Carrollton Invitational Tourney: A Deep Dive into Prospects
On the first day of the 46th annual Carrollton Invitational tourney we had the typical games where the higher seeds dominate the lower seeds. That does not outweigh the opportunity to see so many players in a one day window.…
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Continue ReadingOn the first day of the 46th annual Carrollton Invitational tourney we had the typical games where the higher seeds dominate the lower seeds. That does not outweigh the opportunity to see so many players in a one day window. In this article I cover some of the most impressive college prospects that I saw throughout the tourney. After day one the games got tighter and you could see how the girls reacted to the more intense atmosphere. Most of these girls are NAIA/D3 prospects, but there are plenty of colleges looking for those players.
Jerseyville was the number one seed and has one of the top prospects in the tourney. Clare Breden is a 5’5 2021 guard that shows a high level combination of athletic ability and basketball ability. She is quick and fast with the ball. Not only does she have that burst in her first step but she translates that into speed with the ball going 94 feet. Clare has deep range on her 3-point shot and is deadly with a set of runners/floaters that she can off over taller players. Boston Talley is a 5’9 2021 forward that has always had some scoring ability. She is a smooth left hander that can score inside and in the mid range. She has been a bit up and down but shows flashes of a player to watch. Chloe White is a 5’8 2022 guard that has some length to her arms that she uses well on defense. Chloe is capable of being a very good on ball defender who can also score. She is best going to the basket right now where she uses that length and wiry strength to score in the lane.
Jacksonville Routt was the two seed and also boasts some strong small college prospects. They have a nice inside/outside combo in 2020 forward Bella McCartney and 2020 guard Kristen Huffman. McCartney is 5’10 and can play inside and can also play in the high post area. She is strong and has a high motor that leads to loose balls and offensive boards. Bella can shoot consistently out to 15-17 feet and will make a nice 4 at a smaller school. Kristen is 5’8 and does a nice job as a scoring point guard. She has exceptional stamina and can go hard for a full game. She has a slight frame but is tough and can handle contact. When left open, Kristen is an excellent shooter. Addie Dobson is a 5’9 2022 wing that is scoring at a 8 point per game average and showing some strong upside. She is able to score well both inside the arc and has also hit about 1 3-pointer per game. One to watch. Lacey Schierl is a 5’8 2020 guard that is having a nice season scoring 10 points per game. In the opening round of the tourney she hit two 3-pointers and had 10 total points. She is another small college option at he guard spot.
Alton Marquette was the three seed and boasts another one of the top prospects in the event. Adrenna Snipes is a 5’5 2022 point guard. Adrenna will get looks at the D2 level and despite her size she could be a low level D1 option. She is exceptional with the ball, able to move in and out of tight spaces. Her quickness and ball handling allow her to consistently get in the lane where she finishes through contact. To keep improving she can expand her pull up game to avoid all of the contact and also improve her ability to go to her left hand. She is currently an average 3 point shooter but certainly has a knack for hitting the big one as we saw in the 3rd place game. Abby Williams is a 5’9 2022 wing that shows plenty of potential at he D3/NAIA level. Unfortunately she just had an ACL surgery that will keep her out until December. Abby is a very good defender and rebounds well for her size. She drives well to the basket and is not afraid to mix it up under the basket. To maximize her potential she will need to continue to work on her ball handling and outside shot. She has hit over 40% of her 3 point shots this season but on somewhat limited attempts. Coach Green has a strong group of young players that are just beginning to see varsity action but could turn into college prospects. We will keep and eye on them through the off season.
Father McGivney was the four seed and showed in the 3rd place game just how close the 3 and 4 seeds were. Anna McKee is a 5’8 2021 guard that shows small college ability. She has been the mainstay on the front of their 1-2-2 press/zone defense since she started as a freshman. Anna is active, has long arms and anticipates well to get deflections and steals. She does a very good job of running the floor on the break and finishes well. Anna is also a threat from behind the 3 point line. She can be a bit streaky but you don’t want her to get hot, as she will fill it up. Madison Webb is a 5’9 2020 forward that is a very fundamental inside/out player. While she is a bit undersized in the post she does and excellent job of sealing her defender and establishing position. She can hit the 3 if left open and has decent ball handling. She is most likely an undersized 4 at the D3 level and maybe working towards improving her perimeter skills and ability to guard at the 3. Charlize Luehmann is a 5’10 2022 forward that has really improved in her first two years on the varsity level. She was thrust into action as a freshman due to injuries and has really become a strong inside player. She can hit the shot out to 15 feet at a decent clip. As she continues to improve her perimeter skills she projects as a 4 at the small college level.
The other 12 teams also boasted some quality prospects, here are some that caught my eye throughout the event.
- Libby Mueth is a 5’8 2020 wing from Carrollton. Libby is a nice fundamental player that can help a college team in many ways. She handles the ball and passes well while playing a steady calm brand of basketball. She won’t turn it over much and makes good passes. When she gets her feet set she is a very good shooter. Any D3/JC teams looking for a late addition may want to check in on Libby.
- Ava Uhles is a 6ft 2022 post player from Carrollton. Ava has been a starter throughout her high school career and started to show some of her versatility this year. While she won’t be confused with a short, quick point guard, Ava likes to take the ball and dribble up on the fast break. She handles fairly well and most high school post players can’t stay with her.The other highlight we are seeing from Ava is the ability to hit the 3 on a consistent basis. She initially looked like she might be a post up player
- Kylie Kisner is a 6ft 2023 forward from Carrollton that also shows a high upside. Kylie can move around the floor well for a younger girl with size. She is definitely not a 5 but can play inside. She can hit shots consistently out to 15-17 feet. She will run the floor and score effectively in the midrange.
- Jessa Vetter is a 5’7 2021 point guard from Greenfield that does a great job running the team. She can score but sets herself aside with her ability to penetrate and dish. Jessa scores best when going to the basket and also turning her defense into offense. She is a quick pesky defender that has a strong future in a small college program.
- Alexis Pohlman is a 5’9 2022 guard from Greenfield.Alexiis is a smooth wing with a good shot and other scoring moves in her arsenal. Alexis is consistent behind the 3 point line and can also beat you off the dribble. She does a good job on defense and is a player that smaller colleges should have an eye on the next two years.
- Colleen Schumann is a 5’8 2021 guard from Calhoun. Colleen has done a good job scoring this year as Calhoun has worked to overcome injuries and graduation. She does a very good job in the mid range and has the game to possibly help a small college team.
- Azaria Moore is a 5’10 2022 forward from Granite City. Moore is a very strong wing that can handle the ball and score. She is able to use her handles and strength to create space and hit the mid range shot with consistency. Moore is a player that we look at to have a very good last two years and establish herself as a solid college prospect.
- Kaylyn Wiley is a 5’6 2023 guard from Granite City. Kaylyn has really come on lately hitting the 3 ball with some consistency. She is smooth and quick showing the athletic ability to run the floor and play defense too. She is a young scorer that should be watched by college coaches.
- Sophia Loden is a 5’11 2023 forward from Mascoutah. Sophia is a high energy player with improving skills. She has played inside most of her life and can still make a living on the boards with that non stop motor. But, what makes Sophia an exciting prospect is seeing the improvement in her perimeter game. She has the build of a 2/3 and with hard work she just might get there. She does a nice job on the catch and shoot from 3.
- Alanna Brooks is a 5’7 2021 guard from Mascoutah. Alanna has battled a knee injury all year that has limited her mobility. What is has not limited is her showing her heart playing through the pain and her ability to shoot the ball. Alanna continues to bury catch and shoot chances. It will be fun to see what she can if she puts the knee injury behind her and gets healthy.
- Audrey Sabol is a strong 6ft 2023 post from Nokomis. Audrey is a close to a double double average for the season. She has a nice touch around rim and has the strength to battle inside. She does a nice job of creating post position and can finish in a variety of ways in the lane.
- Emma Slagle is a 5’10 2021 wing from West Central.Emma is a tall wing that uses her length well on both sides of the floor. She can get double figures on a consistent basis and does a good job rebounding too, bringing home over 7 boards per game.
There was a large amount of talent to be seen, this was an exciting tourney with great games. Jacksonville Routt came out as the champion and Alton Marquette took the third place game. I look forward to watching these teams fight through their regionals and hopefully further.