November Wrap-Up (Part 3)

My third and final wrap-up article for the month of November will focus on five smaller high schools who I’ve had the opportunity to see at one point or another throughout the last month. Madison-Grant (1-6) is playing a lot of younger kids, but they have also already faced teams like Tipton, Marion, and Oak Hill. The Lady Argylls are back in action tomorrow, as they host Blackford in a conference matchup. Southwood (2-3) is looking for some improvement over last season, and they could get that with a somewhat experienced group. They have already faced Huntington North and Oak Hill, but they are back at home tomorrow with conference foe Rochester coming to town. Wabash (3-4) has good size and plays physical, but their leading returning scorer won’t be with them all season. They head to conference opponent Tippecanoe Valley tomorrow, after already facing Marion and Warsaw to begin the year. Wes-Del (0-7) has some inexperience and a new coach in place, so they are working on building a new culture this year. They have a noon tilt at Blue River Valley tomorrow. And Whitko (3-6) has already matched last season’s win total, despite only having ten girls in the program. They have the opportunity to approach eight or nine wins this season, starting with a home matchup against conference opponent North Miami tomorrow night.   [caption id="attachment_19288" align="alignright" width="203"] Kayla Comer of Madison-Grant[/caption] Kayla Comer, 2020, 6-0 C, Madison-Grant H.S. Kayla is a tall, very long, true post. She is one of three returning letter-winners to their lineup, so she is playing a lot as a Junior this year. She has the ability to knock down open jump-shots to about 15-feet, but she’s known more as a defender / rebounder. She can block shots and deter shots in the lane, she is a solid defensive rebounder, and as she gets stronger, I think she’ll start to score the ball more effectively against contact around the block. She could be a very nice developmental prospect at a small college.   Azmae Turner, 2022, 5-8 G, Madison-Grant H.S. Azmae is a very long, fluid, but very slender young guard. She is fairly well-balanced skillfully, and she can handle the ball some and run offense or knock down open shots near the perimeter. She is one of those wait-and-see kids, because it’s going to take time for her to finish growing and adding muscle-mass. Strength will allow her to absorb contact much better and shoot more consistently. She has a natural feel for the game, and she gets a lot of steals, but the physical must catch up to her understanding of the game.   Makenna Pace, 2020, 5-5 G, Southwood H.S. Makenna is a strong, physical, tough-nosed guard. She is skilled enough to handle the ball and run offense from time to time, but she’s probably better suited to play off the ball. She is a solid perimeter shooter when she has space and rhythm, and she’s very good about getting angles on her defenders and drawing contact attacking the basket to earn trips to the free throw line. She understands how to take what she has physically and be productive. She could develop into a nice small college guard prospect.   [caption id="attachment_13059" align="alignleft" width="207"] Tabatha Wagner (#35) of Wabash[/caption] Tabatha Wagner, 2019, 6-2 F/C, Wabash H.S. Tabby is a very intriguing front-liner who I think small colleges should be all over at this point. She has very good length, she’s gained a little strength over the years, but now she looks much more comfortable playing away from the basket. She has a solid looking jumper, and she’s looking to catch & shoot quickly on each catch. She is a solid shot-blocker / rim protector, and she is a pursuing rebounder. She will have to play much more physical to be a true post at the next level, but I do think she could be an effective face-up ‘5’ for someone.   Alivia Short, 2021, 5-9 F/C, Wabash H.S. While Wagner (above) likes to float around and play more facing the basket, Alivia is the muscle inside. She is a strong, powerful, and physical front-liner. She makes a living moving people around on the interior. She is a solid box-out rebounder, she has decent hands on the block, and she scores it off of offensive rebounds or others’ penetration. The next step for her is to work on a go-to move in the post. I think she’s very productive considering her height, and she could develop into a solid small college prospect.   Izabella Mitchell, 2020, 5-8 W, Wes-Del H.S. Izabella is a really nice basketball player, and she’s the one kid on the Warriors team who can create her own scoring opportunities. She has a solid frame, she’s a good athlete in all directions, and she can play a variety of positions. She is their primary ball-handler and can attack the basket or create for others, she’s a decent perimeter shooter when she has room and rhythm, and she’s really good shooting it around 15-feet. I would like to see her play alongside better players to see what she’s capable of without everyone focusing just on her. She could be a really nice small college wing.   Emalee Duggins, 2019, 5-2 PG, Whitko H.S. Emalee is a strong, quick / fast, and tough-nosed little guard. She plays with a great motor and flies around the floor at both ends. Defensively, she’s solid on the ball, and she’s really good affecting the passing lanes getting steals. Offensively, she is a nice floor general, she can knock down an open jumper, and she’s really good at getting inside and either finishing or getting fouled, plus she’s a tremendous offensive rebounder for a little guard. She has already signed to play softball at IUPUI.   Ellie Snep, 2019, 5-9 F, Whitko H.S. Ellie is a four-year letter-winner and has started since her Sophomore year. She is a strong kid, a solid athlete, and she plays with a good motor and some physicality. She has a nice-looking jump-shot, and while she’s best around 17-feet, she can knock down the occasional 3-pointer. She has really worked on being an interior presence too, and she is a monster on the boards, averaging 15.8 rebounds per game last year and 14.2 so far this year. She also does a nice job of drawing contact, and she could be a productive small college face-up ‘4’.   Header photo of Emalee Duggins (in blue); photo courtesy of kpcnews.com. Photo of Kayla Comer courtesy of grantcountysportsnetwork.com. Photo of Tabatha Wagner courtesy of Wabash's Hudl account.