Pass and score! Check out the top 10 girls basketball teams in the Greater Lafayette area

Ethan Hanson, Lafayette Journal & Courier

Indiana high school girls basketball is in full swing with talented players delighting the hardwood appetite of sports fans.

One freshman scored 36 points in her varsity debut while returning powerhouses took charge in their opening seasons across the Hoosier State.

It's time to break down, analyze and rank the top 10 girls basketball programs in the Greater Lafayette Area.

Twin Lakes guard Addie Bowsman (11) celebrates after making a basket during the IHSAA girl’s basketball sectional game against the West Lafayette Red Devils, Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, at the Benton Central in Oxford, Ind. Twin Lakes won 68-61 in 2OT.
Twin Lakes guard Addie Bowsman (11) celebrates after making a basket during the IHSAA girl’s basketball sectional game against the West Lafayette Red Devils, Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, at the Benton Central in Oxford, Ind. Twin Lakes won 68-61 in 2OT.

1. Twin Lakes (2-0)

2022-2023 record: 28-1

Key returners: Junior point guard Addie Bowsman (17.4 points per game, 6.9 assists per game, 5.7 rebounds per game), senior guard Olivia Nickerson (18.4 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game).

Scouting report: Twin Lakes has a strong cast of guards led by attacking guards Bowsman and Nickerson. They have a knack for getting to the basket and are consistent shooters from the left and right elbows. Twin Lakes collectively swarms teams and forces turnovers. Twin Lakes is No. 18 in the Week 1 IBCA state poll.

Carroll Cougars guard Alli Harness (2) defends Lafayette Jeff Bronchos guard Shaylee Barrett (20) during the IHSAA girl’s basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, at Lafayette Jeff High School in Lafayette, Ind.
Carroll Cougars guard Alli Harness (2) defends Lafayette Jeff Bronchos guard Shaylee Barrett (20) during the IHSAA girl’s basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, at Lafayette Jeff High School in Lafayette, Ind.

2. Carroll (1-0)

2022-2023 record: 22-4

Key returners: Senior guard Alli Harness (23.6 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game, 4.2 assists per game), senior guard Madison Wagner (16 points per game, 7.3 rebounds per game).

Scouting report: Harness has the complete game offensively with her drives to the basket and clutch perimeter shooting. Wagner was the leading rebounder for the Cougars, who beat Frankfort 67-17 in their season opener. Carroll is ranked just outside the IBCA top 20 Week 1 poll.

Rensselaer Bombers Carly Drone (11) is defended by Benton Central Bison guard Rachel Tolen (21) during the IHSAA girl’s basketball sectional game, Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, at the Benton Central in Oxford, Ind. Benton Central won 54-51.
Rensselaer Bombers Carly Drone (11) is defended by Benton Central Bison guard Rachel Tolen (21) during the IHSAA girl’s basketball sectional game, Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, at the Benton Central in Oxford, Ind. Benton Central won 54-51.

3. Rensselaer Central (3-0)

2022-2023 record: 14-10

Key returners: Junior Carly Drone (12 points per game); senior Sarah Kaufman (9 points per game) and junior Taylor Van Meter (8.5 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game).

Scouting report: Rensselaer Central is off to a hot start, earning honorable mention votes for the IBCA poll. Van Meter has erupted to start the year by averaging 22 points per game and leading the Bombers to commanding wins against North Judson-San Pierre 65-22 and Adams Central 60-24.

McCutcheon freshman Lillie Graves.
McCutcheon freshman Lillie Graves.

4. McCutcheon (2-0)

2022-2023 record: (11-14)

Key returner: Sophomore Chloe Finney (7.7 points per game)

Scouting report: Freshman 6-foot-1 point guard Lillie Graves flips McCutcheon into one of the elite programs around the Greater Lafayette Area. Graves' is a deadly scorer who debuted with 36 points last Saturday against Cascade. Senior guard Aubri Mullendore plays aggressive on-ball defense, sophomore Chloe Finney is a consistent corner jump shooter and sophomore small forward Aubrey Miller provides a defensive presence in the post.

Twin Lakes guard Addie Bowsman (11) is defended by West Lafayette Red Devils guard Adrianne Tolen (10) during the IHSAA girl’s basketball sectional game, Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, at the Benton Central in Oxford, Ind. Twin Lakes won 68-61 in 2OT.
Twin Lakes guard Addie Bowsman (11) is defended by West Lafayette Red Devils guard Adrianne Tolen (10) during the IHSAA girl’s basketball sectional game, Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, at the Benton Central in Oxford, Ind. Twin Lakes won 68-61 in 2OT.

5. West Lafayette (2-2)

2022-2023 record: 18-6.

Key returners: Senior Adrianne Tolen (15.9 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game, 4.2 steals per game) and senior Sarah Werth (14 points per game).

Scouting report: West Lafayette returns experienced guards in Tolen and Werth after reaching the Class 3A sectional semifinals when it fell to Twin Lakes 68-61 in double-overtime. The Red Devils have played a commanding schedule so far with tightly battled losses to IBCA No. 10-ranked Lake Central 52-40 and No. 4 Fort Wayne Snider 50-48.

Harrison Raiders Elsie Ahnert (22) passes the ball during the IHSAA girl’s basketball sectionals championship game against the Logansport Berries, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, at the Lafayette Jeff High School in Lafayette, Ind. Harrison won 46-29.
Harrison Raiders Elsie Ahnert (22) passes the ball during the IHSAA girl’s basketball sectionals championship game against the Logansport Berries, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, at the Lafayette Jeff High School in Lafayette, Ind. Harrison won 46-29.

6. Harrison (1-2)

2022-2023 record: 16-10

Key returners: Senior Riley Whitlock (12.2 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game) and junior Elsie Ahnert (5.6 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game).

Scouting report: Ahnert has come out as the Raiders' primary scorer to begin the 2023-2024 season aided by the athleticism and length in the paint by volleyball star and multi-sport athlete Whitlock. Ahnert hit 6 of 10 shots for 15 points in a runaway win over Marion 64-18. Harrison won the 4A sectional championship last season by beating Kokomo and Logansport.

Central Catholic Knights Carley Barrett (24) drives pst Central Noble Cougars forward Meghan Kiebel (12) during the IHSAA girl’s basketball semi state game, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Berry Bowl in Logansport, Ind. Central Noble won 43-42.
Central Catholic Knights Carley Barrett (24) drives pst Central Noble Cougars forward Meghan Kiebel (12) during the IHSAA girl’s basketball semi state game, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the Berry Bowl in Logansport, Ind. Central Noble won 43-42.

7. Central Catholic (1-0)

2022-2023 record: 20-7

Key returners: Junior Carley Barrett (15.8 points per game, 7.3 rebounds per game, 4.1 assists per game)

Scouting report: Barrett returns to lead a disciplined Knights team that will look for last season's role players to step up. Senior Kaitlin Riley averaged 7.9 points per game while junior Grace Bordenet is a quality passer.

8. Clinton Central (3-0)

2022-2023 record: 16-7

Key returners: sophomore Carly Davison (11.2 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game, 6.7 assists per game), senior Sara Parkison (16.1 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game).

Scouting report: Clinton Central returns a balanced scoring attack led by Davison and Parkison. Clinton Central earned a decisive win over previously undefeated Fountain Central on Tuesday night 60-38.

9. Delphi (2-0)

2022-2023 record: 10-14

Key returners: Junior Jenna Roth (14.2 points per game, 5.4 rebounds per game) and senior Lexi Miller (7.5 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game).

Scouting report: Delphi could be a surprise team to watch after beating reigning Class 1A State Champion Rossville to start the season. Miller scored 13 points while Maddy Brown and Lilly Pickerling added 11 points against the Hornets.

10. Rossville (1-1)

2022-2023 record: 15-11

Key returners: Sophomore Ava Burkle (9.3 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game).

Scouting report: Burkle is her team's returning leading scorer after key players Avery Gorbett and Tori Skiles graduated last season. Rossville with mostly underclassmen plays a scrappy style of defense that forces turnovers constantly. A win against Faith Christian shows Rossville is prepared to defend its sectional title.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Top 10 Greater Lafayette girls basketball IHSAA power rankings

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