Indiana vs. Ohio: The Next 5 Hoosiers

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of Butler University commit [player_tooltip player_id='486521' first='Laniah' last='Wills'] (2026) from Lapel High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the spirit of fun and entertainment, one of our content directors at the Prep Network headquarters in Minneapolis had the idea of creating "paper" rivalries with neighboring states. Knowing that Indiana plays Kentucky in the annual IBCA/IndyStar All-Star series each June, it was proposed to Jim Dabbelt (<em>Senior Editor, Prep Girls Hoops Ohio</em>) and I to create a series of articles this week highlighting what would happen if Indiana and Ohio were to get together in a border war rivalry game. The biggest difference between our traditional Indiana/Kentucky rivalry and this one with Ohio is that we can incorporate anyone from any of the four graduating classes currently in high school. With that said, Jim and I agreed to picking 15 kids from across each of our states.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Once again, this is meant to be a fun article and not a debate as to who did or didn't make it, but rather why those who were chosen do fit well on a team of this type. We are also fielding a TEAM to play against another TEAM, so if the best 15 prospects in Indiana were, say, all 5-foot-5, it would make no sense competitively to field those 15 prospects when Ohio will definitely come with some size. There were some easy choices for me, and there were some tough ones as well, especially toward the end. All in all, I think this group as a team gives the Hoosiers the best chance to compete with the Buckeyes in this rivalry matchup. Below is a look at the "next" five ladies I chose to begin building depth on this roster. Thursday's article will have the final five "subs", and Friday's article will look at the potential outcome of the game if this, that, and the other happens...or if it doesn't. Let's get it, Indiana!</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":["567134"],"_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-6982b91c76e91"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Joslyn has had one of the most impressive 2025-2026 seasons of anyone in the state of Indiana. She has always been a high IQ, effortful, long, and athletic guard who could do a little of everything. But this season, she is doing A LOT of everything. She is averaging 24.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.5 steals per game (<em>those first three categories are all career highs</em>). Additionally, she has been outstanding from beyond the arc, shooting a blistering 53% (<em>61-115</em>) from 3-point range!! On a team like this, shooting is necessary, and with the talent around her, she won't be hawked like in high school. Joslyn is committed to Butler University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["419439"],"_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-6982b91c76f05"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Speaking of high IQ, instinctual players, is there anyone better in the state than Lillian?? Her feel for the game, her ability to adjust to adverse situations, and her willingness to adjust to what the defense gives her and utilize her entire arsenal to be productive is most impressive. She can handle the ball, run offense, and she's a great passer. At the same time, she can make shots outside, plus she's a nice downhill driver. She is crafty, always aware, and really just wants to do whatever it takes to help her team(s) win. The Ball State University commit is averaging 21.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 5.0 steals per game, while shooting 48% from the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["879936"],"_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-6982b91c76f63"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Janaya is the top Sophomore prospect in the state at this time, and she is the youngest member of this Team Indiana based on graduating class. She is extremely athletic, strong for her age, and she is rapidly developing her perimeter skillset. Where she helps this unit is with her athleticism and ability to make plays other girls just can't. She brings energy, toughness, and grit, and she can be an elite defender when she plays with urgency at that end of the floor. She holds several mid to high-major Division I offers, including one from Notre Dame, and she is leading Snider at 19.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["486521"],"_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-6982b91c76fb1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Laniah has been a monster at the high school level ever since her Freshman year. She is extremely long, wiry-strong, and very athletic. She is a relentless rebounder, and that's where I feel like she can really help this team. She is someone who can go get a board, and she can keep possessions alive at the offensive end because of it. She has amassed more than 1300 rebounds and nearly 2300 points throughout her career, and those numbers don't lie. For her career, she has averaged 21.6 points and 12.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 57% from the field. Laniah is committed to Butler University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["750718"],"_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-6982b91c76ff9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rounding out this group of five is [player_tooltip player_id='750718' first='Adah' last='Hupfer']. She brings good size and strength to the lineup, and she can operate as a traditional post, as she has great hands, a soft touch, and she can play with the physicality to bury a defender on the block. She can also step outside and play almost like a European "big", knocking down rhythm 3-pointers, hitting cutters with passes on time and on target, plus she can even put it on the floor a couple of dribbles and get somewhere productively. Adah is averaging 20.4 points and 13.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 40% (<em>22-55</em>) from 3-point range. She holds several Division I offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->