Student Spotlight: Ellery Minch
Writer / Matt Keating
Photography Provided
Ellery Minch, a senior at Mt. Vernon High School, has had several outstanding girls basketball seasons, and she is looking forward to more. Ellery was named an Indiana Junior All-Star, and also named to the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) Supreme 15 in both her sophomore and junior years. 
“A few of Ellery’s honors over the years also include being in the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Top 150 camp for 2021, 2022 and 2023,” says her father, Ted Minch. “She was also a Brandon Clay/Peach State Basketball Blue Chip/Top 100 national prospect.’
Ellery was in sectional championships in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and was also part of the All-Hoosier Crossroads Conference first team for 2021, 2022 and 2023. “She was also in the IBCA All-State first team for 2022 and 2023,” Ted says. “She was the Hancock County Player of the Year for 2023, and she was academic all-state for 2022 and 2023. Freshmen are not eligible. She was also Class 4A Most Versatile Player by Prep Girls Hoops.”
Ellery was also named in the Under Armour Future 60. She was invited to the Wooten’s Top 75 girls basketball nationwide all-star camps. Ellery helped lead Mt. Vernon to its third straight sectional championship during the 2022-2023 season.
“Some kids spend their entire high school careers winning countless personal awards, and being named to multiple all-star and all-state teams without ever having won a sectional championship,” Ted says. “Many of Ellery’s closest friends with whom she’s played over the years on Amateur Athletic Union [AAU] teams have never won a sectional. The fact that she’s played integral roles from her freshman season in helping her team win three sectional championships in a row is an unbelievable team achievement that transcends any of her individual awards. To say we are proud of her is an understatement.”
Ellery averaged 16.4 points per game last season.
“While that stat is correct, scoring points or personal achievements and stat lines have never been goals of hers,” Ted says. “Many kids only care about their individual stat sheets and scoring 1,000 or more career points. Whether on the AAU circuit or at Mt. Vernon, she has never been concerned with her individual stats. One of the primary reasons she was named to the Under Armour Future Top 60 was because she was one of the most efficient players on the Girls Under Armour Association circuit.”
Ellery has been playing basketball since she was young.
“Ellery started attending basketball camps and playing ‘little dribblers’ at age 4 and, though at the time she was too young to attend, Ellery and I went to a Purdue dads and daughters basketball camp hosted by the Purdue women’s basketball team when she was also 4,” Ted says. “I had to tell Ellery to be sure not to tell anyone how old she was because she had to be 6 to attend.”
Ellery’s mom, Christine Sovich, is proud that Ellery was named to the Supreme 15.
“Ellery is always putting team achievements ahead of personal goals,” Sovich says. “I couldn’t be prouder of her, nor more appreciative of the coaches who have seen her play and have recognized her abilities on and off the court.”
Ellery is going to DePaul University next year and will play basketball.
“She had close to 40 Division I offers, with so many amazing schools and programs to choose from,” Sovich says. “From our first visit to campus, we knew DePaul would be a great fit for her and it quickly became a frontrunner. The environment there is wonderful.”
Ellery also keeps busy off the basketball court.
“More than a basketball player, Ellery is simply an incredible young lady,” Sovich says. “This senior school year, she has been working at Little Explorers Preschool [LEP], at 116th and Brooks School Road, as a teacher’s assistant. Lori Lorenz, owner/director of Little Explorers, where Ellery just happened to attend and was LEP’s first registered student upon opening, has told us that Ellery is beloved by students and teachers alike, and always goes above and beyond her work obligations. Ms. Lorenz’s experience with Ellery describes how well Ellery is liked and appreciated by her peers and her teachers, and best sums up the person Ellery is.” 
