Girls basketball players to watch this season

The REPORTER

The 2024-2025 IHSAA girls basketball season begins next week.

Hamilton County had its share of success among its teams last season, with large, medium and smaller sized schools winning championships. This year’s teams have the potential to be winners as well, based on the talent returning.

The Reporter will now take a look at all nine schools to highlight some of those returning players to let basketball fans know who they should be watching out for this season.

CARMEL: The Greyhounds will be led by a core of five seniors with the ability to score, rebound and pass consistently. Huntington University commit Izzy Shepherd is the top returning scorer (9.5 points per game). Mallory Bourquein only played seven games before an injury ended her season early, but she put in 9.3 points and was the assists co-leader with 3.1.

Mackenzie Woods brings back the most rebounds (3.9) and shared assists honors with Bourquein (3.1) in addition to scoring 7.7 per game. Lauren Perry, a 6-1 Lewis University commit, brings back 7.3 points and Taryn Fisher, a St. Xavier recruit, collected 3.2 rebounds along with 5.3 points.

FISHERS: Two seniors will provide scoring and rebounding for the Tigers, who graduated Indiana All-Star Talia Harris to Mercer University.

Allison Scheu, a University of Saint Francis recruit, is the top returning scorer at 11.8 points per game; she also averaged 4.8 rebounds. Nevaeh Dickman, committed to the University of Buffalo, was the top rebounder last season (6.0) and brought in 10.6 points per game. Sophomore Alanna Anthony is also getting notice as a player to watch.

Also on the roster this season is freshman Riley Schellhamer, who is already entertaining several Division I offers. Ella Burleson is another freshman on the varsity roster.

GUERIN CATHOLIC: The Golden Eagles bring back their leading scorer, senior Ava Bills. She scored 9.9 points per game and was solid on defense with a team-leading 2.9 steals per game. Another senior, Annie Murphy, added 6.6 points per contest, while senior Reagan Haines collected 3.0 rebounds.

Sophomore Caroline Ford is another defender to watch with 2.1 steals per game.

HAMILTON HEIGHTS: The Huskies graduated several players from last year’s regional champion team, including Indiana All-Star Camryn Runner to the University of Evansville, but there will be some experience coming back.

Senior Kate Brown had decent numbers, with 8.7 points and 2.3 steals per game. Senior Kennedy Cherry established herself on the boards with 2.6 rebounds. Sophomore Kamryn Rhoton brings back 2.1 points per game.

HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN: With three Division I players, the Royals have quite a bit of talent returning this season.

Senior Maya Makalusky, a Junior All-Star and Indiana University committ, brings back the most points of any player in the county: she averaged 26.1 points per game as a junior. She also collected 5.6 rebounds per game. Junior Kennedy Holman, who recently received an offer from Oregon, and has gotten notice from Marquette, Butler and Illinois among others, was a force last year with 11.7 points, 7.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds.

Another junior, Kayla Stidham, has received offers from Robert Morris, Cleveland State and IU Indianapolis. She brings back 11.9 points and 4.1 rebounds. Senior Addison Van Hoesen is another top rebounder, with 3.8 per game.

NOBLESVILLE: A pair of top scorers return for the Millers, who graduated Indiana All-Star Reagan Wilson to Iowa State and another double-digit scorer in Ava Shoemaker.

Senior Meredith Tippner, a Junior All-Star who this weekend will join Noblesville’s soccer team for a chance at another state championship, was the Millers’ leading scorer last season with 16.3 points per game. She also pulled 9.8 rebounds per contest. Tippner has committed to the University of Miami.

Junior C.C. Quigley is also back; she averaged 9.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Senior Kate Rollins also played consistent minutes, with 2.7 points per game. Two freshmen are on the Millers’ lineup: Maia Blower and Norah Vetor.

SHERIDAN: The Blackhawks made history last season with their first-ever regional championship and have most of those players back for this season.

Senior Kenzie Garner, a Junior All-Star and Ferris State commit, did it all for Sheridan last season with 21.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 4.2 steals and 2.2 blocks. Another senior, Cecilia Timme, was also solid in all categories, with 9.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.3 steals.

Sophomore Sadie Timme established her presence on the boards with 4.2 rebounds as a freshman. Other top scorers returning are seniors Nova Cross (6.2 points) and Shelby Eaton (5.4 points).

UNIVERSITY: The Trailblazers have a double-digit scorer coming back: senior Anyah Turley. She averaged 10.5 points per game, along with 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals.

University is also welcoming back senior Taylor Seay, who missed her junior year due to injury. Seay averaged 7.6 points during her sophomore year. Also returning are juniors Leah Norvel, who brings back 7.6 points and 4.9 rebounds, and Mack Feeney, who dominated the boards with 7.9 rebounds per game last year.

WESTFIELD: The Shamrocks have two experienced seniors to lead the way this season.

Lindsey Van Dyke is the top returning scorer, averaging 9.5 points per game. She was also effective rebounding with 3.1 per contest. Aubrey Crockett, a Spring Arbor University commit, brings back the most rebounds with 4.1 and was the overall leader in assists last season with 3.5 per game. She also scored 5.2 points.

Junior MaKayla Hatcher returns with 4.5 points and 2.5 rebounds, while senior Sam Price collected 3.4 rebounds per game last season.