Urbana Shootout- Dabbs First Team
Last weekend, the first annual Urbana Shootout was held in Champaign County, where 21 high school teams assembled for a very productive high school team event.
Both Angie Saiter and I had the chance to combine to see everyone, and will be providing some upcoming stories taking a look at some of the players who stood out in the games we saw. We did not see every game that every team played, we arranged our schedule to see every team at least once.
The teams I was focusing on was Catholic Central, Brookville, Beavercreek, Madison Plains, Valley View, Mechanicsburg, Greenon, Butler, Springfield, Fairborn, Urbana and Tippecanoe. Angie saw Indian Lake, Troy Christian, Thomas Worthington, Triad, Washington Court House, Fairbanks, Fairmont and Cedarville.
Today, a look at my first-team of five players who shined for the teams I covered. Also coming this week will be my second-team, along with several looks at other players who played in the event.
Urbana Shootout Dabbs 1st-Team
MVP- Claire Henson Claire Henson 5'11" | PF Valley View | 2022 State OH , 5-11 2022, Valley View
The best player in the building all weekend long, and her game has really blossomed into one that is getting her ready for the next level. Claire (feature photo above) showed me one thing that was considered a weakness in the past, using the left hand. It was discussed to me that she took that criticism and now she is complete. I really love her ability to score in multiple ways and is very proficient in transition. Can control the boards and easily push tempo to create a scoring opportunity for her team. Her midrange game is phenomenal. Coaches….what are you waiting on?
Serenity Castle Serenity Castle 5'8" | CG Springfield Catholic Central | 2022 OH , 5-9 2022, Springfield Catholic Central
Her play continues to excel and now she will be much more involved in the offense for the Irish. Her game has expanded and is has opened eyes all summer long during travel ball. She is an excellent perimeter shooter who can score off the pass or the dribble. She has good range, has incredible floor sense and is able to find her teammate with a very crisp passing game. (pictured right).
Maci Rhoades, 5-10 2022, Beavercreek
A player who returns with a lot of different scoring opportunities for her team, along with being a leader for the Beavers. She finishes well at the rim with good footwork, has quality leadership and is a good vocal floor general. Has good instincts, her long and athletic frame allows her to guard multiple positions on the court, has active hands on defense and runs the floor great in transition.
Brooke Nelson, 5-7 2025, Springfield
She has a lot of work to do like any other freshman, but Brooke showed me a very productive game over the weekend with an explosive step to the rim and plays above her years. Can go baseline and finish, playing through contact. I love her transition game as she pushes hard north-south and can create and score. Fun to watch her and her twin sister Carly who you get to know later this week.
Malerie Ross, 6-2 2022, Brookville
Got to see her play three times over the weekend, and she was steady all the time. She was on the floor all the time, giving up her body to make a play. She showed a good pick-and-roll game and posted up well against a very solid opposing post and was able to get to the rim to finish. Defensively known for her blocks and altering of shots.