Indiana high school girls basketball: 10 Indy-area sleeper teams

On November 8, 2024By Littum

There are a number of teams outside of our preseason Fab 15 that are capable of raising a rabble and picking up some wins this season. Here are 10 Central Indiana girls basketball teams that missed the top-15 but could find themselves this season.

The teams are listed in alphabetical order.

Carmel (11-12)

The Greyhounds were hampered by injuries – again – last season, losing 5-9 guard/forward Mallory Bourquein and 5-8 combo guard Taryn Fisher. Those two are back, part of a hungry senior class (other notable returnees: Lauren Perry, Isabelle Shepherd and Mackenzie Woods) with high expectations in year two under Rick Risinger. The schedule is stacked but I expect this group to take a big step forward. Watch for freshmen Madison Wallace, Izabella Ramsey and Catherine Bassi, all of whom are expected to see significant varsity minutes.

Crispus Attucks (10-11)

Kamrah Banks is the big addition here, though the Tigers should have a number of quality pieces around her, including younger sister Kenadi Passley-Banks, who averaged over 11 points and three assists last season at Decatur Central. Zionsville in the opener, Carmel in the middle and Bolingbrook (Ill.) on Sneakers For Santa to end November provides three quality measuring sticks in the opening month.

Greenfield-Central (17-7)

Bradley Key has had the Cougars on the rise over the past few seasons. The 2024-25 outfit returns all of its key contributors as it wades into a wide-open sectional (Pendleton Heights is the other top team). 6-0 guard/forward Madison Sonsini provides versatility (leading scorer and rebounder), 5-10 forward Chaney Brown has produced steadily through his first three seasons (career: 14.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.8 spg) and Brooklyn McConnell (around 10 ppg) ) is their top 3-point threat. It’s a talented trio to build around, and they add talented sophomore Izzy Silcox, plus a number of players returning from injury. The biggest tests on the schedule come through the first five weeks with Lapel, Center Grove, Pendleton, Heritage Christian, Bishop Chatard and Class A power Tri.

Heritage Christian (15-11)

The Eagles lost one starter, leading scorer Mya Davis, to graduation and another to an out-of-state transfer. They bring everyone else back. It’s a very good team – Joslyn Marshall and Casey Frost are both talented multi-sport athletes with ample varsity experience – in a winnable (but still tough) section. Natalie Curnutt is a clutch shooter and Trinity Taylor brings size on the glass. Replacing Davis at point guard is the big challenge for this group.

Indian Creek (21-5, 3A Sectional Champion)

As mentioned in my bold predictions, the Braves were deeper than most probably realized last season, and that depth will help them sustain success this season. There’s no doubt that Faith Wiseman and Lauren Foster are massive losses, but Ayla Lollar was also really good and looked like she could step in as the team’s scorer. 6-0 junior Alexa Sichting will help fill the void at the post, and Bre Gault is a worthy replacement at point guard. Martinsville on Nov. 9 and the Johnson County Tournament will give us an idea of where this team stands.

Lapel (23-5, 2A regional champion)

Coach Zach Newby, friend of The Scorers Table podcast, is back for another year after briefly stepping down in the spring. He has one of the best players in the state with Laniah Wills, but has vacancies to fill around her, especially in the scoring department (Maddy Poynter, 15 ppg; AnnaLee Stow, 8 ppg). Be patient with this group as they build experience and establish roles through the opening weeks and then watch them depart around Christmas time/January.

Lebanon (11-15)

The Tigers won three of their last four games last year to reach the sectional championship, with the loss coming by four points at Southmont in the regular-season finale. First-year coach Aaron Vaughn returns four seniors, including leading scorers Claire Boling and Riley Vanaman, plus Marina Barr (2.3 apg) and Leila Richards. There will be growing pains, but the Tigers have the talent to surprise a few teams this season.

Martinsville (8-17)

Located in a section with the Bloomington and Terre Haute schools, the Artesians are deep and dedicated to the weight room in the summer. I’m high on their potential to take another big step in their rebuild this winter, and second-year coach Dave Nuckles is high on senior Layla Mallery, the team’s leading scorer (7.4 ppg). Martinsville has some size with 6-0 forward Brynlee Hamblin and brought in an established scorer in transfer Ruby Murrell from Monrovia.

Speedway (16-8, 3A Sectional Champion)

The Plugs won their first sectional championship since 2013 (fourth overall) last season, and while they graduated five starters, they return a healthy amount of varsity experience with Hayli Clampitt, Macy DeLisle, Kalissa Jackson-Dietzer and Mylie Walton. They played key roles off the bench a year ago and will be tasked with integrating a strong freshman class with this year’s group.

Triton Central (17-7)

The Tigers were no. 16 in the Fab 15. Maryrose Felling is an established scorer (17 ppg) and returns her point guard, sophomore Quinn King, who was good for six assists per game. match. It’s a big core for coach Bryan Graham to build on ahead of an up-and-coming sectional bracket. The Tigers likely won’t have a go-to post like previous seasons (Brooklyn Bailey), but they’ll make up for it with speed and aggression (plus it might not be as much of a disadvantage within the section).

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.