Grassroots Preview: Indiana Elite 17U
As I continue our look into the 17U teams throughout Indiana, I now turn to a program that is trying to begin a resurrection, if you will. Indiana Elite is the biggest grassroots program in Indiana on the boys’ grassroots scene. With a combination of shoe company teams, all-star teams, and club level teams, they probably have anywhere from 12 to 20 entries in EACH age group during a given year. In the girls’ game, however, it has been a roller coaster ride the last few years with just a couple of teams spread throughout the age groups. This year they have built some momentum and established a couple of teams in each age group. Here is a look at a pair of Indiana Elite 17U teams, headed up by Mr. Phil Blazek.
Indiana Elite Thunder
Coaches Tony Marlin & Phil Blazek
No. | Name | Ht. | Pos. | Class | High School |
10 | Maya Chandler | 5-7 | PG | 2020 | Triton Central |
11 | Rachel Loobie | 6-0 | F | 2020 | Franklin Central |
12 | Anna Kiser | 5-11 | F | 2020 | Noblesville |
14 | Kristian Young | 5-4 | PG | 2020 | Lawrence North |
15 | Sydney Watkins | 5-9 | G | 2020 | Heritage Christian |
20 | Cameron Grant | 6-0 | F | 2020 | Dakota (MI) |
22 | Kendall Bostic | 6-1 | F/C | 2020 | Northwestern |
23 | Jasmine McWilliams | 5-11 | W | 2020 | Indy North Central |
30 | Abby Stoddard | 6-0 | F | 2020 | Crown Point |
31 | Katelyn Young | 6-1 | F/C | 2020 | Oakwood (IL) |
Overview: This Thunder team has some similarities to last year’s Thunder team, with several returnees and a couple of new additions. Two of the more talented kids on the team, Kendall Bostic and Jasmine McWilliams, are already committed to Michigan State University and Northwestern University, respectively. Maya Chandler and Kristian Young look to lead the team this year from the point guard position. Both are drawing a lot of low to mid-major Division-I interest. Versatile and athletic front-liner Rachel Loobie has earned her share of Division-I interest and offers the last three years, and she’s coming off an outstanding high school season. Cameron Grant gives them another option up front and in the mid-post, while Katelyn Young adds the dimension of being a strong and powerful, yet skillful post. Sydney Watkins brings a lot of athleticism and the ability to defend any perimeter position, while Anna Kiser is a skillful forward who can play inside or out. Once Abby Stoddard returns from injury, she’ll add a tall shooter who is great in the mid-post or around the perimeter. This will be a team most Division-I and Division-II schools will follow all Spring & Summer.
Indiana Elite-Smith
Coach Julius Smith
No. | Name | Ht. | Pos. | Class | High School |
Jeanie Crabtree | 5-6 | W | 2020 | Eastern-Greentown | |
Brilan McCory | 5-8 | W | 2020 | East Central | |
Alison Pemberton | 5-4 | G | 2020 | Taylor | |
Katie Poer | 5-9 | F | 2020 | Indy Homeschool | |
Ainsley Urbanski | 5-7 | G | 2020 | Bloomington North | |
Sydney Van Meter | 5-9 | F | 2020 | Rensselaer Central | |
Charsan McCory | 6-0 | F/C | 2021 | East Central | |
Jordyn Smith | 5-6 | PG | 2021 | Penn |
Overview: This Indiana Elite group is newly assembled, with players literally coming from all over the state. The best of the bunch might be point guard Jordyn Smith. She is a strong and athletic kid with a great motor and competitive fire. Ainsley Urbanski had a really nice season for Bloomington North, and she can score it in bunches. Brilan McCory is an athletic, slashing type of wing, and she actually plays more of a point forward role for her high school team. Jeanie Crabtree is another wing forward who takes on a lot of ball-handling responsibilities at Eastern. Sydney Van Meter is a long and skilled face-up forward who can play in the mid-post, but who is also comfortable around the perimeter. This team should definitely have the attention of all small colleges, plus I could see a handful of Division-I schools checking in on them at times.