Senior Kennedy Holman is one of the top contestants for this year’s Indiana Miss Basketball, ranked as a 4-star guard and a top 60 player in the 2026 class via 247 sports, and committed to play at the University of Florida next year.

Holman has taken the biggest leap of her high school career this season and is a player that all teams must circle in their scouting report.

This season, Holman has made an 8-point jump from 12.2 points per game (ppg) in her junior season to 20.2 ppg through the first 9 games this year. Holman can clearly score at will but credits her teammates when discussing the scoring jump.

“[My teammates] giving me the ball in stressful moments shows their trust” Holman said. “That gives me confidence to be able to score the way I do.”

Significant minutes have been seen through Holman’s career, but her scoring has been a part of her game which continues to improve year after year. Holman is unstoppable when driving to the hoop and can get to the free throw line at will.

Holman explains that she has spent “countless hours before and after practices, weekends, and weekdays” to score at such a high rate throughout her career. Holman’s high scoring rate has set her up to break the 1000 career points threshold in the very near future.

When asked about what it will take to achieve this, Holman stated she must take “the same steps I’ve been taking this whole year.” Additionally, she must “[continue] to distribute the ball, get to the rim, and lead my team.”

Holman has had to step up into an extended leadership role this season, with the dismissal of 4 seniors who played significant minutes for a 27-1 Royals team last year.

“This year especially, I have had to use my voice more than ever” Holman noted. “As well as setting up the younger class for success when I leave, by giving them tips and guidance for them to carry on.”

Leadership is not all Holman has had to adapt to, but also the absence of 2025 Indiana Miss Basketball, Maya Makalusky. Makalusky led the Royals with 22 ppg last season, so following her absence, much more attention has been shifted towards Holman.

“Seeing how Maya handled it last year has helped me adjust to [the attention] quickly” Holman expressed. “Now, I’ve learned to be more patient offensively, while moving a lot more off the ball to get myself and teammates open.”

Holman strives to continue her leadership and spectacular play as the Royals have their eyes set on a second consecutive conference championship.

Holman voiced, “we focus on one goal at a time and the next one being a conference championship.”

While the Royals are coming off the heels of a historic season, they look to turn heads again. This year, behind the charge of senior Kennedy Holman, before she heads off to her next chapter.