Mid-America Challenge Review (Part 2)

This past weekend was an incredibly busy time for me, as I travelled to Louisville Friday, back to Westfield for Saturday’s action, only to return to Louisville again Sunday.  I spent my time watching Indiana teams and prospects I had yet to see, plus I checked in on some kids I felt like I needed to view one more time.  Below is a look at eight such prospects in the classes of 2022 &amp; 2023 who I thought played well Saturday at the USJN Mid-America Challenge in Westfield, Indiana, when I was able to see them in action. &nbsp; <strong>Amanda Blevins, 2022, 6-0 F/C, Lake Central H.S., Illinois Defender-D'Apice 17U</strong> This was my first time seeing, or even hearing about Amanda, but she looked like a really nice long-term prospect with quality upside.  She is wiry, somewhat slender, but reasonably fluid and athletic for a young frontline player with her build.  She plays with a good motor, she tries to play physical, and she has some skill inside of 15-feet.  She is definitely a wait-and-see prospect because she'll need to finish growing and eventually gain strength before I think we'll see the best out of her, but she is already a nice player and an even better prospect. &nbsp; <strong>Kendall Harmon, 2022, 5-7 G, Bloomington H.S. South, Team Blaze Select 17U</strong> I had the opportunity to see Team Blaze take on the 17U Kentucky Premier EYBL team, and it didn't go well on the scoreboard for Team Blaze.  However, I thought Kendall as a youngster had several of the best moments in the game, and she was not once daunted by the task at hand.  She is strong, skilled, poised, and plays like a veteran.  She has a very quick and tight handle, and she can really shoot the thing when she's in rhythm and gets just a glimpse of the rim.  If there is anything that will hold her back, it's a lack of elite athleticism, but there aren't many/any other kids in Indiana's 2022 class with the combination of ball skills and shooting touch she possesses. &nbsp; <strong>Rayah Kincer, 2022, 5-9 W, Franklin Central H.S., Nike Lady Gym Rats Gold EYBL 16U</strong> I've had Rayah's name for some time now, and I've seen this team previously, but this was my first time ever seeing Rayah play.  She is a long, wiry strong wing with good fluidity.  She can handle it outside, occasionally run offense, or attack the basket athletically and finish.  She can knock down an open jumper when in rhythm, and she just plays with an all-around nice IQ and feel for the game.  She will need to get stronger, like most younger players, and she could work on tightening her entire skillset, but she does have an "it" factor about her. &nbsp; <strong>Jada Patton, 2022, 5-10 F, Penn H.S., MBA Select Silver Gauntlet-Creech 16U</strong> Jada was absolutely one of the most entertaining kids I saw all weekend.  She is mastering the optical illusion of looking like she's out of control, while actually being in complete control...I know how that sounds.  Jada is a physically imposing forward, with power and strength, but she has good balance and body control.  She looks like a power forward or center, but once she grabs a defensive rebound, watch out.  She'll just take off with it, weaving in and out of traffic, flying up the floor, only to slam on the brakes and find a shooter spotting up on the wing or in the corner.  It's so difficult to compare her to anyone, because no one plays like her.  She is an athlete, grabs a ton of rebounds, creates off the dribble, and can finish most anything in and around the basket.  She is certainly deceiving, talented, and productive, all wrapped up in one player. &nbsp; <strong>Emma Brown, 2023, 5-5 G, Bedford North Lawrence H.S., Indiana Showcase-Johnson 14U</strong> While <strong>Chloe Spreen</strong> (2024) and <strong>Karsyn Norman</strong> (2023 <em>below</em>) are a pair of Bedford guards already drawing a lot of attention, Emma Brown had a "check me out" game over the weekend.  She is a strong-for-her-age guard with solid all-around athleticism and a good feel for the game.  But where she stood out, was she knocked down shot after shot after shot one game to help keep this Showcase team in it against a very good Kentucky Premier 14U squad, and with Norman on the bench for a stretch in pain.  Emma is a tough-nosed little guard, somewhat feisty, and she could have a really nice high school career because of (1) her ability to hit shots, and (2) her aforementioned future backcourt mates drawing most of the attention from defenses. &nbsp; <strong>Nevaeh Foster, 2023, 5-7 G, South Bend LaSalle Academy, MBA Select Silver Gauntlet-Creech 16U</strong> Nevaeh is one of many talented youngsters in the South Bend area in the classes of 2022 through 2025.  She has good length, wiry strength, and she moves well in all directions and plays with a lot of energy.  She can handle it a little and play point guard, she can attack the basket aggressively off the dribble, and she can knock down shots from the perimeter.  I'm not sure how much more she's going to grow, but I think she can develop into a really nice scoring point guard over time, and she should gain good muscle-mass as well and could be an option on the wing too.  I really like her potential, wherever she chooses to go to high school in that area. &nbsp; <strong>Karsyn Norman, 2023, 5-5 PG, Bedford North Lawrence H.S., Indiana Showcase-Johnson 14U</strong> Speaking of Karsyn, she again had a really nice weekend and is proving to be one of the best incoming Freshmen guards in the state.  I continue to be impressed by her understanding/feel of the game, her ability to play with her head up, constantly scanning the floor, and her passing accuracy, especially on longer passes in transition.  She is a true floor general, and a savvy lead guard who will get every opportunity to play at Bedford these next four years.  She's likely not growing much more, but she doesn't need to, considering her skill and awareness for the game. &nbsp; <strong>Lilly Reid, 2023, 5-6 PG, Eastside M.S. (KY), Kentucky Premier-West 14U</strong> Lilly is a Marysville, Indiana, resident, but she attends school in the Louisville area.  She is a long, fairly fluid and smooth, plus skillful true point guard prospect.  She handles it competently, makes some really nice reads against the defense, and she can hit shots from the perimeter.  She isn't super-explosive, but she is quick, she's feisty, and she'll get on the floor and do a lot of the little things to help her team win.  I saw her in a head-to-head matchup with <strong>Karsyn Norman</strong> (<em>above</em>), and she more than held her own, helping her team to a 1-point victory.