Indiana Miss Basketball: A closer look at 2024 frontrunners; more names to consider

We are rounding into the home stretch of the high school girls basketball season and IndyStar Miss Basketball remains up for grabs with not much separation among the projected frontrunners.

Let's take a closer look at those current favorites, make a case for each player and consider what they can do to solidify their case. Also included are a few players who will be taken under consideration (and may receive some votes from the statewide media and coaches).

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Players are listed in alphabetical order.

FRONTRUNNERS

Jordyn Poole, Fort Wayne Snider

The senior Purdue commit hyperextended her knee in June and was not officially cleared until the first day of practice. She's appeared in 16 of 17 games this season, and felt she was back to 100% around the end of December.

Making the case: Poole ranks top-10 in Class 4A, averaging 4.9 assists through 16 games (79 total) with only 42 total turnovers. But those numbers don't do justice to her contributions as the Panthers' starting point guard. She's a savvy passer, often creating those opportunities with the pass that leads to the assist on a bucket (the uncredited hockey assists). Poole has taken full advantage of the experience and talent surrounding her as a facilitator, while also demonstrating her capabilities as a scorer, averaging a career-high 17 ppg on 45% shooting.

Poole commands your attention whenever she touches the ball and has led Snider to runner-up finishes in regional (2022) and semistate (2023). She has 1,235 career points, 337 assists and 204 steals.

'It was a blessing in disguise': Poole (finally) back to 100% for FW Snider

How to solidify: Both of the Panthers' state tournament runs were ended by a Hamilton County team: Eventual state champion Noblesville in 2022 and state runner-up Fishers last season. The road to Gainbridge won't be drawn until Jan. 21, but clearing that Sectional 8 champion feels like the last hurdle for Poole to clear.

Chloe Spreen, Bedford North Lawrence

The Alabama commit scored a game-high 26 points last week against Jennings County (L, 58-41), accounting for all the Stars' points until the 31-second mark of the first half. She also had a hand in every BNL field goal until midway through the fourth quarter.

Making the case for: A well-rounded talent who is capable of scoring from virtually anywhere on the floor (she's especially adept at attacking the basket, but has really improved as a 3-point shooter), Spreen has been responsible for carrying the youthful Stars this season and has done so with aplomb. The 5-10 guard/forward is averaging around 20 points on 41% shooting, seven rebounds and three steals through 18 games, with notable wins over Mooresville, Brownsburg, Silver Creek and Noblesville.

The most compelling component of Spreen's resume is her state tournament success: Back-to-back regional runner-up finishes (both narrow losses to Franklin), followed by last season's state championship run, wherein she averaged 19 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals (totaled 46 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and four steals over the final three rounds vs. Center Grove, Lawrence North and Fishers).

Spreen has 1,721 career points, 589 rebounds, 239 assists and 192 steals.

State wrap: Spreen shines amidst BNL's state run

How to solidify: Spreen would issue a serious statement by leading Bedford North Lawrence to an unprecedented 13th consecutive sectional championship, a task which will likely require avenging that aforementioned loss to Jennings County.

Reagan Wilson, Noblesville

Though she began making a name for herself as an underclassman, it was the Iowa State commit's December-February run last season — which began with a buzzer-beater vs. BNL at the Hall of Fame Classic — that really elevated her Miss Basketball campaign. 

Making the case for: A constant source of energy and a do-it-all point guard, Wilson's role has evolved over the course of her career. She started at point guard as a freshman for Noblesville's first sectional championship team since 2015, then averaged 10 points and four assists whilst starring alongside Ashlynn Shade during the team's 2022 state championship run. When Shade transferred prior to last season, the 5-8 Wilson took command for Noblesville, averaging 17 ppg, 4 apg and 3 spg, with 23 ppg on 50% shooting over her final 11 games.

Wilson is a tireless defender and very dependable with the ball, averaging fewer than two turnovers per game as an upperclassman. She has maintained her role as the team's go-to scorer as a senior, averaging 17.6 ppg, 2.1 apg, 2.9 spg. Wilson has 1,225 points, 323 steals and 257 steals for her career.

Insider: Wilson's leadership shines through for Noblesville

How she can solidify her case: Another sectional championship would really bolster Wilson's case, especially considering the Millers' strength of schedule and what such a run might entail (beating some combination of Hamilton Southeastern, Fishers and Zionsville). Wilson is 2-0 vs. Snider and 2-2 vs. BNL in her career.

FOR CONSIDERATION

Alli Harness, Carroll (Flora): The Western Michigan commit, who led the Cougars to a sectional championship as a sophomore, has 1,982 career points, 451 assists and 289 steals. She's a career 45% shooter.

Talia Harris, Fishers: Harris was critical to the 4A runner-up Tigers advancing beyond regionals for the first time in program history, averaging around 10 points and two steals. She's logging over 14 points, six rebounds and five assists as a senior, with the Tigers preparing to enter the daunting Sectional 8 tournament.

Olivia Nickerson, Twin Lakes: The Bethel commit holds the state record for 3-pointers with 374 and counting. She guided the Indians to a 28-1 finish last season that included its first sectional title since 2007 and first regional crown since 1982. Nickerson has 1,884 career points.

Faith Wiseman, Indian Creek: The IU commit has 1,291 points, 951 rebounds, 276 assists, 160 steals and 274 blocks for her career, and is on pace to graduate with at least 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds. Wiseman has led the Braves to three straight sectional championships and their first-ever regional title (2023).

Juliann Woodard, Jennings County: The Michigan State commit is closing in on the school's all-time scoring record with 1,498 points. She also has 958 rebounds, 246 assists, 179 steals and 162 blocks.

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Miss Basketball 2024 frontrunners, top players to know