Speaking of kids you want to root for, Riley put together two strong years for Franklin Central, and she was primed for a bigger Junior season. But she injured her knee early in the year, and she is still working her way back. She has always been a selfless passer, registering 270 assists through 53 games already. She is poised at the point, strong with the ball, and feisty defensively. She has never forced shots, but she can shoot it a little outside, she’s a solid free throw shooter, and she can create off the dribble. But she is the ideal lead guard because truly knows how to run a team.

Riley Huotari Riley Huotari 5'6" | PG Franklin Central | 2027 State IN enters June ball as one of the more important returning pieces for Franklin Central after being sidelined with an injury during last season. Her return gives Franklin Central added depth, leadership, and stability in the backcourt, and she has the ability to make a major impact for a program expected to compete for a deep state tournament run.

Huotari brings strong point guard instincts with the ability to control tempo, make smart decisions, and create opportunities for teammates. She understands how to lead an offense and plays with composure under pressure. Even after missing time due to injury, her value to the roster is extremely significant because of her experience, toughness, and ability to organize the floor.

What makes her return especially important is how much balance she can provide Franklin Central on both ends of the court. She competes defensively, communicates well, and helps keep the offense flowing. June will be a major opportunity for Huotari to regain rhythm and confidence while helping Franklin Central continue building chemistry for what could become a serious state title contender next season.

Riley was unfortunately injured at the very beginning of the 2025-2026 high school season and likely won’t play at all during the grassroots season. July would be the earliest she could possibly play, and that would be an extremely short timeline. Over the Summer of 2025, Riley’s interest was really starting to pick up, especially at the NCAA Division I level. She is a tough guard, she plays with poise and patience, she’s a pass-first leader, and she’s a feisty defender. She’s a part of a loaded 2027 class at Franklin Central, and they were just different without her this season.

Riley has been the floor general at Franklin Central since her freshman year, and each season she has elevated her game along with her team’s success. Last year, she helped guide Franklin Central to a sectional championship, showcasing her growth as a true point guard.

She attacks the rim with speed and power, while also having the ability to knock down shots when defenders sag off. On the defensive end, Riley’s quickness allows her to stay in front of opposing guards and disrupt plays. This past summer, her hard work paid off as she earned Division I offers from Purdue Fort Wayne and Detroit Mercy. Entering the upcoming season, Riley is expected to play an even bigger role in leading her team both offensively and defensively.

Riley had a solid Freshman season in a strong conference, averaging more than 25 minutes, 4.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and just 2.2 turnovers per game. More than that, though, as the season wore on, she offered them poise at the lead guard position. She has speed & quickness, she’s tough at her size, and she has several nice leadership qualities. I am anxious to see how much better she is, and she makes the Flashes, during 2024-2025, with that experience under her belt.

Riley is probably the most seasoned player on this list, as she had to step in and handle the ball quite a bit for the Flashes last year. She is a dynamic point guard, she understands how to run offense, she takes care of the basketball, but she can also create, plus she can knock down open shots herself. The combination of Franklin Central having a lot of youthful talent, and her being a Freshman last year, Riley averaged 4.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. I’d expect each of those numbers to rise quite a bit in her second year at the helm.

Riley made an immediate impact for Franklin Central as a rookie, and I’d anticipate her to continue being vital for their success moving forward. She is a true floor general, she handles pressure, gets the ball where it needs to go, plus she has toughness and some leadership skills. She is a capable scorer as well, and she can bury shot after shot from the perimeter when she gets rhythm. But her speed and quickness at the point, her ability to make quick decisions, and her presence as a pesky on-ball defender make her one of the better point guard prospects in 2027.