Central Indiana Standouts (Marion County)

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='1263952' first='Savayah' last='Mitchell'] (2029) from Indianapolis' Pike High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>About once a year I like to go through various areas of the state and highlight players for different reasons. In this specific article, I wanted to create an All-Central Indiana team of the Top 5 prospects from Marion County heading into the 2026-2027 season. Below that list is an Honorable Mention section including one prospect from each high school in Marion County. All of these prospects come from schools in Marion County, but more specifically, most are from Indianapolis.</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":["751115"],"_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-6a8cb2eeade68"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Payton is now one of the best frontline prospects in all of Central Indiana, if not the state. She has always possessed tremendous skill at her size, and her ability to face the basket in the mid-post is a real weapon at 6-foot-3. Not only can she knock down a 15-foot jumper, but she's a nice high-low passer, and she can put it on the floor a couple of dribbles and be productive with it. In addition, her length and all-around athleticism allow her to be a nice shot-alterer at the defensive end of the floor. She has drawn widespread interest from Division I schools to elite small colleges.</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-6a8cb2eeadf0b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Even though she hasn't needed it in a couple of years, everyone knows Elliot as the girl in the mask...kind of like former Piston Richard "Rip" Hamilton. Elliot had a tremendous Junior season, posting incredible numbers across the board, while helping the Royals to a State Finals appearance in Class 3A. She is a strong guard, physical on attack, and she can finish in a variety of ways through contact. She also has really nice touch from outside, and with range. She defends with effort, she always plays with energy at both ends, and she is going to figure out ways to contribute each game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["999405"],"_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-6a8cb2eeadf8b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I always like long, wiry, fluidly athletic prospects, and Riley is certainly that. She has grown a couple of inches since arriving at Heritage Christian, but she has also always maintained her ability to make shots from outside, with range, and with hands in her face. She is really good with a dribble or two, but she has also improved at finding rhythm off the cut and burying shots. She's probably more of a '2' than a '1' right now, but she does have good ball skill and vision, so she can slide over and initiate/run offense, plus she can put it on the floor and glide to the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1263952"],"_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-6a8cb2eeae018"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Savayah is a top talent in Indiana's 2029 class. I don't know that I've said it here before, but I've definitely thought it...Savayah reminds me of another Pike star from almost three decades ago in <strong>Chris Thomas</strong> (<em>Notre Dame</em>). Savayah stepped in and immediately gave a boost to the Pike lineup as a Freshman last year, helping one of the most talented teams in the state. Now, in year-2 for her, she will need to step up even bigger to lead the Red Devils. She'll have scorers and athletes around her, so her vision and ball skill will come in handy. But she can score it herself as well from all three levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1263966"],"_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-6a8cb2eeae0a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jordyn is another talented perimeter player in a really good 2029 class in Indiana. She is strong, she has broad shoulders, but she's also a very balanced athlete. She is physical on attack, she likes to seek contact, and she can finish inside. At the same time, Jordyn has a nice jump-shot from the perimeter. She is just a natural scorer. Defensively, I would say she's best against bigger '2s', wings, and even some undersized '4s'. She will battle, show some attitude (<em>in a good way</em>), and often "out-tough" her opponents. I would expect Jordyn to be the top Wildcat for the next three seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HONORABLE MENTION:</strong><br><em>Arsenal Technical - Janiya Sanders (2027)<br>Beech Grove - [player_tooltip player_id='1843215' first='Harper' last='Moore'] (2027)<br>Believe Circle City - Jazmyn Brown (2028)<br>Ben Davis - [player_tooltip player_id='751120' first='Shania' last='Curry'] (2027)<br>Bishop Chatard - Olivia Maynard (2028)<br>Brebeuf Jesuit - [player_tooltip player_id='751073' first='Jailen' last='Bowling'] (2027)<br>Cardinal Ritter - Lilly Butler (2028)<br>Cathedral - [player_tooltip player_id='926326' first='Caroline' last='Wiggins'] (2028)<br>Central Christian - Amiah McDonald (2029)<br>Christel House Manual - Lylah Reaves (2029)<br>Covenant Christian - Abbey Jankowski (2028)<br>Crispus Attucks - [player_tooltip player_id='999406' first='Zyah' last='Jones'] (2028)<br>Decatur Central - [player_tooltip player_id='1351120' first='Nyla' last='Barnes'] (2027)<br>Franklin Central - [player_tooltip player_id='692561' first='Ashlee' last='Baker'] (2027)<br>GEO Next Generation - Serenity Anderson (2027)<br>George Washington - Jemia Calvert (2029)<br>Heritage Christian - [player_tooltip player_id='991171' first='Kihanna' last='Mellanson'] (2027)<br>Herron - Xaria Bell (2028)<br>Indiana Math &amp; Science - Abrielle Hackett (2028)<br>Indiana School for the Deaf - Ariana Starayev (2028)<br>Indianapolis Lutheran - Tori Smith-Brooks (2028)<br>Irvington Prep - Leslie Gallardo (2028)<br>KIPP Legacy - [player_tooltip player_id='1234528' first='Kiera' last='Jackson'] (2027)<br>Lawrence Central - [player_tooltip player_id='990043' first='LeAnah' last='Hyatt'] (2028)<br>Lawrence North - [player_tooltip player_id='999404' first='Zion' last='Hunt'] (2028)<br>North Central - [player_tooltip player_id='890884' first='McKenzi' last='Rutland'] (2027)<br>Park Tudor - [player_tooltip player_id='990166' first='Aaliyah' last='Wilson'] (2028)<br>Perry Meridian - [player_tooltip player_id='892871' first='Riley' last='Hall'] (2029)<br>Pike - [player_tooltip player_id='751118' first='Saniya' last='Smith'] (2027)<br>Purdue Poly (Broad Ripple) - Nadia Harris (2028)<br>Purdue Poly (Englewood) - [player_tooltip player_id='1137310' first='Te'Asia' last='Briscoe'] (2027)<br>Riverside - Destiney Matthews (2028)<br>Roncalli - [player_tooltip player_id='1869475' first='Carly' last='Feldman'] (2028)<br>Scecina Memorial - Mia Miller (2027)<br>Shortridge - [player_tooltip player_id='824300' first='Jocelyn' last='Eskew'] (2027)<br>Southport - Macy Cloe (2027)<br>Speedway - Addie Haberman-Smith (2027)<br>Tindley Accelerated - [player_tooltip player_id='1827726' first='Shaniya' last='Harden-John'] (2029)<br>Victory College Prep - [player_tooltip player_id='1827715' first='Chasedi' last='Bond'] (2029)<br>Warren Central - [player_tooltip player_id='990952' first='Denaijah' last='Jacobs'] (2028)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->