EVANSVILLE — The 2024-25 school year was another successful season in high school athletics for Southwestern Indiana.
A handful of individuals and teams won state championships, plus a dozen more finished runner-up. The number of talented athletes in the area would be too many list. This is where you come in. Who was your vote for the Courier & Press female high school athlete of the year?
Multi-sport athletes were given stronger consideration but not a requirement. Vote as often as you’d like until 10 a.m. CT on Friday. The story will be updated with the winner, but no physical award will be given. This is pure bragging rights.
Courier & Press Female Athlete of the Year
Below is more info on each nominee determined, in alphabetical order:
Ella Bobe, South Knox: The senior averaged 19.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.3 steals in helping the Spartans win the Class 2A state championship. Bobe finished her career as the program’s all-time leader in points and assists, in addition to being its first Indiana All-Star.
Matea Bradfield, Reitz: The senior forward had 27 goals and 15 assists. All-SIAC Player of the Year and First Team All-State.
Myla Browning, Memorial: The senior was a Third Team All-State forward in soccer and First Team All-SIAC basketball player. A regional qualifier in three track events.
Emma Bruggenschmidt, Castle: The junior led the Knights with 261 kills in volleyball and earned All-District. A First Team All-State shortstop with a .477 average, 12 doubles, four home runs and 25 RBIs.
Alyssa Heath, North Posey: The senior averaged 15.0 points in basketball for the sectional champions. Batted .500 with 29 RBIs and a 2.81 ERA in softball.
Jilly Higgins, Castle: The senior had 18 goals and 18 assists for the sectional and SIAC champions in soccer. First Team All-State.
Maya Joska, Castle: The senior had 231 digs, 222 kills, 95 blocks and 57 aces for the regional champions. Second Team All-State and All-SIAC Player of the Year.
Ava Kelley, Boonville: The junior won four sectional championships and earned a pair of top-20 finishes at the state championship in track & field.
Ashley Kirkland, Castle: The senior was the sectional and regional champion in golf. Finished as the individual state runner-up and the inauguarl Indiana Miss Golf winner.
De’Janay Layne, North: The junior won three sectional championships and two regional championships in track & field. Finished as the state runner-up in the 200 and fifth in the 100.
Katelyn Marx, Tecumseh: The senior was Second Team All-State in volleyball with 343 kills and 306 digs. Second Team All-PAC in basketball with 14.5 points per game. First Team All-State and the state’s all-time leader in career hits in softball for the state champions.
Reese Mundy, Jasper: The senior defended her state championship at No. 1 doubles with sophmore Adaysha Smiley – one week after helping the Wildcats win their first team state title in program history.
Katie Reed, Washington: The junior averaged 14.5 points and 7.1 rebounds in basketball for the sectional champions. All-State selection. Batted .322 with 15 RBIs in softball.
Maddy Shirley, Central: The junior averaged 25.5 points, 11.9 rebounds and 3.3 blocks for the regional champions. Set the SIAC and City single-season scoring record with 715 points. All-State and Indiana Junior All-Star.
Gabby Spink, Gibson Southern: The senior averaged 19.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists for the regional champions. All-State selection.
Morgan Wannemuehler, Mater Dei: The junior had 25 goals and five assists for the sectional champions. Second Team All-State. The sectional champion and state qualifier in the 400 in track.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Vote for the Courier & Press top female high school athlete of 2024-25