Top 250 Expo: Best from Class of ’24
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Just under two weeks ago, several talented players gathered in Louisville at the Midamerica Sports Complex for the Prep Girls Hoops Kentucky Top 250 Expo. So far the coverage has focused on the rising Juniors and Seniors and now we…
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Continue ReadingJust under two weeks ago, several talented players gathered in Louisville at the Midamerica Sports Complex for the Prep Girls Hoops Kentucky Top 250 Expo.
So far the coverage has focused on the rising Juniors and Seniors and now we move on to the rising Sophomore class. With three courts and the players spread across ten teams and only one scout, most of these evaluations are not as thorough as anyone would like and some players were missed altogether. It’s a good thing these Class of ’24 players will have more time to make their mark.
Trinity Rowe Trinity Rowe 5'7" | PG Pikeville | 2024 State KY 2004 | 5-4 PG | Pikeville
For a player that I did not see play very much the #1 Ranked player and Point Guard in the class of ’24 was still able to impress with her smooth 3 point shot of the catch and off the bounce. However most impressive to me was seeing her dive to the floor for the loose ball in a game that ultimately means nothing. That shows a competitive nature that coaches love.
Kristen Whited Kristen Whited 5'5" | SG Pikeville | 2024 State KY 2004 | 5-5 SG | Pikeville
Whited was best when pushing the tempo and displayed a great corner 3 and a good shooting form. Improved arm strength is needed and will improve her shot over time. Just a little light weight-lifting or push-ups added to her workout should do the trick.
Most impressive was a time I witnessed her take the ball to the hole and off the glass by using her shoulder to defend her body (legally). From what I saw I believe she may be more of a Combo Guard on a higher-level College team or a Small Forward on a lower-level team. The Shooting Guard label is probably apt for High School.
Ellery Kloek Ellery Kloek 5'7" | SG Oldham County | 2024 State KY 2004 | 5-7 SG | Oldham County
Kloek makes good crisp passes, runs the floor, moves well without the ball, makes good use of her feet and hands when on defense, and is a great finisher around the basket.
Ella Sellars Ella Sellars 5'9" | SG Ashland Blazer | 2024 State KY 2004 | 5-9 SG | Ashland Blazer
Sellars has the ability to play in the High Post demonstrated best by a few dump down she made for the assist and her consistency in crashing the boards.
That said she is listed as a Guard. So she was probably playing out of position to find a way to contribute on a team that was loaded with Guards and not much size. This kind of ability suggests the versatility coaches would like to have in a big guard.
Bailey Hensley Bailey Hensley 5'10" | SG Madison Central | 2024 State KY 2004 | 5-10 SG | Madison Central
Hensley is an alert defender demonstrated primarily by the passes she stole and deflected on the back of the press. She runs the floor. finishes through contact and has a great spin move off the bounce. This player would be good to have on a team that wants to Press and Run.
Savannah Gardner Savannah Gardner 6'0" | SF Christian Academy Louisville | 2024 State KY 2004 | 6-0 SF | Christian Academy Louisville
Gardner goes hard to the board and goes hard in general giving maximum effort on defense. She rebounds out of her area and pushes tempo off of the Defensive rebounds.
With the game on the line, she and another player applied a double team in the backcourt that created a turnover and she made the winning layup off the assist provided by the other play. It was an impressive two or three seconds.
Ava Schureman Ava Schureman 5'10" | SF Great Crossing | 2024 State KY 2004 | 5-10 SF | Great Crossing
With good size for a Small Forward Schurman also has a great corner jumper and a high release on her shot.
Kyera Thornsbury Kyera Thornsbury 5'7" | SG Pikeville | 2024 State KY 2004 | 5-7 SG | Belfry
Thornsbury has a high release three-point shot3 pointer and is a ball hawk who picks opponents clean in open court and speeds ahead for the layup.
Mariah Knight Mariah Knight 6'1" | PF Butler | 2024 State KY 2004 | 6-1 PF | Christian Academy Louisville
Knight is a powerful, hardnosed player and very aggressive on the glass. She seals off opponents with her body and gets a hand on everything. It is no surprise that this on-man shot blocker is Ranked 2nd at her position.
She seems to like contact but is not a banger, although she could probably be taught to play that way if basketball can still be played that rough in the paint today. I suspect she would also be an asset setting screens for the pick and roll etc.
Dea Bradley Dea Bradley 5'5" | CG Hart County | 2024 State KY 2004 | 5-6 CG | Hart County
Bradley is very quick with the ball and pushes the tempo. I witnessed her get to the hole from deep beyond the 3 point line for a layup and show the awareness to penetrate and dish off to open teammates in the lane. .
Allison Spieker Allison Spieker 5'8" | SG Whitefield Academy | 2024 State KY 2004 | 5-9 SF | Whitefield Academy
This Lefty moves well without the ball and has a good high release to her shot.
Olivia Tierney Olivia Tierney 5'7" | SF Great Crossing | 2024 State KY 2004 | 5-8 SF | Great Crossing
Tierney demonstrated excellent defense with the ability to deny penetration and stay in front of an opponent.