An Early Look (Class 3A)
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The featured image is of Sophie Johnson Sophie Johnson 6'0" | PF Evansville Memorial | 2024 State IN (2024) of Evansville’s Reitz Memorial High School. The IHSAA recently released updated enrollment numbers and Sectional assignments for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024…
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Continue ReadingThe featured image is of Sophie Johnson Sophie Johnson 6'0" | PF Evansville Memorial | 2024 State IN (2024) of Evansville’s Reitz Memorial High School.
The IHSAA recently released updated enrollment numbers and Sectional assignments for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 girls’ basketball seasons. As we enter the middle of June and school teams are in full swing with open gyms, shootouts, and local league games, I wanted to have a little fun and spend some time on a way too early look at potentially the top five teams in each enrollment classification, as it relates to the 2022-2023 season. A lot of this is more dependent on returnees than newcomers, but here is a look at how I think Class 3A could stack up once the high school season rolls around in November.
1. Twin Lakes (19-6 in 2021-2022)
Twin Lakes has steadily increased its win total each of the last four seasons, and they have a great chance at topping 20 wins in 2022-2023. With one of the best backcourts in the state, let alone in Class 3A, the Indians look to control tempo each time out. 5-6 Junior guard
Olivia Nickerson
Olivia
Nickerson
5'7" | SG
Twin Lakes | 2024
State
IN
(18.3p, 4.9r, 2.6a, 2.2s, 89 made 3-pointers) has already amassed 993 career points in two seasons, and the sharpshooter should only continue to impress with another year under her belt. 5-5 Sophomore point guard Addison Bowsman (15.8p, 4.7r, 3.9a, 2.4s) had a strong rookie campaign, acting as the primary ball-handler. She has been great this Spring, and I’d expect her to take another step forward as she continues to add strength to her frame. Because of these first two guards, 5-6 Senior guard
Addison Ward
Addison
Ward
5'6" | PG
Twin Lakes | 2023
State
IN
(11.8p, 3.8r, 3.1a) tends to fly under the radar just a bit, but she is a capable shooter/scorer, plus she can handle and create for others. The three of them combined are difficult to defend, because they spread you out and hurt you in all areas of the game. 5-8 Senior wing
Hannah Hodgen
Hannah
Hodgen
5'10" | SF
Twin Lakes | 2023
IN
(6.4p, 4.7r, 2.4a) and 5-8 Senior front-liner Kora Pass (4.2p, 6.6r) are also returning starters from a year ago. Hodgen has nice length, athleticism, and playmaking ability, while Pass is a tough-nosed worker who rebounds and defends. The return of athletic 5-11 Senior forward
Evelyn Scharer
Evelyn
Scharer
5'11" | PF
Twin Lakes | 2023
IN
(4.5p, 4.0r) could offer a nice boost to the Indian lineup. She was injured a year ago and managed just six games at the very end of the season. Class 3A is wide open, with South Bend Washington and Silver Creek now in Class 4A, but Twin Lakes boasts a veteran team with highly skilled guards.
2. Corydon Central (21-3)
With just one winning season in the previous seven years, Corydon Central used a strong, young nucleus to make long strides into the spotlight. They will now have to experience being chased much of the next couple of years, as everyone will be gearing up to play the Lady Panthers. 5-11 Senior forward
Ava Weber
Ava
Weber
5'11" | SF
Corydon Central | 2023
State
IN
(20.1p, 7.8r, 2.6a, 3.5s) is one of the best 15-feet-and-in scorers in Southern Indiana. She moves and handles it like a wing, but she prefers to play mostly in the mid-post, where she can be on constant attack, finishing at the rim and drawing free throw opportunities. 5-4 Sophomore point guard
Josie Vaughn
Josie
Vaughn
5'5" | PG
Corydon Central | 2025
State
IN
(9.8p, 3.1r, 3.4a, 3.5s) and 5-5 Senior point guard Bailey Orme (9.2p, 3.1r, 4.3a, 4.0s) took turns running offense and playing the role of the second scoring option. Vaughn is another young guard who has been strong all Spring, and she plays with a tremendous amount of energy and feistiness. 5-9 Junior forward Jaiden Cantrell (6.6p, 5.3r) may not have huge stats, but she played very well last year, especially down the stretch. She is a tough-nosed, high-motor, rebounder/defender type. 5-9 Junior forward Morgan Adams (3.2p, 2.8r) and Senior point guard Bre Edwards (2.9p) offer valuable depth, and Adams could slide into the starting lineup this season. Sophomore front-liners
Alyssa Groover
Alyssa
Groover
6'0" | PF
Corydon Central | 2025
State
IN
and Gracie Wate look to add some depth, as they have both gotten stronger while continuing to grow.
3. Indian Creek (22-5)
The Lady Braves are another team who relied on younger players to lead them a season ago, plus they have additional young talent and a transfer ready to hit the ground running. But first, 5-7 Junior guard
Lauren Foster
Lauren
Foster
5'7" | SG
Indian Creek | 2024
State
IN
(16.7p, 4.6r, 3.4a), and 6-3 Junior forward
Faith Wiseman
Faith
Wiseman
6'4" | PF
Indian Creek | 2024
State
IN
(12.2p, 10.9r, 2.8a, 3.2b) have used the last two years to grow, develop, and improve their games. They are now two of the best prospects in the 2024 class in Indiana. Foster is as tough as they come, she plays with an outstanding motor, and she can score the basketball at all three levels, plus she’s a willing and capable defender. Wiseman has blown up this Spring, showcasing a much stronger frame and a consistent skillset that allows her to score inside the paint, knock down open 3-pointers, or facilitate and create a little. While she has been at ICHS for the last year, 5-9 Senior point guard
Abby Fleetwood
Abby
Fleetwood
5'9" | PG
Indian Creek | 2023
State
IN
(20.6p, 7.3r, 4.6, 4.7s in 2020-2021 at Brown County) will finally get the opportunity to take the Varsity floor this Winter. Her addition will certainly alleviate some of the pressure off of Foster and Wiseman, as Fleetwood is a highly capable shooter/scorer, but she can also initiate the offense and handle pressure. 5-6 Senior wing Savannah Hall (6.3p, 3.6r) and 5-6 Sophomore guard Ayla Lollar (5.4p, 2.4r) should have the first shot at impacting the lineup, as both can knock down an open 3-point shot. But the inside-out combination of Wiseman, Foster, and Fleetwood will be the key each night.
4. Mishawaka Marian (20-6)
There likely isn’t a team more excited than the lady Knights by South Bend Washington’s exit to Class 4A. Having shared the Sectional the last couple of seasons, they battled but couldn’t overcome the Lady Panthers. Now, Marian looks to be back on top in Sectional #19, and they do so behind the efforts of two of the state’s top 2023s…5-8 guard
Nevaeh Foster
Nevaeh
Foster
5'8" | CG
Mishawaka Marian | 2023
State
#39
Nation
IN
(19.5p, 4.9r, 2.8a, 3.3s) and 5-11 forward
MaKaya Porter
MaKaya
Porter
5'11" | PF
Mishawaka Marian | 2023
State
IN
(19.0p, 9.7r, 2.7a, 3.0s, 2.5b). Foster is an “old school” style of shooter/scorer who can run offense and facilitate, but she also has deep range, plus she can get downhill and draw contact, using the free throw line to her advantage. She has already committed to Western Kentucky University. Porter unfortunately injured her knee this Spring, so while she will likely play at some point early in the season, her effectiveness could take time to come along. When healthy, though, she is a high-motor, athletic, tough-nosed kid who has a nose for the ball. She can score it at all three levels, but she’s most dominant inside of 15-feet. From there, the Knights will have to replace Kenndall Bethel (9.3p, 2.1r, 3.0a) and Payton Rangel (4.8p, 3.0r) in their lineup. The top option is likely to be 5-9 Senior forward Shayla Alexander (4.2p, 4.9r). She is a strong athlete with a nice motor, and she can play inside-out at times. This high rating is a bit of a gamble, but when Foster and Porter are both healthy and “on”, this team will be one of the toughest to beat. They might struggle early this year, but they’ll be ready by tournament time.
5. Evansville Memorial (21-5)
Year after year, the Tigers seem to be competitive. Last year was supposed to be a bit of a down year, but they still managed 21 wins with just one Senior in the rotation, and she played off the bench. Now, they have a variety of size and experience to turn to, and they can hurt you in a variety of ways. 5-10 Senior wing
Emily Mattingly
Emily
Mattingly
5'10" | SF
Evansville Memorial | 2023
State
IN
(14.2p, 4.2r, 2.1a, 2.7s) has the most experience and is closing in on 1000 points for her career. She is a strong, aggressive scorer, with nice touch from the perimeter. She has also shown the ability to defend multiple positions. 5-11 Senior forward
Lydia Bordfeld
Lydia
Bordfeld
5'11" | SF
Evansville Memorial | 2023
IN
(4.7p, 4.5r) also has years of experience on her résumé, and she provides some stability in the frontcourt. But it was a pair of Juniors who stepped up a season ago and really gave a boost offensively. 5-6 point guard
Avery Kelley
Avery
Kelley
5'6" | PG
Evansville Memorial | 2024
State
IN
(11.6p, 4.2r, 2.5a) will serve as the primary ball-handler, but she is also a dangerous perimeter shooter who can affect the game in a variety of ways. She has put together a strong grassroots season thus far. 6-0 wing
Sophie Johnson
Sophie
Johnson
6'0" | PF
Evansville Memorial | 2024
State
IN
(12.7p, 6.0r) is a long, fluid, and smooth athlete who can play on the wing or in the mid-post equally well. She can knock down shots at all three levels, and she can defend multiple positions. 5-10 Sophomore guard
Myla Browning
Myla
Browning
5'11" | SF
Evansville Memorial | 2025
State
IN
(5.7p, 3.1r) also saw the floor quite a bit as a rookie, and she is a multilevel scorer who can handle it a little. She also rebounds her position very well, and she’s an effortful defender. If the Tigers can manage to build any depth, they will be a tough “out” come tourney time.
OTHERS TO CONSIDER: Angola (15-10), Bellmont (17-9), Benton Central (27-2), Cascade (18-5), Charlestown (17-6), Danville (18-7), Garrett (27-2), Gibson Southern (19-8), Hamilton Heights (18-6), Jay County (20-4), Norwell (19-5), Scottsburg (11-12), West Lafayette (12-11), Western (14-10)