2025-2026 Class 1A Preseason Awards

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='486522' first='Ava' last='Wheeler'] (2026) from Borden High School.   After spending the past few weeks previewing each of the 16 Sectionals in Class 1A, I wanted to take a look at who I think could be the better individuals in Indiana throughout the 2025-2026 season. Using examples from college preview magazines, below I've assembled a variety of preseason awards, preseason all-state teams, plus a preseason honorable mention section. I've given last year's performances and statistics some consideration, but the players below are listed based specifically on how I think they will perform this season. (All statistics below are from the 2024-2025 season, unless otherwise noted.)   .   TOP CLASS 1A AWARDS   These preseason awards are an attempt at honoring girls who I think could stand out in Class 1A. Typically, there are multiple candidates for each award, and every award can be easily debated, but I chose the individuals below based on who I thought filled each description best. Each award is determined through different criteria, as some awards are based primarily on opinion, while others are decided with a heavy influence from statistical merit.   Most Outstanding Player: [player_tooltip player_id='486528' first='Laniah' last='Davis'], 2026, 5-8 G, Marquette Catholic H.S. - The meaning of most outstanding player to me points to the best all-around basketball player, regardless of team quality, depth, etc. Laniah has been a monster for Marquette since her Freshman year. She is strong, athletic, hard-working, and tough-nosed. She loves to attack the basket and has always been able to absorb contact going to the rim. At the same time, she has worked on her mid-range pull-up jumper over the years, and her 3-point shot from the perimeter has steadily improved each season. In a pinch, she can slide over and be a more natural point guard/distributor, but you want her in the lineup as a scorer first, for sure. Defensively, her talent and strength allow her to be a lockdown on-ball defender at times, and she has a good eye for steals when she's a pass or two away. She has helped Marquette to a 61-19 record through her first three years.   Most Valuable Player: [player_tooltip player_id='486527' first='Carly' last='Davison'], 2026, 5-5 G, Clinton Central H.S. - As opposed to the most outstanding player award, to me at least, the most valuable player award leans more towards the idea of if you removed this player from their team, how would their team continue to perform. This season, I feel like Carly defines that role as well as anyone in Class 1A. She has had quite the transformation throughout her career, and she has honestly adapted to whatever the team/program has needed. As a Freshman & Sophomore, she was the truest of point guards, running offense, creating for teammates first, while still scoring 11.2 points and 12.3 points per game in 2022-23 and 2023-24, respectively. The Bulldogs were 41-9 over those two seasons. Then last year, as a Junior, she was needed to score due to 2024 graduation losses, and she tossed in 19.6 points per game, helping them to a 17-6 record. She does it all for the Bulldogs.   Most Outstanding Newcomer: [player_tooltip player_id='1147726' first='Avery' last='Elijah'], 2029, 5-10 W, Kouts 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, and it's the second year in a row Northwest Indiana has had an impressive Freshman like this in Class 1A. I feel like Avery's name has been tossed around quite a bit as a middle-schooler, so it was just a matter of time before she arrived at the high school level. She has good strength at her age, she's a solid all-around athlete, and she is a skilled wing who can handle it a little and run/create offense. She can attack the basket and finish through contact for scores, and she can knock down an outside jumper with consistency as well. Kouts has a solid nucleus of 2027 prospects, including some size and a point guard in that class, so Avery could come in this year and be a top scorer with less pressure plus room to grow and adapt.   .   ADDITIONAL CLASS 1A AWARDS   Toughest Player: [player_tooltip player_id='486527' first='Carly' last='Davison'], 2026, 5-5 G, Clinton Central H.S. Best Motor: [player_tooltip player_id='751063' first='Grace' last='Scharlach'], 2027, 5-5 G, Fremont H.S. Best Shooter: Sydney Mellon, 2026, 5-6 G, West Central H.S. Best Scorer: [player_tooltip player_id='486528' first='Laniah' last='Davis'], 2026, 5-8 G, Marquette Catholic H.S. Best Passer: [player_tooltip player_id='486527' first='Carly' last='Davison'], 2026, 5-5 G, Clinton Central H.S. Best Rebounder: [player_tooltip player_id='1219771' first='Sarah' last='Thompson'], 2026, 5-9 F, Oregon-Davis H.S. Best Shot-Blocker: Kenzie Nowicki, 2026, 6-0 F/C, Riverton Parke H.S. Best On-Ball Defender: Ariaunna Hall, 2026, 5-7 G, Tindley Accelerated H.S. Best Athlete: [player_tooltip player_id='486522' first='Ava' last='Wheeler'], 2026, 5-11 W/F, Borden H.S. Most Versatile: [player_tooltip player_id='999408' first='Hillary' last='Labis'], 2028, 5-10 G, Westville H.S. Biggest Mismatch: [player_tooltip player_id='622340' first='Alaina' last='Diamond'], 2027, 6-3 F, Loogootee H.S.   .   CLASS 1A ALL-STATE TEAMS   Like the awards above, this is another attempt to honor girls who could stand out in Class 1A during the 2025-2026 season. These teams were selected based on equal parts talent, skill, potential, statistical accomplishments, and team accomplishments. While we can debate who should be where, I do think it's at least easy to understand why each of the players listed below were selected to be honored. Disclaimer: Freshmen were not considered for the Preseason All-State teams, only Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors, however I have highlighted a few Freshmen in the Honorable Mention section. Freshmen will be included in the Postseason Awards in March, once they have had the opportunity to put in a full Varsity season.   Preseason Class 1A Senior All-State Team [player_tooltip player_id='832676' first='Audrey' last='Barron'], 2026, 5-8 W, Shawe Memorial H.S. - 24.3p, 7.8r, 3.9a, 3.8s [player_tooltip player_id='928900' first='Ava' last='Burkle'], 2026, 5-11 F, Rossville H.S., committed to Indiana University-Kokomo - 15.8p, 10.2r, 3.1a, 3.1s, 1.6b [player_tooltip player_id='1131939' first='Jillian' last='Chew'], 2026, 5-7 G, Tri H.S. - 14.5p, 4.3r, 4.8a, 4.8s [player_tooltip player_id='486528' first='Laniah' last='Davis'], 2026, 5-8 G, Marquette Catholic H.S. - 19.4p, 8.3r, 2.9a, 3.4s [player_tooltip player_id='486527' first='Carly' last='Davison'], 2026, 5-5 G, Clinton Central H.S. - 19.6p, 7.2r, 5.5a, 4.2s [player_tooltip player_id='886356' first='Meredith' last='Deaton'], 2026, 5-8 W, West Washington H.S. - 19.1p, 6.9r, 2.5a, 3.5s [player_tooltip player_id='486522' first='Ava' last='Wheeler'], 2026, 5-11 W/F, Borden H.S. - 16.6p, 6.4r, 3.9a, 3.0s   Preseason Class 1A Junior All-State Team [player_tooltip player_id='622340' first='Alaina' last='Diamond'], 2027, 6-3 F, Loogootee H.S. - 16.7p, 9.3r, 1.2a, 1.9s, 1.7b [player_tooltip player_id='1223004' first='Kayden' last='Donaldson'], 2027, 5-11 F, North Miami H.S. - 12.4p, 10.1r, 1.3s, 4.1b [player_tooltip player_id='751062' first='Grace' last='Fischer'], 2027, 5-10 W, Waldron H.S. - 15.3p, 6.7r, 2.1a, 2.4s, 1.1b in 2023-2024 (missed 2024-2025 w/injury) [player_tooltip player_id='899127' first='Gina' last='Grote'], 2027, 5-6 G, Oldenburg Academy - 14.1p, 3.8r, 4.2a, 3.6s [player_tooltip player_id='1109034' first='Khloee' last='Kirk'], 2027, 5-7 G, Eminence H.S. - 17.5p, 7.8r, 2.0a, 3.8s [player_tooltip player_id='751063' first='Grace' last='Scharlach'], 2027, 5-5 G, Fremont H.S. - 14.9p, 4.4r, 2.6a, 2.8s [player_tooltip player_id='751103' first='Marley' last='Warren'], 2027, 5-5 G, Trinity Lutheran H.S. - 15.0p, 5.0r, 2.6a, 2.2s   Preseason Class 1A Sophomore All-State Team [player_tooltip player_id='1144623' first='Rachel' last='Bonde'], 2028, 6-2 F/C, Trinity Lutheran H.S. - 8.7p, 9.0r, 1.3a, 1.0b [player_tooltip player_id='990165' first='Serenity' last='Conyers'], 2028, 5-5 G, Liberty Christian H.S. - 24.5p, 2.6r, 2.1a, 4.1s [player_tooltip player_id='999408' first='Hillary' last='Labis'], 2028, 5-10 G, Westville H.S. - 20.9p, 8.3r, 2.3a, 2.5s, 1.7b [player_tooltip player_id='1203491' first='Lily' last='Maxwell'], 2028, 5-2 G, Elkhart Christian Academy - 12.5p, 3.3r, 1.4a, 3.4s Nora Thomann, 2028, 5-8 W, North Vermillion H.S. - 12.8p, 10.3r, 2.0a, 3.4s [player_tooltip player_id='999430' first='Brooke' last='Thompson'], 2028, 5-11 W, Lafayette Central Catholic H.S. - 9.8p, 3.8r, 1.9a, 1.7s, 1.8b [player_tooltip player_id='1225067' first='Kyla' last='Yordy'], 2028, 5-4 G, Elkhart Christian Academy - 10.5p, 5.0r, 4.3a, 4.2s   Preseason Class 1A High Honorable Mention All-State [player_tooltip player_id='761158' first='Haileigh' last='Allen'], 2026, 5-11 W/F, Randolph Southern H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='567991' first='Callie' last='Alston'], 2026, 5-10 W, Orleans H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='874336' first='Maci' last='Eckerty'], 2026, 5-4 G, Springs Valley H.S., committed to Brescia University [player_tooltip player_id='486552' first='A.J.' last='Mallad'], 2026, 5-6 G, Borden H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='486550' first='Riley' last='Rarick'], 2026, 6-0 G/W, Borden H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='1131990' first='Jillian' last='Salts'], 2026, 5-11 F, Carroll H.S. (Flora) [player_tooltip player_id='730754' first='Casey' last='Schuessler'], 2026, 5-8 G/W, Lafayette Central Catholic H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='486477' first='Hannah' last='Stepp'], 2026, 6-0 F, North Central H.S. (Farmersburg), committed to Indiana University-East [player_tooltip player_id='761188' first='Rachel' last='Suttmann'], 2026, 6-0 F, Oldenburg Academy, committed to Holy Cross College (IN) [player_tooltip player_id='1219771' first='Sarah' last='Thompson'], 2026, 5-9 F, Oregon-Davis H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='743640' first='Hailey' last='Conder'], 2027, 5-4 G, South Central H.S. (Elizabeth) [player_tooltip player_id='890801' first='Madisyn' last='Douglass'], 2027, 5-6 G, Caston H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='756232' first='Lilly' last='Drew'], 2027, 6-1 F, Knightstown H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='875136' first='Cailyn' last='Tunis'], 2027, 5-7 G, North Judson-San Pierre H.S. Aberee Ervin, 2028, 5-6 G, Monroe Central H.S.   .   Preseason Class 1A Honorable Mention All-State [player_tooltip player_id='886428' first='Gracelynn' last='Bartoszek'], 2026, South Central H.S. (Elizabeth) Ava Benson, 2026, Vincennes Rivet H.S. Ellie Bollenbacher, 2026, Argos Community H.S. Brooklyn Campbell, 2026, Washington Township H.S. Ivy Clapsaddle, 2026, Elkhart Christian Academy Logan Creason, 2026, Tri-Central H.S. Nakaya Cridge, 2026, Tri H.S. Bella Cummins, 2026, Northeast Dubois H.S. Shiloh DeBoard, 2026, North Judson-San Pierre H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='1005164' first='Cadence' last='Dunham'], 2026, North Vermillion H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='1131952' first='Kera' last='Dunham'], 2026, North Vermillion H.S. Carrigan Friend, 2026, Rising Sun H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='1256446' first='Addisyn' last='Gothrup'], 2026, Daleville H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='486498' first='Lani' last='Graves'], 2026, Bloomfield H.S. Ariaunna Hall, 2026, Tindley Accelerated H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='1256458' first='Bella' last='Hall'], 2026, Evansville Christian H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='797505' first='Emma' last='Hart'], 2026, Borden H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='1219775' first='Addison' last='Hendrixson'], 2026, Tri-Township H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='1256469' first='Hannah' last='Higgs'], 2026, Evansville Christian H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='599714' first='Addison' last='Jackson'], 2026, Christian Academy of Indiana Josie Knepp, 2026, Barr-Reeve H.S. Gabriella Krause, 2026, Oregon-Davis H.S. Emerson Lindsey, 2026, Waldron H.S. Corinne Loomis, 2026, Riverton Parke H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='832674' first='Samantha' last='Marks'], 2026, South Central H.S. (Union Mills) Mia McKaig, 2026, Pioneer H.S. Taylor Morgan, 2026, Clinton Prairie H.S. Jaiden Moses, 2026, Indiana School for the Deaf [player_tooltip player_id='761180' first='Hunter' last='Mote'], 2026, Shawe Memorial H.S. McKenna Mullen, 2026, Borden H.S. Laney Musall, 2026, North Miami H.S. Kenzie Nowicki, 2026, Riverton Parke H.S. Olivia Parham, 2026, Tri H.S. Jaylen Peelman, 2026, Rising Sun H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='486479' first='Addison' last='Penziol'], 2026, Marquette Catholic H.S. Autumn Reif, 2026, North White H.S. Anna Roberson, 2026, Knightstown H.S. Grace Sailors, 2026, North Miami H.S. Alonah Savage, 2026, Tindley Accelerated H.S. Bailey Schoonover, 2026, Wood Memorial H.S. Sage Stahl, 2026, Dugger Union H.S. Kenna Streeval, 2026, Edinburgh H.S. Kierstin Vargas, 2026, Westville H.S. Abby Wasz, 2026, Morgan Township H.S. Makenna Welsh, 2026, South Central H.S. (Union Mills)   Bella Bacon, 2027, Fountain Central H.S. June Berkenstock, 2027, Hauser H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='1137299' first='Bella' last='Birky'], 2027, Kouts H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='751106' first='Modlene' last='Campbell'], 2027, Daleville H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='1259578' first='Madisyn' last='DeMoss'], 2027, West Central H.S. Allie Elliot, 2027, Rossville H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='1137316' first='Ava' last='Fenters'], 2027, Westville H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='992535' first='Henley' last='Good'], 2027, Fountain Central H.S. Savannah Hall, 2027, Cowan H.S. Johanna Haste, 2027, Faith Christian H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='751091' first='Laney' last='Haupert'], 2027, Northfield H.S. Jayla Keithley, 2027, Morristown H.S. Payton LaFever, 2027, White River Valley H.S. Gracelyn Martin, 2027, Lakewood Park Christian Academy Ellie Nemeth, 2027, Kouts H.S. Kenzy Ogden, 2027, Union H.S. (Modoc) Hali Pershing, 2027, Southwood H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='751101' first='Marissa' last='Pleasant'], 2027, Marquette Catholic H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='751114' first='Olivia' last='Pratcher'], 2027, Daleville H.S. Chelsea Ralph, 2027, Orleans H.S. Taylor Rhienhart, 2027, Clay City H.S. Madison Rogers, 2027, Lutheran H.S. of Indianapolis Molly Settles, 2027, White River Valley H.S. Taylor Somers, 2027, South Decatur H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='1137345' first='Carly' last='Stevens'], 2027, Christian Academy of Indiana [player_tooltip player_id='751110' first='Mya' last='Turner'], 2027, Fremont H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='1137353' first='Elizabeth' last='VanKley'], 2027, Kouts H.S. Heaven Watson, 2027, Liberty Christian H.S. Ellie Mae Winders, 2027, Lighthouse Christian Academy   [player_tooltip player_id='992364' first='Lia' last='Bohn'], 2028, Tri H.S. Luca Bontrager, 2028, Lakewood Park Christian Academy Allison Caplinger, 2028, Faith Christian H.S. Grace Colvin, 2028, Caston H.S. Kaylee Davis, 2028, Southern Wells H.S. Myra Finnity, 2028, Greenwood Christian H.S. Nadia Harris, 2028, Purdue Polytechnic H.S. (Broad Ripple) Kimora Hawkins, 2028, Liberty Christian H.S. Olivia Hawks, 2028, Lakeland Christian H.S. Roxy Heichelbech, 2028, Tecumseh H.S. Amelia Hughes, 2028, Lutheran H.S. of Indianapolis Ella Hunt, 2028, North White H.S. Molly Hunter, 2028, Greenwood Christian H.S. Maddie Iseminger, 2028, Tri-County H.S. Mady Isley, 2028, Carroll H.S. (Flora) [player_tooltip player_id='992343' first='Brynlee' last='Patterson'], 2028, Monroe Central H.S. Dessi Pope, 2028, Blackhawk Christian H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='973276' first='Saylor' last='Schleicher'], 2028, Borden H.S. Emma Webb, 2028, Eminence H.S.   [player_tooltip player_id='1278862' first='Hadley' last='Cooper'], 2029, Henryville H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='1147726' first='Avery' last='Elijah'], 2029, Kouts H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='1311664' first='Rachel' last='Jones'], 2029, Christian Academy of Indiana [player_tooltip player_id='1219778' first='Loyalty' last='Scott'], 2029, Marquette Catholic H.S. [player_tooltip player_id='1219780' first='Allison' last='Zolvinski'], 2029, Marquette Catholic H.S.

The featured image is of Ava Wheeler Ava Wheeler 5'11" | SF Borden | 2026 State IN (2026) from Borden High School.