Grassroots Preview: Indiana Showcase 17U
As we advance to Indiana Showcase, this program has only been around for a couple of years, but some of their staff have been affiliated with other major programs around the state in years past. Because of that, they have a solid foundation and some nice teams throughout their program. In this article, we will focus on their two 17U entries this grassroots season, as organized by program director, Mr. Ben Gorman.
Indiana Showcase-Eber
Coach Joshua Eber
No. | Name | Ht. | Pos. | Class | High School |
2 | Taru Kurunsaari | 5-11 | F | 2020 | Logansport |
3 | Elle Deardorff | 5-4 | PG | 2020 | Logansport |
10 | McKenzie Cooper | 5-7 | W | 2020 | Eastern-Greentown |
15 | Kayden Casey | 5-6 | G | 2020 | Southport |
20 | Carly Gibbs | 5-9 | F | 2020 | Cascade |
22 | Abby Haley | 5-9 | F | 2020 | Noblesville |
24 | Kyla Smith | 5-7 | W | 2020 | Plainfield |
30 | Hannah Sims | 5-7 | G | 2020 | North Putnam |
31 | Ashley Black | 5-8 | F | 2020 | Westfield |
32 | Kourtney Ash | 6-2 | C | 2020 | Rushville |
33 | Emilee Cripe | 5-6 | F | 2020 | Logansport |
Overview: This Showcase group has a bunch of hard-working, blue-collared, high-motor kids. I anticipate they will knock off some teams who possess more talent. McKenzie Cooper is a really nice wing who can hit perimeter jumpers, but she’s strong and much more effective attacking the basket. Elle Deardorff isn’t very big, but she plays with a lot of heart and can handle it or hit shots from the perimeter. Kyla Smith is a nice athlete on the wing, and Kourtney Ash has always been an intriguing big who just needs to continue developing her skillset. This is a really nice team for small colleges to follow this Spring and Summer.
Indiana Showcase-Sinclair
Coach Aulani Sinclair
No. | Name | Ht. | Pos. | Class | High School |
3 | Aalia Carlson | 5-3 | G | 2020 | Zionsville Community |
4 | Marlayna Kemp | 6-2 | C | 2020 | Martinsville |
5 | Aubrey Burgess | 5-6 | G | 2021 | Linton-Stockton |
13 | Hailey Rose | 6-0 | C | 2021 | Linton-Stockton |
20 | Bonnie Lew Ludlow | 5-6 | G | 2021 | Covenant Christian |
21 | Ellie Wilkerson | 5-9 | W | 2022 | Plainfield |
23 | Payton Dissett | 5-6 | G | 2020 | Hamilton Heights |
30 | Madison Kerrigan | 6-0 | F | 2022 | Westfield |
33 | Megan Mills | 5-10 | F | 2020 | Pendleton Heights |
Overview: This Sinclair group has a nice mixture of experienced upperclassmen and talented youngsters. Marlayna Kemp is someone I’ve always liked, as she’s a skilled face-up ‘5’ with nice touch and very good length. Megan Mills is a long and very fast & athletic slashing type of forward who is good going to the basket. Ellie Wilkerson got her career off to a good start this season at Plainfield, and she’s a really nice, versatile wing. Madi Kerrigan is another really nice younger prospect with good length, athleticism, and versatility. And Bonnie Lew Ludlow is about as tough and hard-working as any guard in the 2021 class. I can definitely see this team drawing a variety of college interest, from some Division-I schools through all of the small college ranks.