Predicting 2024 girls Indiana All-Stars: Who will make the cut?
We've reached the final two weeks of the IHSAA girls basketball season with semistate on Saturday followed by the four state championship games next weekend at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. That means we're also closing in on the unveiling of the 13-player Indiana All-Stars team.
The Class of 2024 may not have the same starpower at the forefront as previous seasons, but it is very deep with highly talented players scattered across the state.
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What follows is my best guess at what this year's All-Stars team might look like, followed by some others are certainly deserving of a spot on the final team. Keep in mind, Indiana All-Stars director Mike Broughton is looking to put together the best team to beat Kentucky, not necessarily a list of the 13 best players on paper.
GUARDS
Audrey Annee, Center Grove
The West Point commit is averaging 14 points on 46% shooting with a 41% mark from 3. Annee has stood out for a very balanced, well-rounded Center Grove team, rounding out her line with two assists and two steals per game. She's a career 39% shooter from 3.
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Emma Haan, Zionsville
A lockdown defender, Haan was usually responsible for guarding the opposing team's top player and shined in those moments more times than not — her performance against Reagan Wilson in an overtime win vs. Noblesville stands out. The Vermont commit also poured in 16 ppg.
Alli Harness, Carroll (Flora)
The Western Michigan commit can and will shoot from anywhere on the floor — and more than likely make it (47% FG). She scores (20.8 ppg) as well as she distributes (5.8 apg) and is a steady defender, as well (3.6 spg).
Talia Harris, Fishers
A shifty scorer and reliable defender, Harris averaged 15 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals her senior season. The future D-I recruit shot 43% from the field and 63% at the line.
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Olivia Nickerson, Twin Lakes
A lethal 3-point shooter, whose qualifications include 2,000 career points and a state-record 406 triples, Nickerson shot 37% from deep this season and averaged 20 points. The Bethel commit would fit in really nicely with the standout point guards from 2024.
Jordyn Poole, FW Snider
A savvy passer and tremendous facilitator, Poole averages 4.4 assists with fewer than three turnovers per game. The Miss Basketball candidate is a sneaky good scorer, too, averaging 17 points on 44% shooting (34% from 3). The Purdue-bound Poole also averaged 2.5 steals over the course of her career.
Camryn Runner, Hamilton Heights
Runner's efficiency as a shooter has been pretty remarkable this year: 52% from the field, 36% from 3 and 91% at the line. She has a super smooth stroke and is capable of scoring in bunches (27 ppg). The 5-9 Evansville commit also brings length defensively (4.1 spg) and a dependable presence on the glass (5.6 rpg).
Chloe Spreen, Bedford North Lawrence
The Miss Basketball candidate did a bit of everything in leading an otherwise young and inexperienced BNL team, averaging 20.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals. She's really dangerous when she gets going towards the basket, but can pull up and hit the mid-range jumpers, too.
Reagan Wilson, Noblesville
The Iowa State commit came into her own as a shooter over the past two seasons, averaging around 17 ppg, with a knack for knocking down clutch shots in critical moments. A Miss Basketball candidate, Wilson is a constant source of energy and an absolute nuisance defensively.
FORWARDS
Adrianne Tolen, West Lafayette
The Missouri S&T commit poured in nearly 18 points, eight rebounds, five steals and two assists per game for the sectional runner-up Red Devils. The 5-9 Tolen shot 45% from the field.
Faith Wiseman, Indian Creek
Wiseman — an IU commit with over 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds — averaged a double-double (18 ppg, 12 rpg), plus four blocks per game. The Miss Basketball candidate was adept at playing through double- and triple-teams, but it'll be fun to see her perform in a situation where the opposition can't key in on her.
Juliann Woodard, Jennings County
The 6-0 Michigan State commit takes a blue-collar approach to playing inside. She averaged a double-double (17 ppg, 11 rpg) for the fourth straight season, with a career-high four assists, two steals and two blocks per game. She's a career 50% shooter (76% FT), who can also step out for the occasional 3 (34% on 204 career attempts).
Ava Ziolkowski, Crown Point
The Bulldogs' lone varsity returner, Ziolkowski faced just about every junk defense you can imagine this season and still averaged 27 points on 50% shooting. A long, athletic presence in the paint, the 6-1 Indiana Tech commit also clocked over 10 rebounds and three steals per game.
On the cusp
There's a version of this list with this player on there. She was the final cut — after multiple swaps and redos, etc.
Kennedy Fuelling, Norwell
The Knights' all-time leading scorer and a Marian commit, Fuelling averages 22 points on 40% shooting, plus two assists and four steals for the regional champions. She was a Junior All-Star last season and has shined against a stacked schedule. Norwell plays Hamilton Heights on Saturday morning.
Bubble
A few others I had a tough time leaving off…
Bradie Chambers, Linton-Stockton
Chambers was a freshman on the Miners' 2021 state championship team and has played a starring role with this year's regional champion group, averaging around 19 points on 41% shooting with a 33% mark from 3 and a 74% conversion rate at the line, plus seven rebounds per game.
Aniyah Bishop, Lake Central
The 5-10 forward takes care of the ball (fewer than 2 tpg) and is seldom in foul trouble. Bishop averages 9.3 points and 5.1 rebounds for the semistate-bound Indians, and is a 47% shooter. Her athleticism and defensive prowess would make a nice addition to the Indiana All-Stars' frontcourt.
Lauren Foster, Indian Creek
The 5-7 Taylor commit poured in 16 ppg, with six assists and three steals per game. She's a 58% shooter (92% FT), who can step out and knock down 3s (24-for-57).
Denyha Jacobs, Warren Central
The 5-8 guard was a menace defensively this season, averaging over four steals over 24 games for the sectional runner-up Warriors (nine games with five-plus takeaways). She would also add another scoring (20.7 ppg) and rebounding (6 rpg) presence).
Ellery Minch, Mt. Vernon
The 6-3 DePaul commit was a Junior All-Star last season and led a young Mt. Vernon team to its fourth straight sectional title this season. Minch is steady as a scorer and a dependable defender/rebounder, as well. She averaged around 15 points and six rebounds, with a 42% FG (80% at the line).
More names to consider: Payton Benge, Plainfield; Lexi Castator, FW Northrop; Johnea Donahue, FW Snider; Kenzie Fulks, Bethesda Christian; Chloey Graham, Gibson Southern; Rachel Harshman, Mooresville; Kyra Hill, Goshen; Ellie Kelleher, Westfield; Avery Kelley, Evansville Memorial; Lauren Klem, Franklin; Riley Milausnic, Lake Central; Madelyn Poynter, Lapel; Samantha Redinger, Argos; Emma Sappenfield, Franklin; Kyndra Sheets, Columbia City; Emma Sperry, Frankton, Zoe Willems, Bethany Christian; Rachel Wirts, Center Grove.
Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana All-Stars: Predicting the 2024 girls team roster