State Farm Holiday Classic: Small School Standouts
Last week was the 42nd annual State Farm Holiday Classic hosted at multiple high schools and gymnasiums across Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. Sixteen teams participated in the Small School Girls bracket and here are those that stood out to me in the…
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Continue ReadingLast week was the 42nd annual State Farm Holiday Classic hosted at multiple high schools and gymnasiums across Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. Sixteen teams participated in the Small School Girls bracket and here are those that stood out to me in the limited time I was able to watch this group:
2022 Ella Lune Ella Lune 6'0" | PF Brimfield | 2022 State IL , 6’0” Forward, Brimfield
An athletic Forward who greatly impacts the game in the lane with her skill and mobility, Lune thrived throughout the tournament with her ability to create matchup problems for opponents. The Eastern Illinois commit has terrific footwork and ball skills to create open looks for herself at the basket, where she finishes strong and with good touch. Ella competes hard on the defensive end, using her athleticism to guard multiple positions and own the paint with her shot-blocking ability.
2022 Madyson Rigdon Madyson Rigdon 5'8" | CG Paris | 2022 State IL , 5’8” Guard, Paris
Rigdon is an ultra-talented Combo Guard who shoots the ball at a high mark from beyond the three-point line. She is a strong and confident ball-handler who plays under control in an up-tempo environment. Madyson, a Maryville University commit, is a tough defender against opposing Guards and consistently displays a high basketball IQ and great leadership on the court.
2022 Naomi Elliott Naomi Elliott 5'7" | PG Normal U-High | 2022 State IL , 5’6” Guard, Normal U-High
Leading her 13th-seeded team to a 4th Place finish in the tournament, Elliott was superb throughout the event with her scoring and ball-handling from the Point Guard position. She is a solid three-level scorer with a consistent jump shot and creative finishing skills among taller opponents in the lane. Naomi is a fierce on-ball defender against opposing PG’s, constantly applying pressure, and often creating turnovers.
2022 Kate Littleton Kate Littleton 5'6" | CG Paris | 2022 State IL , 5’4” Guard, Paris
Littleton is a highly skilled Combo Guard who impacts the game in a big way at both ends of the court. The Lake Land College commit is an outstanding shooter from deep and moves well without the ball so her teammates can set her up for open looks at the basket. Kate is a solid ball-handler who likes to push the ball up the floor and regularly makes good decisions with her excellent court vision and passing skills.
2022 Mikayla Huffine Mikayla Huffine 5'3" | CG Rockford Guilford | 2022 State IL , 5’3” Guard, Rockford Lutheran
A do-it-all Point Guard with impressive handles and scoring abilities from anywhere on the floor, Huffine is an outstanding Floor General who runs the show at both ends of the court. She is a terrific passer with great court vision and an extremely high basketball IQ. Mikayla is a tenacious defender who can pick up an opposing Point Guard anywhere on the court and constantly apply pressure to force turnovers.
2022 Ella Armstrong Ella Armstrong 5'10" | SG St. Joseph | 2022 State IL , 5’9” Guard, St. Joseph-Ogden
Armstrong is a talented Shooting Guard with a consistently accurate jump shot and good decision-making abilities with the ball in her hands. The Truman State commit can attack the lane off the dribble and use her strength and physicality to absorb contact and finish at the rim. Ella gives good versatility with her length and athleticism to defend multiple positions successfully on defense.
2023 Trinity Tingley Trinity Tingley 5'5" | PG Paris | 2023 State IL , 5’4” Guard, Paris
A reliable and confident Point Guard with obvious on-court leadership abilities, Tingley is a tremendous lead Guard for her high school team. She handles the ball with good speed and quickness to get around defenders in the open floor and makes smart decisions when looking to score or dish to teammates. Trinity is a solid shooter from beyond the three-point line and plays stingy defense against opposing Point Guards.
2022 Miyah Brown Miyah Brown 5'10" | CG Winnebago | 2022 State IL , 5’10” Guard, Winnebago
Brown is a strong and physical athlete who can play any of the Guard positions with her ability to run the offense and score from the wing. The Bellarmine commit is a more than reliable ball-handler who can knock down jumpers from anywhere and thrives at attacking the lane and using her strength to finish at the basket through contact. Miyah is a great asset on the defensive end as she uses her versatility to guard a variety of players successfully with her length and quickness.