South's Julia Lashley gets to 1,000 points the hard way

The 2025 Indiana University football team's motto was 'Undaunted.'

The Bloomington South girls basketball team may take that one up as well.

January 15th should have been a night of celebration for the Panthers, with senior Julia Lashley on the doorstep of reaching the 1,000-point mark for her career.

Instead, on one of the first plays of the game, Lashley ended up breaking a bone in her right (shooting) hand. The injury may have put an end to an excellent career, but there's also hope she could heal enough in time if South makes a long enough run in the postseason.

But, just in case, Terre Haute South and Linton both graciously allowed South to start both games with a free left-handed layup for Lashley (in trade for one at the other end), to score her 999th and 1,001st points on Thursday and Saturday.

Congratulations to Julia Lashley on reaching 1000 points. 🤩🎉@BHSS_Athletics@JimGordillopic.twitter.com/wKpu0VxrKU

— Bloomington South Panthers Girls Basketball (@BHSSPanthersGBB) January 24, 2026

Lashley is the ninth Panther to reach the century mark and the first since Addy Blackwell in 2019. Beth Morgan is South's all-time leader at 1,645.

But even without Lashley, this team isn't to be written off and will still be a strong sectional favorite.

"Got to be done by committee," South coach Larry Winters said after the THS game. "It doesn't fall on one person, obviously. No one person is going to replace her. We've just got to have more people step up and do some things.

"But I think they'll do that. It's a senior team and she's still on the sideline coaching them. I think we'll be fine."

In four games without her, South still hit Mooresville for 52, Evansville Central for 61, Terre Haute South for 63 and Linton for 55. The Panthers are averaging 56 this season with Lashley leading the way at 12.1 to go along with her team best 6.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

"Just keep playing our game and playing as a team," DeVries said. "She's still helping from the sideline. She's a great leader. She helps us. She's encouraging. She's sees the floor tremendously so she helps us out. So we'll be all right."

All season long, Winters has put his bench to work and everyone he puts on the floor this year is a capable scorer, inside or out. Ten players average 2.4 or more. Against THS, DeVries and reserve Addy Prall each had 12 points, combining for seven of South's 11 3-pointers. From there, five others had six points or more.

DeVries and Annika Smith, both juniors, have been contributors in every category. DeVries averages 7.4 points and 3.7 rebounds with 47 assists, 42 steals and a team high 30 made 3s. Smith averages 6.8 and 3.7 with 55 assists and 38 steals. Prall is shooting 50% off the bench. Violet Hall is averaging 7.7 ppg with an area best 35 blocked shots.

"We've relied on our depth all year, so we're going to rely on it still," Winters said. "We played 10 players so we've got a lot of confidence in those 10 players.

"So your depth takes a hit and a pretty good one because of versatility she has. But now, we'll have an opportunity to go with another guard and be four guards on the floor, or go with Quinnly (Fife) or Rebekah (Arnold) and still have the same size that we had. We've got three or four games here down the stretch to figure out where we want to go."

Defensively, South is still getting after it. Only eight teams have broken 40 vs. the Panthers and only Gibson Southern, Zionsville, Evansville Central and Columbus North cracked 50.

For the four seniors still on the floor every night, their aspirations of chasing a Class 4A state title have not changed.

"I think that mindset is still there," Winters said. "It's a big piece (missing) but because we have so many pieces, I think we should be able to regroup and find a different way to play."

Another 1,000-point scorer

"Upon further review, Ellie Mae Winders is a 1,000-point scorer."

At least that's how an NFL referee might put it. Before Lighthouse Christian's home game on Friday against Shoals, Winders mom approached head coach Brian Brown knowing her daughter was closing in on 1,000 points.

But the numbers she had and Brown had and LCA's athletic director saw on MaxPreps were not jiving. Brown found the program, a couple of games' worth of stats didn't upload to the web site, leaving Winders' 67 points shy.

With the correct figure in hand, Ellie Mae Winders went in 14 short.

"She had no idea," Brown said. "And when the shot went in that gave her 1,000 points, we stopped the clock and everyone went out and gave her hugs and congratulations.

"She was dumbfounded. 'Why did you stop the game?' And we told her she scored her 1,000th point. Her mom didn't want to tell her ahead of time. It was a great celebration."

And it's a number, now at 1,002 after the 45-35 win over Shoals. She's only a junior and will keep chasing the school's top two scorers in front of her, Grace Holdeman (1,368) and Abagail Rousey (1,111).

This year has been much different, having to lead a team with no varsity experience last year after injuries took out LCA's other two top players, sister Aleah Winders and Jane Holdeman. Ellie Mae is averaging 18.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists and leads the area with 62 steals.

"It helps having good surrounding players," Brown said. "Last year, we had a very young team and she was our only scorer.

"You might think that's part of the reason why she's at 1,000, but it was really difficult knowing every team's gameplan was to double or triple team her and not let her have the ball, knowing nobody else can handle it."

The milestone is a reflection of her hard work. First one in, last one out, Brown says. And her ability to score all over the floor, on the catch, off the dribble and by creating points off turnovers.

"One, you have to be able to accept failure," Brown said. "You still miss a lot of shots scoring a thousand and you have to be willing to keep taking shots. That's her perseverance, going at it every single night."

Lighthouse Christian (9-9) has a four-game week ahead to build momentum for sectional, adding a home game on Tuesday at 5:30 vs. North Central before the boys take on Dugger Union.

USATF tabs South's Hall for training program

Hall is still a valuable part of South's team but her future has shifted to track and field, the sport she'll compete in at Bellarmine next year.

Paralympic track and field is also calling her name. After participating in the Para World Championships last fall, USA Track and Field has named her one of 71 named to USATF's Paralympic Tier & Talent Program. Also included is former Bloomington resident/St. Charles student Evan Correll.

Hall is one of 61 chosen for the Tier Program that will help prepare athletes for the upcoming Paralympic Games. That will give her access to top level coaches and training and enhanced support and attention.

Owen Valley grabs share

Owen Valley followed up its tough 52-50 win over Edgewood with a 47-27 win at South Putnam to shore up a share of the Western Indiana Conference title.

It's Edgewood's first league title since 2021 while OV was last crowned in 2018 when the WIC had two divisions and the Patriots were 5-0 in the East.

The sectional draw, which is Sunday night, will be eagerly awaited for the field in the Class 3A Edgewood Sectional.

Northview beat Owen Valley, which beat Edgewood, which topped Northview, leaving all three 6-1 in WIC play. Jeff Mills' Cascade squad could also be a factor, having lost to Northview (56-31) but also tripping up Edgewood 39-35 on Thursday.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: With a little help, South's Julia Lashley gets to 1,000 points