IHSAA girls basketball Fab 15: Making case for three teams for No. 1 ranking

There is a logjam at the top of both the coaches' statewide rankings and our Central Indiana Fab 15. Three Indy-area teams — Lawrence Central, Hamilton Southeastern and Center Grove — all have legit arguments for the top spot, in my opinion with Columbia City entering the discussion when you take it statewide.

Since this is a Central Indiana Fab 15, I'm going to focus on the three local contenders for that top spot and make an argument for each. Where would I slot Columbia City in this mix? Heck, I don't know. Probably No. 3 or 4. But thankfully, I don't have to concern myself with such matters (...until the next episode of The Scorers Table, which will drop Tuesday night).

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Here are this week's newest rankings.

1. Center Grove (17-1)

PR: 3

Though all three are deserving, there can only be one top dog and this week it's Center Grove, which added a very impressive win over Jennings County to a resume that already included triumphs over Fishers, Indian Creek, Franklin, Plainfield and Lawrence North. Yes, the Trojans were probably expected to win that game — they're further along in their development, thanks in large part to scheduling — but that's still a really good Panthers team they just beat (names to know from JC: Michigan State commit Juliann Woodard, Alivia Elmore and Mollie Ernstes).

Center Grove shot 53% as a team and had four players score in double figures (Lilly Bischoff-17, Rachel Wirts-16, Audrey Annee-14, Ava Grant-10), with Bischoff adding nine rebounds and nine assists, Wirts recording 11 rebounds and Aubrie Booker logging seven points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal.

Really good win for coach Kevin Stuckmeyer's bunch, which has not lost since Nov. 28 vs. Franklin (10-game win streak) and should still only have the one loss entering Jan. 20 vs. Hamilton Southeastern.

2. Lawrence Central (19-1)

Previous ranking: 1

The Bears are probably the toughest team to rank on this list. This program's turnaround over the past two-plus seasons has been really, really impressive and one could argue they're the most-talented team in the state. But the strength of schedule is just OK. Sure they've played some really good out-of-state teams, but the in-state slate leaves a lot to be desired. That said, I'm guessing they were locked into some past contracts and No. 2 this week feels like a good compromise when comparing resumes and factoring in personnel.

LC can only beat the teams on its schedule, and it has in mostly dominating fashion. Mistakes down the stretch cost the Bears in Kentucky earlier this season, but they've grown since then, as seen against Lawrence North in the Marion County tournament (won late) and Noblesville at the Limestone Classic (pulled away late). That was really important to see and carries weight, regardless of what happens in Thursday's rematch with LN.

So, about the personnel: Jaylah Lampley (21 ppg), who recently picked up an offer from Ole Miss, is a bona fide star. She and point guard Laila Abdurraqib — who's only improved as the season's progressed (she's getting healthier) — were the catalysts for this turnaround as freshmen. They're joined by Aniyah McKenzie, who's enjoying a breakout sophomore campaign, and Lola Lampley, who took tremendous strides over the summer and won gold with the USA U16 National Team.

3. Hamilton Southeastern (16-1)

PR: 2

Lawrence Central may have the state's best quartet, but Hamilton Southeastern might have the best overall player. IU commit Maya Makalusky remains in another stratosphere, averaging nearly 28 ppg, 6.2 rpg and 2.1 apg, with a 50% shooting percentage, a 40% mark from 3 and, not to be overlooked, a career-best 86% conversion rate at the line.

Makalusky is one heck of a centerpiece, and she's flanked by a pair of sophomore standouts in KK Holman — she continues to build off an excellent debut campaign at point guard — and Kayla Stidham, who's averaging 12 points, three assists and two steals, has shined in big game situations.

I'll continue to harp on the depth, with players like Kayla Brinley, Zoe Lawless and Addison Van Hoesen (hopefully) gaining the confidence to step up in big moments. It's those sorts of things that will be so critical to this team's long-term success in sectionals and beyond.

Why else should HSE be No. 1? Strength of schedule: Franklin, Noblesville and Fishers in the win column, with the lone loss to Columbia City in game two of a back-to-back.

Why will HSE be No. 1 if it extends its nine-game win streak beyond the sectional draw on Jan. 21? Strength of schedule: Westfield (Jan. 12), Lawrence North (Jan. 16), Zionsville (Jan.19) and Center Grove (Jan. 20).

4. Lawrence North (14-3)

PR: 4

The Wildcats overcame a career performance by Valparaiso sophomore Lillian Barnes to escape with yet another dramatic win Wednesday, this one via a couple Naja Winston free throws with 1.9 seconds remaining. That makes three last-second wins this season for the Cats, who beat Gibson Southern on a buzzer-beating 3 and Norwell on a layup in the final second. Fun fact: Three different players delivered in the clutch (Kya Hurt vs. GS; Jamaya Thomas vs. Norwell).

There have been some reminders this year of the Wildcats' relative youth, but they could make some serious waves with a win over Lawrence Central on Thursday — though the schedule also includes HSE and Fishers.

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5. Fishers (12-5)

PR: 5

Speaking of the Tigers, they celebrated senior night Saturday with a 60-47 win over North Central last Saturday, a nice bounce-back victory after squandering a 29-point effort by Talia Harris in a 65-58 loss to Chicago McAuley (Ill.). Harris is putting together one heck of a senior campaign, by the way. She's averaging over 14 points, six rebounds and five assists through 17 games. Juniors Allison Scheu and Nevaeh Dickman are also good for five-plus rebounds and double-digit points per game.

6. Noblesville (10-7)

PR: 6

The Millers extended their current win streak to a season-best three games with a 62-35 rout of Cathedral on Saturday. Though they still have some individual standouts to contend with — Mt. Vernon's Ellery Minch (Tuesday), Franklin Central's Lily Graves and Payton DuVall and Pendleton Heights' Kaycie Warfel — the last big team test looms Friday at Zionsville. A little fun nugget: That late-season trip to Zionsville marked a turning point in Noblesville's 2022 state championship run.

7. Franklin (15-2)

PR: 7

The Grizzly Cubs picked up a nice win Friday, pulling away for a 60-42 win over Mooresville. They've won 10 straight since losing to Center Grove in the Johnson County championship game on Nov. 18, with notable wins over Indian Creek, Center Grove and Zionsville. Franklin hosts Hendricks County champion Plainfield on Wednesday.

8. Indian Creek (14-4)

PR: 8

The Braves scored a 54-47 win at Brown County on Saturday. They'll travel to 4A's Westfield on Saturday before heading to Chicago for an event on Martin Luther King Day. Indian Creek's losses this season have come against: Center Grove, Franklin, Columbia City and Lake Central — four 4A squads who are built for deep state tournament runs.

9. Zionsville (15-3)

PR: 9

The Eagles' recent wins over Castle (beat Bedford North Lawrence) and Plainfield (beat Brownsburg and Danville) appreciated in value over the weekend. They rolled by Harrison and Pike last week, with North Central coming up Tuesday followed by Noblesville, at Hamilton Southeastern and Brownsburg over the next three Fridays. An item of note: Vermont commit Emma Haan has been really good this year, averaging 16 points on 47% shooting.

10. Hamilton Heights (16-2)

PR: 10

Saturday's 45-39 win over Westfield puts the Huskies in a very good place entering this stretch: Tuesday vs. 3A No. 9 Western (14-2), winless Tipton (but a rival, nonetheless!), the Hoosier Conference placement game on Jan. 19 (undefeated Rensselaer or 3A No. 7 Benton Central) and Jan. 25 vs. Heritage Christian.

This team runs coach Keegan Cherry's system and understands the importance of Camryn Runner to their success (and set her up, accordingly).

11. Plainfield (14-4)

PR: 14

With Friday's Hendricks County semifinal win, the Quakers swept their regular-season series vs. Brownsburg for the first time since 2013-14. That impressive victory was followed by an exhilarating 62-57 double-overtime win over Danville in the county championship game. Plainfield rallied in the second half, then dodged a couple bullets before pulling away in the second overtime period. Standing by what I wrote in Monday's wrap: The Quakers are the favorites (for now) in Sectional 12.

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12. Danville (15-3)

PR: 12

The Warriors let one get away in the county championship game, but it was an impressive performance nonetheless, with them going toe-to-toe with their 4A opponent for six periods. They'll test their mettle against Decatur Central on Wednesday, with McCutcheon set to visit on Jan. 16.

13. Lapel (14-3)

PR: 13

The Bulldogs successfully defended their Madison County title last week, knocking off Elwood, 4A's Pendleton Heights and Alexandria to run their win streak to three games following losses in two of three at the end of December. Lapel has three straight road games upcoming: Blackford, Shenandoah and Pendleton Heights.

14. Eastern Hancock (16-1)

PR: 11

Two more demonstrative wins for the Royals, who blasted through Blue River and Union County. Randolph Southern and Tri should provide more formidable tests at the end of the regular season.

15. Franklin Central (8-7)

PR: NR

The Flashers are on a five-game winning streak, with notable wins over Class A No. 3 Borden at the end of December and rival Roncalli last Saturday. They had an absolutely brutal first-half schedule with Center Grove, Mooresville, HSE, Lawrence Central, Franklin, Zionsville and Westfield resulting in a 3-7 start.

Junior Lily Graves headlines a standout trio with freshmen Payton DuVall and Ashlee Baker. Graves, a 5-11 guard, averages around 11 points, while DuVall is contributing nearly a double-double per game with 9.1 ppg and 8.9 rpg. Baker's at 8.6 ppg. One more name of note: Freshman Riley Huotari leads the team at 3.7 apg.

We'll get a better gauge on where this young team stands (and how it might fare in a wide-open Sectional 11) with games upcoming against Avon, Greenfield-Central and Plainfield … before it closes out with Noblesville and Fishers for two of its final three games.

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA girls basketball rankings: Center Grove, Lawrence Central, HSE top