Despite the tough loss last night, Vanessa is one of the most decorated players in Indiana’s 2026 class from a team achievement standpoint. She has contributed to the Lady Knights’ success in a big way over the past three seasons, and I’d expect her to continue that trend at Indiana Wesleyan next year. Last night, she was keyed in on by Center Grove and still managed to score 22 points. She finished 7-for-8 from the free throw line, she pulled down 7 rebounds, and she handed out 2 assists and collected 2 steals.

Vanessa still might be the state’s most under-the-radar talent, and she is getting ready to take the State Finals floor for the third consecutive year. People in Northeast Indiana definitely know who she is, and she was a “steal” in recruiting for Indiana Wesleyan University. She is a talented athlete, she plays extremely hard, she’s vocal, and she can affect a game by scoring it at all three levels and/or creating turnovers defensively. This season, she has helped the Lady Knights in the way of 23.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 3.3 steals per game, plus she knocked down 75 3-pointers.

Vanessa was an absolute “steal” for Indiana Wesleyan in recruiting. She picked up multiple Division I offers throughout the Spring & Summer grassroots season in 2025, and she is one of the hardest working players in the state. She is very active, always communicating, not to mention long and athletic in all directions. She has developed her ball skill and perimeter jumper over the years to be a real threat outside, but she’s probably an even better defender, whether she’s on the ball or deflecting/stealing passes by exploding through passing lanes. Center Grove will undoubtedly focus on limiting her.

Vanessa has won the hearts of many in Northeast Indiana, and she could earn several votes from that part of the state. As a Sophomore, the Lady Knights were State Runners-Up. Last year, under her leadership, they took the Class 3A trophy home. Saturday night, now in Class 4A, they took out the Homestead Spartans. What’s next from a team standpoint for her? And if you’ve ever taken the time to watch her play, Vanessa never stops moving…she has an outstanding motor. I don’t have stats for her because Norwell’s stats on MaxPreps are incomplete as well, but having looked at the State Finals programs the last 2 years, I know she does plenty of statistical work for the Knights. She still has more time to make a lasting impression on voters.

I’m not really sure what more can be said about Vanessa that hasn’t been said over the last couple of months. She helped lead an otherwise inexperienced Norwell team to a state title, she plays with maybe the most incredible motor in the state, and no one is going to outwork her. She has steadily improved her perimeter shooting consistency, she’s athletic off the bounce, plus she is one of the best defensive wings in the Class of 2026. She is “must see”.

Vanessa had an outstanding game Saturday against Columbia City, and she did it in a variety of ways. Offensively, she was able to knock down jump-shots from the perimeter, and oftentimes she needed to create space with the dribble. She is great attacking the basket, especially right-handed, and she absorbs contact well. She created for others, plus she was effective at the defensive end of the floor, where she was able to defend without fouling, and she was very active on the boards. Her recruiting could take off this Spring & Summer.