Putting in the work: David Ruckman workout review
I was invited to the Belleville Sportsplex to observe another workout conducted by David Ruckman and his DR Academy team. There were 12 girls present ranging from middle school to 2021’s. As always Coach Ruckman was focused on ball handling,…
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Continue ReadingI was invited to the Belleville Sportsplex to observe another workout conducted by David Ruckman and his DR Academy team. There were 12 girls present ranging from middle school to 2021’s. As always Coach Ruckman was focused on ball handling, dribble moves, shooting on the move and finishes. In this article I will give you an update on the names and faces that are known in the Southern Illinois basketball circles and talk a bit about some bright new faces that we can all look for in the future.
High School Varsity Experienced Players:
- Amelia Bell Amelia Bell 6'1" | C O'Fallon | 2021 State IL is a 6’1 2021 Forward from O’Fallon. Amelia continues to work on her face up game and improving her ability to play away from the basket. She is poised for a big senior season where she hopes to put all of her hard work together on the court. Amelia is a good defender and rebounder, but excels as a rim runner and effort player. She is very fast down the floor as a post and her high energy on the court will help any team. She has interest from colleges from D3, NAIA and D2 and will be hopefully getting the chance to get on campus at a few schools soon.
- Chloe Book is a 5’7 2021 Point Guard from Breese Central. Chloe excels on the defensive end where she can use her strength and quickness to guard multiple positions. She is capable of playing the point and protecting the ball for the offense. Chloe is a good floor general and can use her athletic ability to cause problems in the open court. As she continues to improve her ability to score on multiple levels she will expand her college options. Right now she is being pursued by D3 schools and has an offer from Webster University in St Louis.
- Miah Weems is a 5’9 2021 Wing from Breese Central. Miah has always been at her best taking an open shot in a catch and shoot or pulling up in control for a mid range jumper. She works hard on her game off the bounce and that extra weapon would come in handy for her senior season. Miah has played a large amount of varsity minutes so she knows the game and makes good decisions. She will be best suited as a potential D3 or JC option and could help a program if she finds the right fit.
- Cassidy Kretschmer is a 5’10 2021 Forward from Breese Central. Cassidy has also played a ton of varsity minutes and will be looking to finish off her career in a big fashion. She is good on the boards and has some nice post moves. Cassidy is comfortable using her left hand in the lane and will run the floor hard on the break. One big factor that could help take Cassidy to the next level is gaining more consistency on her 13-17 foot jumper.
- Alanna Brooks is a 5’7 2021 Guard from Mascoutah. Alanna is one of the toughest players you will meet. She played her junior season nursing a knee injury that would have put most everyone else on the sideline for the year. But, she strapped on her brace and played the game at much less than full capacity. This took away her ability to drive but she still found ways to get open for her best weapon, her jumper. Alanna can shoot the ball and the more healthy she gets, the more you will have to honor the rest of her game. Alanna is getting a late jump into the college coaches seeing what she can really do. That may mean she needs to be open to what opportunities are given to her, but she should have a chance to play at the next level.
- Klara Schildroth is a 5’8 2021 Guard from Breese Mater Dei. Klara played minutes in most game last year for a senior dominate team that went all the way to sectional finals. Klara and many others on her team will need to step up and replace the minutes and production of that 2020 class. Klara has a nice game from the wing where she can shoot it and drive it. The more she improves her game off the bounce the more of a weapon she can be. Within the Mater Dei system there are opportunities for players to make plays, I am sure Klara looks forward to trying to make a name for herself in her senior season.
- Zsana Hawkins (Z) is a 5’10 2023 Post from O’Fallon. Z is a big bodied, quick footed hard worker that can get it done in the post. Because she is able to use her strength well she can play effectively against taller players. She has quick feet and is nimble in the post which allows her to make quick moves. As she improves her game away from the basket and her stamina, Z will begin to set her path to a very good career at OTHS.
Up and Coming Players:
I did not get as much time to watch this group of players so more of what I can write here is based on prior knowledge and abilities that were blatantly obvious in watching this group. First I will mention who was in attendance:
- Ella Gagen 2023 Guard from Freeburg.
- Maris Zurliene 2025 wing from Mater Dei
- Dixie Ottenschnieder 2025 Wing from Breese Central
- Avery Trame 2024 Guard from Breese Central.
- Alexis Kampwerth is a Guard from Breese Mater Dei.
Of these girls I have the most knowledge of Maris,Dixie and Avery. All are skilled young players. Maris and DIxie have nice length for their age which they combine with good skills. Both are still growing into their bodies and adding strength that will help them execute more plays on the court. Dixie seems to be a but better inside right now and Maris is a little more smooth in her moves and flow on the wing. Avery is a talented scorer that shows signs of being able to put the ball in the basket at all three levels. She handles it well and seems to have good athletic ability that she uses well on the court. I will be back to watch this group again soon and plan to learn more about this younger group.