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How does one choose between two Indiana All-Stars?
The answer is simple: you don’t.
With both players having been named to the state’s premier team, Warsaw’s Joslyn Bricker and Brooke Zartman have both earned the title of the Times-Union Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
Bricker and Zartman, who rewrote the Warsaw record books during their incredibly successful careers, have had the goal of being Indiana All-Stars for practically their entire lives. The pair got a taste of it last year, being named to the junior all-star team. But this feels more like a culmination of years of hard work.
“It’s been one of my ultimate goals ever since I was a little girl. Understanding what it meant to have that honor, seeing Kyle Mangas be named an All-Star when I was growing up, it really pushed me towards that goal,” Bricker said. “I’m so thankful. It feels like everything we’ve done and all of the work we’ve put in has led to this, and to have Brooke here too, it’s so exciting and I’m so proud of her.”
“I think getting the opportunity to do this with Jos, go through it together, it’s crazy to me with all we’ve been through,” Zartman added. “This was one of my main goals for myself this year, pushing myself to be the best I can be. It’s a tremendous honor but I wouldn’t be here without her or any of my other teammates.”
There are plenty of schools across the state that have never had an Indiana All-Star. For the Lady Tigers to have two in one year, and three in the last two when you include former Player of the Year Brooke Winchester, is very uncommon. The girls realize just how special this occasion is, and they credit each other for making it happen.
“I know that I wouldn’t be where I am without Brooke. She makes me better, not just in practice, but having someone of her caliber with me on the court during a game is super cool,” Bricker said.
“I think we work so well together. We’re so different in good ways, so I think we kind of did it for each other,” Zartman said.
Joslyn Bricker’s craftiness scoring the ball from inside the paint or beyond the perimeter led to her becoming the leading scorer in Lady Tiger history.
Those who have followed the program closely throughout Bricker and Zartman’s careers, especially the last two seasons, know just how close the two are on and off the court. However, this wasn’t always the case.
“I don’t think we got along that well freshman year,” Zartman said with a laugh. “We came from two different middle schools, didn’t know each other that well. Starting then, we’ve played one on one every single day during practice. We want to make each other better. We compete hard. If you ask Coach Krebs, there was definitely a lot of fighting, but it was all love in the end.”
“Her being so good definitely made me want to be better, made me want to work harder,” Bricker chimed in. “I feel like that goes both ways. At first, it’s not easy to play with someone else that’s super talented. But once you buy in and realize you won’t reach your goals without each other, it’s like competitiveness but in the best way.”
The competitiveness paid off in spades, as the two will graduate from Warsaw this spring with plenty of records under their belt. Zartman has the most three pointers in school history with 381, second in state history. Her 10 makes in a game are also a school record, as are her 101 games started. Bricker boasts the single-game scoring record with 43, as well as field goals in a game (17) in that same contest.
But most impressive of all, is the fact that the pair climbed all the way to the top of the Lady Tiger scoring list. Bricker ends her career with 1.859 points, the most in program history. Right behind her is Zartman with 1,674, giving the teammates the top two spots on a list full of former All-Stars and state champions. Although they were the ones scoring the points, they were quick to deflect the credit elsewhere.
“I don’t think it’s fully set in. I don’t think it’ll register to me what Brooke and I accomplished for a few years. It’s crazy to think about, and a testament to our team and what we’ve accomplished,” Bricker said.
“It says a lot about our teammates. We wouldn’t be here without each other, but especially without the other girls we’ve played with throughout the years. It’s crazy to think about being the top two scorers. It hasn’t set in yet.”
Head coach Lenny Krebs, who arrived at Warsaw from Goshen while Bricker and Zartman were in elementary school, coached the pair for their entire varsity careers. Having had a bird’s eye view for their entire journey, he talked about how coaching them has impacted his own life.
“These young women are going to be amazing successes in life. I look at Joslyn and see a pure heart of gold. She loves everyone she comes into contact with,” Krebs said. “She is a shining example for everyone in that sense while still competing hard and wanting to win. I will always be grateful for the things that she taught me.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more competitive person than Brooke Zartman. When you think of the term ‘hates to lose,’ you think of her immediately. If I had to tell you a second word you would find her picture beside, it’s confident,” he continued. “Right there is a confident young woman who is going to do great in life because of that. She’s never taken a shot that she didn’t think was going in. I love that competitive side of her and her desire to succeed.”
The sharpshooting Brooke Zartman hit almost 400 threes in her career, most in school history and second most in state history.
While the dynamic duo will no longer put on the Lady Tiger uniform, they are not done representing their community. The pair will play three games for the All-Stars, the first of which coming on Wednesday, June 3, a scrimmage against the Junior All-Stars. Then, on Friday, June 5 and Saturday June 6, Bricker and Zartman will compete in the home-and-home against the Kentucky All-Stars, with the latter game being played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The seniors are incredibly excited for these final opportunities to play for the Lake City faithful.
“Our community has supported us through everything, so to put this jersey on for them is an honor and a special opportunity,” Zartman said. “There are a ton of girls that don’t get this chance so I’m blessed to be able to. I know our community will come out and support Jos and I like they always have.”
“This really is a special place, and the support and encouragement that people have given us since the beginning of our careers has been so cool,” Bricker said. “I know it was special seeing Kyle be an All-Star when we were kids, so I hope the kids that are watching us now feel the same way.”
2025-26 Times Union All-Area Girls Basketball Team
Joslyn Bricker (Warsaw Sr. POTY)
Finishing her career as the leading scorer in Lady Tiger history, the college-bound Bricker will be a threat at the next level with her ability to score efficiently both inside the paint and beyond the perimeter. Fans will have three more chances to watch her play as an All-Star along with her Co-Player of the Year.
Brooke Zartman (Warsaw Sr. POTY)
The sharpshooting Zartman will take her talents to Miami of Ohio in the fall and will look to make her mark. Having hit almost 300 threes over a career that spanned four years and 101 starts, Zartman has shown plenty of improvement in the other areas of her game, most notably her ability to drive to the basket and her pesky defense. Her consistent growth will serve her well at the next level.
Alexis Neely (Warsaw Sr.)
Neely has been a fixture on this list for the past couple of years, and has been just as important to the Warsaw girls basketball program over the course of her career as her All-Star teammates. Averaging 10.3 points a game this past season on efficient shooting splits while also being tasked with defending the opposing team’s best player more times than not, Neely thrived in her role for the Lady Tigers, and was named to the All-Tournament team of the Hall of Fame Classic after a fantastic day. She’ll continue her career at Huntington.
Reese Stonebraker (Whitko Sr.)
The lone senior on an incredibly talented Whitko team, the elder Stonebraker sister led the stacked Lady ‘Cats in scoring with 12.7 points a night, while also finishing in the top three in rebounds, assists and steals. Her leadership on a team that made a run to the semi-state for the second straight year was invaluable, and she will continue playing at the next level at St. Francis.
Jayma Stonebraker (Whitko Jr.)
The younger Stonebraker sister put together a fantastic junior season, finishing second on the team in points (12.4), first in assists (4.0) and steals (4.2). Jayma was there with a basket for the Lady ‘Cats whenever they needed one most, making her one of the clutchest players in the area. As Whitko looks to get over the semi-state hump with a loaded roster next season, Jayma might be the early favorite to win the 2027 Player of the Year.
Ally Brown (Whitko Jr.)
The 6’1” Brown really came into her own this season, posting improvements in every statistic imaginable. She just missed out on averaging double figures scoring (9.3 PPG), but made the most of her opportunities, shooting a team-high 54% from the field. She also led her squad in rebounding (5.4) while blocking just over a shot a game. If her trajectory remains the same, she will be a big-time player for the Lady ‘Cats next season.
Gaby Gonzalez (Tippecanoe Valley Sr.)
Gonzalez wrapped up a varsity career that spanned four seasons with her best one yet. The point guard was a walking triple-double threat every time she took the court, making her teammates better with some incredible passing. She never shied away from a big moment, and was always there to hit a big shot or make a big play. That extended to the defensive end as well, where she averaged about five steals a game.
Hadley Wise (Tippecanoe Valley Sr.)
Wise, like many other players on this list, demonstrated steady improvement throughout her career, and it paid off with a fantastic senior season. Leading the Lady Vikings in scoring, Wise put together a great season shooting the basketball, something her team needed from her each night. Along with Gonzalez, Wise was a major factor in Valley winning four more games than the year prior and playing for a sectional championship.
Emma Walker (Manchester Jr.)
Walker, who makes the list for the second time in as many years, was the catalyst of a Manchester team that improved significantly from last year. The junior averaged a team-high 13.7 points a game, to go with 7.5 rebounds a night. She was also a menace on the defensive end, grabbing 3.1 steals a game. She’ll be another player to watch in terms of taking next year’s top honor.
Olivia Hawks (Lakeland Christian Soph.)
The youngest player on this list, Hawks was a big bright spot on a growing Lakeland Christian team. Averaging a double-double (14.3 points and 12.4 rebounds), the sophomore showcased tremendous ability in her second varsity season. We’ll see if that individual success can begin turning into victories during her junior year.
