Noblesville’s Reagan Wilson earns recognition as Player of the Year
By CRAIG ADKINS
For The Reporter
Once again, it was another remarkable and unforgettable girls basketball season in Hamilton County. One-third of the teams in the county advanced all the way to the semi-state in their respective classes.
Sheridan (20-6) won its first regional championship in program history and second sectional (2015). The Blackhawks lost a heartbreaker in the Class 2A Shelbyville semi-state semifinal to No. 3 Eastern Hancock 62-54 in overtime.
Camryn Runner (Photo by Julie Brown)
Hamilton Heights (24-3) won its fourth consecutive sectional and second regional in a row. The No. 1 Huskies came up short in the Class 3A Huntington North semi-state semifinals to second-ranked eventual state runner-up Norwell (64-50). Heights also won the Hoosier Conference East Division (3-0) and the overall league title at home over West Division champ Rensselaer Central.
Meredith Tippner (Photo by Joshua Herd)
Noblesville (18-9) won its third sectional in the last four years and second regional crown in that span. The Millers fell in the Class 4A La Porte north semi-state championship to eventual state runner-up Lake Central, 52-36.
Hamilton Southeastern completed a 7-0 undefeated slate in the gritty Hoosier Crossroads Conference. The Royals also finished ranked No. 6 in Class 4A.
Senior Reagan Wilson is the Reporter’s Player of the Year. Wilson averaged 16.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.0 steals per game against the Sagarin-rated toughest schedule in Indiana. The Iowa State commit and Miss Basketball candidate finished her four-year career with 1,363 points, etching her as fourth all-time at Noblesville. She also made 69 three-pointers (205 career) for 34 percent and was a 79 percent (80 percent career) foul shooter this season. Over her four years, Wilson helped guide the Millers to an 85-22 record, including three sectional, two regional, two final four appearances and a state championship. The future Cyclone netted a career-high 37 against Zionsville as a junior.
Maya Makalusky (Photo by Joshua Herd)
Senior Camryn Runner was tops for Hamilton Heights with 26.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and four steals. The Evansville commit and Miss Basketball candidate scored a career-high 64 points against Tipton on January 13. Camryn shot 51 percent, including 67-for-186 (36 percent) from three this season, while sinking 91 percent of her free throws, 86 percent career. Runner is also now the all-time leading scorer (1,962) in Husky girls and Hamilton County girls basketball history. The upcoming Purple Ace steered Heights to an 80-17 record with four sectional and two regional titles, along with a pair of Elite 8 appearances the last two seasons.
Kenzie Garner (Photo by Richie Hall)
Meredith Tippner led the Millers with 16.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.3 steals per contest. The junior all-state core sixer also shot 47 percent from the floor. Tippner sits at 1,156 points through her junior season, which is currently ninth on the all-time scoring list at Noblesville. She also posted 12 double-doubles this season and 27 through three seasons.
Maya Makalusky paced the Royals at 26.1 points, grabbed 5.6 rebounds, had 1.6 assists and 1.6 steals per outing. The Indiana Hoosier commit and junior all-state core six selection made 50 percent of her field goals, including 77-for-188 from three-point range for 41 percent. Makalusky also made 83 percent of her free throws (153 of 185). Maya now has 1,315 points through three seasons ranking her third on HSE’s all-time list.
Kenzie Garner led Sheridan with 21 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 4.2 steals and 2.2 blocks per game. The Ferris State University (Big Rapids, MI) signee was 79 percent from the foul line and made 47 percent of her two-point field goals for 41 percent overall from the floor. Being named to the junior all-state core six, Kenzie has 1,127 points through her junior season, which puts her fourth all-time at Sheridan heading into her senior year. Garner has also compiled 24 double-doubles in her first 68 games as a Blackhawk.
