New/Under the Radar Performers: Saturday Notebook
As I continued to watch the Nike TOC and mixed in a few games from the Blue Star National event here are a few players that caught my attention. Some were with a great performance I saw Saturday, some were…
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Continue ReadingAs I continued to watch the Nike TOC and mixed in a few games from the Blue Star National event here are a few players that caught my attention. Some were with a great performance I saw Saturday, some were just from continued excellence each time I have watched them this weekend.
- Elle Evans is a 6’1 2022 Wing from Edwardsville and Blue Star 16U. Elle is a very long and skilled wing that has a very good understanding of how to play the game. She is best as a catch and shoot player on the offensive end but can also help facilitate because of her height. She is a good passer and you can run plays through her as she can usually pass over most wings. Elle will compete all over the floor but will maximize her potential by adding muscle. She has been able to score more off one or two dribbles and pulling up for the mid range shot which adds to her game.
- Cate Uhren is a 5’3 2024 Point Guard from Bloomington Central Catholic and G7 Legacy 14U. Cate is a true point guard that runs the team and can see the floor to find her teammates. She will look up the floor to advance via the pass instead of the dribble and is always looking for an open pass before an open shot. The game I watched Cate did not shoot it well, but the skill is there, she can score. Cate has a good start at becoming a nice point guard to watch, obviously at her age there is a lot of growing and maturing to do but she has the skill and understanding of the game at this age to have a chance to very good.
- Lindsey Noonan is a 5’9 2024 Forward from Normal U-High and G7 Legacy 14U. Lindsey is long for her age and very active. She runs the floor well and crashes the boards consistently. That effort is rewarded as she is averaging a double/ double for the event. Lindsey has a good shot from the 15 foot range that she can hit with her feet set and a little space. Just like any incoming freshman she will now need to just keep working on playing at a faster pace while still being able to hold to her fundamentals. The high school game will look a lot different to her, but Lindsey has a good start and most importantly, a natural instinct to go hard.
- Denver Anderson is a 5’11 2024 Wing from Mt. Zion and Central Illinois Predators 17U. Denver is a very exciting young player that has a big upside. I am not convinced she is done growing and nice length, skill and athletic ability to her game for an incoming freshman. Denver has an effective shot from the 3-point line and is not afraid to let it fly. She is used to playing in the post so she can score down low as well as rebound at a high level. Denver will need to continue to work on her game off the bounce, where she will be able to best use her combination of size and speed, to reach her top level.
- Alyssa Latham is a 6’2 2023 Post from Homewood Flossmoor and Midwest Elite 16U Weibel. Alyssa is a very active post that has good skill to match her high motor. She has good speed and is an immediate asset to any team as a rim runner. Alyssa will get down the floor and is agile enough to make the catch on the run and convert her chances at the rim. Alyssa has a few good go to moves in the paint and shows the ability to play facing the basket as her skill and comfort level in the role increases.
- Maddie Murphy is a 6’0 2021 Wing from Fort Zumwalt South and Blue Star 17U. Maddie is a long and wiry wing that can really fill it up if she is left open. She does a good job of getting her feet set in open spots and is ready to pull the trigger. Maddie was on fire in their opening bracket game against Predators Lowis on Saturday night. If my count was right she had 4 threes and another jumper inside the arc for 14 points. Her length also helps on the defensive end of the floor where she will get some blocks and rebound well for her position. During her Junior season at South Maddie made just over 2 threes per game and shot them at a 36% clip so last night was no fluke.
- Amiah Hargrove is a 6’2 2024 Forward from Christopher, IL and Brad Beal Elite 2023. Amiah is a special talent that has high level upside based on her size, athleticism and work ethic. She has a special ability to play the game above most girls as she can rise up and shoot a jump shot that many girls cannot. Amiah is good off one or two dribbles getting to a good shot. She can play in the post and will shoot the ball out past the 3-point line. If I were her coach I might tell her she tends to fall in love with the 3 ball and doesn’t need to do that. When you can do what Amiah can, you should play to your strengths and that is not her strength right now. She is averaging over 16 points and 8 rebounds per game for the event.
- Kayla Kodat is a 5’8 2021 Guard from Dwight and G7 Legacy 17U. Kayla has been an under the radar scorer that is continuing to show her ability to score the ball. Kayla has a strong frame and a good feel for the game so she will contribute in many ways in your box score. Kayla will get rebounds, assists and steals that help the team win games. She averaged over 17 points per game during the school season and is getting about 14 per game in this tourney for her G7 Legacy team. Kayla has been a threat from the 3-point line all weekend where she is 7/14 in the 3 box scores I have for this weekend. Very good shooter with her feet set.
Another very good day of basketball in Indy. I am very much enjoying the chance to watch girls play and get better.