to School Storylines: District-3

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of Harper Scaringe (2030) from Center Grove High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the grassroots season coming to an end, and with kids returning to school, I wanted to take the time to highlight some things that I think will be storylines for the upcoming 2026-2027 high school season. The IHSAA dissects the state into three districts, so in this article I will focus on items, prospects, and teams from District-3 (<em>Southern third of the state</em>).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">What will Center Grove do for an encore?</font></strong><br>If I had to guess, the loss of 2026 graduate and Indiana Miss Basketball <strong>Gracyn Gilliard</strong> would cause most people to assume Center Grove won't be as good as last season. However, I would like to hit the 'pause' button on that thought. Yes, Gilliard's loss will be felt, along with four other graduates. But the Trojans return three starters and add a pair of talented Freshmen. 5-8 Senior sharpshooter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834961' first='MacKenzie' last='Pierce']</strong> (<em>6.7p, 2.0r</em>) is back and should get more shots this time around. She is a nice athlete as well as a sniper. 5-11 Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999436' first='Haley' last='Wagoner']</strong> (<em>8.1p 4.7r</em>) has some length, strength, and athleticism, plus she can play inside-out. She's also a tough-nosed worker. And 5-9 Sophomore point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263967' first='Lillia' last='Tapak']</strong> (<em>6.7p, 3.0r, 2.7a</em>) should have some more freedoms in year-2. She is a long, fluid/smooth lead guard with some touch outside. Additionally, 5-8 Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='990224' first='Kennedy' last='Kemper']</strong> (<em>1.3p in 19 games</em>) and 5-9 Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992338' first='Aubree' last='Waltz']</strong> (<em>0.3p in 12 games</em>) look to carve out much bigger roles. Both had good moments this Spring &amp; Summer in grassroots ball. Those five are a solid nucleus, for sure. But it's the addition of a pair of twins in the Freshman class that has me anxious to see what they can do as a team. 5-5 point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1855734' first='Harper' last='Scaringe']</strong> is a tough-nosed, highly skilled lead guard. She can push-the ball in transition, but she also has the ball on a string, and she understands how to change speeds and find teammates. Harper is also an outstanding shooter with some range. 5-8 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1353435' first='Kinsley' last='Scaringe']</strong> is a talented pure scorer. She is strong for her age, athletic, explosive to the basket, but she also has good touch outside. The two of them could add enough firepower as Freshmen to help Center Grove to another 20+ wins and a deep tourney run. Both already have a long list of Division I interest/offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">With Gibson Southern back in Class 3A, what is their outlook?</font></strong><br>The Titans performed admirably in their two years at the Class 4A level, following their 2024 Class 3A State Title. Last season, they were 17-7, but they were knocked out in their first Sectional game by Evansville Reitz. This year, they return all but three graduates who accounted for a total of 4.6 points per game. Gibson Southern will have a size advantage most nights, and they are good at the right time, with Evansville Central and Washington both graduating significant pieces. The Titans are led by 6-2 Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756247' first='Paige' last='Schnaus']</strong> (<em>20.9p, 9.0r</em>). A core member of the Junior All-Star team, she is strong, physical, and assertive inside, but she's also athletic, skilled, and she has a good understanding of how to play outside. 5-11 Sophomore forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1690475' first='Avery' last='Paridaen']</strong> (<em>9.6p, 5.6r</em>) was a big surprise last season, and I feel like she could average a double-double this year. She is another strong kid with very good speed and vertical athleticism, plus she can shoot it to the arc. 5-10 Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751126' first='Taylor' last='Weyer']</strong> (<em>7.1p, 5.0r, 2.9a</em>) is a long, fluidly athletic wing who can score it a little, but she is also a good defender, and she can play a point forward role, initiate the offense, and create for teammates. Those three alone would be scary enough, but Gibson Southern has five more players who saw action in 15 or more games, plus a trio of Sophomores who played 5 to 10 games throughout their rookie season. Anyway, to answer my initial question, I think the Titans can once again win 20+ games and at least get to the Regional, if not the Semi-State round, behind the play of Schnaus and friends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+2">Who steps up in Classes 1A &amp; 2A in the South?</font></strong><br>With Borden and Eastern (Pekin) both graduating a great deal of their production, I wanted to identify who I think could be the favorite in each class in Southern Indiana this year. In Class 1A, I am going to go with Trinity Lutheran as my favorite to advance to Gainbridge Fieldhouse from the South. They return all but one player from last year, and they have two of the best players in the South in Class 1A. Senior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751103' first='Marley' last='Warren']</strong> (<em>16.2p, 3.9r, 4.4a</em>) is an incredibly dynamic playmaker. She plays with speed, quickness, and some craftiness offensively, she can shoot or drive and create, and she is a feisty defender who flat out competes. 6-2 Junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144623' first='Rachel' last='Bonde']</strong> (<em>11.2p, 9.9r</em>) is a tall, long, wiry-strong athlete. She is a volleyball kid who moves well in most directions, but she is essentially a walking double-double on the basketball court. How many programs in the state have a 6-2 athlete, let alone a Class 1A school? The Cougars have tremendous depth and experience returning as well. 5-6 Senior <strong>Emerson Warren</strong> (<em>5.2p, 2.6r</em>), 5-1 Junior <strong>Marissa Baker</strong> (<em>4.2p</em>), 5-5 Sophomore <strong>Laynie Barnes</strong> (<em>3.4p, 2.2r</em>), and 5-10 Senior <strong>Deanna Rothert</strong> (<em>2.9p, 3.7r</em>) return the most production of the 10 underclassmen who played Varsity last season. As for Class 2A, I think I am going to go with the South Knox Spartans. I know they've had their success recently, including a 2025 State Championship, but following an 18-4 campaign that ended with a 24-point Sectional loss to rival North Knox, the Spartans will be hungry to find their way back to downtown Indianapolis. With their top three scorers from last season returning, and just two of their top nine players graduating, South Knox looks as strong as ever, especially in the backcourt. 5-8 Senior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756236' first='Kendal' last='Hill']</strong> (<em>19.2p, 10.3r, 5.4a, 4.3s</em>) is the engine that makes the thing go. How many point guards do you know who averaged a double-double with rebounds being one of the categories? She is long, athletic, and skilled, whether that's scoring the basketball or finding open teammates. She was a 2026 Indiana Junior All-Star. 5-9 Senior wing <strong>Ellie Burke</strong> (<em>9.5p, 4.2r</em>) is one of their tougher kids. She plays hard, works to grab rebounds and defend, but she can score it a little as well. 5-8 Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1275573' first='Grace' last='Detweiler']</strong> (<em>8.5p, 3.5r, 2.9a</em>) is a long, fluid/smooth guard who has nice touch outside, but she can also slide over and manage a game when needed. Grace can even take some reps at point guard when they want to get Hill open. The addition of 5-5 Sophomore point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1827720' first='Azaria' last='Easley']</strong> (<em>10.5p, 4.1r, 2.0a</em>), a transfer from nearby Vincennes Lincoln, instantly helps the backcourt. Easley is a long, quick playmaker who should definitely help handle and defend the basketball. From there, 5-6 Senior guard <strong>Kalissa Lavely</strong> (<em>7.2p, 2.9r</em>), 5-8 Senior wing <strong>Layla Thomas</strong> (<em>3.0p, 2.5r, 2.5s in 2 games</em>), and 5-9 Junior wing <strong>Brynley Millspaugh</strong> (<em>2.7p, 3.1r</em>) look to round out the core this season. While the Spartans aren't very tall, they play hard and physical, and they will cut on you until you're spinning. They are also happy to have Thomas back following a severe knee injury in November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->