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 continue the countdown on the girls hoops side with positions No. 40-36
No. 40: Chloe Verdin, Fremont
Chloe Verdin gave Fremont steady production on both ends during its run to the Class 1A state championship game. She scored 256 points, averaging 8.2 per game while shooting 44.6 percent on two-point attempts, and added 3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per contest. Her defensive numbers were just as valuable: 3 steals and 4 deflections per game show how often she disrupted opposing possessions. Verdin earned honorable mention All-NECC recognition, and her experience as a starter on a state finalist gives the Eagles a proven contributor heading into her senior season.
COACH’S QUOTE ON VERDIN
“Chloe was our third-leading scorer last year and really established herself as another player opposing teams have to account for. She gave us valuable depth offensively and proved she can make an impact in a variety of ways. She was also very feisty and competitive on the defensive end and led our team in steals. We’ll look for her to build on that success and continue making an impact on both ends of the floor.” – Fremont coach Shae Thomas
No. 39: Carlee Strunk, Bluffton
Carlee Strunk gave Bluffton another reliable scoring option in 2025–26, averaging 10.9 points, 2.1 assists and 2.0 steals across 24 games. She shot 40 percent from three, the best mark among the Tigers’ listed team leaders, and showed she could deliver in a big matchup with 19 points in a win over Huntington North. Strunk’s shooting helps spread the floor for Khloe Dick, while her passing and defensive activity make her valuable even when her shot is not falling. With Bluffton’s leading scorer Konley Ault graduated, Strunk enters her senior season positioned to take on more responsibility in the backcourt. She scored over 20 points twice with 22 against Blackford and 21 against Wabash.
COACH’S QUOTE ON STRUNK
“Carlee was super successful in her role last season as a move-in. We used her to space the floor on O with the option to shoot the open 3 or drive it to the rim. She led us at 40% from the 3 and was our 3rd leading scorer, so very successful. On D Carlee is athletic, quick and aggressive so those also fit into what we do defensively. She will look to increase her production at both ends of the floor this season as she is now a very experienced returning letterman.” – Bluffton coach Doug Curtis
No. 38: Abbie Harris, DeKalb
Abbie Harris gives DeKalb an experienced point guard to build around this season. She averaged 10.6 points and a team-leading 3 assists per game in 2025–26, providing both scoring and playmaking for the Barons. After three seasons as a starter, Harris enters her senior year with the ball in her hands and a central role in setting DeKalb’s pace. She had 13 games in double digit scoring a season ago, with a high of 18 against Bishop Dwenger, and six games of four or more assists while also racking up a season best 7 steals against North Side.
COACH’S QUOTE ON HARRIS
“It’s always a luxury to have a senior point guard running the show. A three-year starter, Abbie is the commanding voice on the floor and does a great job getting everyone in the right places. She is a true floor leader who can also knock down shots when her team needs them.” – DeKalb coach Mark Pixley
No. 37: Stella Stockamp, Angola
Stella Stockamp enters her junior season as a key piece of Angola’s experienced core after earning first-team All-NECC honors as a sophomore. She was the Hornets’ second-leading scorer at 9.4 points per game, adding 4.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.7 steals while contributing 1.3 three-pointers per contest. Stockamp’s ability to provide perimeter scoring, help on the boards and disrupt passing lanes gives Angola a versatile presence, with her continued development offering an opportunity for the Hornets to take another step forward.
COACH’S QUOTE ON STOCKAMP
“Stella brings a unique style of leadership and her ability to make things happen all while getting everyone else around her involved. She works extremely hard and her intensity and athleticism is strongly looked upon as she can make plays on both sides of the ball. She has great court vision, a strong handle and can score the ball through traffic and knock down shots from the perimeter. Stella also does a nice job of controlling the tempo and recognizing when a change is needed.” – Angola coach Caela Walker
No. 36: Ally Brown, Whitko
Ally Brown gives Whitko an efficient scorer and a strong presence around the basket heading into her senior season. She averaged 9.3 points and a team best 5.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game as a junior, while shooting 54 percent from the field. Her growth helped the Wildcats finish 25-2 and win a second straight Class 2A regional title. With Reese Stonebraker graduated, Brown’s scoring, rebounding and interior defense should carry even more weight for Whitko this winter.
COACH’S QUOTE ON BROWN
“Ally has been the anchor of our defense and someone we can count on every night to protect the rim and control the glass. She led us in rebounding last season, and what has been exciting to watch is how much she continues to expand her game. She’s developed into a legitimate three-point threat, which adds another dimension to what she can do offensively. Ally is the type of player who gets better every single time she steps on the court, and I’m excited to see everything she accomplishes during her senior season.” – Whitko coach Justin Jordan
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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