The beginning of the women's basketball season is just over a week away, and the River States Conference is excited to preview the 2025-26 seasons for our member schools! Each RSC school talked with players and coaches from their teams, with those interviews linked below as part of Media Day!
Additionally, each school has spotlighted two players expected to be major contributors during the 2025-26 campaign, and are also listed below as our 2025-26 Players to Watch!
BRESCIA
Media Day
Players to Watch
Jenna Krampe
Sophomore | Owensboro, Kentucky | Guard
Krampe was a Second Team All-River States Conference selection a year ago. As a freshman, the guard was perhaps the most efficient player in the nation, leading all of NAIA basketball in field goal percentage.
Caroline Lucas
Sophomore | Hardinsburg, Kentucky | Guard
Lucas earned Second Team All-River States Conference honors last season. Lucas helped to lead a balanced Brescia offense in 2024-25, pacing the Bearcats with 13.1 points per game.
IU COLUMBUS
Media Day
Players to Watch
Amaya Collins
Sophomore | Anderson, Indiana | Guard
Amaya Collins is all about taking it to the hoop with a touch of finesse. Amaya is a defensive stopper who thrives on clogging the passing lanes, converting steals into points. What makes Amaya so impressive is her ability to play under control, even while pushing the tempo of the game. She will be an offensive and defensive threat this season.
Abby Fleetwood
Junior | Traflagar, Indiana | Guard/Forward
Abby Fleetwood is incredibly athletic, a consistent scoring threat. She attacks defenses in ways you wouldn't be able to prepare for. Abby is a player you can build your offense around. She's fearless with the ball in her hands all around, but even better during clutch moments. When Abby steps on the floor, her commanding presence alone dominates the atmosphere and elevates the play of the game and everyone around her.
IU EAST
Players to Watch
Taylor Farris
Junior | Oxford, Ohio | Guard
Taylor is back for her third season with the Red Wolves. Taylor earned First Team honors in the RSC last year. She averaged 15.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game in the 24-25 season.
Peyton Wells
Senior | Kettering, Ohio | Forward
Peyton returns for her third season at IU East. Last year was her best year for the Red Wolves as she averaged 13.1 points and five rebounds per game.
IU KOKOMO
Media Day
Players to Watch
Mia Catey
Senior | Gas City, Indiana | Guard/Forward
Mia Catey was a Third Team All-RSC selection for the Cougars last season. The junior was IU Kokomo's leading scorer in conference play, averaging 14.3 points per game while also pulling down 7.5 rebounds per contest.
Hannah Hodgen
Junior | Monticello, Indiana | Guard/Forward
Hodgen started all but one game for the Cougars last season, and was in the starting lineup in every conference game. The sophomore was one of IU Kokomo's top facilitators, finishing second on the roster in assists during conference play.
IU SOUTHEAST
Media Day
Players to Watch
Jesse Ledgerwood
Senior | Washington, Indiana | Guard
Jesse Ledgerwood enters her senior season with IU Southeast. Ledgerwood is coming off her first All-Conference selection, earning Second Team Honors. Ledgerwood averaged 12.1 points per game, shooting 34.8 percent from three.
Linzie Wernert
Junior | Lanesville, Indiana | Forward
Linzie Wernert enters her third season at IU Southeast. Wernert has been the beacon of consistency for IU Southeast, earning Second Team All-Conference Honors in her sophomore campaign. She has averaged 10.0+ points and 7.0+ rebounds in both of her seasons as a Grenadier.
KENTUCKY CHRISTIAN
Players to Watch
Kelsee Simpson
Junior | Burlington, Kentucky | Forward
Simpson started all but three games for the Knights last season, averaging almost eight points per game. The sophomore was also one of the team's leading rebounders, finishing second on the roster with 6.6 rebounds per game.
Bell Sparks
Senior | Ashland, Kentucky | Guard
Sparks was Kentucky Christian's leading scorer during the 2024-25 season, averaging 18.9 points per game for the Knights. Sparks showed a propensity for getting to the free throw line, attempting more than five per game as a junior.
MIDWAY
Media Day
Players to Watch
Jermyra Christian
Junior | Lexington, Kentucky | Guard
Christian was named Second Team All-Conference for the Eagles last season. The Lexington native was the only Eagle to start all 29 games last season, averaging 13.5 points per game. Christian was also the top facilitator for the Eagles, leading the team with 94 assists.
A’Lyrica Hughes
Sophomore | Owensboro, Kentucky | Guard
Hughes is one of three returning First Team All-RSC selections from the 2024-25 season across the league. In her freshman season, Hughes averaged 12.6 points per game, and led the Eagles with 5.8 rebounds per contest.
OAKLAND CITY
Players to Watch
Elise Williams
Junior | Memphis, Tennessee | Guard
Elise is coming off her redshirt year and is ready to make a big impact. She’s quick, has a high motor, can score at all three levels, and plays with a high basketball IQ. Elise is also a natural leader on and off the floor, and she’s poised to be a standout for us this season.
Allyson Rideout
Freshman | Henderson, Kentucky | Guard/Forward
Allyson is a versatile player with a smooth shooting touch. She has great control, finishes well at the rim, and can post up while also playing on the perimeter. She has the potential to be a standout in her first year.
RIO GRANDE
Media Day
Players to Watch
Marlee Grinstead
Senior | Albany, Ohio | Guard/Forward
Grinstead started 13 games for the RedStorm last season, and has played in 93 games over the past three seasons. As a junior, the Albany, Ohio native averaged 7.3 points per game, and spent more than 20 minutes on the floor per contest.
Payton Johnson
Sophomore | Peebles, Ohio | Guard
Johnson was a Third Team All-RSC selection for last season's conference championship team. In her first season of college basketball, Johnson made 24 starts and averaged just under nine points per game. The Peebles, Ohio native also added 115 rebounds, 56 assists, and 47 steals last season.
ST. MARY-OF-THE-WOODS
Media Day
Players to Watch
Ariel Grace
Junior | Columbus, Ohio | Guard
Grace brings speed, court vision, and playmaking ability to the Pomeroy backcourt. With her experience and leadership, she is expected to be a key contributor on both ends of the floor.
Samara Douglas
Junior | Indianapolis, Indiana | Forward
Douglas provides versatility and strength in the paint. Her rebounding and defensive presence will play a pivotal role, while her scoring ability makes her a reliable option inside.
SHAWNEE STATE
Media Day
Players to Watch
Miyoshi Ellis
Senior | Harlem, New York | Guard
Ellis, who started the final 23 games of the 2024-25 season, led Shawnee State to a 21-2 overall record in her 23 starts for the Bears during the 2024-25 season, ultimately earning First-Team All-RSC honors. Ellis averaged 8.5 points, three assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals as Shawnee State posted its first NAIA National Tournament victory since 2020-21
Lauren Hawthorne
Senior | Hebron, Kentucky | Forward
Hawthorne, an effective stretch 4, averaged 6.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks while shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from three-point range. The senior scored a season-high 16 points on 4-5 shooting from the field (3-4 from three-point range) and went 5-6 from the free throw line in Shawnee State's NAIA Opening Round victory over Loyola (70-62).
WVU TECH
Media Day
Players to Watch
Cadence Stewart
Junior | Ronceverte, West Virginia | Guard/Forward
During the 24-25 season Stewart averaged 11.2 points per game. She was the team's best 3-point shooter shooting 35.8% during the season. She was a 2nd Team All River States performer for 24-25.
Alexis Sexton
Senior | Lexington, South Carolina | Guard
Sexton is coming off a injury riddled season for 24-25. Sexton averaged 11.3 points per game during the 23-24 season. She was the team's leading 3-point shooter that season, making more than 31 percent of her three-point attempts.