Rankings Preview: 2023
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Christmas time is a time for many good things. When it comes to Prep Girls Hoops Indiana, it’s a time for our midseason update to our rankings in all graduating classes. Not only will we be updating our rankings, but…
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Continue ReadingChristmas time is a time for many good things. When it comes to Prep Girls Hoops Indiana, it’s a time for our midseason update to our rankings in all graduating classes. Not only will we be updating our rankings, but we will also be expanding our rankings. In regards to the Class of 2023, specifically, we will expand from 125 players to 150 players, and it will be the last time we expand the Sophomore class until June. With that said, as we extend the list by 25 spots, I wanted to take the time to preview five young ladies who are currently outside of our Top-125, but who are sure to make it once we expand to 150 players. This isn’t everyone who will be added, obviously, but these five have really stood out over the Fall or already this Winter since we posted our last update in September.
Lizzie Graham
Lizzie
Graham
5'8" | SF
Triton Central | 2023
State
IN
, 2023, 5-7 SF, Triton Central H.S.
Lizzie absolutely fits the mantra of Triton Central forwards and posts. She is strong, tough-nosed, physical, aggressive, and she plays with a motor. Considering the number of losses the Tigers have suffered due to injury and graduation, Lizzie has stepped into key minutes and made the most of them so far this season. She is averaging 12.5 points per game through six games, with highs of 23 points and 20 points in two of those games. Additionally, she has shot it well from behind the arc (7-15, 47%) and from the charity stripe (26-35, 74%). She has been key to their 5-1 start, and she gets better with each outing.
Olivia Leas
Olivia
Leas
5'7" | SG
Blackford | 2023
IN
, 2023, 5-6 SG, Blackford H.S.
Olivia is a talented multisport athlete who is well on her way to the 1000-point club in basketball after leading Blackford in scoring last year with 295 points (a 12.8 point per game average). She has a strong/athletic frame, good quickness, and she can attack the basket and score or knock down the occasional outside jumper when set and in rhythm. This year, she is out of the gates quickly, averaging 16.3 points and 4.5 steals per game through their first six games. She plays with a quiet toughness, she doesn’t mind physicality, and she affects the game at both ends of the floor. Olivia is just your typical, solid, Indiana basketball player.
Campbell Moore, 2023, 6-1 C, William Henry Harrison H.S. (West Lafayette)
I first saw Campbell over the Summer during the grassroots season, and there is a lot of intrigue to her. She has a great frame with length, some strength, and the potential to still grow another inch or two. She plays with a nice motor, she tries to be physical and create a presence inside, but I would like to see her work on playing lower to the ground and driving people, but that could come with more lower body strength. She has some touch to about 15-feet, a soft half-hook, and she will pursue rebounds. While Campbell still needs some work, I think she has the makings of a really nice prospect long-term.
Grace Stapleton, 2023, 5-5 PG, Eastern Hancock H.S.
Grace is a really nice, cerebral, traditional point guard. I think what I like most about her is that she isn’t flashy; she just gets done what needs to be done. If it’s manage a team, she can do that. If it’s make shots, she showed that in their opener by knocking down 7-9 3-pointers and scoring 24 points. I also like her motor and focus, plus her willingness to defend with discipline. Guards who know how to pick their spots and take what the defense gives them are rarer these days, so I can really appreciate what she brings to the Royals. So far, through seven games, she is averaging 12.4 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.9 steals per game.
Lauren Stewart
Lauren
Stewart
5'11" | PF
Hamilton Southeastern | 2023
IN
, 2023, 5-11 PF, Hamilton Southeastern H.S.
Lauren is a strong, physical, hard-working athlete who understands what she is and is a star at her role. Last year as a Freshman, she played as much Varsity as any 2023 on the Royals’ roster, and she often contributed with solid interior defense, rebounding, and the occasional put-back basket. Lauren has some touch in the mid-post, and she can defend ’4s’ and ’5s’, but I’m not sure if her game will ever really expand to the perimeter full-time, though she has been known to step out and knock down the occasional rhythm 3-pointer. With Hamilton Southeastern’s mostly young roster, I’ll be curious to see what sort of role she has this season.