For the eighth season in a row, Bounce and Outside the Huddle are counting down who they feel are the top 50 individual players in northeast Indiana heading into the 2026-2027 season.
Want to know how we come up with our rankings? Click here.
A few insights into Bounce’s protocol:
- This is based on high school impact, not college potential. We get it, there are D1 athletes here lower than non-D1 athletes. This isn’t a recruiting database, this is based purely off of high school output.
- No newbies. Players with previous varsity playing time only
Today, we tip off the countdown on the girls hoops side with positions No. 50-46.
No. 50: Zoey Bowman, Lakeland
Zoey Bowman gave Lakeland production across the board as a junior, averaging 9.1 points, a team-leading 6.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists, and 3 steals per game in 2025–26. She has played strong at all three perimeter positions, and those numbers show why: she can help initiate offense, create chances for teammates, battle on the glass and disrupt opponents defensively. She also shot 38 percent from the field and 31 percent from three while finishing second on the team in scoring. With leading scorer Dulce Canedo graduating, Bowman’s experience and ability to contribute in several ways should make her a central piece of Lakeland’s 2026–27 team.
COACH’S QUOTE ON BOWMAN
“Obviously, I am in my first year as the Head Coach of the Lakers, so I have not spent near as much time in the gym with our players as I would have liked up to this point. With that being said, Zoey was one of my most consistent players in the gym all summer long. The effort, coachability, and growth pursuant attitude she leads with brings a lot of potential to the group that will join her on the floor.” – Lakeland coach Brandon Auker
No. 49: Kendall Holman, Angola
Kendall Holman gives Angola a strong interior foundation entering her junior season after earning All-NECC honorable mention as a sophomore. The 6-foot-1 center averaged 8.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game, providing the Hornets with a dependable presence around the basket on both ends. Her 2.9 offensive rebounds per contest created valuable second chances, while her team-leading 53 blocks highlighted her ability to protect the rim. With another year of varsity experience, Holman is positioned to play a central role in Angola’s push this season.
COACH’S QUOTE ON HOLMAN
“Kendall also is looked to for her leadership/voice. She has worked hard in the off season on her game both in the paint and stretching her game out to the perimeter. She runs the floor really well in transition. We look for her to be a strong force in defending, rebounding and scoring.” – Angola coach Caela Walker
No. 48: Ellington Sparkman, DeKalb
Ellington Sparkman emerged as one of DeKalb’s leading scorers in 2025–26, averaging 10.8 points per game as a sophomore. She scored 248 points in 23 games, including 14 against Garrett and 13 against Huntington North. Now entering her junior season, Sparkman gives the Barons a proven scoring option alongside point guard Abbie Harris and another year to build on her expanded role. Her season best 24 points against Lakeland came on 50 percent shooting and she also had a standout shooting 5-of-7 performance against eventual Class 4A state runner up Norwell.
COACH’S QUOTE ON SPARKMAN
“Ellington is one of the best two-guards in the county. She can knock down the three-point shot and brings versatility on the defensive end. Her combination of shooting, toughness and defensive versatility makes her a key player to watch this season.” – DeKalb coach Mark Pixley
No. 47: Bailee Godsey, Prairie Heights
Bailee Godsey enters her senior season as the player who – even through difficult results last winter – kept leading and working to improve. As a junior, the point guard averaged 9.6 points, 5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.9 steals per game, leading the Panthers in scoring and assists. Her shooting, toughness and ability to get teammates open give Prairie Heights a steady leader as it looks to turn last season’s lessons into more wins. She posted a double double against DeKalb and shot 13-of-26 in her two highest scoring games last year with 20 points against a powerful Fairfield and 21 opposite West Noble.
COACH’S QUOTE ON GODSEY
“Bailee is the kid when you mention the quote ‘Learn not Lose.’ She is always wanting to learn and she never allows the score to define her as a loser. Even with the tough losses last season by the score card Bailee continued to show her leadership and her determination to be a better basketball player. Bailee always has brought her leadership, her toughness, and her efforts to the team. She was a big key to all of our games last season and will be a huge force this season with her shooting ability and her ability to get others open to score the ball.” – Prairie Heights coach Daniel Barnett
No. 46: Lanie French, Bellmont
Lanie French embraced her role as Bellmont’s perimeter shooter last season, averaging 8.7 points and making 1.8 three-pointers per game at a 34.9 percent clip across 28 games. Her shooting showed up in big moments, including a clutch three-pointer in Bellmont’s Class 3A state championship game. Now a senior, French gives the Braves more than a dependable outside shot: her coach describes her as selfless and coachable.
COACH’S QUOTE ON FRENCH
“Lanie is the player all coaches want on their team. She is coachable, a leader, and selfless. Last season we talked to Lanie about her role as a 3-point shooter, and she really embraced that role and thrived. Lanie is almost automatic from the 3-point line but is also someone who is willing to take on difficult assignments on defense. She is also the one player that will always bring energy to our team. Whether it is practice, pre-game, or in the game, she is always starting the energy.” – Bellmont coach Andy Heim
These opinions represent those of Bounce and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow Bounce on Twitter at Bounce_OTH
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