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Four players have been named finalists for 2026 IndyStar Miss Basketball, presented by the Indiana Fever. The winner of the award will be announced Friday morning.
A reminder, this is a senior-only award voted upon by the state's coaches and media members.
Finalists listed in alphabetical order.
The Vikings had not won a sectional since 2005 prior to Barnes’ arrival in 2022-23. They won four sectional titles during her tenure with back-to-back regional titles in 2024 and 2025, the program’s first in two decades. The 5-foot-11 Ball State-bound guard was magnificent across all four seasons, setting the program’s all-time records for points (2,040), steals (518, third-most in state history) and assists (520). She also totaled 755 rebounds and 177 blocks, and shot 51% from the field, 33% from 3 and 76% at the line.
Barnes led Valpo to 23 wins as a senior, averaging 21.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 4.9 steals. Among her season highlights: a 31-point, 10-rebound, seven-assist, six-steal outing vs. Norwell, and a 26-point, eight rebound, five-assist performance against defending 4A state runner-up Warsaw.
From Jan. 2023: Barnes doesn't look like a freshman. Valparaiso guard doesn't play like one either.
The Davidson commit began her career at Munster, averaging 22 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.2 steals and 2.4 assists across two seasons before relocating with her family to Greenwood and enrolling at Center Grove. Gilliard netted over 1,000 points on 51% shooting during her tenure as a Trojan and guided them to an undefeated 4A state championship as a senior.
This year's run to Gainbridge Fieldhouse saw the 5-11 guard/forward total 155 points across seven games, all while guarding the opponent's top player. She capped the run with 23 points, nine rebounds, six steals, three assists and a block in the final vs. Norwell, and finished the season averaging 25.6 points on 53% shooting (40% 3PT, 75% FT), 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 1.9 assists.
From January: Gracyn Gilliard has Center Grove undefeated and her Miss Basketball stock surging
The nationally ranked LSU-bound Lampley played a key role in the revitalization of Lawrence Central girls basketball, helping the program to 90 wins over four seasons with three 20-win campaigns, including a 30-1 finish in. 2023-24 that culminated with the Bears’ first-ever state champion.
Lampley, a McDonald’s All-American and two-time FIBA gold medalist, was at her best as a senior, averaging over 16.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2 steals as she led LC to a semistate runner-up finish. She shined in the regional championship vs. No. 1 Pike, netting 18 points on 7-of-16 shooting, five steals, three assists and two blocks in the victory.
Lampley finished her career with 1,334 points, 686 rebounds, 328 assists, 223 steals and 107 blocks.
From February: Lola Lampley does whatever it takes to win. And 'I don't think we've seen her best yet'
Rosswurm constructed one of the most decorated postseason résumés in recent history, leading the Knights to three semistate championships and a 3A state title in 2025. She guided them back to Gainbridge as a 4A team this season — a feat unto itself — averaging 23.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.1 steals against one of the state's toughest schedules (opponents combined record: 524-236). Norwell's run was highlighted by a come-from-behind win over Homestead in the sectional final wherein Rosswurm tallied 28 points on 10-of-22 shooting. She also netted 20 points in a regular-season win over Homestead and 22 at eventual sectional champion Cathedral.
The Indiana Wesleyan signee set the Norwell scoring records for a game (43), season (698) and career (1,805).
From February: Norwell relies on Vanessa Rosswurm and she takes that to heart. 'She brings such joy'
Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen. Get IndyStar's high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Miss Basketball 2026: Finalists named for top senior award
Continue reading...
A reminder, this is a senior-only award voted upon by the state's coaches and media members.
Finalists listed in alphabetical order.
Lilli Barnes, Valparaiso
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The Vikings had not won a sectional since 2005 prior to Barnes’ arrival in 2022-23. They won four sectional titles during her tenure with back-to-back regional titles in 2024 and 2025, the program’s first in two decades. The 5-foot-11 Ball State-bound guard was magnificent across all four seasons, setting the program’s all-time records for points (2,040), steals (518, third-most in state history) and assists (520). She also totaled 755 rebounds and 177 blocks, and shot 51% from the field, 33% from 3 and 76% at the line.
Barnes led Valpo to 23 wins as a senior, averaging 21.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 4.9 steals. Among her season highlights: a 31-point, 10-rebound, seven-assist, six-steal outing vs. Norwell, and a 26-point, eight rebound, five-assist performance against defending 4A state runner-up Warsaw.
From Jan. 2023: Barnes doesn't look like a freshman. Valparaiso guard doesn't play like one either.
Gracyn Gilliard, Center Grove
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The Davidson commit began her career at Munster, averaging 22 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.2 steals and 2.4 assists across two seasons before relocating with her family to Greenwood and enrolling at Center Grove. Gilliard netted over 1,000 points on 51% shooting during her tenure as a Trojan and guided them to an undefeated 4A state championship as a senior.
This year's run to Gainbridge Fieldhouse saw the 5-11 guard/forward total 155 points across seven games, all while guarding the opponent's top player. She capped the run with 23 points, nine rebounds, six steals, three assists and a block in the final vs. Norwell, and finished the season averaging 25.6 points on 53% shooting (40% 3PT, 75% FT), 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 1.9 assists.
From January: Gracyn Gilliard has Center Grove undefeated and her Miss Basketball stock surging
Lola Lampley, Lawrence Central
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The nationally ranked LSU-bound Lampley played a key role in the revitalization of Lawrence Central girls basketball, helping the program to 90 wins over four seasons with three 20-win campaigns, including a 30-1 finish in. 2023-24 that culminated with the Bears’ first-ever state champion.
Lampley, a McDonald’s All-American and two-time FIBA gold medalist, was at her best as a senior, averaging over 16.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2 steals as she led LC to a semistate runner-up finish. She shined in the regional championship vs. No. 1 Pike, netting 18 points on 7-of-16 shooting, five steals, three assists and two blocks in the victory.
Lampley finished her career with 1,334 points, 686 rebounds, 328 assists, 223 steals and 107 blocks.
From February: Lola Lampley does whatever it takes to win. And 'I don't think we've seen her best yet'
Vanessa Rosswurm, Norwell
You must be registered for see images attach
Rosswurm constructed one of the most decorated postseason résumés in recent history, leading the Knights to three semistate championships and a 3A state title in 2025. She guided them back to Gainbridge as a 4A team this season — a feat unto itself — averaging 23.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.1 steals against one of the state's toughest schedules (opponents combined record: 524-236). Norwell's run was highlighted by a come-from-behind win over Homestead in the sectional final wherein Rosswurm tallied 28 points on 10-of-22 shooting. She also netted 20 points in a regular-season win over Homestead and 22 at eventual sectional champion Cathedral.
The Indiana Wesleyan signee set the Norwell scoring records for a game (43), season (698) and career (1,805).
From February: Norwell relies on Vanessa Rosswurm and she takes that to heart. 'She brings such joy'
Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen. Get IndyStar's high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Miss Basketball 2026: Finalists named for top senior award
Continue reading...
