Game Review: Northwestern vs. Logansport
Saturday afternoon I made the trip to Howard County to watch the host Northwestern Tigers take on the Logansport Berries. It happened to be Senior Day for the Tigers, and what a 2020 class it has been for the purple…
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Continue ReadingSaturday afternoon I made the trip to Howard County to watch the host Northwestern Tigers take on the Logansport Berries. It happened to be Senior Day for the Tigers, and what a 2020 class it has been for the purple & white, winning consecutive Class 3A state titles, while putting themselves in position to compete for a Class 4A championship this year. While the final score was a lopsided 79-27, it could have been worse after Northwestern rattled off a 30-3 first quarter with ease. I was able to see some nice prospects from both teams, though, and below is a look at six individuals who stood out to me throughout the Varsity contest.
Madison Layden, 2020, 6-1 W, Northwestern H.S.
Madison had her way early in this game, and she was a big reason for the fast start for the Tigers. She buried her first three 3-point attempts, and she was able to find space and get rhythm fairly easily early on. She also showed her ability to handle the ball and find open teammates throughout the game. She has signed with Purdue University, and she will be quite an asset for them over the next four years, as her versatility as a skillful athlete allow her to play in about any system or lineup. At 6-1, that only makes her that much more difficult of a matchup on the wing.
Kendall Bostic, 2020, 6-1 F/C, Northwestern H.S.
It appeared as though Logansport came out intent on stopping Kendall, as they brought two defenders at her most of the first half, but the combination of Kendall’s size, strength, and motor allowed her to create opportunities. She was great on the boards, as usual, and she finished just about everything around the rim. She has shown the ability to play away from the basket, but against the Logansport zone, she was most effective terrorizing them around the block. Kendall has signed with Michigan State University, and her motor & toughness should help her see minutes early in her career there.
Klair Merrell, 2020, 5-8 G, Northwestern H.S.
Klair might have had her best week in a Tiger jersey, and that’s in addition to this game. On the day, she posted a double-double (points & assists) and was extremely active defensively as well. She is a wiry strong guard who can handle some, make shots, and defend multiple types of perimeter players. She is very tough, feisty, and gritty. She has signed with Indiana Wesleyan University, and I think she’s a kid who will have some key moments in big games if Northwestern is to make it back to Bankers Life Fieldhouse at the end of February. She is sort of their secret weapon.
McKenna Layden, 2023, 6-0 W, Northwestern H.S.
Each time I see McKenna, she looks like she has improved different parts of her game. She is still somewhat slender, but she’s extremely long, bouncy, and very active at both ends of the floor. Saturday, she did a really nice job playing out around the perimeter, handling the ball in transition, and she is shooting it consistently from 3-point range. I would consider her more of a true wing at this point. She has a ton of upside, because she’ll only get better once she finishes growing and adds strength. She might be closer to 6-1 by now, as she is nearing Madison and Kendall in height.
Elle Deardorff, 2020, 5-4 PG, Logansport H.S.
I have seen Elle several times in the past, and despite the outcome of this game, I was as impressed as I’ve ever been with her skill and ability. She is coming off of a knee injury, but she looks quick and fairly explosive. She has really good length, she creates space well off the bounce, and she can really shoot it, plus with range well-beyond the 3-point line. As she gets stronger and more confident in her leg, look for her to make waves at the next level, as she is committed to Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. After watching her Saturday, I think they got a real “steal”.
Gabby Richie, 2023, 5-3 G, Logansport H.S.
While Elle is the current star for the Berries, Gabby might be the future star. She is a tough-nosed, gritty, strong-for-her-age combo guard. She looked like a veteran out there and wasn’t at all intimidated by the awe of Northwestern. She handled the ball solidly, shot it confidently when she was open, and didn’t hesitate to attack the basket when she had the chance. Defensively, she was just as assertive and took on whoever she needed to. I think she could be just a bit more explosive in all directions, but she has a solid skillset and a good all-around feel for the game. She’ll be a good one for Logansport.
The feature image is of Elle Deardorff of Logansport High School. The image is courtesy of Elle’s own Twitter account.