After initial shock, Penn basketball's Lauren Walsh excited for All-Star opportunity

Lauren Walsh admits that she did not have high expectations going into the workout that helps play a part in determining the IndyStar Indiana All-Star girls basketball team.

The Penn High School senior definitely exceeded those expectations when all was said and done.

Walsh, a 5-7 guard, was named to the prestigious 13-member IndyStar Indiana All-Star girls basketball team in March.

More: High school basketball: Penn's Lauren Walsh an Indiana All-Star

"I'm very excited to be a part of the team and it means a lot to me, but it's still a little shocking to me," said Walsh in a recent phone interview.

"I had kind of low expectations going into the tryout and after it I thought that I played okay, but that I probably would not make the team. When I got the call, I was like what the heck happened? But I was crazy excited to be chosen. It's an amazing group to be a part of."

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Walsh did a little bit of everything her senior season for the Kingsmen. She averaged 12.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 3.2 steals per game. She shot 41 percent from the field and hit on 44-of-130 on 3-pointers. She shot 74 percent from the line.

Penn coach Kristi Ulrich, who has coached six of the eight young ladies from Penn to make the All-Star team, says there is a lot to like about what Walsh brings to the table.

""Lauren is a very driven and competitive player," said Ulrich, who is 330-57 in 15 seasons at Penn. "She is super skilled and has an edge about her that separates her from a lot of other players. She is also a great teammate and also excels in the classroom. Lauren is a positive representation of what our program is all about. And I also love how she has grown as a leader."

Walsh helped Penn finish 18-7 overall and 9-2 in the Northern Indiana Conference this past season. She was a second team All-NIC selection and a member of the Tribune's All-Area team. Walsh played the past three seasons at Penn after moving to the area from North Carolina prior to her sophomore year.

Walsh knows the reason why she was chosen for an All-Star group that has 12 Division I commits.

"My defense is what they liked," Walsh said. "That's my thing, my role. I bring energy and defense."

Ulrich, who coached the All-Star team a year ago, says the team is getting someone who can do a lot of things well.

"Lauren's ability to be able to defend and get to the rim are her biggest strengths," noted Ulrich, who guided Penn to the Class 4A state championship in 2016. "She is also a great passer and her shot over the years has vastly improved to really set up her drive.

"Lauren will bring a ton of energy and encouragement to the Indiana All-Star team. I feel she brings them a versatile option at the point guard spot. She can score it and is unselfish and will make the extra pass. They will also need defenders and she is willing to lock someone down. Lauren will definitely contribute to the culture of what being an Indiana All-Star is all about."

Walsh, the middle of three children of parents Tim and Molly, credits several people for her success on the hardwood.

"My parents have given up so much for me," noted Walsh. "I also want to thank my teammates and coaches at Penn. The biggest influence was my trainer Amber White in North Carolina. She's the reason that I stuck with basketball."

Walsh, who scored 698 career points, has been continuing to hone her skills since the end of her season at Penn by playing with her AAU team, the Michigan Storm.

"I've been training every day and playing with my AAU team on the weekends," said Walsh.

The IndyStar All-Star team will be coached by Andy Maguire of Zionsville. The squad will be led by Miss Basketball Chloe Spreen of Bedford North Lawrence. The 5-10 guard, who will play at Alabama, averaged 20.3 ppg. her senior season. Spreen led BNL to the Class 4A state title in 2023.

Walsh is looking forward as Indiana will play Kentucky June 7 and 8 with the first game in Kentucky and the second at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Indiana split the series last year but leads the overall series now 53-41. The All-Stars will play an exhibition game versus the Indiana Junior All-Stars on June 5 in Kokomo.

"I'm competitive and I know that everyone on the All-Star team are big time competitors," said Walsh. "If all of us just do what we need to do and go hard at Kentucky we will be okay. I want to kick their butts really bad.

"To be one of the eight All-Stars from Penn means a lot to me. I've worked hard for this and I'm just glad that it paid off."

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Penn basketball's Lauren Walsh looks forward to Indiana All-Stars role