Most Intriguing Prospects from Evanston vs. Lincoln-Way West

Saturday afternoon was a meeting of teams most believe to be among the Top 5 in Illinois' Class 4A at Lincoln-Way West High School, as the Warriors played host to Evanston. Going into the game I was curious to know how the LWW guards would fare against the bigger guards from Evanston. On the other side, I knew the Warriors have had great success in zone this season, and wanted to see how the Evanston guards would play if LWW tried to take Ambrea Gentle out of the game. I got my answer as LWW came away with an impressive 77-62 win on their home court. Here are my Most Intriguing Prospects from the game: <strong>2020 <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/taylor-gugliuzza/">Taylor Gugliuzza</a>, 5'9" Guard, Lincoln-Way West</strong> While there were several great performances from LWW in this game, I don't think any were as important as Taylor's. The Warrior lead was stretched to 11 at the half, thanks in big part to her big second quarter scoring the ball. Taylor can shoot it as well as anyone in the state, but her ability get her defenders on their toes and drive right past them for open looks at the hoop is so hard to guard one-on-one. She finished with 20pts for the game. <strong>2020 <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jayla-turchin/">Jayla Turchin</a>, 5'10" Guard, Evanston</strong> Its very difficult to find someone with a more well-rounded game than <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jayla-turchin/">Jayla Turchin</a>. She is an extremely skilled and High IQ player who continues to score and make plays at any spot on the court. She is smooth and strong in the post on both ends, and can handle and shoot the ball at a consistent level, which creates a tough matchup for any one defender. Turchin finished with a team-high 16pts and 11rebs. <strong>2022 <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/brianna-wooldridge/">Brianna Wooldridge</a>, 6'2" Forward, Lincoln-Way West</strong> If I'm giving <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/taylor-gugliuzza/">Taylor Gugliuzza</a> credit for LWW pulling away in the second quarter, then I have to give Wooldridge credit for LLW's hot start in the first. The strong and athletic Sophomore had a great game attacking the basket. Wooldridge did a nice job driving from the elbow-extended and creating ways to finishing at the rim or earn a trip to the free-throw line. She finished with 17pts. <strong>2020 <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kayla-henning/">Kayla Henning</a>, 5'7" Guard, Evanston</strong> Henning is one of my favorite unsigned Seniors for what she brings on both ends of the floor. She's a more than capable ball handler who likes to set her teammates up, but also knows when its time to be the playmaker. Henning can knock shots down from deep, but her speed and crafty ball handling are so tough for defenders to stay in front of, which gives her plenty of opportunities to make plays in the lane. <strong>2023 Ava Gugliuzza, 5'7" Guard, Lincoln-Way West</strong> Leading all scorers with 23pts for the game, the standout Freshman continued to be lethal from beyond the three-point line. While Ava is known for her three-point shooting, which was on display in the second half of Saturdays game, she also impressed with some nice drives and finishes in the lane throughout the game. <strong>2021 Rashele Olatunbosun, 5'7" Guard, Evanston</strong> A "Stock riser" in the Junior class, Olatunbosun has really had a breakthrough season for Evanston. After mostly showing her lock-down defensive abilities last season, she has now consistently showed an offensive skill-set that forces opposing teams to make her a part of the game plan. Olatunbosun has a nice lefty shot from deep, but her ability to get in the lane and knock down floaters or pull-up jumpers make her very dynamic on the offensive end. <strong>2021 <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/tara-gugliuzza/">Tara Gugliuzza</a>, 5'8" Guard, Lincoln-Way West</strong> A fourth double-digit scorer in the game for LWW, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/tara-gugliuzza/">Tara Gugliuzza</a> is yet another threat to go off from three on any given night. While Tara only managed to knock down one three in this game, she made her presence known defensively and at the Free Throw line. Her quick hands and anticipation caused problems in the 2-3 zone throughout all four quarters. When the game was still in question late, Tara did a nice job stepping up to the Free Throw line and sealing the game on multiple occasions.