Insider: 23 thoughts for upcoming 2023 IHSAA girls sports fall, winter seasons

Here are 23 storylines, names, teams and events to know ahead of the upcoming girls high school sports 2023 fall and early winter seasons:

1. A season of consequence

Changes to the state's classification system won't be implemented until 2024, but the upcoming volleyball season will have at least some impact on how each class looks with the two-year success factor assessed annually instead of bi-annually.

This entry originally stated defending champion Western Boone would move up to Class 4A if it won state this year due to the success factor, but a colleague pointed out the Stars are up based on enrollment, so the success points they earned last season don't actually count (we think). This is all very complicated and I'm no nuclear physicist, so we'll play it safe and not wade into any specifics here. But rest assured, there will be changes.

2. New option for area's elite soccer players

This is a topic we'll be exploring more in-depth, but there will be a few prominent names missing from the high school girls soccer scene this fall with Indy Eleven Academies partnering with Indiana Fire Pro Academy to launch a pro academy through the ECNL. In a nutshell, it gives select players an option to compete and train with a club team year-round instead of playing for their high school team. It's not dissimilar to what's been offered for years on the boys side through MLS Next.

3. Royals repeat?

The road to Muncie and the 4A volleyball crown runs through Hamilton Southeastern. The defending state champions return all but one player from last season, including seniors Madison Evett, Breonna Goss (Duke commit), Lauren Harden (Florida), Macy Hinshaw (Santa Clara), Sophie Ledbetter (Ball State) and Tiffany Snook (Memphis) — not to mention the collection of up-and-comers behind them. There are plenty of worthy challengers elsewhere in the state, but if HSE can rekindle last season's chemistry, watch out.

4. One-and-one is done

Per a decree from the National Federation of State High School Association, the one-and-one free throw bonus has been eliminated and there are new foul limits each quarter for high school basketball teams. Fouls will reset each quarter and a team will shoot two free throws once an opposing team commits five fouls. Here's hoping they lay down some legislation requiring a shot clock.

5. Super Saturday (Oct. 21)

The penultimate weekend in October is jam-packed. Cross-country regionals in the morning, semistate soccer throughout and volleyball regional semifinals and championships serving as the tent poles. Last year's girls soccer semistates featured four games decided by one goal, while the volleyball slate featured a highly-touted collision between HSE and McCutcheon. What might that weekend bring us this year?

6. Volleyball Class of 2024

This is less a storyline and more an observation — this year's class of volleyball seniors is loaded. Similar vibes to softball with a number of teams boasting multiple Division I prospects and nationally ranked recruits. Should make for an unpredictable regular season and an exhilarating state tournament.

7. Lawrence township bragging rights

Let's stay with basketball for the next couple entries and talk specifically about Lawrence township. It's a really good time to be a high school hoops fan in their neck of the woods. Lawrence North and Lawrence Central are both on a sharp upward trajectory, fueled by an assortment of standouts.

The Wildcats of LN ran all the way to the semistate finals under first-year coach Stephen Thomas last season, and have senior Kamara Mills playing alongside an assortment of 2025 standouts, including Jamaya Thomas and Kya Hurt.

LC lost a heartbreaker to Warren Central in sectionals, but the bigger takeaway was the statement made by 2025 star Jaylah Lampley, who went for a game-high 31 points on 65% shooting. She's had a great summer, as has younger sister Lola Lampley (2026), who won a gold medal with Team USA at the FIBA U16 championships.

The first chance for a head-to-head matchup will likely be during the Marion County tournament in December.

8. The Hall of Fame Classic (Dec. 29 at New Castle)

The Big Ten will have a pair of representatives at the Hall of Fame Classic with IU commit Faith Wiseman and defending regional champ Indian Creek taking on Columbia City in the first game, followed by nationally ranked Michigan State commit Juliann Woodard and Jennings County vs. Lake Central in the second game. All four games should be excellent. Columbia City won 20 games before falling to Homestead on a last-second shot in sectionals; senior-free Lake Central upset 4A No. 1 South Bend Washington on its way to the semistate championship game (Aniyah Bishop, Riley Milausnic and Vanessa Wimberly are three to watch for LC).

9. State cross-country meet (Oct. 28 in Terre Haute)

Five of the top-six finishers at last year's state cross-country meet have graduated, including two-time champion Lily Cridge of Bishop Chatard and four-time top-10 finisher Sophia Kennedy of Park Tudor. Delta's Nicki Southerland, a back-to-back runner-up finisher, returns, as do Warsaw's Josefina Rastrelli, Homestead's Addison Knoblauch and Chatard's Julia Score, all of whom finished top-10 last year.

10. Megan Hamm and Greyhounds look for return to IUPUI

The Carmel senior forward caught fire during last year's state tournament scoring five of her team-high 12 goals and registering five assists during the Greyhounds' run to the 3A final. Hamm's encore could be equally prolific with Carmel slated to return a number of key players including Clare Simmonds, Olivia Cebalo, Riley Wilpolt and Olivia Joyce. The Hounds are looking for their 11th state title and first since 2018.

11. Reagan Wilson, Noblesville basketball

With her commitment to Iowa State finalized, Wilson tore through her final 11 games, averaging 22.8 points on 50% shooting. The Millers typically stack their schedule — particularly during the first semester — so the Junior All-Star should have ample opportunity to bolster her case for IndyStar Miss Basketball early in the season.

More: After offseason jolt for Noblesville girls hoops, Reagan Wilson is 'the one we look to'

12. Meredith Tippner, Noblesville soccer and basketball

Tippner has been turning heads for a couple years now and while basketball is her primary sport, she'll be stepping into a more prominent role with the state champion soccer team after scoring 15 goals and 10 assists as a sophomore alongside Ohio State freshman Ava Bramblett. No sooner will soccer wrap and Tippner will be on the hardwood alongside Wilson, looking to lead Noblesville to its second state title in three years.

13. Center Grove soccer vs. Roncalli (TBA)

Center Grove scored twice in overtime to down Roncalli when they last met during last year's state tournament, and holds a 4-0-1 lead in the all-time series (past four meetings decided by two goals or fewer). The two teams could meet twice again this season. The Trojans return a number of key players including Kylie Smith, Addie Crowe, Brooklyn Brown, Taylor Wert and goalkeeper Sophia Gorall, while Roncalli is headlined by junior Summer Fishel.

14. The growth of girls wrestling

It's safe to assume girls wrestling will move closer to being sanctioned by the IHSAA later this year. Participation has skyrocketed in recent years and it was labeled an emerging sport by the IHSAA in May 2022. That means once 50% of member schools field a team, it will be eligible for consideration as a state-sanctioned sport.

15. Kendall Moe, Hamilton Heights wrestling

Central Indiana's lone state champion at last year's state meet, the sophomore won the 98-pound title at the IHSGW championships. Moe also competed in the USA Wrestling Girls Folkstyle Nationals and Junior National Duals over the summer.

16. Avery Gordon, Brownsburg basketball

The 6-6 forward averaged over 18 points, nine rebounds and three blocks per game last season, and has been picking up offers left-and-right this summer. Among the latest to enter the fray: Kentucky, Penn State, Clemson, Iowa State and Texas Tech. Looking for a chance to see her? Well, the Hoosier Crossroads Conference slate offers some quality matchups — games at Noblesville (Nov. 17) and vs. HSE (Nov. 21) already on the schedule — but might I recommend…

17. Sneakers 4 Santa (Nov. 25 at Brownsburg)

This has been a great addition to the girls basketball schedule, showcasing some of the top teams from around the state. No word yet on who'll be participating in this year's event, but a Brownsburg-Jennings County clash in primetime would be real fun with Gordon vs. Woodard. (Worth noting Jennings County has a game vs. Rushville scheduled for Nov. 25, per John Harrell.)

18. Carmel swimming

The Greyhounds' quest for a 38th consecutive state championship and 39th overall will begin this winter. Not much else to add here, though 38 straight championships would be crazy. You know, more so than the current streak of 37, which is pretty pedestrian when you really think about it. (That was a joke. Please don't email my boss.)

19. Western Boone volleyball's quest continues

WeBo won its first-ever regional championship en route to a 2A runner-up finish in 2022, then repeated as regional champ and was within a set of taking out eventual 3A champion Providence in the semistate championship last year. The Stars return the battery of their attack with hitter Raegan Durbin, one of the state's top talents, and setter Janie Ransom.

20. In-state recruiting success

There's a trend taking shape on the girls basketball recruiting circuit with more of the state's top players committing to Butler, IU or Purdue — see: Butler freshman Cristen Carter, HSE junior Maya Makalusky (IU) and Fort Wayne Snider senior Jordyn Poole (Purdue). There are a few different reasons for this, with coaching at all three schools among the most significant (as well as HSE alum Sydney Parrish at IU), and it sets the table for the next wave of standouts, which includes: Gordon, HSE's Kennedy Holman, Silver Creek's Brooklynn Renn, Crown Point's Ava Ziolkowski and Valparaiso's Lilly Barnes.

21. Ava Bunker, golf

Bunker will not be defending her state championship. The Edinburgh native captured the state championship in record-setting fashion as a freshman with Columbus North, but has decided against competing with the Bull Dogs for her sophomore season.

22. Youth movement on the links

Beyond Bunker, five of the top-10 finishers at last year's state meet were underclassmen, including Westfield's Addi Kooi, Franklin's Lexi Ray and Carmel's Sophie Mock. Examining the team chase: First-place Carmel returns its top four individual finishers, as does second-place Center Grove. Westfield, which placed seventh at state, returns the fourth- and sixth-place finishers.

23. Fall sports coverage coming soon…

How soon? Well, it's already in the works, folks.

From preseason Super Teams and Fab 15s for soccer (boys and girls) and volleyball to a variety of different features and analysis throughout the year, we'll have it all covered.

So, if you haven't already, now is as good a time as any to subscribe.

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA girls soccer, volleyball, basketball, golf thoughts for 2023