Grace Nelson Among 10 Finalists For Ms. Basketball Award

Grace Nelson surveys the floor during action at the Class 1A State Tournament. Kurt Becker photo

The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association, in partnership with the Chicago Tribune, released its 10 finalists Monday for the annual girls high school basketball award. The top prep girls player has been named since 1976.

Altamont High School's Grace Nelson is one of the 10 candidates. Nelson averaged 30.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.9 steals and 2.9 assists for the Indians who finished with a 28-7 record and in third place in the Class 1A State Tournament.

Nelson, heading to Illinois State next year, was a three-time IBCA All-State first team pick, scoring over 2,000 career points in four varsity seasons.

Other finalists include:

Brooke Carlson, Batavia

The Colorado State commit averaged 22.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.9 steals in guiding the Bulldogs (29-6) to the Class 4A Elite Eight. She ended her career as Batavia's all-time leading scorer (2,225 points) and was a two-time IBCA first-team all-stater.

Amayah Doyle, Carterville

The Tennessee softball recruit averaged 25.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.1 assists to lead the Lions (25-7) to a Class 2A regional final. Doyle, a senior, is a three-time IBCA first-team all-stater, becoming the school's all-time leading scorer with over 2,300 points.

Kloe Froebe, Lincoln

The Colorado State recruit averaged 29.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.2 steals and 4.8 assists as Lincoln (38-0) won the Class 3A state championship. Froebe is a three-time IBCA first-team all-stater, ending her four varsity seasons as the state's fifth all-time scoring leader with 3,262 points.

Aubrey Galvan, Wilmette Loyola Academy

The junior Division-I prospect averaged 16 points, 3.4 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 steals as the Ramblers (38-0) went undefeated in claiming the Class 4A state title. She was a first-team IBCA all-stater in 2024, having scored over 1,300 career points in three seasons.

Aaliyah Guyton, Peoria High

The Iowa signee averaged 27.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.3 steals before her season ended in December with a torn ACL. Guyton is a three-time IBCA all-stater and the 2023 Journal Star girls basketball player of the year, while being the 58th-ranked player in the class of 2024 by ESPN.

Amiah Hargrove, Christopher

The Nebraska recruit averaged 28.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 1.9 assists as the Bearcats (17-15) were a Class 1A regional finalist. Hargrove is a three-time IBCA all-state selection, being named the Black Diamond Conference most valuable player for three successive seasons.

Alayna Kraus, Okawville

The senior Division-I prospect averaged 22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists in leading the Rockets (25-11) to back-to-back Class 1A state championships. She was a three-time IBCA all-stater along with being named first-team all-state by the Illinois Media.

Ella Todd, Palatine Fremd

The Utah signee averaged 16.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.3 steals for the Vikings (30-7) for the Class 4A fourth-place finishers. Todd was an IBCA all-state selection in 2024 as well as being named Mid-Suburban League Conference co-player of the year.

Xamiya Walton, Chicago Butler College Prep

The Northwestern commit averaged 21.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 4.9 steals for the Lynx (23-11), who were a Class 3A sectional finalist. Walton is a three-time IBCA all-state selection with being the 52nd ranked player in the class of 2024 by ESPN.