Lady Gym Rats Invitational: 2021 Prospects Of Note
The annual Lady Gym Rats Invitational took place this past weekend in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Once again my primary objective was to find specific prospects and try to catch up on players I haven’t seen yet this spring, or players…
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Continue ReadingThe annual Lady Gym Rats Invitational took place this past weekend in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Once again my primary objective was to find specific prospects and try to catch up on players I haven’t seen yet this spring, or players I felt like I needed to see again. Below is a look at seven such young ladies in Indiana’s Class of 2021 who I thought played well when I was able to see them.
Katie Burton, 5-8 G, Fishers H.S., Indiana Flight UAA 16U
I have seen Katie several times over the past couple of years, I’ve written about her time and time again, but in one game I saw this past weekend, I felt like it was the most complete game I’ve seen her have. She is a tough-nosed, fierce competitor, with good athleticism and a motor. She has always been great scoring it on attack, and as I’ve said before, she’s one of the best finishers in the state inside of 10-feet. But what I liked most about her play Saturday was her consistency in knocking down shots outside, but also her ability to knock down contested jumpers. She was in rhythm and in a zone much of the game, and she looked to jab back at her opponent each time they scored. It’s that killer instinct in her that have Division-I schools following her around this Spring.
McKenzie Hudgen, 5-7 G, Mishawaka Marian H.S., Always 100 Elite 16U
The backcourt for this Always 100 team is really good, and it led them to a 16U Platinum Championship over the weekend. McKenzie has a reputation for just being sound and well-rounded, and that was certainly on display throughout the tournament. She is strong, tough-nosed, and she always plays with a motor. She’s one of those kids who may not be elite at any specific thing, but she’s very good at just about everything. She can handle it and run offense, she can knock down shots outside, she can score attacking the basket, she rebounds her position well, and she is a willing and tough-nosed defender who takes on any challenge. She’s a versatile “glue” type of prospect.
Chloe Jolloff, 5-7 PG, Lakewood Park Christian Academy, Always 100 -Wright 16U
The Always 100 -Wright team has a deep backcourt of its own, and Chloe doesn’t even start most games, but she might have about as much upside as any of them, she just needs to finish growing and gaining strength. Chloe is a long, fluid, and smooth point guard prospect. When she is out in the open floor with the ball in her hands, she is creative and often finds teammates for easy scores. She can score attacking the basket, and she’s starting to shoot it more consistently outside, but she is still thin right now and needs strength. She competes, though, doesn’t shy away from contact, and her length allows her to be an effective defender. I really like her upside and think once she finishes growing, she could develop into a really nice college floor general.
Hanna Knoll, 5’8 G, Angola H.S., Indiana Flight UAA 16U
Since the first live period, I have had as many calls and have heard more buzz about Hanna than just about anyone else in the state, regardless of class. As I’ve stated before, this Spring she looks longer, leaner, and more explosive. She is handling it much better, absorbing contact better, and she’s really becoming a complete guard who can play either perimeter spot equally well. She plays with a motor, a lot of discipline, and she rarely commits turnovers. She has shot it consistently outside, finished through contact inside, and she has shown a great deal of versatility at the defensive end of the floor. Now she is starting to be rewarded with multiple Division-I offers.
Moira McGinley, 5-7 G, Bishop Chatard H.S., Always 100 Elite 16U
Moira has been one of my favorite prospects to evaluate over the past year, and like I said about McKenzie Hudgen (above), the backcourt on this Always 100 team was a big reason they won the 16U Platinum Championship over the weekend. Moira is long, fast, and athletic, and she always plays with an endless motor. In one game I watched, a couple of college coaches were debating whether she or Hudgen played harder. That’s one debate you always want your name involved in. She has shot it reasonably well outside this Spring, but I really like her mid-range game and her ability to glide to the basket. Her motor also creates second-chance opportunities for her team, whether it be an offensive rebound or a loose ball.
Kendal Swartout, 5-11 F, Concord H.S., Always 100 -Wright 16U
I haven’t seen Kendal in almost a year’s time, and she was one prospect I was really impressed with following the weekend. A year ago she was somewhat of a post trying to transition away from the basket, and now…well, let’s just say she isn’t a post. She is strong and physical enough to take a smaller defender down there, but her combination of balance, footwork, and athleticism allow her to play all over the floor. She has some length, good hands, and she’s very active at both ends. Right now she is probably best in the mid-post, as she can hit the 15-footer or attack the basket in one dribble. But I think as she becomes more comfortable, I can see her being more of a face-up ‘4’ around the perimeter. She can also defend multiple types of forwards and even some wings.
Ariana Wiggins, 5-8 PG, Heritage Christian School, Nike Lady Gym Rats Silver EYBL 17U
Ariana has been and continues to be one of the most dominant players in Indiana’s 2021 class. She is very athletic, quick/fast, and she’s good with the ball. She can take over games with her ability to shoot/score it from just about everywhere, but she also has games where she hands out assists left and right to other capable teammates when they’re hot. She obviously has some athletic tools and good all-around skill offensively, but I would like to see her take that next step defensively. She is a good defender, no doubt, but I think she can become elite and cause five-counts and create other turnovers on many more possessions without actually stealing the ball.