Team Intros: Indiana Elite 16U
The Indiana Elite program has seen a resurgence this grassroots season, and for as good as the Indiana Elite Thunder 17U team is right now, they have some really nice underclass teams as well, laying a solid foundation for the future. …
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Continue ReadingThe Indiana Elite program has seen a resurgence this grassroots season, and for as good as the Indiana Elite Thunder 17U team is right now, they have some really nice underclass teams as well, laying a solid foundation for the future. Below is a look at a couple of the younger teams they will rely upon for future program success.
Indiana Elite Prime 16U: The Indiana Elite Prime team coached by Phil Blazek has seen several players already draw Division-I interest for the last year or so. This year’s frontline of Lilly Stoddard (2022) of Crown Point, Alex Richard (2021) of Avon, Jade Nutley (2021) of Madison, and Sydney Jaynes (2021) of Trinity Lutheran stands out among the 16U teams in Indiana. Stoddard is a tall, long, bouncy, face-up ‘4’ with a great deal of skill. She just needs to continue getting stronger, but she already holds an offer from Iowa because of her potential. Richard has always been stronger and more physical than her peers, but now she’s starting to show off a lot more skill and finesse away from the basket. She’s a solid athlete as well. Nutley is another strong front-liner who is actually probably best playing facing the basket in the mid-post. Jaynes is a unique type of player, because while she has the size and skill of a ‘5’, she can knock down the 17-footer consistently, she’s a very good passer from the high-post, and she can even handle it a little in transition. On the perimeter, I have been most impressed with the improvement of Madelyn Bischoff (2021) of Roncalli from last year to this. She’s a long, rangy, fluid guard who can consistently knock down shots at all levels. Jessica Carrothers (2022) had an outstanding Freshman year for Crown Point this season, and she’s a high-motor, physical, tough-nosed guard who can score it in bunches. Her high school teammate, Alyna Santiago (2021), is a tough and feisty combo guard who is as unselfish as they come, but her game is all about creating havoc at the defensive end of the floor. And Fishers teammates Audra Emmerson (2021) and Katie Howard (2021) just add to an already impressive backcourt. Emmerson is a quick/fast little point guard who can create for others or knock down open jumpers. Howard is a strong wing guard who can really shoot it outside, and with good range. This group will draw a wide variety of college interest, but most Division-I schools will surely check them out this Spring & Summer.
Indiana Elite Platinum 16U: The Platinum team is a group of young ladies who have been together for a couple of seasons now, and they have a lot of talent of their own. They have multiple coaches helping out, but Jason Eldredge is listed as their Head Coach. Their frontline is pretty imposing, with Meg Newman (2021) of Indianapolis North Central, Katey Richason (2021) of Zionsville, Alyssa Crockett (2022) of Westfield, and Gigi Eldredge (2021) also of Westfield forming a nice rotation. Newman is a versatile forward who is strong enough to play on the interior, skilled enough to play around the perimeter, but almost dominant when she gets the ball in the mid-post and has just one defender to beat. Richason has really improved her perimeter shooting and her handle over the last year and a half, and she plays with a lot of versatility as well. Crockett actually has a lot of similarities to Newman, she’s just a year younger. She had a nice Freshman season for Westfield this year. Eldredge is a strong, physical, high-motor kid who I think is actually a little under-recruited at this point in time. This team would probably look a little different if Ally Becki (2021) of Brownsburg were healthy. The dynamic, heady, and athletic combo guard unfortunately injured her knee during the IHSAA State Tournament and is doubtful for grassroots ball this year. However, Shae Littleford (2021) of Charleston (IL) is a really nice point guard who is dynamic in her own way. She plays with grit and effort every time out. Vanessa Shafford (2021) of Linton-Stockton is one of my favorites to watch. She’s a strong wing with a great feel for the game, good all-around skill, and a nice toughness about her. Jessica Castor (2021) of Westfield is another solid guard who can knock down shots from the perimeter, get to the basket, or even run offense from time-to-time. This group has also gotten occasional help from sisters Ella (2021) and Mia Shields (2022) of Greencastle as well. Ella is more of a wing forward, while Mia is a nice younger point guard prospect. This group will have a number of Division-I programs following them around, and a few of them have already earned Division-I offers. Newman just picked up an offer from Indiana after her play this past weekend. Some of the better small colleges will also be on them hard for sure.
Additional Notes: I have not had a great opportunity to sit down and watch the Indiana Elite Lightning 16U team yet this Spring, my apologies, but they look like another nice, younger team with some solid prospects in the fold. Laini Joseph (2021) of Winamac is a strong, skillful wing who has had a couple of nice high school seasons so far, but I’ve heard she might be moving out-of-state soon (if she hasn’t already). Isabella Reed (2021) of Greenwood Christian had an outstanding statistical year this Winter, and I’m anxious to finally see her play. And Alyvia Santiago (2022) of Crown Point is the younger sister of Alyna (above on IE Prime). She too is a strong combo guard with a lot of grit and some athleticism. You should also keep tabs of the Indiana Elite Fury 14U team for future reference. 6-3 post Gabrielle Dean (2023) of Columbus East is incredibly intriguing, as are forward McKenna Layden (2023) of Northwestern and forward Josie Trabel (2023) of East Central. I also highlighted point guard Abby Fleetwood (2023) of Brown County from that team in an article yesterday.