The field has been narrowed to five candidates for IndyStar Miss Basketball.
The award for the top senior girls player will be announced at the third annual IndyStar Sports Awards gala event April 29 at Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University. IndyStar Miss Basketball, presented by the Indiana Fever, is voted on by high school coaches and media in the state.
This year’s finalists are (in alphabetical order): Angel Baker of Pike, Leigha Brown of DeKalb, Amy Dilk of Carmel, Katlyn Gilbert of Heritage Christian and Kayana Traylor of Martinsville.
Angel Baker
The 5-10 Baker led Pike to a 49-6 record over the past two seasons, including a Class 4A state finals appearance as a junior. Pike was 25-2 and ranked No. 1 this season before falling to eventual state champion Warren Central in the regional final. Baker, a Wright State recruit, averaged 21.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game as a senior. She scored 1,452 career points.
Leigha Brown
DeKalb’s Brown, a University of Nebraska signee, averaged 28.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.4 blocked shots per game as a senior. The 6-1 Brown finished her high school career with 1,798 career points. She averaged 22.9 points and 10.8 rebounds as a junior.
Amy Dilk
The 5-10 Dilk, a Michigan recruit, averaged 17.8 points, 6.7 assists and 3.8 steals per game as a senior and helped the Greyhounds to a 24-3 record and third consecutive sectional championship. Dilk finished her career at Carmel with 1,404 points and 548 assists.
Katlyn Gilbert
The 5-10 Gilbert was the lone in-state girls basketball player selected as a McDonald’s All-American. The Notre Dame recruit averaged 18.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 steals per game as the Eagles finished 15-10 before losing to Warren Central in the sectional. Gilbert was a two-time state champion as a freshman (Class 2A) and sophomore (3A).
Kayana Traylor
The 5-9 Traylor, a Purdue signee, averaged 21.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game as a senior. Traylor set the all-time scoring record at Martinsville with 2,114 career points. She led Martinsville to a 21-win season and sectional championship as a junior.
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6644.