IBCA Team Showcase: Day-1 Notebook
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The featured image is of Mollie Ernstes Mollie Ernstes 5'11" | SG Jennings County | 2026 State IN (2026) of Jennings County High School. Yesterday, the IBCA/IHSAA “Scholastic Live Period” Charlie Hughes Memorial team showcase got underway, with most of…
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Continue ReadingThe featured image is of Mollie Ernstes Mollie Ernstes 5'11" | SG Jennings County | 2026 State IN (2026) of Jennings County High School.
Yesterday, the IBCA/IHSAA “Scholastic Live Period” Charlie Hughes Memorial team showcase got underway, with most of the 93 teams in action at Mt. Vernon High School (Fortville, IN), Mt. Vernon Middle School, and Hamilton Southeastern High School (a few teams will only play today…Saturday). There were some outstanding individual performances, team performances, and a few matchups I think fans would love to see next February in the state tournament. Below is a quick look at a handful of thoughts after watching yesterday’s action.
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The Bulldogs Do Some Bulldozing
Brownsburg was the talk of the morning at Mt. Vernon Middle School, as they had two impressive wins and showed they could cause problems from many different aspects. Yes, 6-6 post
Avery Gordon
Avery
Gordon
6'6" | C
Brownsburg | 2025
State
IN
(2025) was dominant, as she often can be. On the block, the Purdue University commit made it as simple as catch, turn, and score most of the time, likely putting up around 30 points in each contest. She works hard and runs the floor hard at her size, plus she has good hands, keeps the ball high, and has great touch from different angles. And as good as Gordon was, there were spurts in each game where wing
Elle McCulloch
Elle
McCulloch
5'11" | SF
Brownsburg | 2026
State
IN
(2026) stole the show. At 5-11, she has great length, a fluid athleticism, but she also shot the ball very well from the perimeter and just inside the arc. She also handled it against pressure solidly, and she was able to create a number of steals/deflections with her length. Additionally, forward
Sammy Clark
Sammy
Clark
6'0" | PF
Brownsburg | 2026
State
IN
(2026) was very good and will find herself among the new additions this coming week when we update our 2026 rankings. At 6-feet tall, she is long, wiry-strong, and very active in the mid-post and around the basket. She can certainly offer a nice high-low option to pair with Gordon in some double-post actions, plus she wasn’t uncomfortable around the perimeter and finding open teammates. 5-9 wing
Delaney Steers
Delaney
Steers
5'9" | SF
Brownsburg | 2025
IN
(2025) handled the ball quite a bit and showed nice athleticism, while 5-10 forward
Morgan Montgomery
Morgan
Montgomery
5'10" | PF
Brownsburg | 2025
State
IN
(2025) flashed double-double potential as either a power forward or a small forward. Really the only thing missing for the Bulldogs is a traditional point guard, but Brownsburg has nice size, good all-around athleticism, and tremendous length.
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The Red Devils Look to Improve in 2024-2025
The Pike Red Devils had several talented teams and players in the first two decades of the century, but they haven’t posted a winning record since the 2017-2018 season. Yesterday, they showcased a plethora of young talent and could be a headache for Marion County opponents if they can continue to adapt to the Varsity game and work together like they did on Friday. Guard
Saniya Smith
Saniya
Smith
5'5" | CG
Pike | 2027
State
IN
(2027) is an absolute playmaker, whether she is facilitating, breaking down defenders off the dribble and attacking the basket, or knocking down shots from the perimeter. Spring addition
Alonna Divine
Alonna
Divine
5'8" | CG
Pike | 2026
State
IN
(2026), a transfer from Ben Davis, adds another credible threat on the perimeter, scoring the ball from different areas on the floor, and creating opportunities for others. But the Red Devils also boast an impressive young frontline group who could put themselves “on the map” this Winter. 6-0 forwards
Komari Booker
Komari
Booker
6'0" | PF
Pike | 2026
State
IN
(2026),
Marley Jeffers
Marley
Jeffers
5'11" | PF
Pike | 2026
State
IN
(2026), and
Elyssa Nichols
Elyssa
Nichols
6'0" | PF
Pike | 2027
IN
(2027) bring athleticism, length, and really nice defense/rebounding around the basket, while 5-11 post
Samone Rutland
Samone
Rutland
5'11" | C
Pike | 2025
IN
(2025) can use her strength and power at the rim to score inside. Booker showed improved play in transition, pushing the ball up the floor on several occasions. Also keep an eye on 5-7 shooter
Jazlyn Miller
Jazlyn
Miller
5'7" | SG
Pike | 2027
State
IN
(2027) and 5-4 playmaker
Jayla Miller
Jayla
Miller
5'4" | PG
Pike | 2027
IN
(2027). Jazlyn has put together a strong Spring and gives them a true weapon on offense, while Jayla is incredibly quick & feisty, and she can act as a one-person press at times.
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Midday Matchups Stand Out
The Hamilton Southeastern site also hosted some impressive matchups in the middle of the afternoon, starting with host Hamilton Southeastern versus Homestead at 3:15, followed by South Bend Washington versus Lawrence North at 4:30. The “usual suspects” stepped up in each game, making for two entertaining outings. 6-3 wing
Maya Makalusky
Maya
Makalusky
6'3" | SF
Hamilton Southeastern | 2025
State
IN
(2025) makes scoring look easy at times, and while she has always been a talented perimeter shooter, she continues to develop as a strong and aggressive finisher at the basket. The Indiana University commit was at the free throw line repeatedly. I also felt like 6-0 forward
Kayla Stidham
Kayla
Stidham
6'0" | SF
Hamilton Southeastern | 2026
State
IN
(2026) and 5-5 guard
Antonette Green
Antonette
Green
5'5" | PG
Hamilton Southeastern | 2026
IN
(2026) gave the Royals good minutes when I was able to see them. Stidham is a nice, physical forward with good touch from the arc, while Green is a strong little guard with speed, quickness, and the ability to make plays at either end of the floor. Homestead’s 2026 class is incredibly deep, and they will lean on it often this coming season. 5-10 guard
Myah Epps
Myah
Epps
5'10" | PG
Homestead | 2026
State
IN
(2026) and 5-11 forward
Gabby Helsom
Gabby
Helsom
5'11" | SF
Homestead | 2026
State
IN
(2026) are two of their biggest players, but they are also two of their most dangerous perimeter threats. Epps does such a nice job of letting the game come to her, while also mixing in a solid jump-shot and a unique ability to “slither” inside and finish athletically around the basket. Helsom shot it extremely well at the Top-100 event on Thursday and continued that touch in Friday’s action. If she has any rhythm at all, it’s going in. Incoming Freshman Delany Noll (2028) came into the game and immediately got hot from the perimeter, plus she showed impressive poise and comfort for a rookie.
South Bend Washington will lean heavily on the 2025 trio of Kira Reynolds Kira Reynolds 6'4" | PF South Bend Washington | 2025 State IN , Monique Mitchell Monique Mitchell 5'11" | SF South Bend Washington | 2025 State IN , and Ryiah Wilson Ryiah Wilson 5'8" | CG South Bend Washington | 2025 State IN . The 6-4 Reynolds, a Purdue University commit, can take over a game when she wants, and she made it look very easy at times. She can handle it in transition, even use a ball screen effectively in the half-court, and she has a solid jump-shot. Mitchell is incredibly active and athletic, and she can get to the rim to score, and through contact, she can bury 3-pointers, plus she’s equally effective defensively on the ball or attacking the glass. And Wilson might be the best on-ball defender in the state. She is incredibly quick-footed, stronger than she looks, and has an explosive start-stop ability. I felt like the Panthers also received nice minutes from Kyra Lowe Kyra Lowe 5'7" | SG South Bend Washington | 2027 State IN (2027). The 5-7 guard handled it against pressure, plus she created offense for herself and others. The Wildcats of Lawrence North were missing point guard Kya Hurt Kya Hurt 5'7" | PG Lawrence North | 2025 State IN (2025), and she certainly could have helped in this game. But 5-9 scorer Keadriah Butler Keadriah Butler 5'9" | SG Lawrence North | 2026 State IN (2026) was aggressive to the rim and got there often, while 5-4 guard Ka’Nyriah Ridley Ka’Nyriah Ridley 5'4" | CG Lawrence North | 2026 IN (2026) was incredibly active and uses her strong, compact frame well. 6-1 post Jamaya Thomas Jamaya Thomas 6'1" | C Lawrence North | 2025 State IN (2025) was strong and physical around the rim, and the recent Northern Kentucky University commit is a unique prospect in this class. Plus, 5-11 forward Naja Winston Naja Winston 5'11" | PF Lawrence North | 2026 State IN (2026) had a great day Thursday at the Top-100 showcase, and she carried that play into yesterday’s action. She is a nice, strong athlete with playmaking ability in transition. I also like her ability to defend multiple positions and rebound outside of her area.
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Final Thoughts from Friday:
– The addition of Gracyn Gilliard Gracyn Gilliard 5'10" | SG Center Grove | 2026 State IN (2026) to the Center Grove lineup helps them contend once again, following the graduation of a nice 2024 class. Gilliard has posted huge numbers at Munster High School the last two years, and she brings instant offense, athleticism, and size to the perimeter for the Trojans.
– Northridge will continue to be a problem for opponents in Northern Indiana, and aside from a bigger post player, they have all the pieces to be a Top-10 team in Class 4A. 5-5 point guard Rielyn Goodwin Rielyn Goodwin 5'5" | PG Northridge | 2025 State IN (2025) is a true playmaker for the Lady Raiders and should draw a ton of elite small college interest.
– After missing the Top-100 showcase on Thursday, wing Lillian Barnes Lillian Barnes 5'11" | SF Valparaiso | 2026 State IN (2026) was back in action Friday. She has missed significant time this Spring dealing with a knee issue, but she looked strong when I saw her against Brownsburg, picking up right where she left off. She is one of the state’s most skilled kids.
– Bloomington South’s Julia Lashley Julia Lashley 5'11" | SF Bloomington South | 2026 State IN (2026) has really grown on me this Spring. The long, wiry, 5-11 wing is very skilled with the ball in her hands, and she has great vision to find open teammates. But she was equally good shooting the ball Friday, especially in the mid-range game. Don’t sleep on her!
– Northrop will pose a threat to Homestead in Northeast Indiana. The Bruins will use length, athleticism, plus the transfer of Bishop Luers 6-1 post Miley Wareing Miley Wareing 6'1" | C Fort Wayne Northrop | 2026 State IN (2026). Miley was great yesterday, and the combination of her, 5-10 wing Swynn Jackson Swynn Jackson 5'10" | SG Fort Wayne Northrop | 2026 State IN (2026), and 5-10 forward Khala Williams-Thomas Khala Williams-Thomas 5'10" | SF Fort Wayne Northrop | 2026 State IN (2026) are a handful.
– 5-11 guard Mollie Ernstes Mollie Ernstes 5'11" | SG Jennings County | 2026 State IN (2026) recently moved into the class’s Top-10, and she won’t be leaving anytime soon. She is a talented perimeter shooter and has showcased that all Spring, but in her early evening matchup yesterday, she hit tough shots from different areas, and she made plays off the bounce.
The featured image is of Mollie Ernstes Mollie Ernstes 5'11" | SG Jennings County | 2026 State IN (2026) of Jennings County High School.
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