Grassroots Review: Indiana Elite S.W.I.S.H.
The 2019 grassroots season has come and gone, and teams are already starting to take shape for 2020. But before that happens, I wanted to have a little fun and take the time to reflect on some of the notable…
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Continue ReadingThe 2019 grassroots season has come and gone, and teams are already starting to take shape for 2020. But before that happens, I wanted to have a little fun and take the time to reflect on some of the notable players from this past season. These aren’t necessarily the most talented prospects in their respective programs, as much as they are ladies who stood out for one reason or another because of their play. Also, there are likely a few players who could qualify for multiple categories, but I have decided to limit each person to just one accolade. Below is a look into some of the Indiana Elite S.W.I.S.H. girls who stood out in 2019.
BIGGEST STOCK-RISER
Meredith Raley, 2020, 6-0 F, Gibson Southern H.S., Indiana Elite S.W.I.S.H. 17U
Meredith is a kid who has always been solid, but over the last year her game really hit another level. With a lot of small college interest entering the May “live” weekend, she caught the eye of a few Division-I programs I spoke with. She grew up as more of a wing with perimeter skill, but as she grew and gained strength, she has learned to be an effective low-post player as well. She can score it on the block, she’s very efficient in the mid-post, but she’s also a consistent perimeter shooter who can knock down the trail 3-pointer with regularity. She is a versatile inside-out power forward now with skill at all levels. She did unfortunately injure her knee over the Summer, but she hopes to back for the high school season. She recently gave a verbal commitment to Division-II Southern Indiana.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Kalea Fleming, 2021, 5-6 PG, Loogootee H.S., Indiana Elite S.W.I.S.H. 16U
When I saw Kalea last Spring & Summer, I thought she was a solid little combo guard who could be a nice small college prospect long-term. But throughout this grassroots season, and at our event in mid-June, she showed off a much more complete game skillfully, to go along with her athletic talent. Kalea is a fairly quick/fast and somewhat bouncy athlete who moves well in all directions. She has a wiry strong frame and is absorbing contact much better this year. She has worked on her handle and can attack aggressively or create for others, plus she’s shooting it more consistently from the perimeter. I also like her motor and her willingness to defend with a lot of energy as well. I think as she continues to get more reps and play the point guard position full-time, she will only get better, and I think she’s someone a few Division-I schools might even have interest in now.
MOST INTANGIBLE PLAYER
Taylor Hart, 2022, 5-9 F, Gibson Southern H.S., Indiana Elite S.W.I.S.H. 15U
I wanted to issue this award instead of a most valuable player, because I feel like the kids who do a lot of the “blue-collared” work don’t get enough credit. Taylor is just such a player, and that became evident when she attended our showcase in mid-June. Each time I’ve seen Taylor play with this S.W.I.S.H. group, she has been a scrapper who usually plays on the interior, defends players bigger than herself, and does a lot of the little things like rebound, get after loose balls, and defend. I enjoy her motor, toughness, and willingness to help her team win. But when she was at our showcase, she showed a skillful side to her game that I didn’t know she had. Her handle and jumper are much farther along than I would have thought, and she should be viewed as a wing prospect, even though for this team she plays more of a mid-post forward position. Taylor is clearly a kid who sacrifices personal achievement for the betterment of the team.
MOST INTRIGUING YOUNGSTER
Myah Montgomery, 2022, 6-0 F, Southridge H.S., Indiana Elite S.W.I.S.H. 15U
For this category, I have been limiting my choices to those young ladies who are in the classes of 2023 or 2024, but since I wasn’t able to see the S.W.I.S.H.’s younger teams this season, I chose someone from their 2022/15U team. Myah is a real talent with a high ceiling. She is extremely long, fluid and athletic, even bouncy, and she is more of a wing than anything, despite being 6-feet tall. She glides to the basket off of one dribble, she has a pretty jump-shot and can knock down open shots from the perimeter, and she is tall enough that she can play some in the mid-post and pursue rebounds. I think once she understands how to play with a sense of urgency defensively, she’ll be a nice defender, because she’s certainly long enough and athletic enough to cause problems on the ball. I think she’s a kid who is a solid low to mid-major Division-I prospect right now, but with a little more skill development and strength, she could turn into a higher level prospect.
TOUGHEST PLAYER
Rebekah Gordon, 2021, 6-0 F, Heritage Hills H.S., Indiana Elite S.W.I.S.H. 16U
There are several different ways to define toughness, and Rebekah’s game is so unique, that I think she fits the mold of an “unsuspecting” tough player. She isn’t very emotional, and she tends to play with a pretty even temper, but she has a really nice, quiet toughness to her game. Rebekah is a long, wiry strong, and athletic front-liner. She plays with a great motor, she’s a nice athlete with some bounce, and she can attack from the mid-post and finish around the basket like a guard/wing. She’s also willing to be physical, she rebounds the ball at a fairly high level, and she can occasionally post up and score around the block. She sets screens, defends multiple positions well, and competes on every possession. I think she has a chance at some Division-I opportunities, but her location in Southwestern Indiana somewhat limits her visibility during the Winter. She is a nice talent and a sound basketball player.
BEST MOTOR
Brooke Nottingham, 2020, 5-4 PG, Jasper H.S., Indiana Elite S.W.I.S.H. 17U
This is a very difficult award to hand out, because you can easily find a few players in each grassroots program worthy of this award. I have seen Brooke with her high school team, and I’ve seen her with this grassroots team, and her effort is very consistent. She never stops moving, and she’s usually flying around the floor with great pace and energy. She is a quick/fast, athletic, feisty point guard prospect. She’s almost too unselfish at times, but she is a willing and capable playmaker who can collapse the defense and find teammates. She can score it a little, but she never forces shots and takes what is given to her. She is also a pesky defensive player who can really get after opposing ball-handlers. I think she’s a really nice small college “sleeper” who can come in and make a roster better because of her work ethic.