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IHSAA girls basketball preview: Top small-school standouts to watch in 2023-24 season

Brian Haenchen, Indianapolis Star
·7 min read

There's a wealth of talented high school girls basketball players at the Class 2A and A levels in Indiana. Let's spotlight some of the state's best small-school standouts.

Players listed in alphabetical order.

Kimber Abshear, Monroe Central

Monroe Central girls basketball's Kimber Abshear controls a rebound in her team's game at Daleville High School on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.
Monroe Central girls basketball's Kimber Abshear controls a rebound in her team's game at Daleville High School on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.

A 6-2 forward/wing, Abshear has been very good around the rim in her two varsity seasons, boasting a 59% 2-point field goal percentage. She averaged a double-double as a sophomore (13 points, 10 rebounds) and was good for about three blocks per game.

Carley Barrett, Lafayette Central Catholic

Central Catholic Carley Barrett (24) passes the ball during the IHSAA girl’s basketball game against the West Lafayette Red Devils, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, at West Lafayette High School in West Lafayette, Ind. Central Catholic won 48-39.
Central Catholic Carley Barrett (24) passes the ball during the IHSAA girl’s basketball game against the West Lafayette Red Devils, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, at West Lafayette High School in West Lafayette, Ind. Central Catholic won 48-39.

Barrett averaged around 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block over 27 games. The guard/forward shot 43% from the field and cleared 20 points in five games, including a 29-point effort vs. Benton Central.

Ella Bobe, South Knox

Bobe, a 5-8 junior guard, averaged 17 points for the 18-win Spartans and set the school's single-season assists record (127).

Brooklyn Bailey, Triton Central

Triton Central Tigers center Brooklyn Bailey (34) yells in excitement Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023 at Triton Central High School in Fairland. The Eastern Hancock Royals defeated the Triton Central Tigers, 49-44.
Triton Central Tigers center Brooklyn Bailey (34) yells in excitement Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023 at Triton Central High School in Fairland. The Eastern Hancock Royals defeated the Triton Central Tigers, 49-44.

Described by coach Bryan Graham as his team's most-physical player, the senior post shot 55% from the field and averaged 10 points, 8 rebounds and two steals. She can run the floor well for her size and is a machine on the boards.

Sammie Bolding, Eastern Hancock

A Toledo softball commit, the 5-4 guard is a heck of a basketball player, too. She helped the Royals to a program-record 23 wins and their first regional championship last season, logging 12.1 ppg, 2.2 apg and 2.3 spg. Bolding is within reach of 1,000 career points.

Caitlyn Brooks, Lutheran

Brooks put together a career year in her third varsity season, averaging 15.3 points, 2.5 assists and 3.6 steals. She went for 20 points, 10 steals and four assists in a win over Traders Point Christian, and netted a season-high 23 points (plus seven steals) in a five-point win over Greenwood Christian.

Hadley Crosier, Lanesville

Lanesville Eagle Hadley Crosier (4) breaks between Bethany Christian defenders Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, during the IHSAA Class A state championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Lanesville Eagle Hadley Crosier (4) breaks between Bethany Christian defenders Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, during the IHSAA Class A state championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The 5-9 junior point guard is the defending Class A champion Eagles' top returning scorer at 10.4 ppg. She led the team in assists (3.4) and steals (3.7) per game, and netted a team-high 39 3-pointers.

Maryrose Felling, Triton Central

Triton Central Tigers Maryrose Felling (22) passes the ball Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023 at Triton Central High School in Fairland. The Eastern Hancock Royals defeated the Triton Central Tigers, 49-44.
Triton Central Tigers Maryrose Felling (22) passes the ball Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023 at Triton Central High School in Fairland. The Eastern Hancock Royals defeated the Triton Central Tigers, 49-44.

Felling was thrown directly into the fire as a freshman, but she flourished with her dribbling, passing and shooting abilities opening up the offense, according to Graham. Felling averaged 13 points, five rebounds (impressive for a 5-8 guard), two assists and two steals.

Kenzie Fulks, Bethesda Christian

A prolific scorer and IU South Bend commit, Fulks scored well-over 20 points per game as a freshman (26 ppg) and sophomore (22.5 ppg), and likely would have again as a junior if not for an offseason injury. She returned in time to help power the Patriots reach regionals, and is back to 100% entering her senior year. Watch out.

Kenzie Garner, Sheridan

Garner followed a strong freshman campaign with an even better sophomore year, averaging 18.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 4.3 steals and a block over 22 games. She'll be aided by the return of Cecilia Timme, who missed last season with an ACL injury.

Alli Harness, Carroll (Flora)

South Future All-Star Emma Haan (2), a junior from Zionsville High School, steals the ball away from North Future All-Star Alli Harness (4), a junior from Carroll (Flora) High School, during the first half of an girls’ Indiana High School Future All-Stars basketball game, Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
South Future All-Star Emma Haan (2), a junior from Zionsville High School, steals the ball away from North Future All-Star Alli Harness (4), a junior from Carroll (Flora) High School, during the first half of an girls’ Indiana High School Future All-Stars basketball game, Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.

A fearless shooter and one of the top players in the state, the Western Michigan commit is a career 45% shooter from the field and 36% from 3. She's averaged nearly 23 points and five assists through her first three varsity seasons, and is already the school's all-time leading scorer at 1,635 points. Carroll travels to Sheridan on Nov. 9.

Jacklynn Hosier, Alexandria-Monroe

The multi-sport junior erupted for 24 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.5 apg and 4.2 spg last season with a 41% field goal percentage and 82% conversion rate at the free-throw line. She had 36 points vs. Lapel and 38 points, four rebounds, five steals, two assists and a block vs. Pendleton Heights.

D’Aaliyah Kemp, Park Tudor

Keep an eye out for the 6-2 forward. She averaged a couple points and totaled 51 rebounds, three assists, seven steals and two blocks as a freshman with North Central last season.

Maya Layton, Faith Christian

Faith Christian Eagles guard Maya Layton (5) drives to the basket during the IHSAA girl’s basketball game against the South Newton Rebels, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at Faith Christian School in Lafayette, Ind. Faith Christian won 67-36.
Faith Christian Eagles guard Maya Layton (5) drives to the basket during the IHSAA girl’s basketball game against the South Newton Rebels, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at Faith Christian School in Lafayette, Ind. Faith Christian won 67-36.

The 5-8 guard put together quite the debut season, logging over 20 points, nine rebounds, five assists, five steals and three blocks per game. She shot 48% from the field and already holds a few Division I offers.

Addisen Mastriano, Northeastern

Northeastern junior Addisen Mastriano watches the play develop during the Wayne County Tournament championship against Hagerstown Jan. 7, 2023.
Northeastern junior Addisen Mastriano watches the play develop during the Wayne County Tournament championship against Hagerstown Jan. 7, 2023.

Hailing from Fountain City, the 6-3 center earned Underclass All-State plaudits after averaging 12.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, a steal and 3.4 blocks over 25 games for the 16-win Knights. Mastriano is committed to Detroit Mercy.

Sophia Morrison, Eastbrook

The 5-6 Grace College commit went for 14.7 points per game last season, rounding out her line with 2.7 apg and 3.4 spg. She shot 40% from the field and 41% from 3, with five 20-point efforts.

Madelyn Poynter, Lapel

Lapel Bulldog Madelyn Poynter (21) works the ball around Forest Park Ranger Gabey Gray (22) on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, during the IHSAA Class 2A championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Forest Park defeated Lapel for the title, 38-37.
Lapel Bulldog Madelyn Poynter (21) works the ball around Forest Park Ranger Gabey Gray (22) on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, during the IHSAA Class 2A championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Forest Park defeated Lapel for the title, 38-37.

Poynter missed the end of soccer season due to injury, but she's back and healthy, eager for the opportunity to lead Lapel back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The senior Grace College commit averaged 12 points and four rebounds last season.

Sophia Saucerman, Eminence

Eminence's Sophia Saucerman drives inside the paint during the Eels' regional championship matchup with Bloomfield at Southwestern High School on Feb. 11, 2023.
Eminence's Sophia Saucerman drives inside the paint during the Eels' regional championship matchup with Bloomfield at Southwestern High School on Feb. 11, 2023.

Saucerman established herself as a steady (and critical) contributor for the sectional champion Eels as a sophomore, averaging 12 points and eight rebounds over 12 games. A 57% shooter, she went for 17 points and 10 rebounds in the sectional championship game vs. Greenwood Christian. The 6-1 forward had six double-doubles including two games with 16 rebounds.

Isabel Scales, Caston

Scales averaged 16.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 3.3 steals. She shot 40% from the field and 75% at the line. The 5-8, 3-sport senior drilled nine field goals (five 3-pointers) vs. Culver Community in January, one of three 20-point performances.

Taylor Seay, University

The Trailblazers graduated a lot from last season, which means an even larger role for Seay, who was good for nearly eight points and three boards per game as a sophomore. The 5-8 guard is entering her third varsity season.

Emma Simpson, Parke Heritage

The 5-7 point guard shot 41% from the field and averaged 20 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals. She collected a pair of 30-point performances, including a 34-point outburst vs. Covington.

Kyah Streeval, Edinburgh

The three-sport athlete missed all but one game last season due to injury … but she had 12 points, six rebounds, four assists and eight steals in that game, and is expected to be a key contributor for the Lancers this season.

Madison Wagner, Carroll (Flora)

One of the Cougars' four returning starters, the 5-10 senior averaged around 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists per game for the second consecutive season, while averaging career-highs in both steals (3.1) and blocks (1.4). Wagner posted nine 20-point performances and cleared 30 points twice, including a 31-point effort that included six 3-pointers vs. Taylor.

Ava Wheeler, Borden

The 5-10 sophomore garnered Underclass All-State honors after averaging 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.6 steals over 23 games. She shot 54% from the field and converted 14-of-40 3-point tries. Wheeler scored in double figures in 18 of 23 games.

Ruby White, Eastern Hancock

Eastern Hancock Royals Ruby White (30) attempts a lay-up Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023 at Triton Central High School in Fairland. The Eastern Hancock Royals defeated the Triton Central Tigers, 49-44.
Eastern Hancock Royals Ruby White (30) attempts a lay-up Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023 at Triton Central High School in Fairland. The Eastern Hancock Royals defeated the Triton Central Tigers, 49-44.

The 6-1 forward gives the Royals an advantage in the paint against most 2A opponents. She caught fire down the stretch, averaging 12 points over her final six games (regular season finale plus five state tournament games) with a couple double-doubles and nine blocks. She averaged 8.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks for the season.

Trinity Wilburn, Faith Christian

The 5-6 sophomore guard was the second half to the Eagles' prolific pairing on offense, averaging over 20 points, seven rebounds, four assists and six steals through 25 games. Wilburn cleared 20 points in 13 games, with three 30-point performances. She dropped 37 on 17-of-20 shooting vs. North Montgomery in November.

Zoe Willems, Bethany Christian

Bethany Christian junior Zoe Willems (30) asses her options while being defended by Tri junior Rylee Boyd in the second quarter of Saturday's Class 1A North Semi-state championship game at Frankfort High School.
Bethany Christian junior Zoe Willems (30) asses her options while being defended by Tri junior Rylee Boyd in the second quarter of Saturday's Class 1A North Semi-state championship game at Frankfort High School.

An Underclass All-State pick, Willems led the Class A runner-up Bruins in scoring (17 ppg) and rebounding (8.2 rpg), and ranked second in both assists (2.6) and steals (3.4). A 43% shooter, she had 23 points and 10 rebounds in the semistate championship game vs. Tri.

Laniah Wills, Lapel

Forest Park Ranger Carley Begle (32) chases after Lapel Bulldog Laniah Wills (11) as she takes off with the ball Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, during the IHSAA Class 2A championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Forest Park defeated Lapel for the title, 38-37.
Forest Park Ranger Carley Begle (32) chases after Lapel Bulldog Laniah Wills (11) as she takes off with the ball Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, during the IHSAA Class 2A championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Forest Park defeated Lapel for the title, 38-37.

The 6-0 sophomore is the real deal, simple as that. Already on the radar of multiple Division I programs, Wills shot 60% in year one, totaling 474 points, 371 rebounds, 40 steals and 23 blocks over her first 30 games played.

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana high school girls basketball: Best small-school players