Insider: Wrapping up 2023-24 Indiana high school girls basketball season from A-Z

We put the 2023-24 Indiana high school girls basketball season to bed Saturday with the IHSAA state championships. Here's a look back at the season that was with observations from A-Z.

A is for Alivia Elmore. There are comeback stories and then there's what the Jennings County senior endured over the course of her career. A broken foot as a freshman, torn ACL during sectionals as a sophomore and then finding out her initial ACL surgery didn't take mere weeks before the start of her junior year. Alivia battled through all of that and put together a tremendous senior campaign, averaging 13 points per game on 50% shooting (39% from 3). Whatever college lands her is going to be super lucky.

Broken foot, ACL tear, freak setback: Alivia Elmore has overcome it all. 'She's a fighter'

More: Season is over. So who are state title contenders for 2024-25?

B is for Bedford North Lawrence coach Jeff Allen and senior Chloe Spreen. One of the all-time greats stepped down earlier this month, capping a 10-year career at Bedford North Lawrence that saw him rack up 226 wins, 10 sectional titles, three regional crowns and a Class 4A championship run in 2023. Jeff's a heck of a coach and a genuinely good person, whose love and care for his players always shined through. As for Spreen, the Alabama commit carried a largely inexperienced Stars outfit to 20 wins and an unprecedented 13th consecutive sectional championship — both of which were pretty amazing feats considering she was one of only two returners with significant varsity experience.

C is for Chloey Graham. As a Missouri basketball fan, the IWU commit's performance in the 3A state championship game gave me flashbacks to Mizzou-Norfolk State in the NCAA tournament: A record six 3-pointers for her and a record 11 treys for Gibson Southern, who needed every single one to upend Norwell, which forced 25 turnovers (17 steals) and nearly erased a 19-point deficit. Unbelievable finish for Graham, who graduates with over 1,700 career points.

More: Once with a 19-point lead, Gibson Southern had to hold its breath at the buzzer for title.

D is for Lawrence Central domination. The 2023-24 Bears' title run was the pinnacle of the program's rapid rise to statewide relevancy and with everyone set to return, may have marked the beginning of a dynasty. Jaylah and Lola Lampley, Laila Abdurraqib, Aniyah McKenzie and Mariah Kenter Garrett have all quickly become household names, while coach Jannon Lampley made history as the first Black female coach to win an IHSAA basketball state championship.

Insider: State title run just the beginning for Lawrence Central girls basketball

E is for the Eagles of Columbia City. Did you know Columbia City was at one time the largest producer of blue jeans in the world? (The OG podcast supporters do.) That fun fact from Josh Sabol and the Eagles' early-season upset of FW Snider were my entry points to the Columbia City basketball team, which put together an excellent season. They had a couple standouts in Huntington commit Kyndra Sheets and Butler-bound junior Addi Baxter, but anyone was able and willing to step up for the senior-driven bunch, which built a resume that also included a win over then-No. 1 Hamilton Southeastern and run to the Hall of Fame Classic title.

Addi Baxter: 'She's been told she's not good enough at basketball her entire life.' Now, she's a budding star.

F is for freshmen. The Class of 2027 is LOADED with rising stars from Lillie Graves at McCutcheon to Kenzie Koch at Eastern Hancock; Elliot Leffler at Roncalli, Hannah Menser at Plainfield, Payton DuVall at Franklin Central, Adah Hupfer at Pendleton Heights and Jailen Bowling at Brebeuf Jesuit. There's also Marquette Catholic's Marissa Pleasant and Gibson Southern's Paige Schnaus, both of whom made waves with their February heroics. And that list merely scratches the surface on an extremely deep and talented class.

'One confident kid.' Kenzie Koch dazzles as a freshman for undefeated Eastern Hancock girls

G is for Lillie Graves. I was able to see all of those freshmen in-person this season and the 6-1 guard from McCutcheon was the best of the best. Her potential is obvious even on off-nights, recognized in her ability to get to the basket via her assortment of moves and the way she utilizes her length on the defensive end. She'll only get better as she gets older and stronger, and should be on everyone's must-see list entering 2024-25. (Another Graves to know: Lily Graves, the Franklin Central junior. She's a really talented player for a program that's on the rise.)

'Our crowds are getting bigger.' State's top freshman Lillie Graves is not disappointing

H is for Hadley Crosier. Marquette Catholic coach Katie Collignon put it best: "My heart was in my shoe." That was basically everyone's reaction when Crosier went down with a knee injury early in the Class A final. It was devastating, but the junior standout's response, the immediate outpouring of support from the Lanesville community (and Aliyah Boston of the Indiana Fever) and the way Crosier's coaches and teammates lifted her up was pretty inspiring. She'll be back and even better next season.

'She'll be back better and stronger.' Lanesville loses top scorer to injury, wins title

I is for I wish… there was a shot clock, that we seeded the tournament and that said tournament didn't end in February. FEBRUARY. Ugh.

J is Jordyn Poole. I really enjoy watching Jordyn Poole play basketball. The Miss Basketball candidate is an unbelievable passer, displaying pinpoint accuracy and a flashiness that could probably earn her a spot with the Harlem Globetrotters if she were interested (seriously, she's like a magician out there). The fact Poole will be playing alongside former South Bend Washington standout Rashunda Jones at Purdue next season is borderline unfair.

K is for Katie Collignon. The Marquette Catholic coach had Courtney Delks ready to run through a brick wall following her appearance on The Scorers Table last week, and the energy/confidence she exudes sets the tone for her players, who pushed a heavy favorite to the brink in the Class A final (Lanesville). Collignon has reached Gainbridge thrice in her first eight seasons, and with everyone set to return, the Blazers will be poised to make it four-in-nine.

L is for Laila Abdurraqib. “Oxygen to the brain.” She “breathes life into that team.” She’s “the glue.” Lawrence Central was “just different” when she was out with injury the past two seasons. Those were just a few of the ways opposing coaches described the junior point guard, whose propensity for making winning plays defined her season and will have her firmly in the 2025 IndyStar Miss Basketball conversation. Pretty cool for a kid who didn’t even like basketball (or most sports) growing up.

More: Laila Abdurraqib 'breathes life into that team.' Now, LC in rarefied air at state finals.

M is for Maya Makalusky. I love watching Poole's passing; I love watching Makalusky's shooting. The 6-4 IU commit will let it rip (and hit) from anywhere on the floor, steadily bombing 3s and fighting through all the junk defenses and double-teams to find her looks. She unleashed some shots this year that left you awe-struck.

N is for the NorwellKnights. Coach Eric Thornton said his team looked "terrified" entering last year's regional vs. Hamilton Heights. There was no fear, no wilting under the bright lights this year. The Knights took a "big step" this season, navigating the toughest schedule in 3A and going on a February rampage that ended with a spot in the state finals — Thornton's first appearance in his 27 years at the helm and the program's first appearance since 1977 (longest gap between finals appearances in IHSAA history). Kennedy Fuelling, the program's all-time leading scorer, and Makenzie Fuess were tremendous ambassadors for the program; sophomore Vanessa Rosswurm is a reason for excitement moving forward.

More: How Norwell senior Kennedy Fuelling elevated her game by stepping outside her comfort zone

O is for outstanding sophomores. The Class of 2026 is littered with standouts. Some we knew about coming in, like Lawrence Central's Lola Lampley and Aniyah McKenzie, Valparaiso's Lillian Barnes, Lapel's Laniah Wills and Homestead's Myah Epps. Others used the 2023-24 campaign to announce their arrival to a broader audience — like Chatard's Olivia Berzai, who was the regional champs' leading scorer and drilled the game-winning buzzer-beater in the City final; Faith Christian's Maya Layton, Jennings County's Mollie Ernstes and Plainfield's Berkeley Williams.

P is for Pike. The Red Devils rocked Marion County with upsets of Roncalli and Franklin Central in sectionals, then raced out to a 25-16 halftime lead over Plainfield in the regional. There's something to be said for how that young team continued to compete through the regular-season rough patches and they were rewarded for their perseverance in February. With so many key pieces set to return, Pike will be one to watch for years to come.

Way-too-early Fab 15: Ranking Central Indiana's best girls basketball teams for 2024-25

Q is for the new 3-point queen Olivia Nickerson. The Bethel commit made history back in December, surpassing Oregon Davis' Aubrey (Minix) Lady atop the state's all-time 3-pointers list. Nickerson, who was recently featured in Sports Illustrated, finished her four-year career with 406 triples (career 39% shooter from 3) and a program-record 2,027 points. Benton Central coach David Baxter took the opportunity to spotlight Nickerson during the sectional semifinals, which speaks to the respect she's earned among the coaches and her peers. "When I came into high school, I wanted to leave an impact on this school and leave a legacy for the young kids to know you could do anything even if you're from a small school," Nickerson told the Journal & Courier.

More: Unique chemistry lifts Twin Lakes record-setting duo, which includes state's 3-point queen

R is for (Re)Becca Gerdt. After missing most of last season with a torn ACL and meniscus, the Valparaiso senior was brilliant in 2023-24, averaging career-highs in points (14.8), rebounds (6.3) and assists (2.5). Gerdt's "One Shining Moment" came during regionals when she nailed the go-ahead layup with 8.2 seconds left to lift Valpo to a one-point win over Northridge.

S is for Sheridan. What a school year it's been for Sheridan. The girls soccer team won its first-ever sectional title in the fall, then the girls basketball team claimed its first sectional title since 2015 and its first-ever regional title. And then the Blackhawks nearly took out 2A heavyweight Eastern Hancock in the semistate semifinals. In case you were wondering, coach Jaidlin Bradshaw is set to return her entire lineup, led by 2025 standouts Kenzie Garner (21 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 4.9 apg, 4.2 spg) and Cecilia Timme (9.5 ppg, 3.7 apg, 3.3 spg).

T is for the Trojans. The Center Grove Trojans, specifically. They were probably the most consistent team I covered all season, with a suffocating defense and an impressively efficient offense. The seniors were fantastic: West Point commit Audrey Annee reprised her role as the team's top offensive threat, Villanova commit Rachel Wirts emerged as a powerful post presence and IU South Bend commit Aubrie Booker was a steady presence on both ends of the floor. The juniors were no-less impressive with Lilly Bischoff and Ava Grant both putting together break-out seasons. The 2023-24 Trojans also hold the distinction of winning back-to-back elimination games on the road: Sectionals at Mooresville; regionals at Bedford North Lawrence.

U is for underestimating Lake Central. No one gave the Indians much of a chance the past two seasons, but led by their six seniors, they proved the doubters wrong more times than not. Last year it was a semistate stunner vs. nationally ranked South Bend Washington; this year it was SBW at regionals, followed by Homestead and Noblesville at semistate to secure the program's first state finals appearance since 1998. They earned the chip on their shoulder and used their underdog status as a rallying point, fuel to prove the doubters wrong. It was genuine and endearing. "Us is good enough."

'Us is good enough': Lake Central defied the odds — again — in run to Gainbridge

V is for very grateful for y'all. To everyone who's read, subscribed, watched and interacted this season: Thank you.

W is for Wilson and Shoemaker. It's pretty amazing what Noblesville seniors Reagan Wilson and Ava Shoemaker accomplished over their four-year careers: 85 wins, three sectionals, two regionals and a state title in 2022. They kept the team together following Ashlynn Shade's abrupt departure prior to last season, then built up this year's group before orchestrating a second-half turnaround that culminated with a 4A state semifinals appearance. They were two of the first athletes I got to know when I first moved to Indianapolis and were truly a joy to cover over the past three seasons.

End of an era for Noblesville seniors. 'They taught us what it means to be a Miller.'

X is for X, formerly known as Twitter, where I posted this year's gyms thread. I loathe referring to Twitter as "X," but sacrifices must be made. I've made a habit of posting a gym photo after every game I cover. This season took me out to Monticello (Twin Lakes) and LaPorte. Next year I want to get to North Knox-South Knox and The Hatchet House (Washington). What other gyms should be on my must-see list? Hit me up: @Brian_Haenchen.

Y is for The Scorers Table on YouTube. I have had so much fun (and learned a lot) hosting a podcast alongside Danny Riego, Josh Sabol and Courtney Delks. And the engagement we've received (viewership, interactions, etc.) has far exceeded any and all expectations, which is a testament to the growth of Indiana girls high school basketball. We're workshopping some different ideas for future episodes/offseason content, so be sure to subscribe: YouTube.com/@IndyStarHank.

Z is for Ava Ziolkowski. The 6-1 Crown Point senior faced every junk defense imaginable and still put up some crazy numbers this season averaging 27 points (50% shooter) and 10.2 rebounds. Learning to play through those various looks took time, Ziolkowski said, but she came to flourish, finishing her career with 1,341 points — almost all of which came between her junior and senior years (711 points in 2023-24).

More: Ava Ziolkowski taking charge for Crown Point

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA girls basketball 2023-24 season wrap from A to Z