What’s Left In 2019?
For the Class of 2019, the early signing period was November 14th through the 21st. Yet, there are still several really nice Indiana prospects who remain uncommitted with just a couple of months left in their high school careers. Reasons…
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Continue ReadingFor the Class of 2019, the early signing period was November 14th through the 21st. Yet, there are still several really nice Indiana prospects who remain uncommitted with just a couple of months left in their high school careers. Reasons can vary, and they sometimes include academics (improving a GPA or standardized test scores), maybe they are waiting to take campus visits, they could possibly be deciding between multiple sports to play in college, or maybe their recruiting is still picking up steam for one reason or another.
The regular signing period is yet to come, and it runs from April 17th through May 15th, so there are definitely some decisions to be made very soon. Below is a look at ten 2019 prospects who are still available for one reason or another, and we’ll give you insight into each of their games.
Jada Roberson of Pike
Jada Roberson, 5-7 G, Pike H.S.
Jada is a strong, physical, and athletic combo guard. She is a scorer by nature, but she has good ball skill and can play a scoring point guard role from time to time. As just a Sophomore, she was a key contributor on their 2017 State Finalist team, but she then injured her knee over the Summer of 2017 and missed nearly all of the 2017-2018 high school season. She returned to the floor this past grassroots season, she has played well so far this Winter, and Pike is coming off of a 48-45 Tuesday night win over 2018 State Champion Warren Central. She still maintains Division-I interest.
Grace Waggoner, 5-11 F, Vincennes Rivet H.S.
Grace is one of the most versatile and skilled forwards in the state in the Class of 2019. She is long, fluid, and athletic. She can handle the ball some and initiate offense, she can play in the mid-post and shoot the ball to the perimeter, she’s an aggressive slasher to the basket, and she’s capable around the block against smaller defenders. She can defend some guards and wings, as well as most forwards. She’s a motor kid who rebounds her position well, and she’s also a multi-sport kid. She was originally committed to the University of Evansville, but she reopened her recruitment early last month.
Trinitee Harris, 5-8 G, Elkhart Central H.S.
Trinitee is an explosive scorer who has always flashed great potential, and this season she has turned the corner and is a real handful for opponents. She is good attacking the basket off the bounce, and she absorbs contact and finishes well inside. She also rebounds well as a guard, and she plays with a very good motor. When she’s engaged defensively, she has the ability to shut down her matchup. But her ability to create scores are her bread and butter. She recently scored 27 points against a previously undefeated Fishers team in an 11-point “upset” victory over the Tigers.
Amani Brown of Terre Haute South
Amani Brown, 5-5 G, Terre Haute South H.S.
Amani is the second player on our list who has had a significant knee injury play havoc with her career. She is a scoring point guard with very good speed and quickness. She can create her own shot and score it deep, she can get to the basket, and she’s solid with one and two-dribble pull-ups. She averaged a solid 15.0 points per game as a Freshman and an impressive 24.3 points per game as a Sophomore. But in the preseason last year, she was injured and didn’t see the floor at all as a Junior. She returned in the Spring and showed her old form, and this Winter she’s averaging 20.4 points per game and recently surpassed the 1000-point mark…not bad for just 2+ seasons of basketball.
Tiara Jackson, 6-2 F/C, East Chicago Central H.S.
Tiara is the twin sister of our #3 prospect in 2019, Tai-Yanna Jackson (committed to Ole Miss). Tiara has some game of her own, though, and while she’s three inches shorter, she is a little stronger, more physical, and she plays more around the basket. She has really good length and can be a presence at the defensive end of the floor, plus she’s starting to play with more of a sense of urgency on defense. Offensively, she can knock down the 15-footer or score around the block. She’s also a really nice athlete who can make plays on her sheer physical ability.
Darlisha Reed, 5-11 F/C, Hammond Gavit H.S.
Darlisha plays in Northwest Indiana, she has never been visible on the grassroots circuit, so the odds of you having seen her would rely upon you to have seen her high school team(s) play. She spent three years at Hammond Clark, but this season she transferred to Hammond Gavit. She is a strong, physical, and athletic power player with a good motor…and she always produces a double-double effort. As a Sophomore, Darlisha averaged 14.0 points and 13.7 rebounds per game. Through ten games as a Junior, she averaged 17.2 points and 12.9 rebounds per game before being injured and not returning until the Sectional. This season she is averaging a cool 25.8 points and 16.1 rebounds. She has scored 35 points twice already and grabbed 25 & 20 rebounds in a pair of games as well.
Jazmyn Turner of Marion
Jazmyn Turner, 6-1 F, Marion H.S.
Jazmyn is another player with size, talent, and very little statewide notoriety. She is extremely long, fluid, and bouncy. She can play multiple positions offensively, but she’s probably most comfortable as a mid-post face-up ‘4’. Defensively, she can protect the interior and block shots, but she can also step out and defend most wings with her length and athleticism. This season she is starting to handle the ball a lot more in transition, and she’s taking jump-shots with more regularity and consistency. I think she’s still just scratching the surface as a ballplayer, but she did manage to score her 1000th career point last week.
Reagan Hune, 5-9 W, Carmel H.S.
For a couple of seasons, Reagan had to wait her turn in a talent-rich Carmel program. Last year she was a starting wing and played a vital role in their success, and this season she is one of the upperclassmen who is entrusted with leading a young core of stars for the Greyhounds. She is very long, fluid, and smooth. She can play as a wing scorer and slash to the basket or knock down the mid-range pull-up. She has solid shooting mechanics, and as she gains strength, her perimeter shot will be that much more consistent. She can even slide over, handle the ball, and run offense at times. She’s a high-motor kid, and she’s a willing and capable defender as well.
Emma Fisher, 5-7 W, Benton Central H.S.
Emma is a tough-nosed, physical, and high-motor wing player. She grew up as more of a point guard, but her strength and versatility allow her to do several different things on the basketball floor. She can handle the ball and run offense, she’s a capable perimeter shooter, and she’s a very crafty passer who does a nice job of finding teammates on time / on target. She uses her strength well to get to the basket, and she is an intelligent defender who understands angles. She has drawn a ton of small college interest, and she’s just so productive each time out, that she’ll make some coach very happy for four more years.
Staisha Hamilton of Anderson
Staisha Hamilton, 5-3 G, Anderson H.S.
Staisha got a taste of Varsity action as a Sophomore, but it wasn’t until the graduation of several key players that opened up a much bigger opportunity for her last season as a Junior. She is a strong, tough-nosed, and very athletic combo guard. She is a streaky shooter, but when she gets hot, she can put up points in a hurry. This season she’s averaging a career-best 15.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. She is just an explosive athlete / scorer who flies around the floor giving effort every possession. As soon as she understands changing speeds and not always going 100 MPH, she could really take her game to the next level.
Header photo of Emma Fisher; photo courtesy of Greg Flint of newsbug.info/wcinews. Photos of Jada Roberson and Amani Brown courtesy of Keith Hollins’ Twitter account. Photo of Jazmyn Turner courtesy of grantcountysportsnetwork.com. Photo of Staisha Hamilton courtesy of heraldbulletin.com.