Preseason Awards: Class 4A

The featured image is of Ayanna PattersonAyannaPatterson6'3" | SFHomestead | 2022State#5NationIN of Homestead High School. Two weeks ago, teams from all over Indiana were allowed to begin their first official practices. Beginning two nights ago, November 2nd, teams were permitted to begin official games. With that said, what players should make some noise in Class 4A for the 2020-2021 season? Below I have attempted to answer that question as best as possible. These preseason awards are based solely on how I think players will perform this season. Past success is a factor in my decision process, but it isn’t the end-all. Talent, potential, basketball IQ, and several other items play a big part as well. Additionally, players graduate and others step into more prominent roles, Freshmen arrive, plus other players transfer. Roles can change based on any number of other reasons as well. Without anymore delay, below is a look at our picks for the preseason awards and all-state teams in Class 4A.   PRESEASON AWARDS These preseason awards are an attempt at honoring girls who I think stand out in Class 4A. There are multiple legitimate candidates for each award, and every award is easily debatable, but I chose them based on who I thought filled the description best. Each award is determined through different criteria, as some awards are based primarily on opinion, while others are decided with a heavy influence from statistical merit. Class 4A Preseason Individual Awards Most Valuable Player: Jayla SmithJaylaSmith5'11" | SGLawrence North | 2021State#73NationIN, 2021, Lawrence North Most Outstanding Player: Ayanna PattersonAyannaPatterson6'3" | SFHomestead | 2022State#5NationIN, 2022, Homestead Toughest Player: Katie BurtonKatieBurton5'9" | SGFishers | 2021StateIN, 2021, Fishers Best Motor: Jessica CarrothersJessicaCarrothers5'7" | PGCrown Point | 2022StateIN, 2022, Crown Point Best Shooter: Lexi SheltonLexiShelton5'8" | SFMt. Vernon (Fortville) | 2021StateIN, 2021, Mount Vernon (Fortville) Best Scorer: Ashlynn ShadeAshlynnShade5'11" | CGNoblesville | 2023State#33NationIN, 2023, Noblesville Best Passer: Sanaa ThomasSanaaThomas5'4" | PGWarren Central | 2023StateIN, 2023, Warren Central Best Rebounder: Trinity ThompsonTrinityThompson6'0" | PFMichigan City | 2021StateIN, 2021, Michigan City Best Shot-Blocker: Brynn Shoup-HillBrynnShoup-Hill6'3" | CGoshen | 2021StateIN, 2021, Goshen Best Defender: Kaitlyn CostnerKaitlynCostner5'7" | CGPenn | 2021StateIN, 2021, Penn Best Athlete: Ayanna PattersonAyannaPatterson6'3" | SFHomestead | 2022State#5NationIN, 2022, Homestead Most Versatile: Alyssa CrockettAlyssaCrockett6'2" | SFWestfield | 2022State#62NationIN, 2022, Westfield   PRESEASON ALL-STATE TEAMS Just like with the preseason awards, this was another attempt to honor girls who stand out in Class 4A. These teams were selected based on equal parts talent, skill, potential, statistical accomplishments, and team accomplishments. While we can debate who should be where, I do think it’s easy to understand why each of the girls listed below were at least selected to be honored. Class 4A Preseason 1st Team All-State Jayla SmithJaylaSmith5'11" | SGLawrence North | 2021State#73NationIN, 2021, 5-11 SG, Lawrence North - 13.9p, 3.1r, 3.5s in 2019-2020 Jessica CarrothersJessicaCarrothers5'7" | PGCrown Point | 2022StateIN, 2022, 5-7 CG, Crown Point - 19.1p, 4.5r, 3.8a, 4.6s in 2019-2020 Kate ClarkeKateClarke6'1" | SFCarmel | 2022State#56NationIN, 2022, 6-1 SF, Carmel - 17.1p, 3.7r, 2.5a in 2019-2020 Ayanna PattersonAyannaPatterson6'3" | SFHomestead | 2022State#5NationIN, 2022, 6-3 SF, Homestead - 13.5p, 8.4r in 2019-2020 Ashlynn ShadeAshlynnShade5'11" | CGNoblesville | 2023State#33NationIN, 2023, 5-10 CG, Noblesville - 20.1p, 6.7r, 2.3a, 4.2s in 2019-2020 Class 4A Preseason 2nd Team All-State Katie BurtonKatieBurton5'9" | SGFishers | 2021StateIN, 2021, 5-9 SG, Fishers - 15.4p, 4.7r, 2.0s in 2019-2020 Trinity ClintonTrinityClinton5'7" | SGPenn | 2021StateIN, 2021, 5-7 SG, Penn - 17.8p, 5.4r, 3.3a, 2.6s in 2019-2020 Kaitlyn CostnerKaitlynCostner5'7" | CGPenn | 2021StateIN, 2021, 5-7 CG, Penn - 12.8p, 4.8r, 2.0s in 2019-2020 Meg NewmanMegNewman6'3" | PFNorth Central (Indianapolis) | 2021State#84NationIN, 2021, 6-3 PF, North Central (Indianapolis) - 10.0, 5.8r in 2019-2020 Alyssa CrockettAlyssaCrockett6'2" | SFWestfield | 2022State#62NationIN, 2022, 6-2 SF, Westfield - 14.6p, 8.4r, 3.3a, 2.0s in 2019-2020 Class 4A Preseason 3rd Team All-State Ally BeckiAllyBecki5'8" | PGBrownsburg | 2021StateIN, 2021, 5-8 PG, Brownsburg - 11.5p, 7.2r, 3.9a, 3.0s in 2019-2020 Madelyn BischoffMadelynBischoff5'10" | SGRoncalli | 2021StateIN, 2021, 5-10 SG, Roncalli - 18.3p, 3.7r, 2.0s in 2019-2020 Bridget DunnBridgetDunn6'3" | PFCarmel | 2021StateIN, 2021, 6-3 PF, Carmel - 12.3p, 9.9r, 1.8b in 2019-2020 Brynn Shoup-HillBrynnShoup-Hill6'3" | CGoshen | 2021StateIN, 2021, 6-3 C, Goshen - 15.5p, 11.5r, 4.1b in 2019-2020 Trinity ThompsonTrinityThompson6'0" | PFMichigan City | 2021StateIN, 2021, 6-0 PF, Michigan City - 20.0p, 15.8r, 2.2a, 3.6s in 2019-2020 Class 4A Preseason 4th Team All-State Tyra FordTyraFord5'9" | SFAnderson | 2021StateIN, 2021, 5-9 SF, Anderson - 22.7p, 7.6r, 2.8a, 3.8s, 1.8b in 2019-2020 Koryn GreiweKorynGreiwe5'7" | PGColumbus East | 2022StateIN, 2022, 5-7 PG, Columbus East - 21.2p, 3.6r, 3.3a, 2.3s in 2019-2020 Jaelynne MurrayJaelynneMurray5'11" | SFPike | 2022StateIN, 2022, 5-10 SF, Pike - 12.1p, 3.7r in 2019-2020 Lilly StoddardLillyStoddard6'4" | PFCrown Point | 2022State#73NationIN, 2022, 6-4 PF, Crown Point - 9.7p, 8.1r, 2.8b in 2019-2020 Tanyuel WelchTanyuelWelch5'10" | PGNorth Central (Indianapolis) | 2022StateIN, 2022, 5-10 PG, North Central (Indianapolis) - 13.2p, 5.3r, 3.0a, 2.6s in 2019-2020 Class 4A Preseason 5th Team All-State Mary WilsonMaryWilson5'10" | SFCenter Grove | 2021StateIN, 2021, 5-10 SF, Center Grove - 14.7p, 3.4r in 2019-2020 Rayah KincerRayahKincer5'10" | CGFranklin Central | 2022StateIN, 2022, 5-10 CG, Franklin Central - 10.6p, 4.3r, 2.2a in 2019-2020 Teresa MaggioTeresaMaggio5'5" | PGMcCutcheon | 2022StateIN, 2022, 5-5 PG, McCutcheon - 18.8p, 7.5r, 3.8a in 2019-2020 Olivia SmithOliviaSmith5'4" | PGFort Wayne South Side | 2022StateIN, 2022, 5-4 PG, Fort Wayne South Side - 13.2p, 2.7r, 2.9a, 2.9s in 2019-2020 Laila HullLailaHull6'1" | PFZionsville | 2023State#49NationIN, 2023, 6-1 PF, Zionsville Community - 13.4p, 7.8r, 2.8s in 2019-2020 Class 4A Preseason Honorable Mention All-State Grace AdamsGraceAdams5'10" | SFPenn | 2021StateIN, 2021, Penn Alayha AllenAlayhaAllen5'10" | PFRichmond | 2021StateIN, 2021, Richmond Amber AustinAmberAustin6'0" | CHomestead | 2021StateIN, 2021, Homestead Kyra BakerKyraBaker5'5" | PGFranklin Community | 2021StateIN, 2021, Franklin Community Jordan BarnesJordanBarnes5'6" | SGPortage | 2021StateIN, 2021, Portage Layne BurkeLayneBurke5'11" | PFNew Albany | 2021StateIN, 2021, New Albany Sanaa Cartledge, 2021, Lafayette Jefferson Jessica CastorJessicaCastor5'6" | CGWestfield | 2021StateIN, 2021, Westfield Ali DaleAliDale5'9" | SFPerry Meridian | 2021StateIN, 2021, Perry Meridian Kylie DavisKylieDavis5'7" | SGPendleton Heights | 2021StateIN, 2021, Pendleton Heights Gigi EldredgeGigiEldredge6'0" | CWestfield | 2021StateIN, 2021, Westfield Audra EmmersonAudraEmmerson5'6" | PGFishers | 2021StateIN, 2021, Fishers Courtney FieldsCourtneyFields5'7" | PGCathedral | 2021StateIN, 2021, Cathedral Lexi Fraley, 2021, West Lafayette Harrison Anya FriendAnyaFriend5'9" | SFBloomington South | 2021StateIN, 2021, Bloomington South Irye GomezIryeGomez5'9" | SGBedford North Lawrence | 2021StateIN, 2021, Bedford North Lawrence Brooke GrinsteadBrookeGrinstead5'7" | SGBloomington South | 2021StateIN, 2021, Bloomington South Katelyn HalfacreKatelynHalfacre5'4" | CGMichigan City | 2021StateIN, 2021, Michigan City Zayda HatfieldZaydaHatfield5'8" | CGTerre Haute South Vigo | 2021StateIN, 2021, Terre Haute South Vigo Anna HendersonAnnaHenderson5'9" | SFWest Lafayette Harrison | 2021StateIN, 2021, West Lafayette Harrison Emma HendersonEmmaHenderson5'9" | SFWest Lafayette Harrison | 2021StateIN, 2021, West Lafayette Harrison Natalie HowardNatalieHoward6'0" | PFBen Davis | 2021StateIN, 2021, Ben Davis Nakaih HunterNakaihHunter5'11" | PFNorth Central (Indianapolis) | 2021StateIN, 2021, North Central (Indianapolis) Destiny JacksonDestinyJackson5'10" | SFFort Wayne Snider | 2021StateIN, 2021, Fort Wayne Snider Holly KaimHollyKaim5'9" | PFMunster | 2021StateIN, 2021, Munster Indiah KendrickIndiahKendrick5'6" | PGAvon | 2021StateIN, 2021, Avon Addyson KentAddysonKent5'7" | CGJennings County | 2021StateIN, 2021, Jennings County Makena KneppMakenaKnepp5'8" | SFNorthridge | 2021StateIN, 2021, Northridge Nalani MalackowskiNalaniMalackowski5'6" | CGChesterton | 2021StateIN, 2021, Chesterton Gracie McCullarsGracieMcCullars5'6" | CGWhiteland Community | 2021StateIN, 2021, Whiteland Community Sayla McIntosh, 2021, Muncie Central Alexa McKinleyAlexaMcKinley5'8" | PGColumbus North | 2021StateIN, 2021, Columbus North Chloe McKnightChloeMcKnight5'8" | SGBedford North Lawrence | 2021StateIN, 2021, Bedford North Lawrence Grace MeyerGraceMeyer5'9" | PFSeymour | 2021StateIN, 2021, Seymour Mallory Miller, 2021, Noblesville Torri MillerTorriMiller5'2" | PGMerrillville | 2021StateIN, 2021, Merrillville Aleena MongerieAleenaMongerie5'7" | CGMunster | 2021StateIN, 2021, Munster Sally MortensenSallyMortensen5'9" | PFPerry Meridian | 2021StateIN, 2021, Perry Meridian Kiana OellingKianaOelling5'10" | SFValparaiso | 2021StateIN, 2021, Valparaiso Ajah OrrAjahOrr5'2" | PGRichmond | 2021StateIN, 2021, Richmond Ryin OttRyinOtt5'11" | SFLaPorte | 2021StateIN, 2021, LaPorte Imani Owens, 2021, South Bend Riley Emily ParrettEmilyParrett5'7" | PGCarroll (Fort Wayne) | 2021StateIN, 2021, Carroll (Fort Wayne) Lauren PollockLaurenPollock6'3" | CLaPorte | 2021StateIN, 2021, LaPorte Alex RichardAlexRichard6'1" | PFAvon | 2021StateIN, 2021, Avon Katey RichasonKateyRichason6'0" | PFZionsville Community | 2021StateIN, 2021, Zionsville Community Kensie RymanKensieRyman5'5" | CGWarsaw Community | 2021StateIN, 2021, Warsaw Community Alyna SantiagoAlynaSantiago5'5" | PGCrown Point | 2021StateIN, 2021, Crown Point Emma SchmidtEmmaSchmidt5'9" | SFChesterton | 2021StateIN, 2021, Chesterton Lexi SheltonLexiShelton5'8" | SFMt. Vernon (Fortville) | 2021StateIN, 2021, Mount Vernon (Fortville) Joslynn SpearsJoslynnSpears5'7" | CGPike | 2021StateIN, 2021, Pike Grace SullivanGraceSullivan5'4" | PGHomestead | 2021StateIN, 2021, Homestead Kendal SwartoutKendalSwartout6'0" | PFConcord | 2021StateIN, 2021, Concord Amaya ThomasAmayaThomas5'11" | PFEvansville Central | 2021StateIN, 2021, Evansville Central Daylynn ThorntonDaylynnThornton5'8" | CGMcCutcheon | 2021StateIN, 2021, McCutcheon Jennifer TomasicJenniferTomasic5'8" | SGLake Central | 2021StateIN, 2021, Lake Central Jaci WalkerJaciWalker5'9" | PFNorthridge | 2021StateIN, 2021, Northridge Pa’Shence WalkerPa’ShenceWalker5'8" | SGMartinsville | 2021StateIN, 2021, Martinsville Da’Naria WashingtonDa’NariaWashington5'9" | SFLawrence Central | 2021StateIN, 2021, Lawrence Central Madison WhiteMadisonWhite5'11" | SFColumbus North | 2021StateIN, 2021, Columbus North TiAuna WhiteTiAunaWhite5'9" | PFFort Wayne Northrop | 2021StateIN, 2021, Fort Wayne Northrop Kayla Williams, 2021, New Haven Maycee WoodsMayceeWoods5'9" | SGPlainfield | 2021StateIN, 2021, Plainfield Lamyia WoodsonLamyiaWoodson6'0" | PFFort Wayne South Side | 2021StateIN, 2021, Fort Wayne South Side Abby WorleyAbbyWorley5'3" | PGMt. Vernon (Fortville) | 2021StateIN, 2021, Mount Vernon (Fortville) Leah YarbroughLeahYarbrough6'0" | PFBrownsburg | 2021StateIN, 2021, Brownsburg Olivia YeleyOliviaYeley6'0" | PFMt. Vernon (Fortville) | 2021StateIN, 2021, Mount Vernon (Fortville) Kuryn BrunsonKurynBrunson5'9" | SFFranklin Community | 2022StateIN, 2022, Franklin Community Kaylee Chavez, 2022, Lowell Braylyn ClendenenBraylynClendenen5'9" | SFWhiteland | 2022StateIN, 2022, Whiteland Community Madelynn DennyMadelynnDenny5'5" | PGMooresville | 2022StateIN, 2022, Mooresville Lily Ernstes, 2022, Jennings County Olivia FaustOliviaFaust5'11" | SFFranklin Central | 2022StateIN, 2022, Franklin Central Hope FoxHopeFox5'7" | CGEast Central | 2022StateIN, 2022, East Central Allison GraberAllisonGraber5'7" | SFMooresville | 2022StateIN, 2022, Mooresville Alyssa Haines, 2022, Evansville F.J. Reitz Ariel HelmArielHelm6'0" | PFLawrence North | 2022StateIN, 2022, Lawrence North Makayla HinshawMakaylaHinshaw5'8" | SGHamilton Southeastern | 2022StateIN, 2022, Hamilton Southeastern Megan KainMeganKain5'7" | SGCastle | 2022StateIN, 2022, Castle Keegan KaiserKeeganKaiser5'9" | CGFloyd Central | 2022StateIN, 2022, Floyd Central Quinn KellyQuinnKelly5'11" | PFGreenwood Community | 2022StateIN, 2022, Greenwood Community Kacilyn KrebsKacilynKrebs5'8" | SFWarsaw | 2022StateIN, 2022, Warsaw Community Jakaia Lotz, 2022, Richmond Rebekah MarshallRebekahMarshall5'10" | SFColumbia City | 2022StateIN, 2022, Columbia City Chloe McClainChloeMcClain5'7" | SGKokomo | 2022StateIN, 2022, Kokomo Kaliah NeighborsKaliahNeighbors5'11" | PFEvansville North | 2022StateIN, 2022, Evansville North Natalie NiehausNatalieNiehaus5'9" | SFCastle | 2022StateIN, 2022, Castle Jozee RhodesJozeeRhodes6'0" | PFPlainfield | 2022StateIN, 2022, Plainfield Abby SannerAbbySanner6'1" | CWarsaw | 2022StateIN, 2022, Warsaw Community Grace SchraderGraceSchrader5'11" | PFSeymour | 2022StateIN, 2022, Seymour J’Asia ScottJ’AsiaScott5'7" | CGFort Wayne Northrop | 2022StateIN, 2022, Fort Wayne Northrop Tori SmileyToriSmiley5'7" | CGLawrence Central | 2022StateIN, 2022, Lawrence Central Davina SmithDavinaSmith6'0" | SFMerrillville | 2022StateIN, 2022, Merrillville Zoe StewartZoeStewart5'8" | CGTerre Haute North Vigo | 2022StateIN, 2022, Terre Haute North Vigo Ashlyn TraylorAshlynTraylor5'7" | SFMartinsville | 2022StateIN, 2022, Martinsville Ryan VieleRyanViele5'8" | CGHamilton Southeastern | 2022StateIN, 2022, Hamilton Southeastern De’Mour WatsonDe’MourWatson5'9" | SFElkhart | 2022StateIN, 2022, Elkhart Consolidated Ellie WilkersonEllieWilkerson5'9" | SFPlainfield | 2022StateIN, 2022, Plainfield Lauren BarkerLaurenBarker5'5" | CGColumbus North | 2023StateIN, 2023, Columbus North Asiah BaxterAsiahBaxter5'10" | PFWarren Central | 2023StateIN, 2023, Warren Central Giavonnie BeltonGiavonnieBelton5'6" | SGPike | 2023StateIN, 2023, Pike Kirsten ClarkKirstenClark5'9" | SGBen Davis | 2023StateIN, 2023, Ben Davis Ava CouchAvaCouch5'9" | SFNorth Central (Indianapolis) | 2023StateIN, 2023, North Central (Indianapolis) Gabrielle DeanGabrielleDean6'4" | CColumbus East | 2023StateIN, 2023, Columbus East Asia DonaldAsiaDonald5'8" | CGHobart | 2023StateIN, 2023, Hobart Taylor DoubleTaylorDouble5'9" | SFHuntington North | 2023StateIN, 2023, Huntington North Kylee EdwardsKyleeEdwards5'6" | SGShelbyville | 2023StateIN, 2023, Shelbyville Isabella GizziIsabellaGizzi5'6" | PGNew Palestine | 2023StateIN, 2023, New Palestine Sydney HortonSydneyHorton5'7" | CGRoncalli | 2023StateIN, 2023, Roncalli Saniya JacksonSaniyaJackson5'10" | SFCarroll (Fort Wayne) | 2023StateIN, 2023, Carroll (Fort Wayne) McKenna LaydenMcKennaLayden6'1" | SFNorthwestern | 2023StateIN, 2023, Northwestern Karsyn NormanKarsynNorman5'6" | PGBedford North Lawrence | 2023StateIN, 2023, Bedford North Lawrence Shabrea O’QuinnShabreaO’Quinn6'1" | CFort Wayne Wayne | 2023StateIN, 2023, Fort Wayne Wayne Cadence SingletonCadenceSingleton5'11" | CJeffersonville | 2023StateIN, 2023, Jeffersonville Hailey SmithHaileySmith5'8" | SGFishers | 2023StateIN, 2023, Fishers Kailyn TerrellKailynTerrell5'6" | CGBrownsburg | 2023StateIN, 2023, Brownsburg Sanaa ThomasSanaaThomas5'4" | PGWarren Central | 2023StateIN, 2023, Warren Central Kaleah ToomerKaleahToomer5'10" | SFBen Davis | 2023StateIN, 2023, Ben Davis Josie TrabelJosieTrabel6'0" | PFEast Central | 2023StateIN, 2023, East Central Janiyah WatkinsJaniyahWatkins5'8" | SFEast Chicago Central | 2023StateIN, 2023, East Chicago Central Monica WilliamsMonicaWilliams5'9" | SFLawrence North | 2023StateIN, 2023, Lawrence North Aniyah BishopAniyahBishop5'9" | SFLake Central | 2024StateIN, 2024, Lake Central Alexis CastatorAlexisCastator6'0" | SGCarroll (Fort Wayne) | 2024StateIN, 2024, Carroll (Fort Wayne) Ellery MinchElleryMinch6'2" | SFMt. Vernon (Fortville) | 2024StateIN, 2024, Mount Vernon (Fortville) Jordyn PooleJordynPoole5'5" | PGFort Wayne Snider | 2024StateIN, 2024, Fort Wayne Snider Chloe SpreenChloeSpreen5'9" | CGBedford North Lawrence | 2024StateIN, 2024, Bedford North Lawrence Reagan WilsonReaganWilson5'7" | PGNoblesville | 2024StateIN, 2024, Noblesville