Central Catholic senior Carley Barrett and Rensselaer junior Kamri Rowland were named co-Small Schools Players of the Year by the Journal & Courier after leading their teams to state championship appearances in the IHSAA tournament. Barrett averaged 14.2 points, eight rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 5.8 steals per game, while Rowland posted averages of 14.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.1 steals.
Barrett's success was attributed to mentorship from her older brothers, Carson and Clark Barrett, who were also former Small School Players of the Year. Despite feeling burnout, Barrett maintained her leadership on the court for Central Catholic, guiding the team to a 25-5 record. Rowland, on the other hand, found motivation in a sectional playoff loss the previous year and credited her coach for helping elevate her game. Both players were instrumental in their teams' success and left a lasting impact on their respective programs.
Barrett, choosing not to pursue college basketball, will study nutrition science at Purdue, while Rowland reflected on the journey to the state championship game with Rensselaer. The co-winners of the Player of the Year award showcased their skills, leadership, and dedication throughout the season, culminating in a shared recognition for their outstanding performances in the 2025 high school basketball season.