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IHSAA girls basketball top freshmen: Meet the next generation of Central Indiana standouts

brian haenchen, indianapolis star
·6 min read

The Class of 2027 is certainly not lacking for star power and some of the state's brightest girls basketball rising standouts reside right here in Central Indiana. These were the area's best freshmen from 2023-24.

More: IHSAA girls basketball Class of 2026 is loaded. These sophomores stood out this season.

Ashlee Baker, Franklin Central, guard

A key piece to the Flashes' youthful core, the 5-9 Baker ranked third on the team in scoring (8.9 ppg) and third in assists (2.5). She shot 38% from 3 (39% overall) and also averaged 2.8 rebounds and a steal over 24 games.

Jailen Bowling, Brebeuf Jesuit, guard

Bishop Chatard Trojans Annie McAllister (33) searches to pass the ball against Brebeuf Jesuit's guard Jailen Bowling (34) on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, during the game at Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis.
Bishop Chatard Trojans Annie McAllister (33) searches to pass the ball against Brebeuf Jesuit's guard Jailen Bowling (34) on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, during the game at Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis.

A driving force behind the Braves' best finish (17-7) since 2006-07, Bowling poured in 10 points, plus 5.1 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. She marked her debut with a 16-point effort vs. Cathedral and closed out her season with 15 points vs. Bishop Chatard in sectionals.

Ainsley Brown, Scecina, guard

The Crusaders' leading scorer, Brown averaged 12.1 points with four 20-point performances, including a career-best 23 vs. both Tech (won, 50-46) and Crispus Attucks (lost, 47-41). She rounded out her line with 79 rebounds, 48 steals and 12 blocks.

Mckenzie Chapman, Zionsville, guard

Zionsville Mckenzie Chapman (33) with the short jump shot as Zionsville takes on Hamilton Southeastern High School in the S8 IHSAA Class 4A Girls Basketball State Semi-finals; Feb 2, 2024; Fishers, IN, USA; at Hamilton Southeastern High School.
Zionsville Mckenzie Chapman (33) with the short jump shot as Zionsville takes on Hamilton Southeastern High School in the S8 IHSAA Class 4A Girls Basketball State Semi-finals; Feb 2, 2024; Fishers, IN, USA; at Hamilton Southeastern High School.

The tough-as-nails guard stepped right in for the Eagles. Chapman, who drilled four 3s in an OT win over Noblesville and poured in 14 points to beat Lawrence North, clocked 7 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2 apg and 1.6 spg.

Payton DuVall, Franklin Central, forward/center

The 6-2 DuVall quickly established herself in the post, scoring in double figures in five of her first six games, with a double-double in game No. 4 vs. New Palestine. She finished the season averaging 10.5 points (62% shooter), 8.8 rebounds, 1 assist and 3.4 blocks.

Grace Fischer, Waldron, guard/forward

The 5-9 guard/forward averaged 15.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.1 blocks over 21 games. Fischer shot 40% from the floor and converted 45-of-59 free throw attempts.

Riley Huotari, Franklin Central, guard

A 5-7 point guard, Huotari dished out four assists and picked up 1.5 steals per game. She had at least five assists in eight games, including a season-high nine vs. Greenfield-Central and eight vs. Ben Davis in the sectional semifinals.

Adah Hupfer, Pendleton Heights, center/forward

Pendleton Heights Arabians Adah Hupfer (50) walks off the court Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, during the game at Pendleton Heights High School in Pendleton.
Pendleton Heights Arabians Adah Hupfer (50) walks off the court Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, during the game at Pendleton Heights High School in Pendleton.

The 6-3 post shot 45% from the field and averaged 10.6 points, 11.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over 25 games. Hupfer notched 15 double-doubles, highlighted by a 20-point, 16-rebound (both career-highs) performance vs. Connersville.

Jayla Keithley, Morristown, guard

Keithley shined in sectionals, logging 21 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and a block vs. Waldron, and 21 points, four assists and three steals vs. Oldenburg Academy. The 5-6 guard finished the season averaging 7.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.6 steals.

Quinn King, Triton Central, guard

King was the Tigers' top playmaker, averaging 5.4 assists across 23 games. She cleared 10 assists thrice, with a near double-double vs. Waldron (eight points, 10 assists). The 5-4 guard also poured in six points, three rebounds and two steals per game.

Kenzie Koch, Eastern Hancock, guard

Eastern Hancock Royals McKenzie Koch (1) recovers a rebound 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) recovers a rebound 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.

The 5-8 Koch set a program record with 498 points (18.4 per game) for the semistate runner-up Royals. A 45% shooter (82% at the line), she also contributed 4.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.8 steals per game.

'One confident kid.' Kenzie Koch dazzles as a freshman for undefeated Eastern Hancock girls

Elliot Leffler, Roncalli, guard

Roncalli Royals guard Elliot Leffler (25) runs out to the court during team introductions Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, during the game at Pike High School in Indianapolis.
Roncalli Royals guard Elliot Leffler (25) runs out to the court during team introductions Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, during the game at Pike High School in Indianapolis.

One of the state's top freshmen, Leffler shook off an injury in her first game to post 24 points, five rebounds and three steals. She finished the season averaging 13 points, 5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.5 steals over 22 games.

'Dang this girl’s insanely good.' Roncalli's Elliot Leffler 'doesn't play like a freshman.'

Mariyah Marshall, Beech Grove, guard

Marshall was impactful on both ends of the floor, contributing 7.3 points and 2 steals per game. A 40% shooter, she had a career-best 20 points and five steals vs. Cardinal Ritter in January.

Hannah Menser, Plainfield, guard

Plainfield Quakers guard Hannah Menser (22) rushes after the ball against Danville's guard Emma Ancelet (33) on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, during the game at Danville Community High School in Danville.
Plainfield Quakers guard Hannah Menser (22) rushes after the ball against Danville's guard Emma Ancelet (33) on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, during the game at Danville Community High School in Danville.

The 5-8 guard logged 15.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.5 spg and 1.1 bpg for the regional champion Quakers. Menser posted 27 points, eight rebounds, three assists and a steal vs. Danville in the Hendricks County final, and 17 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals in the sectional semis vs. Brownsburg.

'She's a real playmaker': Hannah Menser's strong freshman year continues with county title

Harper Moore, Beech Grove, guard

A multi-sport standout, Moore averaged 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.9 steals for the Hornets. Her game log includes four 20-point performances and a near triple-double (17 points, eight rebounds, six steals) vs. Southport.

Gianna Morelli, Guerin Catholic, center

The 6-3 center was limited to 13 games by a broken ankle, but she was impactful nevertheless, averaging 9.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocks. Morelli was averaging around 12 points and nine rebounds before her injury.

Korinne Nickolson, Pike, guard

The 5-5 Nickolson led the Red Devils in assists (3 per game) and ranked second in steals (2.3 per game), while also contributing 6 ppg. She had 12 points, five assists and four steals in a five-point loss to Hamilton Southeastern in late January.

Izzy Silcox, Greenfield-Central, guard

Greenfield-Central Cougars guard Izzy Silcox (11) goes in for a lay-up against New Palestine Dragons guard Kylee Beranek (23) on 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 guard Izzy Silcox (11) goes in for a lay-up against New Palestine Dragons guard Kylee Beranek (23) on 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.

The 5-8 guard settled right in with a veteran Cougars group, contributing a couple steals and 8.1 points per game on 41% shooting with a 36% mark from 3. Silcox notched 18 pints, four rebounds, four assists and three steals in a win over Southport.

More: Greenfield-Central on the rise following strong 2023-24

Saniya Smith, Pike, guard

Smith led the sectional champion Red Devils in points (12.6 per game) and steals (2.7 per game), while also contributing 2.5 apg. She debuted with 20 points and three steals vs. Avon, dropped 25 points on Fishers and logged 16 points, three assists and two steals in the sectional final vs. Franklin Central.

Gabby Thomas, Mt. Vernon, guard

One of the Marauders top scorers, Thomas averaged 8.4 points on 44% shooting with a 40% mark from 3 across 19 games. She had a career night in the sectional final vs. New Palestine, drilling five 3-pointers as part of a 20-point performance.

Havana Thompson, Decatur Central, guard/forward

Thompson shot 38% from the field and averaged 8.7 points, 2.4 assists and 1.2 steals for the Hawks. She had five-plus assists in four games, including a career-high six (plus nine points and a steal) vs. Fort Wayne Carroll.

Honorable mentions

Avon: Erika Larson; Center Grove: Mackenzie Pierce; Christel House: Maleah Jackson; Greenwood Christian Academy: Norah Herndon, Izzy Howell, Annaleece Jackson, Kate Reed, Reagan Willis; Guerin Catholic: Lillian Behrle, Emery Cardinal, Caroline Ford; Herron: Kallyn Vincent; Indian Creek: Ellie Oliver; North Central: Arianna Harrington, Macy Loy, McKenzi Rutland; Pike: Jazlyn Miller; Purdue Poly: Ja'Nyiah Rogers; Sheridan: Brielle Garner, Sadie Timme; Shortridge: Jocelyn Eskew; Southport: Lorelei Bennett, Teasia Bibbs.

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: These Indiana high school girls basketball freshmen made their mark