Hoosier Hotbeds
There was a time not long ago, when kids were always outdoors playing backyard sports whenever the weather would permit them. There were few rules applied, no coaches around, and there certainly were no trophies to play for. Whether it…
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Continue ReadingThere was a time not long ago, when kids were always outdoors playing backyard sports whenever the weather would permit them. There were few rules applied, no coaches around, and there certainly were no trophies to play for. Whether it was your block, your neighborhood, or your community, winning was of vital importance, because you simply played for bragging rights until the next time you took the court. There were famous playgrounds coast to coast, like Rucker Park in Harlem, Manhattan, or the Venice Beach courts in Los Angeles. Even the old Ben Davis outdoor courts in Indianapolis drew recognition as one of the top playgrounds in the country 20-25 years ago. You could go there and see some of the area’s top high school players, Midwestern college talent, and even a few pros during the late-Summer months.
All of that got me thinking…who has the best top-end talent right now in Indiana? Below I’ve assembled a list of the top counties in Indiana when it comes to girls basketball talent. Why counties? Anytime you do cities or regions, it’s tough to draw firm lines as to who should or shouldn’t be included. Do you add in suburbs? What if one region has four counties, while another has eight? I felt like using singular counties was clear and concise. In order to be eligible for a county, a school’s physical location must be inside the county lines. I went through each county and assembled a group of the top seven players I could come up with who are currently in high school, using a combination of talent, skill, and productivity.
Below are the fifteen counties who stood out the most to me. This is meant to be fun and entertaining, and with only seven players selected from each county, there are several talented prospects who were omitted for one reason or another. I also limited teams to seven because I wanted to find a middle ground where every county was represented fairly. Several smaller counties had three or four really talented kids but no depth. While a couple of the bigger counties have a ton of depth that would have clearly outshined everyone else if I used total talent with no limits. Seven seemed like a number that made smaller counties “earn” it, while also limiting the bigger counties from dominance. Please enjoy…
1. HAMILTON COUNTY – “THE BURBS”
Sydney Parrish, 2020, 6-2 W, Hamilton Southeastern H.S.
Lindsey Syrek, 2020, 6-2 F, University H.S.
Katie Burton, 2021, 5-8 G, Fishers H.S.
Bridget Dunn, 2021, 6-2 F, Carmel H.S.
Kate Clarke, 2022, 6-0 W, Carmel H.S.
Alyssa Crockett, 2022, 6-2 F, Westfield H.S.
Ashlynn Shade, 2023, 5-10 G, Noblesville H.S.
Overview: This group is absolutely loaded. They have a tremendous combination of size, skill, and ability, and there are some real point-producers here. The backcourt begins with star Freshman Ashlynn Shade, who can run an offense and distribute or put up points in a hurry herself. She has started her career off with a bang. Katie Burton is a nice compliment, because her ability to attack and finish around the basket is unparalleled. She’s also shooting it much better. Kate Clarke has improved tremendously over the last calendar year, and she’s such a threat to shoot/score as either a guard or a wing. Speaking of scoring, Sydney Parrish can fill it up, whether she’s running offense with the ball in her hands or getting open off of cuts. Up front this group has a nice trio of skillful players. Lindsey Syrek has developed a solid back-to-the-basket game, plus she can stretch the defense with her touch. Alyssa Crockett is a mid-post forward with the ability to handle, create, and shoot outside. She gets better every week. And Bridget Dunn is a former wing guard who has grown six inches since 8th Grade, so she has a solid handle and perimeter stroke, to accompany the ability to play in the paint some. This may not be the best defensive group, but they will outscore teams, and in a hurry.
2. MARION COUNTY – “NAPTOWN”
Rachel Loobie, 2020, 6-0 F, Franklin Central H.S.
Jasmine McWilliams, 2020, 5-10 W, North Central H.S.
Sydney Watkins, 2020, 5-9 G, Heritage Christian School
Maddie Bischoff, 2021, 5-9 G, Roncalli H.S.
Meg Newman, 2021, 6-2 F, North Central H.S.
Jayla Smith, 2021, 5-11 G, Lawrence North H.S.
Ariana Wiggins, 2021, 5-8 PG, Heritage Christian School
Overview: Indianapolis possesses enough talent to place three or four teams on this list, which is why I limited rosters to seven players. This particular group has a nice combination of athletes, shooters, scorers, and defenders. With Ariana Wiggins at the point, you have a triple-threat. She can create and distribute, she can score it herself, and she can be a top-tier defender. Speaking of defense, Sydney Watkins is one of the best defenders in the state, plus her offense has gotten better each year. Jayla Smith has turned herself into a lethal scorer with range near 30-feet. As she gets stronger, she gets scarier for opponents. That rings true for Maddie Bischoff as well. Her game has come full-circle in the last year, and she showed a deft shooting touch in July. Jasmine McWilliams is one of the best athletes in her class, and her ability to slash to the basket plus defend multiple positions makes her very valuable. Rachel Loobie is another nice athlete who seemingly always produces inside, but she’s skilled enough to play outside as well. Junior Meg Newman is yet another hybrid forward who looks the part of a power player but plays most comfortably around the perimeter. This group might have the best offensive/defensive balance of any, and they certainly match any group athletically.
3. ST. JOSEPH COUNTY – “METROPOLIS” (of Northern Indiana)
Antreese Shelton, 2020, 6-2 F, Penn H.S.
Keegan Sullivan, 2020, 5-11 W, South Bend St. Joseph H.S.
Trinity Clinton, 2021, 5-7 W, Penn H.S.
McKenzie Hudgen, 2021, 5-7 G, Mishawaka Marian H.S.
Mila Reynolds, 2022, 6-2 F, South Bend Washington H.S.
Nevaeh Foster, 2023, 5-7 G, Mishawaka Marian H.S.
Amiyah Reynolds, 2023, 5-11 W, South Bend Washington H.S.
Overview: This was the group that surprised me a bit. Here you have a collection of relatively unknown players statewide, but believe me, they can play. Keegan Sullivan brings a unique versatility to the game, because she is built so powerfully, yet she handles & shoots it like a guard. She is your playmaker offensively for this group. McKenzie Hudgen is about as tough as they come. She too can act as a distributor, she’s starting to score it more aggressively, but she’s also a hard-working defender who backs down from no one. In a class of great Freshmen, not many people are talking about Nevaeh Foster, but she has a chance to develop into the real deal because of her scoring balance and athleticism. Trinity Clinton had an outstanding Summer and it’s noticeable in how much her skillset has developed. She also plays with a great motor. Amiyah Reynolds burst onto the scene this season, and she is a smooth & fluid point forward who can do a little of everything well. Older sister Mila Reynolds is back and healthy, which makes her one of the top Sophomores in the entire state because of her skill and versatility. And Antreese Shelton is one of the more under-appreciated talents. She has great length, athleticism, and is a mismatch because of her inside-out skillset. This group collectively has talent, but it’s going to be their work ethic that sets them apart.
4. ALLEN COUNTY – “SUMMIT CITY”
Sydney Graber, 2020, 6-0 F, Homestead H.S.
Jaci Jones, 2020, 5-4 PG, Fort Wayne South Side H.S.
Lydia Reimbold, 2020, 5-9 W, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers H.S.
Chanteese Craig, 2021, 6-1 C, Fort Wayne Concordia H.S.
Lamiya Woodson, 2021, 5-11 F, Fort Wayne South Side H.S.
Ayanna Patterson, 2022, 6-3 W, Homestead H.S.
Olivia Smith, 2022, 5-3 PG, Fort Wayne South Side H.S.
Overview: Fort Wayne has been home to several ballplayers over the years, and this season is no different. In this group you get two electric playmakers in Jaci Jones and Olivia Smith. Jones is as tough as they come, she’s feisty, and she makes play after play at both ends of the floor. Smith is another tough-nosed little guard. She often finishes through contact while the defenders take the fall. Despite their size, those two pack a real punch and can terrorize opponents. Lydia Reimbold is a long and fluid athlete on the wing. She can shoot it with range or slide over and run offense when needed. She is a definite plug-and-play kid who fits many roles. There’s no questioning the talent Ayanna Patterson brings to the table. Her elite status nationally would give this group a chance in any given matchup. Homestead frontcourt ‘mate Sydney Graber was as good as I’ve ever seen her over the Summer. She has become a tough matchup because she can shoot, score, and post, plus she has a great feel for the game. Chanteese Craig is back and seems to be motivated early this season. She has always had the size and the tools, but now she’s putting them to good use nightly. Lamiya Woodson is one of the more under-appreciated players in 2021. She’s a strong and athletic front-liner, but she also possesses skill in the mid-post. This group looks to beat you with a combination of skill and toughness, and it all starts with their guard play.
5. LAKE COUNTY – “THE REGION”
Dash Shaw, 2020, 5-6 G, Crown Point H.S.
Abby Stoddard, 2020, 6-0 F, Crown Point H.S.
Sara Zabrecky, 2020, 5-8 G, Munster H.S.
Courtney Blakely, 2021, 5-7 PG, Hammond Bishop Noll Institute
Jessica Carrothers, 2022, 5-7 G, Crown Point H.S.
Iatia Poston, 2022, 5-8 W, Gary Lighthouse CPA
Lilly Stoddard, 2022, 6-3 F, Crown Point H.S.
Overview: Rounding out the Top-5 is “The Region”. This guard group is as balanced and dynamic as any here. Jessica Carrothers flat out produces every night. Her combination of toughness, motor, and skill are unparalleled in the 2022 class. Courtney Blakely is another talented guard with genetics on her side. She can create and distribute, but she is also an effective shooter/scorer who can get hot quickly. Dash Shaw changed addresses this Fall, and she has slid into the starting lineup almost seamlessly after scoring nearly 1500 points at Gary West Side her first three years. Sara Zabrecky also changed schools in the offseason, coming over from Lake Central. She is a sharp-shooter who adds that needed weapon to a lineup filled with athletic drivers. Iatia Poston is an athletic and versatile wing who does a little of everything. She is still young and learning, but she possesses great upside. Abby & Lilly Stoddard add a little size to the group, though neither are true post players. Abby was a thin 5-8 wing her Freshman year, but she has grown and developed into a skillful face-up forward. Lilly is a long, bouncy, and athletic mid-post forward, and she continues to improve as she gains strength. She has begun posting more with that added strength. This group is perimeter-oriented, but there is a nice mixture of skill and ability here. They could be an “outscore you” group.
6. HOWARD COUNTY
Kendall Bostic, 2020, Northwestern; McKenzie Cooper, 2020, Eastern-Greentown; Jeanie Crabtree, 2020, Eastern-Greentown; Madison Layden, 2020, Northwestern; Klair Merrell, 2020, Northwestern; Kelsi Langley, 2022, Taylor; McKenna Layden, 2023, Northwestern
Overview: The Senior duo of Madison Layden and Kendall Bostic obviously puts this Kokomo-area team on the map, but there are some other really nice pieces here, including up-and-coming youngsters like Kelsi Langley and McKenna Layden.
7. CLARK COUNTY
Natalie Boesing, 2020, Our Lady of Providence; Nan Garcia, 2020, Jeffersonville; Kiersten Poor, 2020, Jeffersonville; Jaclyn Emly, 2021, Silver Creek; Alana Striverson, 2021, Silver Creek; Emme Rooney, 2022, Silver Creek; Kynidi Striverson, 2022, Silver Creek
Overview: The best player in the state you probably haven’t seen enough of is likely Nan Garcia. She’s the clear headliner here, dominant at times, and she could carry this team. The transfer of Alana & Kynidi Striverson from Louisville Male certainly helps this group and Silver Creek greatly.
8. HENDRICKS COUNTY
Allison Bosse, 2020, Brownsburg; Ella Collier, 2020, Danville Community; Haley Nichols, 2020, Avon; Ally Becki, 2021, Brownsburg; Alex Richard, 2021, Avon; Kenna Kirby, 2022, Tri-West; Ellie Wilkerson, 2022, Plainfield
Overview: There have been years when the Hendricks County group could be in the Top-3, and this group as a whole does include a scary perimeter-shooting element…Ella Collier is the most elite. It’s nice to have Ally Becki back healthy, plus Kenna Kirby & Ellie Wilkerson continue to improve.
9. ELKHART COUNTY
Maddy Payne, 2020, NorthWood; Kate Rulli, 2020, NorthWood; Sydney Simon, 2020, Concord; Brynn Shoup-Hill, 2021, Goshen; Kendal Swartout, 2021, Concord; Brea Garber, 2023, Fairfield; Makaya Porter, 2023, Elkhart Central
Overview: Like their St. Joseph County neighbors, the Elkhart County squad is a bit unheralded. Brynn Shoup-Hill gives them a presence in the paint, plus Kendal Swartout has added a perimeter game to her strong interior play. Watch out for Makaya Porter, as the Freshman has started out hot this season.
10. VANDERBURGH COUNTY
Kenna Hisle, 2020, Evansville North; Gabby Joyner, 2020, Evansville North; Ryleigh Anslinger, 2021, Evansville Memorial; Mariah Dickerson, 2021, Evansville Mater Dei; Peyton Murphy, 2021, Evansville Memorial; Amaya Thomas, 2021, Evansville Central; Emily Mattingly, 2023, Evansville Memorial
Overview: I was a little surprised the “Pocket City” group didn’t wind up higher on the list, but this group isn’t one to mess with. Mariah Dickerson & Amaya Thomas can control the paint and the boards on any given night. Kenna Hisle is a nice perimeter scorer. And Ryleigh Anslinger is a quality “sleeper”.
HONORABLE MENTION: Grant County, Johnson County, Knox County, Shelby County, Tippecanoe County
Feature image photographed by Mitch Diamond and found at pixels.com.