Under the Radar from Marion to Munciana to Richmond

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 focus on 6 prospects (3 in 2027, 2 in 2028, and 1 in 2029) who are either listed on the watch list, or not at all included in the rankings at the release of this article. All 6 of these prospects come from schools in East Central Indiana, but more specifically, from the counties of Grant, Madison, Blackford, Delaware, Jay, Randolph, Henry, Wayne, Rush, Fayette, and Union.   .    I first saw Alexis as a Sophomore, and she definitely has a tremendous amount of small college upside. She has good size and strength, she plays with a nice motor and rim-runs with effort, plus she has solid hands and footwork for a post around the basket. She has a really nice half-hook over either shoulder, plus she looks comfortable shooting it at 15-feet. But what was most impressive to me was her combination of touch and physicality. She isn't afraid of sticking her nose in there and being the "bully" at times. That's why she's also a capable defender/rebounder.     Olivia is one of the most under-appreciated point guard prospects in Indiana's 2027 class. She is a nice all-around athlete, she possesses good length, and she has always had a natural feel for the game. I can remember seeing her back between her 8th Grade and Freshman year when she was all of 5-2 at the time. She plays hard, she's physical and aggressive on the perimeter, and she is a pass-first point guard who can score it a little. She's one of those kids who, if she spent maybe a year or two playing at a Junior College against better talent, she has full-scholarship potential for an NAIA/D2 situation.     Aubree is somewhere in the middle of a line of sisters who have gone through the Pendleton Heights program. She doesn't always get the publicity of her other siblings, however, last year as a Junior she averaged 7.9 points and 3.4 rebounds for a very good Arabian team. When I've seen her in the past, she is a very good jump-shooter who is hiding on the wings looking for rhythm shots. She is willing to be physical, she plays hard, and she is tough-nosed. I also like the fact she will go inside and rebound her position, plus she can defend some undersized forwards.     Serenity is a talented point guard prospect who has always stood out. I believe I first saw her playing school ball in about 7th Grade. She has had this smoothness about her game where it looks like she's just gliding around the floor. She can handle it, she has good vision, and she understands how to break down a defender to put pressure on the defense and find open teammates. Defensively, she can also be a problem when she plays with urgency at that end of the floor. She is good on the ball or coming over from the "help" side. She will definitely help the Bearcats this year.     Known as "Abe", she is another of the highly under-appreciated guards this state possesses...when you have a plethora of players at one or two positions, it's easy to get "lost". Anyway, Abe is a fairly strong, fairly athletic combo guard who does a little of everything well. She is a nice all-around physical talent, she plays with a motor, and she can absorb contact (or dish it out). She is good at getting downhill and finding teammates or finishing it herself. She also has some touch around the perimeter. Defensively, she gives effort and is gritty, plus she will rebound her position.     I was unfamiliar with Nola entering the 2025-2026 season, but she really stepped up for the Lady Raiders and gave them a primary scoring option, leading the team with a 12.5 point per game average. In addition, she showed off her versatility, as she averaged 6.4 rebounds per game, good enough for second on the team. Also, Nola led the Raiders with averages of 4.3 assists and 3.7 steals per game. She has tremendous length, she might still be growing, plus she's a fairly fluid/smooth all-around athlete. I am anxious to see how she grows her game with most of her supporting cast returning.

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 focus on 6 prospects (3 in 2027, 2 in 2028, and 1 in 2029) who are either listed on the watch list, or not at all included in the rankings at the release of this article. All 6 of these prospects come from schools in East Central Indiana, but more specifically, from the counties of Grant, Madison, Blackford, Delaware, Jay, Randolph, Henry, Wayne, Rush, Fayette, and Union.