The American Family Insurance ALL-USA girls basketball preseason Super Team.
Here’s a look at 20 of the top high school girls basketball players in Central Indiana in this year’s American Family Insurance ALL-USA girls basketball preseason Super Team.
FIRST TEAM
Heritage Christian’s Katlyn Gilbert helped the Eagles to a Class 3A state title last season.
G – Katlyn Gilbert, Heritage Christian, Jr. — The 5-10 Notre Dame commit is the most dangerous piece of the puzzle for the reigning Class 3A state champions, effective in transition and capable of hitting shots from all over the court. A point guard with high-level court awareness, she averaged 12.6 points last season.
Martinsville’s Kayana Traylor is committed to Purdue.
G – Kayana Traylor, Martinsville, Jr. — The 5-9 guard is among the best in the state and the primary shooter for the Artesians, posing plenty of opportunity to showcase her scoring talent. She averaged 23.7 points last season and has been committed to Purdue for more than a year.
Greenfield-Central’s Madison Wise is among the state’s top players.
G – Madison Wise, Greenfield-Central, Sr. — Few players can influence both ends of the court as well as the 6-1 Wise, who spent the offseason refining her outside shooting. Wise averaged 22.7 points and 10.4 rebounds and has interest from numerous Division I schools.
Rachel McLimore, who transferred to Zionsville this summer, led Covenant Christian to the Class 2A state title game last year.
F – Rachel McLimore, Zionsville, Sr. — A transfer from defending Class 2A state champs Covenant Christian, the 5-10 wing is a dynamic scorer (21.3 points last season). A Junior Indiana All-Star, she also averaged 6.4 rebounds. McLimore recently flipped her commitment from IUPUI to DePaul.
Whiteland’s Mackenzie Blazek is a dominant presence in the paint.
C – Mackenzie Blazek, Whiteland, Jr. — The 6-2 Blazek is one of the strongest post players in the state and has great touch beneath the basket, making her the Warriors’ most utilized weapon. She averaged 17.3 points and 12.8 rebounds as a sophomore.
HS girls basketball season preview: Class-by-class capsules
SECOND TEAM
Center Grove’s Cassidy Hardin (left)
G – Cassidy Hardin, Center Grove, Jr. — The 5-11 guard is one of the best shooters in the state and demonstrates terrific range that has drawn interest from multiple Division I schools, including Purdue. She averaged 13.5 points and was 38 percent from behind the arc for the Trojans last year.
Carmel’s Amy Dilk (left) is a steady, guiding hand for the Greyhounds.
G – Amy Dilk, Carmel, Jr. — Another stellar area point guard, the 5-10 junior relies on superior court vision and ball control to manage opposing defenses. She averaged 12.0 points and 4.3 assists as a sophomore and rarely makes mistakes.
Hamilton Southeastern’s Bre Lloyd (right).
G – Bre Lloyd, Hamilton Southeastern, Sr. — The speedy 5-8 point guard is a three-year starter with as much shooting potential as court vision. She averaged 13.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists last season and will be relied upon to help a young group push the ball more in transition.
F – Bree Boles, Lapel, Jr. — The 6-3 forward deceives many with her size and often gets the better of opponents with quickness and versatility that originally drew her an offer from IU before she decommitted in September. She averaged 19.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks last season and should only see her role expand with Lapel losing three of its top scorers from last year.
Plainfield’s Riley Blackwell.
F – Riley Blackwell, Plainfield, Sr. — The 6-foot small forward has been particularly dangerous around the perimeter and in the mid-post, averaging 12.1 points per game last season on 46 percent shooting. She comes into this season looking more physical than ever, which has helped in drawing offers from Division I and II schools.
THIRD TEAM
G – Sydney Parrish, Hamilton Southeastern, Fr. — Already the 6-foot guard is being hailed as one of the best guards in the area, proving a consistent deep-range threat with an up-tempo style. She should regularly contribute in multiple areas for the Royals this season on both ends.
Lawrence North’s Destiny Perkins (1).
G – Destiny Perkins, Lawrence North, Sr. — The 5-6 guard is speedy off the dribble and exceeded expectations jumping into the Wildcats’ talent pool after a strong sophomore year with Richmond, averaging 10.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists. She is high-frequency scorer and pesky defender who uses her smaller size to her advantage. She made a verbal commitment to Akron.
G – Shaila Beeler, Warren Central, So. — The 5-6 sophomore is quick and athletic on both ends, making her one of the best young point guards in the state. She averaged 15.2 points and 6.0 assists as a freshman and should only improve with a greater leadership role this season.
G – Rikki Harris, North Central, So. — The 5-10 guard does not struggle reading pressure or chopping up opposing defenses, using high basketball IQ and versatility. She averaged 12.0 points and 4.1 rebounds as a freshman and is considered to be one of the top in-state guards in her class.
F – Emily Kiser, Noblesville, Jr. — The 6-2 forward possesses quite a bit of shooting range and should only develop into a more active post presence throughout her junior season after averaging 9.2 points and 8.0 rebounds as a sophomore. She is drawing mostly mid-major offers, but also has one from Wisconsin.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Katie Helgason, Greenfield-Central, Sr. — The 5-8 combo-guard will not be on the court until at least December after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament during the soccer season, but her quickness and ballhandling is what drew a scholarship offer from Ball State. She averaged 11.5 points and 4.3 assists last year and should put up strong numbers when she returns.
Plainfield’s Kayla Casteel.
Kayla Casteel, Plainfield, Jr. — The 5-8 junior led her team with 12.9 points per game and was essential in helping the Quakers to a 24-3 record last season, demonstrating solid range from behind the arc, hitting a team-high 53 3-pointers.
Blake Smith, Carmel, Jr. — The 6-3 forward is a physical threat for the Greyhounds under the basket capable of both regular scoring and consistent defense in the paint. She averaged 9.6 points and 6.2 rebounds in addition to 2.1 blocks last season.
Ajanae’ Thomas, North Central, Sr. — The 5-9 guard-forward averaged 12.4 points and 7.0 rebounds last season and will continue to play a key role for North Central, which returns all of its starters this season.
Abby Downard, Cardinal Ritter, Sr. — The 5-9 point guard plays quick and crafty and averaged 15.0 points and 5.0 assists for the Raiders last season. She shot 44 percent (129-of-294) from the field as a junior.
