Players to Look For: Coach Kipp Hoopsfest (Day 1)
The Coach Kipp Hoopsfest will be back in action this weekend this Saturday and the beginning of next week on Monday. For those in Illinois, this event is one of the most renowned and popular events around. Many names and…
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Continue ReadingThe Coach Kipp Hoopsfest will be back in action this weekend this Saturday and the beginning of next week on Monday. For those in Illinois, this event is one of the most renowned and popular events around. Many names and great players who have gone on to have special careers have participated in this event. Smeka Randall, Stephanie White, and the highly coveted Tamika Catchings. Being housed at Willowbrook for the last two-plus decades, the event has found a new home at Montini Catholic High School and Benet Academy.
Below are a couple of players from Day 1 of the shootout that coaches should write down in their notepad.
2023 Janae Kent Janae Kent 6'0" | SG Oak Forest | 2023 State IL | 6’1 Wing | Oak Forest
#3 in the state for her class… Kent is a bonafide scorer. From all areas on the court, the sophomore wing can put the ball in the bucket. She’s athletic, strong, and completely versatile. Her IQ is off the charts, and it’s seen on both sides of the ball. Janae can get to her spot at any time she wants, the skillset she has allows her to be a threat from each position on the floor. A for sure three-level scorer.
2023 Maddy Fay Maddy Fay 6'2" | PF Fremd | 2023 State IL | 6’2 Forward | Fremd
Fay’s a glass cleaner .. and that’s on both sides. Her defensive IQ is personally my favorite of her well-rounded skill set, she knows where to be and how to get there. Offensively she has moves in the paint and can put the ball on the floor to make things happen for herself or her teammates. Maddy uses her frame on every possession and seems to seek the mismatch.. and dominates when it happens.
2024 Victoria Matulevicius Victoria Matulevicius 5'8" | CG Montini | 2024 State IL | 5’7 Combo Guard | Montini
Viki’s overseas experience ( Lithuanian National Team – 2021 FIBA Champion) has translated well to her skillset. Her touch and finesse around the rim is a sight to see. When on a fast break, she finds ways to weave her way through traffic and then finish through or around the contact. She shows the confidence to shoot the mid and the three-ball, and she handles it with security and instincts.
2024 Kace Urlacher Kace Urlacher 6'0" | PF Fremd | 2023 State IL | 6’0 Stretch Post | Fremd
Urlacher stuffs the sheet in multiple ways. She scores around the paint or stretches the floor and knocks down the three if the defense doesn’t adjust right. She can make the timed pass, or get to the spot to get a timely steal to secure the extra possession. On the boards, her height and length plays a huge part in the advantage she has. Kace plays her role to the T and it shows in the team’s success.
2023 Lexi Salazar Lexi Salazar 5'7" | SG Plainfield North | 2023 State IL | 5’8 Combo Guard | Plainfield North
The scoring ability mixed with her ball-handling and creativity… makes Salazar dynamic as they come. She finds ways to get to the paint and ways to get her shot off even when the defense is playing tight. Lexi’s fast and quick.. which is another tool to add to her tool bag. A player who plays the game effortlessly, but gives as much effort as anyone on the court.
2023 Shannon Blacher Shannon Blacher 5'10" | CG Montini | 2023 State IL | 5’11 Combo Guard | Montini
A blur on the court, a bucket at every level, and a worker on the boards and. Shannon checks the box on everything offensively and defensively. She can go off for 20 plus and contain your best player. Her footwork matched her speed, quickness and athleticism is a mismatch for most girls who play her. She has strength and agility on the drive, a quick release and her foot speed on defense allows her to minimize her fouls by not needing to reach. A true “two-way” player.
2023 Mariann Blass Mariann Blass 5'8" | CG York | 2023 State IL | 5’9 Combo Guard | York
Blass can shoot the ball from any spot, at any time, and on anyone. She’s highly skilled and talented and knows how to get to her spots and angles no matter what the defense throws. When she’s in transition her IQ is on full display.. accurate passes, agility and strength to finish through traffic, and the vision and instinct to make the correct play at all times.
2022 Ryann Wendt Ryann Wendt 5'11" | SG Downers Grove North | 2022 State IL | 6’0 Guard | Downers Grove North
The same frame as her running mate, but Ryann’s game fits much differently. She has the plug-and-play type of skillset that allows her to be a threat no matter where she’s positioned on the court. When she’s behind the arc she’s as comfortable as can be.. and if a smaller guard is there… she takes complete advantage of it. A solid player who will continue to have success at the next level.
2023 Olivia Vick Olivia Vick 5'6" | CG Whitney Young | 2023 State IL | 5’7 Combo Guard | Whitney Young
A high-skilled guard who can score inside to the outside. Vick is bound to drop 4+ shots from downtown. She uses her ball-handling skills to break down the defense and create for her teammates. Vick is surrounded by high-level players on her team but continues to be a standout starter. She can facilitate or be the top scorer on the court no matter who’s next to her.
2023 Lizzie Baldridge Lizzie Baldridge 5'9" | PG York | 2023 State IL | 5’9 Point Guard | York
Baldridge can defend with the same amount of aggression in which she scores, she plays the game with grace but the pressure she puts on her opponents on both sides of the ball is consistent. She can hurt you at each level and uses her length to defend multiple positions. A high stamina and high motored guard who makes an impact every time she touches the court.
2022 Kate Gross Kate Gross 5'9" | SG Downers Grove North | 2022 State IL | 5’10 Guard | Downers Grove North
She just plays the game the right way. Gross is lengthy and can completely affect the game in multiple ways. She can score in a variety of ways… the paint, the mid, and the confidence to take the three ball whenever the chance presents itself. She can switch and defend the 1-4 without missing a beat. High IQ and plays with security.