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IHSAA girls basketball IndyStar 2023-24 All-East team

matthew glenesk and brian haenchen, indianapolis star
·5 min read

This year, we're bringing back something IndyStar used to do: separate all-East, West, North, South and Indy postseason teams. These are in addition to our Super Team, which honors Central Indiana's best of the best. But we cover more than 80 high schools, and there are a lot of girls basketball players worthy of recognition — well beyond the 15 Super Team members.

These teams were selected via consultation with IndyStar Preps Insider Brian Haenchen and input from area coaches.

FIRST TEAM

Allie Blum, New Palestine, Sr. — A Kentucky softball recruit, Blum earned IBCA All-Statef honorable mention this season, leading the Dragons in scoring (17.0) and rebounds (5.0). The all-Hoosier Heritage Conference pick increased her scoring from 8.3 as a junior to 17.0 as a senior and added 2.5 assists and 3.6 steals per game.

Eastern Hancock Royals McKenzie Koch (1) yells to teammates across the court Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, during the game at Triton Central High School in Fairland. The Eastern Hancock Royals defeated the Triton Central Tigers, 50-41.
Eastern Hancock Royals McKenzie Koch (1) yells to teammates across the court Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, during the game at Triton Central High School in Fairland. The Eastern Hancock Royals defeated the Triton Central Tigers, 50-41.

Kenzie Koch, Eastern Hancock, Fr. — The freshman sensation helped lead the Royals to a 25-2 record and a semistate final. Koch averaged 18.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.8 steals per game. She scored at least 20 points 13 times this season, earning IBCA small-school all-state underclass honors, and set a school single-season scoring record with 498 points.

Ellery Minch, Mt. Vernon, Sr. — The DePaul recruit helped the Marauders secure four straight sectional titles and is squarely in the mix for an Indiana All-Stars selection. An IBCA Supreme 15 senior all-state pick, she averaged 14.2 points and 6.2 rebounds this season. The three-time all-Hoosier Heritage Conference pick and Indiana Junior All-Star finishes her Mt. Vernon career with 1,284 points.

Kaycie Warfel, Pendleton Heights, Jr. — An IBCA large school all-state pick, Warfel was among the state's top 10 scorers this season, averaging 25.2 points. She scored 40 points twice this season and added 5.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and an absurd 5.6 steals per game. She's the school's all-time leader in steals (308) and is already second in scoring (1,501 points). Her 631 points this season set a Pendleton Heights single-season record.

Lapel Bulldogs Laniah Wills (11) rushes up the court Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, during the game at Lapel High School in Lapel. The Hamilton Heights Huskies defeated the Lapel Bulldogs, 53-41.
Lapel Bulldogs Laniah Wills (11) rushes up the court Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, during the game at Lapel High School in Lapel. The Hamilton Heights Huskies defeated the Lapel Bulldogs, 53-41.

Laniah Wills, Lapel, So. — After helping lead the Bulldogs to the Class 2A state final as a freshman, Wills suffered no sophomore slump. She averaged a team-best 19.3 points and 12.8 rebounds. She's already eclipsed 1,000 career points and was paramount to Lapel repeating as regional champs. An IBCA small-school all-state underclass pick, she scored 28 in a regional final win over Eastbrook.

SECOND TEAM

Maryrose Felling, Triton Central, So. — The leading scorer for the Tigers and Indiana Crossroads Conference player of the year, Felling was an IBCA underclass all-state honorable mention pick after averaging 17.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.3 steals per game this season.

Sammie Bolding, Eastern Hancock, Sr. — A four-year starter, Bolding was the Royals' second-leading scorer (13.6) and finished her career with 1,025 points. She hit 53 3-pointers this season, including six in a win over Randolph Southern. In her four years, Eastern Hancock was 78-22 with back-to-back regional titles the past two seasons. Her future is in softball, which she'll play at Toledo next year.

Madelyn Poynter, Lapel. Sr. — The Bulldogs' second-leading scorer at 15.4 points per game, the Grace College recruit led Lapel in assists (3.3) and 3s made (43). An IBCA honorable mention all-state pick, Poynter was a three-year starter. The Bulldogs were 62-21 in those years with two regional titles and a trip to the 2023 Class 3A state final.

Greenfield-Central Cougars forward Madison Sonsini (5) yells in excitement after scoring a three-point basket in the final seconds before half-time Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, during the game at Pendleton Heights High School in Pendleton. The New Palestine Dragons defeated the Greenfield-Central Cougars, 42-35.
Greenfield-Central Cougars forward Madison Sonsini (5) yells in excitement after scoring a three-point basket in the final seconds before half-time Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, during the game at Pendleton Heights High School in Pendleton. The New Palestine Dragons defeated the Greenfield-Central Cougars, 42-35.

Madison Sonsini, Greenfield-Central, Jr. — An all-Hoosier Heritage Conference pick, Sonsini was the Cougars' leading scorer at 14.6 points per game. She posted 10 double-doubles and per MaxPreps, she ranked in the top 20 in the state in rebounding (9.2) and blocks (2.0).

Ava Wilson, Shelbyville, Sr. — An IBCA senior all-state honorable mention selection, Wilson averaged a career-best 20.5 points this season. A two-time All-Hoosier Heritage Conference pick, she added 5.3 rebounds and 3.8 steals per game and finished her Golden Bears career with 1,213 career points (fourth all-time in school history).

THIRD TEAM

Brooklyn Bailey, Triton Central, Sr. — An all-conference pick and IBCA senior all-state honorable mention pick, Bailey averaged 12.3 points and a team-high 7.6 rebounds for the Indiana Crossroads Conference champs.

Chaney Brown, Greenfield-Central, Jr. — The Cougars' second-leading scorer at 13.9 points per game. An all-Hoosier Heritage Conference pick, she added 6.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.0 steals per game.

Grace Fischer, Waldron, Fr. — As the Mohawks continue to rebuild under coach Ilea Shipp, Fischer is a good place to start. The first-year player led the team in points (15.3) and rebounds (6.7), while adding 2.1 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.

Adah Hupfer, Pendleton Heights, Fr. — An IBCA all-state underclass honorable mention pick, Hupfer averaged a double-double in her varsity debut. She averaged 10.6 points, 11.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. She was among the state's top 10 rebounders this season, posted 15 double-doubles and set the school's single-season rebounding record (282). A 6-3 center, she visited Purdue in mid-February and could develop into a highly sought-after recruit in the 2027 class.

Ruby White, Eastern Hancock, Sr. — She increased her scoring all four seasons: 5.4 as a freshman, 7.0 as a sophomore, 8.4 as a junior and 10.6 as a senior. White led the Royals with 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.

Honorable mention

Eastern Hancock: Brooklyn Willis (Sr.), Makenzie O’Neal (Sr.)

Greenfield-Central: Brooklyn McConnell (Jr.), Izzy Silcox (Fr.)

Lapel: Annalee Stow (Sr.)

Morristown: Danika Rutledge (Jr.), Emma Nelson (Jr.), Jayla Keithley (Fr.)

Mt. Vernon: Kanyonrae Kenny (Jr.)

New Palestine: Sadey Hughbanks (So.), Vivian Miller (Sr.)

Pendleton Heights: Olivia Jones (So.)

Shelbyville: Ellie Keller (So.), Hannah Baker (So.), Ella Johnson (Sr.)

Southwestern (Shelbyville):

Triton Central: Hailey Harris (Sr.), Quinn King (Fr.)

Waldron: Alyssa Benson (Sr.), Emerson Lindsey (So.), Audrey Hogg (Sr.)

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IndyStar girls basketball All-East team for 2023-24 season