Grassroots Preview: Team Indiana 17U
Team Indiana is entering I believe its fourth season of existence as an independent program, but the program’s director, Mr. Greg Burton, has been affiliated with other grassroots programs before that. They are yet another competitive Indiana entity with multiple teams in each age group, and they look to field a pair of 17U teams this grassroots season.
Team Indiana-Burton
Coach Greg Burton
No. | Name | Ht. | Pos. | Class | High School |
3 | Lexie Green | 5-7 | PG | 2020 | Southport |
5 | Tasi Kukobat | 5-10 | W | 2020 | W. Lafayette Harrison |
11 | Chloe McKnight | 5-8 | W | 2021 | Bedford N. Lawrence |
12 | Isabell Claywell | 5-5 | PG | 2020 | Eastern-Pekin |
24 | Natalee Tabor | 5-7 | G | 2020 | Breckinridge Co. (KY) |
32 | Madison Webb | 6-2 | F/C | 2020 | Bedford N. Lawrence |
42 | Maycee Lange | 6-0 | F | 2021 | Vincennes Lincoln |
43 | Kiersten Poor | 5-10 | W | 2020 | Jeffersonville |
Overview: Year after year, the Burton team ends up being one of the more competitive teams in the state. While they maybe don’t have as many of the headliners as they’ve had in years past, they do have several really nice prospects who form a very nice “team” and should still knock off several of the teams who might look better on paper. In the backcourt, Lexie Green and Isabell Claywell are two of the more overlooked point guards in the 2020 class. Green is a long, fluid, and smooth kid who can distribute or score. Claywell is a tough-nosed, gritty, and quick/fast playmaker who can also knock down shots. Tasi Kukobat is a highly intriguing wing with length, fluidity, and some bounce. She can also knock down perimeter jumpers consistently. Maycee Lange had an oustanding year on a good Vincennes Lincoln team, and she has worked to stretch her game to the perimeter this year. Madison Webb is the purest definition of face-up ‘5’ I’ve seen, as she can post and finish inside, but she’s a dangerous 3-point shooter as well. Kiersten Poor is a talented wing who can handle, shoot, and score, plus she plays with a great deal of toughness. Chloe McKnight is a strong wing forward who can really shoot it, and with range. And Natalee Tabor is a long, fairly athletic shooter/scorer who can put up points in bunches. I anticipate several low to mid-major Division-I schools, as well as every Midwestern small college, following this team all Spring & Summer.
Team Indiana Central
Coach Bria Wright
No. | Name | Ht. | Pos. | Class | High School |
00 | Anya Friend | 5-9 | F/C | 2021 | Bloomington South |
1 | Bella Green | 5-5 | PG | 2020 | Southport |
3 | Rian Russell | 5-6 | G | 2020 | West Washington |
4 | Kyrstin Bond | 5-7 | G | 2020 | South Dearborn |
12 | Chelbie Anderson | 5-6 | G | 2020 | Edgewood |
20 | Kristen Ridner | 5-7 | G | 2020 | Bloomington South |
22 | Mackenzie Ross | 5-7 | W | 2020 | Roncalli |
23 | Jenna Louden | 5-2 | G | 2021 | Bedford N. Lawrence |
24 | Gracie Crulo-Rood | 5-3 | G | 2020 | Bedford N. Lawrence |
30 | Jayley Akers | 5-6 | G | 2020 | Lawrenceville (IL) |
50 | Peyton Sweet | 6-3 | C | 2020 | Bedford N. Lawrence |
Overview: The Central team has some really nice pieces of its own. Kyrstin Bond is a dynamic scorer who can really shoot it, and with range. She is strong, skilled with the ball, and probably the best prospect on this team. Kristen Ridner had a good Summer a year ago, and she’s a strong guard who can shoot/score it, but she can also slide over and play point guard from time to time. Peyton Sweet is a draw for college coaches because of her size. She has broad shoulders, some length, and will play very physical around the basket. Rian Russell is another nice guard for West Washington, and she has helped them to winning seasons each year. All-in-all, this is a solid team for small colleges to check out, though Bond could see some Division-I interest as well.