IHSAA girls basketball Fab 15: Ranking Central Indiana's best teams entering final month
We're kicking off the new year with a fresh set of girls basketball rankings. The top-5 held steady over the past two weeks, but there's some shuffling from Nos. 6-11 and it's a tangled mess beyond that.
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1. Lawrence Central (18-1)
I was curious to see how the Bears would fare over a difficult three-game stretch around Christmas, and they, unsurprisingly, passed with flying colors. They held off Noblesville (W, 55-45) — that game was close down the stretch — and rolled by Lake Central (51-38) at the Limestone Classic in Bedford, then beat Magnificat, which is ranked No. 8 in Ohio by MaxPreps.
Jaylah Lampley is having an exceptional season. She totaled 47 points at the Limestone Classic, with five triples in the opener vs. Noblesville. Fellow junior Laila Abdurraqib tallied 12 points and five points against the Millers.
Three dates to circle for LC: Jan. 11 vs. Lawrence North; Jan. 18 vs. Warren Central (rematch from sectionals); Jan. 25 vs. Avon.
2. Hamilton Southeastern (14-1)
PR: 2
The Royals have played thrice since last we ranked, adding wins over Cathedral, Decatur Central and North Central. Their big three — Maya Makalusky (28 ppg, 6 rpg), Kayla Stidham (12 ppg, 2.8 apg, 2.1 spg) and Kennedy Holman (10 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 7.3 apg, 2.3 spg) — continue doing their respective things, and while the numbers may not jump out immediately, it bears repeating Addison Van Hoesen, Zoe Lawless, Antonette Green and Kayla Brinley have all been very good within their roles.
HSE's schedule gradually ramps up in the middle of January with a trip to Westfield followed by Lawrence North, Zionsville and Center Grove.
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3. Center Grove (16-1)
PR: 3
Four sweat-free wins for the Trojans, who will be coming off an eight-day break when they host Jennings County on Saturday. That's a matchup we could see again in February and is of equal importance for both teams: The visiting Panthers are amidst their most-difficult stretch of the season (HOF Classic, BNL and CG); it's the last big test for the Trojans until HSE on Jan. 20.
Some fun with numbers on Center Grove: The Trojans have four players averaging in double figures, and a fifth in Aubrie Booker who's at 8 ppg plus four assists and four rebounds. They're shooting 51% as a team and average about as many steals (9.4) as turnovers (9.2).
4. Lawrence North (13-3)
PR: 4
The Wildcats needed a last-second shot by Jamaya Thomas to win at Norwell on Dec. 23, but that's more a testament to just how dang good the Class 3A Knights are. Other than that, it's been fairly easy-breezy for LN, which also added wins over Brownsburg, Westfield and Eastern Hancock.
Lawrence North, which has three players averaging around 10-11 ppg (Naja Winston close behind at 7.4 ppg), dives right back in to start 2024: at Valparaiso, at Lawrence Central and vs. Hamilton Southeastern over the first three weeks.
5. Fishers (10-4)
PR: 5
Talia Harris finished an assist shy of a triple-double (16 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists), while Nevaeh Dickman added 15 points and eight boards to power the Tigers to a 25-point win over Fort Wayne Carroll on Dec. 22. Fishers hasn't played since then and will return to action Tuesday at Pike.
There are some tests sprinkled over the final month: Brownsburg (Jan. 12), Avon (Jan. 19), Lawrence North (Jan. 23).
6. Noblesville (9-7)
PR: 8
The Millers hung with Lawrence Central, then ran out of gas vs. Bedford North Lawrence in the third-place game at the Limestone Classic on Dec. 22, then returned from the break with wins over Valparaiso and Fort Wayne Snider. The Valparaiso win was impressive because a couple different players stepped up with big plays (Ally Hutchinson and Brookelyn Grayson); the Snider win felt like a potential launching pad for the Millers, who picked up 30 points from senior Iowa State commit Reagan Wilson.
Good news: The schedule does get easier in January, though Zionsville looms on Jan. 12.
Better news: Senior Ava Shoemaker should be back soon after missing the past four games due to injury.
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7. Franklin (14-2)
PR: 9
The Grizzly Cubs picked up a nice win over Zionsville last week behind a very balanced scoring attack: Brooklyn York (13 points), Erica Buening (10), Aubrey Runyon (10), Scarlett Kimbrell (9) and Emma Sappenfield (9) all made notable scoring contributions, while Lauren Klem registered seven rebounds, nine assists and three steals.
I probably under-ranked the Grizzly Cubs the past few weeks. They've played a top-25 schedule (Sagarin), have wins over Indian Creek, Center Grove and the aforementioned Eagles, and — as illustrated above — have a number of capable scorers and a talented point guard.
8. Indian Creek (13-4)
PR: 6
The Braves stay in the top-10 after two impressive showings at the Hall of Fame Classic (the move here is a reflection of big wins by Noblesville and Franklin). They were within striking distance most of the way against eventual event champion Columbia City in the semifinals, then stormed back from a 14-point deficit to force overtime against Lake Central in the third-place game. The biggest takeaway I had from their Friday in New Castle was the play of senior IU commit Faith Wiseman. She knew she had a size advantage inside and sought to exploit it.
There's one 4A opponent left on IC's schedule (at Westfield on Jan. 13), then a trip to Chicago on Jan. 15.
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9. Zionsville
PR: 7
Tough loss at Franklin before Christmas, but the Eagles have responded with three straight wins, including a 42-40 grinder vs. Plainfield last Friday. Zionsville relies almost exclusively on its starting five, with leading scorers Emma Haan and Allie Caldwell supplemented by McKenzie Chapman, Faith Leedy and Caroline Sampson. Brooke Karesh, who splits time with Sampson at forward, ranks sixth on the team in minutes per game at 16.1.
North Central on Jan. 9 has the makings of a potential trap game with Noblesville, Hamilton Southeastern and Brownsburg lined up over the following three Fridays.
10. Hamilton Heights (15-2)
PR: 11
The Huskies scored a nice win over Lapel back on Dec. 19, with Camryn Runner tallying 28 points and Ella Hickok adding 15. The pair combined for nine rebounds, six assists and eight steals (Katie Brown also added four steals).
Hamilton Heights opens the new year Saturday at Westfield, then hosts Western 14-1 Western on Jan. 9.
11. Eastern Hancock (14-1)
PR: 10
Here's a fun fact from the LN holiday tournament live stream via Twitter: Elkhart (3,330 students) and Lawrence North (2,850) were the two largest schools by enrollment Eastern Hancock (380) had ever played.
Anywhoodles, the Lawrence North game was rough with the JV teams playing most of the second half in a 71-39 final. Turnovers were a problem with EH struggling against LN's athleticism, but the Royals were able to find some open looks in the first half — the shots just wouldn't fall.
Kenzie Koch was knocked around a bit (nothing malicious; standard freshman vs. upperclassmen things), but battled through and made a few nice plays, as did Sammie Bolding, who found a few first-half buckets by aggressively attacking the basket. Ruby White had her hands full against Jamaya Thomas in the paint, but slipped free on a couple occasions for some buckets, too.
Eastern Hancock should be able to string together some wins before hosting Class A No. 11 Tri on Jan. 25.
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12. Danville (13-2)
PR: NR
The Warriors lost to 4A's Silver Creek, 44-38, on Dec. 22, but have since bounced back with three straight wins. Their resume includes a four-point loss at Plainfield and a five-point win over Tri-West. They open the Hendricks County tournament against Cascade on Tuesday, with the winner advancing to face Tri-West. Danville will face one of Brownsburg, Avon or Plainfield on Saturday — all of which would be quality tests for the 3A squad.
Danville is led by Emma Ancelet (14 ppg, 6 apg, 3 spg, 6 rpg), Addison Davis (12 ppg, 7 rpg, 3 spg) and Maddy Wethington (10 ppg).
13. Lapel (11-3)
PR: 12
The Bulldogs have not played since that 53-42 loss to Hamilton Heights. The team's youth and a few flaws were exposed in late December — defensive communication and getting careless with the ball, specifically — but they've had two weeks to recoup and recharge ahead of the county tournament (likely face Pendleton Heights in the semifinals, winner likely plays Alexandria in the final).
14. Plainfield (12-4)
PR: 13
The Quakers will be coming off a holiday split entering the Hendricks County tournament this week. They beat Roncalli by 14, then dropped a two-point decision to Zionsville.
Plainfield will host the winner of Brownsburg-Avon on Friday. It beat the Bulldogs in a double-overtime thriller at the beginning of November, then suffered its first loss of the season to Avon at the end of November.
15. Mooresville (14-3)
PR: 14
The Pios suffered a tough loss out in Lebanon last Thursday, dropping a 56-47 decision to Evansville North. They shot 27% from the field and had five shots blocked (three by North's Maddy Knies). That setback was preceded by a win over Bloomington North.
Mooresville will have a chance to bounce back Friday at Franklin. Its schedule also includes Plainfield on Jan. 19.
Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA girls basketball rankings heading into season's final month
