2024 Watch List: Under the Radar Guards
We have released our 2024 player watchlist. Unlike the rankings we have done in the past, this is not a ranking. This allows us to publish a list of 100 of the prospects who have shown the ability to be…
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Continue ReadingWe have released our 2024 player watchlist. Unlike the rankings we have done in the past, this is not a ranking. This allows us to publish a list of 100 of the prospects who have shown the ability to be considered for the rankings. With the Covid year we simply cannot accurately rank players that we have not been able to see enough to really know where they stand. Once we have had more of a chance to see them play, likely after the AAU season is done, we will update the 2024 class with their first rankings.
In this article I showcase some of the under the radar guards in Central/Southern Illinois.
- Kameron Adams Kameron Adams 5'3" | PG Harrisburg | 2024 IL Kameron is a nice young point guard with great vision and a nice shot. In a program as established at Harrisburg not many girls ever get a varsity uniform their first year. Kameron was one of two this year. She does a good job of handling pressure defense when it was applied to her and shows the ability to finish through contact. As she continues to grow and improve her strength Kameron projects as a player that will have the handles to run the point and create for her teammates.
- Avery Hesseldenz Avery Hesseldenz 5'5" | PG Freeburg | 2024 IL Avery is a hyper athletic guard uses that lateral quickness to be a top level defender on the perimeter. She was able to contribute on the varsity coming off the bench and giving strong ball handling and defense. Avery is a hard working and humble kid that is explosive off the dribble and can impact the game in a variety of ways. She could be a nice weapon playing along side 2023 Point Guard Kylie Kisgen Kylie Kisgen 5'6" | PG Freeburg | 2023 State IL .
- Jersey Summers Jersey Summers 5'6" | CG Herrin | 2024 IL Jersey has shown the ability through her freshman campaign to put the ball in the basket. Every night she is showing the toughness and grit that it takes to be a leader and top player in multiple sports. Jersey has played through the bumps and bruises that come along with high school basketball, especially in the SIRR conferences, and has shown the mental and physical toughness to be successful. She is a very good defender that also has a nice stroke from behind the 3-point line..
- Karley Hawkins Karley Hawkins 5'4" | PG Glenwood (Chatham, IL) | 2024 IL Karley is the kind of kid that has never been around a mirror in her life. She has no idea that she is short and does not weigh very much yet. Karley thinks she is as big and tough as the biggest and toughest kid on the court. That lack of fear and self confidence, combined with nice handles and a nice shot is what lands her on this list. As she grows and her body can cash the checks that her mind writes, she will be a college player. Keep an eye on this left hander as she grows, I promise you it will be fun to watch.
- Cate Uhren Cate Uhren 5'4" | PG Bloomington Central Catholic | 2024 IL Cate is a true point guard and floor general. She handles the ball well and sees the floor. Cate can shoot the 3 with deep range for a young player and also needs to get stronger. Cate spent her freshman season getting minutes at the JV level and having some chances to show her skills with the varsity. She has a very good feel for the game and puts in the time to improve her skills so she is one to keep and eye on over the next 3 years.
- Makenna Yeager Makenna Yeager 5'6" | SG Chatham Glenwood | 2024 IL Makenna excels in the modern 3 and D role. She is assigned to the best guard/wing on the court and even as a freshman stepping in she was completely comfortable doing this for her team. Makenna has the quickness and desire to be an elite defender and does a very good job of keeping her player in front of her and out of the lane. On the offensive end of the floor she has many tools but the most refined so far is her shot from behind the arc. It will be fun to watch Makenna develop and see where she can go.
- Alayna Kraus Alayna Kraus 5'8" | PG Okawville | 2024 State IL Alayna is a nice guard that has a knack for finding open space and creating shots for herself and her team. She has a nice shot and despite being still undersized she does a good job of taking contact in the lane. Alayna has been around the game and has learned well, but her instincts seem to come naturally. She has a good feel for the right play and the right pass, but more importantly she seems to have a flair for the spectacular play too.
- Molly Peel Molly Peel 5'8" | PG Edwardsville | 2024 IL Molly is a smart player that shows natural point guard type skills in that she can handle it, pass it and has good instincts on the floor. She can also play good defense and is always a team first player. Molly did a good job on the JV and played a few minutes at the varsity level. The grind of practicing every day against players that are definitely going to play in college will only make her better. If she can improve enough to give the Lady Tigers good minutes as a sophomore this will free up the scorers to not have to handle the ball as much. Either way, Molly should become a big part of the program by her junior season.
- Frankie Leigh Nichols Frankie Leigh Nichols 5'5" | SG Harrisburg | 2024 IL Frankie Leigh is a young player with a nice shooting stroke that looks like she could be a part of the future for Harrisburg. She plays hard and is clearly a smart player on the floor. Frankie Leigh just needs the time to develop her strength and confidence to play at this level. In a program like Harrisburg’s she will get plenty of time and help to develop her skills.
- Raegen Stringer Raegen Stringer 5'4" | PG Tolono Unity | 2024 IL Raegen handles the ball well and makes good decisions in the open floor. She has a good feel for the right time and place to deliver the pass. As the point guard Raegen is under control and does a good job of getting her team into their offensive sets and reading when to push the pace.Raegen has a nice shot that she will take with confidence in the mid range. As she continues to mature and develop size and strength Raegen shows the instincts and ability to be a college prospect.
- Marisa Zane Marisa Zane 5'6" | CG Robinson | 2024 State IL Marissa is a natural scorer that can score in many different ways. She can hit the outside shot but if you get up on her she has the handles and agility to get by her defender and get to the rim. She has a long torso and arms for her height, hopefully showing there are a few more inches coming. Marissa has the size of a point guard but the instincts of a shooting guard so she will need to work into the combo role and her point guard skills to maximize her game and college options if the size does not come for her.
We will continue to look at the class of 2024 this week.