Shamrock Classic Review: Classes of 2023 & 2024
The Shamrock Classic has existed since I can remember, and over the last couple of years it has been really strong with many of the best teams and programs from around the state participating in this grassroots “kickoff” tournament. While…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe Shamrock Classic has existed since I can remember, and over the last couple of years it has been really strong with many of the best teams and programs from around the state participating in this grassroots “kickoff” tournament. While I spent most of my time evaluating the upperclassmen, I did get the opportunity to check out a handful of 14U teams who were playing in the same venue. Below is a look at eight of those young ladies in the classes of 2023 & 2024 who stood out to me in what action I was able to see this past weekend.
Teegan Acres, 2023, 5-10 F, Fishers H.S., Indiana Showcase-Johnson
Teegan is a wiry strong, active, and fairly athletic forward. She plays with a very good motor, she competes on each possession, and she can play physical on the interior or display some perimeter skill as well. Like most young kids who play hard, she’ll need to understand situational basketball, tone, and how to change speeds better as she matures, but she definitely has a nice combination of size, talent, and skill that could possibly earn her some minutes early next high school season.
Olivia Brown, 2023, 5-5 PG, Hamilton Southeastern H.S., IGB-Morse Gold
Olivia is an entertaining young guard. She has length, speed & quickness, and an ability to separate from defenders that most younger players don’t have. She can create her own shot, she finds open teammates on time and on target, and she can slice through a defense and finish around the basket. I also like her ability to shoot the ball, and as she gets stronger, she should be a very consistent perimeter shooter. She is one of the more talented 2023 guards I have seen so far, and she might still grow another couple of inches.
Kristen Clark, 2023, 5-7 G, Ben Davis H.S., Nike Gym Rats Turquoise
Kristen is the younger sister of Miami-Ohio Freshman Nia Clark. Kristen is a wiry strong, athletic, and skilled wing guard who plays with a good motor. She has a solid-looking lefty shot from the perimeter, she can attack the rim straight-line, and she’s just a nice all-around basketball player. I think as she grows and continues to develop her skillset, she could be a very effective scorer at all levels, but for now, she is a perimeter shooting threat who really helps this team from the outside, plus she’s active defensively.
Kendall Hale, 2023, 6-0 C, Cannelton H.S., Indiana Flight UAA 15U
With less than 100 students, Cannelton isn’t exactly a hotbed for high school basketball. But they had a highly productive Senior this year in 5-11 post Caressa Sloss, and now Kendall looks to step into that role next season. Kendall is an already-strong true post. She has some length, fairly broad shoulders, and she plays with a good motor. For a young post, she moves well around the floor in all directions, and she has a solid feel and decent touch around the basket. If she can continue to get stronger and work on her game, she will became a matchup nightmare for Cannelton opponents.
Laila Hull, 2023, 5-11 F, Zionsville Community H.S., Nike Gym Rats Turquoise
It’s hard to not get excited about Laila’s future when you watch her play. She is a really nice athlete with tremendous length, she has some bounce and good body control, and she seems very coachable and plays with a motor at both ends of the floor. I first saw her in June playing with their Varsity team as a rising 8th Grader, and you could tell there was some upside, but she was thinner and struggled with contact at times. Now, she looks stronger, much more confident, and she could still be growing. She is more of a face-up ‘4’ right now, but as she develops, she could become a tall, lengthy, athletic wing.
Karsyn Norman, 2023, 5-5 PG, Bedford North Lawrence H.S., Indiana Showcase-Johnson
When I watched this Showcase team, I didn’t yet have their roster or know their ages, and I think what impressed me the most about Karsyn is that I came away thinking she was probably a really nice, steady, heady, and savvy 2021 guard. The fact that she hasn’t even enrolled in high school is even more exciting. Karsyn just has a natural feel for the game, she changes speeds well, plays with her eyes up scanning the floor, and she is always in control. She handles and passes it well, she can score the ball if needed, and she has good speed and quickness.
Ashlynn Shade, 2023, 5-7 PG, Noblesville H.S., IGB-Morse Gold
While it’s still early, 2023 is already shaping up to be a really nice point guard class, and Ashlynn could very well be the best one of the bunch as of today. Whether she remains there long-term will depend on the continued development of her game and everyone else’s. Ashlynn is already pretty imposing, with good strength, some length, and North / South speed. She can beak down a defense and get to the basket, finishing with either hand, and she’s a capable perimeter shooter when in rhythm. She is just so advanced physically and skillfully right now, that she can “fit in” with the older kids and have success. If anything, it would benefit her to improve her lateral quickness, especially defensively.
Chloe Spreen, 2024, 5-7 G, Bedford North Lawrence H.S., Nike Gym Rats Turquoise
With the additions of Chloe and Karsyn Norman (above) over the next couple of years, Bedford is going to go from a team that has used size and strength to win games, to one with two of the better guards in the state at the helm. Chloe is a strong-for-her-age combo guard who is also a very nice athlete. She can play off the bounce and create scores for herself or teammates, and she can knock down open perimeter jumpers with consistency. She can play point guard and take care of the basketball, plus she seems very coachable and plays with a good motor at both ends of the floor. The future is definitely bright for the Lady Stars.
Header photo courtesy of www.kisspng.com.