Gianna and Briley Morelli have left the Bishop Chatard girls basketball program and intend to transfer, coach Dan Wagner confirmed Tuesday night.
This will be the second transfer for Gianna, a 6-3 junior center who played her freshman season at Guerin Catholic, and the first for Briley, a 5-10 freshman guard and the Trojans' second-leading scorer at 10.9 points per game.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Morelli sisters are the third and fourth Division I prospects to transfer mid-season over the past three weeks. 2028 guard Riley Schellhammer left Lawrence Central on Nov. 23; 2027 forward Rylee Canaan, a Butler commit, left Evansville Memorial on Nov. 29.
Gianna Morelli joined the Chatard lineup after missing all of last season due to injury, and averaged 7.4 points (43% FG), 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks through her first seven games, a run highlighted by a 15-point, nine-rebound effort vs. Hamilton Heights. She broke her ankle nine games into her freshman season at Guerin and was ultimately limited to 13 games (9.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.8 bpg).
Briley Morelli was a key offensive piece for the Trojans, pouring in 10.9 points on 34% shooting (34% from 3) through her first seven games. She also contributed 1.4 assists, a steal and three rebounds per game, and was among the team leader's in minutes played at 22.1 per game. The younger Morelli had four double-digit performances, including a 22-point outburst vs. Noblesville on Nov. 11.
Chatard is 4-4 on the season, but has played a top-50 schedule according to the Sagarin Ratings with notable games against No. 12 Pendleton Heights, Noblesville, Gibson Southern and Hamilton Heights. The Trojans beat 4A Greenfield-Central in overtime on Tuesday, and has games next week vs. 2A University and 2A No. 15 Heritage Christian.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementUnless there is a bonafide change of residence, it appears both Gianna and Briley would be required to sit out at least 30 days and up to a year in order to play at another school this season.
If they were to opt out for the remainder of this season, Briley would be immediately eligible in 2026-27 under the new IHSAA transfer rule; Gianna would potentially be required to sit out 30 days, as this will be her second transfer.
The sisters may also enroll at a prep school.
Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen. Get IndyStar's high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA girls basketball: Gianna Morelli, Briley Morelli leave Bishop Chatard
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