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This year's Indiana Miss Basketball race is wide open. Here are some names to start with.

brian haenchen, indianapolis star
·5 min read

The 2024 IndyStar Miss Basketball race is wide open. That's not really breaking news, obviously, but it is a departure from the previous two seasons when there have been a few clear-cut finalist candidates (and maybe even an outright favorite) going in. It's a credit to the depth of talent with this year's senior class, and adds an additional layer of intrigue to the upcoming campaign.

Here are a few names to start the conversation entering the 2023-24 high school basketball season.

Players listed in alphabetical order within each category. Before grabbing your pitchfork and torches, please remember this is not meant as a be-all, end-all comprehensive list and, I promise, I do not hate your daughter and/or favorite player … probably. (Just kidding. I 100% do not.)

Player rankings: Indiana's top 26 seniors in 2024 class

IHSAA girls basketball: What you need to know about 2023-24 season

THE EARLY FAVORITES

Chloe Spreen, Bedford North Lawrence, G/F

South Future All-Star Chloe Spreen (4), a junior from Bedford North Lawrence High School, shoots while being defended by North Future All-Star Maya Makalusky (10), a sophomore from Hamilton Southeastern High School, during the second half of a girls Indiana High School Future All-Stars basketball game, Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.

Career totals: 1,358 points, 47% FG, 460 rebounds, 186 assists, 166 steals, 42 blocks

After averaging 19 ppg on 58% shooting (38% from 3), 5.3 rpg, 3.2 apg and 2.7 spg last season, the Alabama commit will take center stage for the defending Class 4A state champions as a senior. That pairs quite nicely with a regular-season schedule that includes Mooresville, Brownsburg (Purdue commit Avery Gordon), Lake Central, Lawrence Central (the Lampley sisters) or Noblesville (see below), and Jennings County. A seemingly unavoidable rematch with Jennings County in sectionals (and maybe Silver Creek?) would further spruce-up Spreen's resume.

'Go at them.' Spreen stars in BNL's title-clinching win

Reagan Wilson, Noblesville, PG

South Future All-Star Reagan Wilson (3), a junior from Noblesville High School, is defended by North Future All-Star Ava Ziolkowski (9), a junior from Crown Point High School, during the first half of an girls’ Indiana High School Future All-Stars basketball game, Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
South Future All-Star Reagan Wilson (3), a junior from Noblesville High School, is defended by North Future All-Star Ava Ziolkowski (9), a junior from Crown Point High School, during the first half of an girls’ Indiana High School Future All-Stars basketball game, Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.

Career totals: 927 points, 40% FG, 253 rebounds, 288 assists, 208 steals, 11 blocks

Wilson won sectionals as a freshman and state as a sophomore. A strong defender and vocal leader, the Iowa State commit averaged 17 ppg, 4 apg and 3 spg last season, with 23 ppg on 50% shooting over her final 11 games. Assuming she maintains that high-level of production, Wilson's case will benefit greatly from a loaded regular-season schedule and a daunting state tournament path (sectional includes Hamilton Southeastern and Fishers, road beyond could include Homestead, FW Snider and Lake Central or South Bend Washington).

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

Noblesville and BNL may go head-to-head at the Limestone Classic in Bedford on Dec. 22.

CONTENDERS

Jordyn Poole, FW Snider, PG

Junior All-Star Jordyn Poole (4) wrestles for the ball against Indiana All-Star Amber Tretter (8) on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, during the Indiana All-Stars vs. Juniors girls game at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis.
Junior All-Star Jordyn Poole (4) wrestles for the ball against Indiana All-Star Amber Tretter (8) on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, during the Indiana All-Stars vs. Juniors girls game at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis.

Career totals: 962 points, 42% FG, 207 rebounds, 258 assists, 161 steals, 20 blocks

The nationally-ranked Purdue commit led the Panthers to regionals as a sophomore and semistate as a junior. For her part, Poole averaged four assists per game for the second consecutive season in 2022-23 and set career-highs in points (16.7 ppg), rebounds (3.6 rpg), steals (3.5 spg), FG% (48%) and 3FG% (41%). Regular-season games against Fishers, sectional runner-up FW Carroll and Homestead will help, but Poole could really make an impression after sectionals with potential opponents: S8 champion, SB Washington and Lake Central).

More: Purdue offered Jordyn Poole early. Now nationally ranked guard is committed to Boilermakers

Faith Wiseman, Indian Creek, F

Indian Creek Faith Wiseman (21) prepares to shoot to the ball Thursday, Nov 17, 2022 at Edinburgh High School in Edinburgh. Indian Creek defeated the Greenwood Woodmen, 38-19.
Indian Creek Faith Wiseman (21) prepares to shoot to the ball Thursday, Nov 17, 2022 at Edinburgh High School in Edinburgh. Indian Creek defeated the Greenwood Woodmen, 38-19.

Career totals: 983 points, 46% FG, 762 rebounds, 200 assists, 126 steals, 221 blocks

The nationally-ranked IU commit has an intriguing case with three straight sectional championships and the program's first regional championship as a junior (reached semistate finals). She holds IC's single-game rebounding record (24) and is on track to graduate with 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds, and may reach 300 career blocks. Wiseman averaged a career-high 16 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.6 bpg and 1.6 spg, with a career-best 53% field goal percentage last season for the Braves, who play a reasonably tough nonconference schedule and are built for another deep tournament run.

'It felt like the perfect fit.' Indian Creek's Faith Wiseman picks IU women's basketball

SLEEPERS

Alli Harness, Carroll (Flora), G

Indiana All-Star Laila Hull (1) and Indiana All-Star Junior Alli Harness (2) rushes up the court Wednesday, June 7, 2023, during the Indiana All-Stars vs. Juniors girls game at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis.
Indiana All-Star Laila Hull (1) and Indiana All-Star Junior Alli Harness (2) rushes up the court Wednesday, June 7, 2023, during the Indiana All-Stars vs. Juniors girls game at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis.

Career totals: 1,635 points, 45% FG, 124 rebounds, 106 assists, 82 steals, 17 blocks

The Western Michigan commit, who averaged 23.6 points, 5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 3.3 steals per game last season (47% field goal percentage, 37% 3-point percentage), is already her school's all-time leading scorer, and should graduate with 2,000 points, 400 assists and 300 steals to her name. That paired with a deep postseason run might be enough to vault her into the conversation.

Why was Alli Harness a Junior All-Star: 2 broken wrists, 26 points and a sectional title

Talia Harris, Fishers, G

North Future All-Star Talia Harris (2), a junior from Fishers High School, and South Future All-Star Rachel Harshman (10), a junior from Mooresville High School, chase after a loose ball during the first half of a girls Indiana High School Future All-Stars basketball game, Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
North Future All-Star Talia Harris (2), a junior from Fishers High School, and South Future All-Star Rachel Harshman (10), a junior from Mooresville High School, chase after a loose ball during the first half of a girls Indiana High School Future All-Stars basketball game, Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.

Career totals: 410 points, 45% FG, 224 rebounds, 104 assist, 106 steals, 12 blocks

Keep an eye on Harris this year. Her numbers may not be as glamorous as others on this list, but she was an unsung hero amidst Fishers' run to the 4A state finals (9.5 ppg, 2.1 apg, 2.2 spg), and will be at the forefront as a senior. The sectional is brutal with Noblesville and HSE, and if the Tigers advance, they'll stare down the same gauntlet as last year (see above).

Olivia Nickerson, Twin Lakes, G

Harrison Raiders Riley Flinn (4) dribbles into Twin Lakes guard Olivia Nickerson (15) during the IU Health Hoops Classic girls basketball championship game, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at McCutcheon High School in Lafayette, Ind. Twin Lakes won 55-33.
Harrison Raiders Riley Flinn (4) dribbles into Twin Lakes guard Olivia Nickerson (15) during the IU Health Hoops Classic girls basketball championship game, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at McCutcheon High School in Lafayette, Ind. Twin Lakes won 55-33.

Career totals: 1,526 points, 43% FG, 350 rebounds, 187 assists, 188 steals, 10 blocks

The Bethel commit led Twin Lakes to its first sectional championship since 2007 and its first regional championship since 1982 last year, before losing to eventual 3A champion Fairfield in the semistate finals. She's on pace to graduate with over 2,000 career points and has averaged 18-20 ppg in three straight seasons. Nickerson, who's hit 303 career 3-pointers (shot 40% last year), should at least be in the conversation, though another deep state tournament run will likely be necessary to enter the race proper. Jan. 16 vs. rising star Lillian Barnes and Valparaiso should be fun.

Juliann Woodard, Jennings County, F

Indiana All-Star Junior Juliann Woodard (21) rushes up the court Wednesday, June 7, 2023, during the Indiana All-Stars vs. Juniors girls game at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis.
Indiana All-Star Junior Juliann Woodard (21) rushes up the court Wednesday, June 7, 2023, during the Indiana All-Stars vs. Juniors girls game at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis.

Career totals: 1,289 points, 51% FG, 822 rebounds, 187 assists, 149 steals, 143 blocks

The nationally-ranked Michigan State commit has been a model of consistency over the course of her career, and averaged 22.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.4 steals and 2.4 blocks per game last season. The Panthers' regular-season slate is pretty stacked, but Woodard could really make things interesting by leading them to their first sectional championship since 2005, which would likely require dethroning 12-time defending sectional champ BNL.

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA girls basketball: 2024 Indiana Miss Basketball names to watch